Zags Season Preview

Quote from: crgreen on June 13, 2013, 06:24:56 AM

Quote from: desco80 on June 12, 2013, 03:36:15 PM

Quote from: Amaseinyourface2 on June 12, 2013, 03:22:51 PM

Quote from: desco80 on June 12, 2013, 02:33:05 PM

  Obekpa should be much improved, but we've also heard how good Sanchez looked in practice - so you gotta figure there will be some minutes lost there.   

Agree Chris may lose minutes, but not to Sanchez.  I think Orlando takes a few from Jakarr, and gets the rest of his from Amir's vacated 20 a game.   Chris will lose minutes to Gift.

Interesting.  You see Orlando playing most of his minutes at forward?   
I agree that he's not a prototypical center but that doesn't seem to be a prerequisite for coach.  (And really, who on our roster is a real center?)   I think our best frontcourt is Orlando and Jakarr; I'd be surprised if those two don't start together, and play more minutes than anyone else.   

And, my feelings on GG are pretty clear - but it would be a huge mistake if Obekpa lost minutes to Gift.   Aside from foul shooting down the stretch, that's almost incomprehensible to me. 

You and CR are firmly on each end of the Gift spectrum.  He loves him like a first born child and you can't stand him in so many words

Quote from: crgreen on June 13, 2013, 06:24:56 AM

Quote from: desco80 on June 12, 2013, 03:36:15 PM

Quote from: Amaseinyourface2 on June 12, 2013, 03:22:51 PM

Quote from: desco80 on June 12, 2013, 02:33:05 PM

  Obekpa should be much improved, but we've also heard how good Sanchez looked in practice - so you gotta figure there will be some minutes lost there.   

Agree Chris may lose minutes, but not to Sanchez.  I think Orlando takes a few from Jakarr, and gets the rest of his from Amir's vacated 20 a game.   Chris will lose minutes to Gift.

Interesting.  You see Orlando playing most of his minutes at forward?   
I agree that he's not a prototypical center but that doesn't seem to be a prerequisite for coach.  (And really, who on our roster is a real center?)   I think our best frontcourt is Orlando and Jakarr; I'd be surprised if those two don't start together, and play more minutes than anyone else.   

And, my feelings on GG are pretty clear - but it would be a huge mistake if Obekpa lost minutes to Gift.   Aside from foul shooting down the stretch, that's almost incomprehensible to me.

cant see gift averaging double digit minutes per game with a healthy roster.  might even be a few "DNP - CD" on the horizon. 

id rather mop up minutes go to felix and jones

The more I see all of us talking about rotation minutes, the more I believe that on defense, we should be employing a press defense 94 feet this year, on every possession (47 feet if we have to drop back).  Lavin's philosophy should be to tell players, go in, play in your face D for 3-4 minutes, and don't worry about fatigue, because I'll take you out.

Also, having options like Obekpa, Sanchez, and even Gift in the back of the press, for the inevitable times it will get beat, is also a huge weapon, IMO.

The more I see all of us talking about rotation minutes, the more I believe that on defense, we should be employing a press defense 94 feet this year, on every possession (47 feet if we have to drop back).  Lavin's philosophy should be to tell players, go in, play in your face D for 3-4 minutes, and don't worry about fatigue, because I'll take you out.

Also, having options like Obekpa, Sanchez, and even Gift in the back of the press, for the inevitable times it will get beat, is also a huge weapon, IMO.

All depends if the players can pick up and understand 94 feet of heat.

I am really going to find it interesting how McDermott fares against better comp day in and day out.  I always wondered how "mid-major" stars would play in a better conference.  No way I would anoint him POY based on that fact.

Also, no way D'Lo is a 1st team player.  He needs to get his head right first.

Quote from: crgreen on June 13, 2013, 06:24:56 AM

Quote from: desco80 on June 12, 2013, 03:36:15 PM

Quote from: Amaseinyourface2 on June 12, 2013, 03:22:51 PM

Quote from: desco80 on June 12, 2013, 02:33:05 PM

And, my feelings on GG are pretty clear - but it would be a huge mistake if Obekpa lost minutes to Gift.   Aside from foul shooting down the stretch, that's almost incomprehensible to me.

I will repeat - I'm talking about what I think Steve Lavin will do with minutes.  He's not going to have a 10/5 redshirt senior on the bench.   Chris played 875 minutes last year.   That's the 2nd most minutes Lavin's ever given one of his centers.    Dan Gadzuric got 480, 740, 861, 865 his 4 years for Lavin.  Jelani McCoy 846.  Ryan Hollins 711.  Jerome Moiso 689 ---------- - But #1 minutes for a Lavin center so far in his career have gone to....Junior God's Gift Achiuwa - 1,025.

Knowing Lavin, I don't see any way that player, two years better, still the biggest player on the team (he's got 10-15 lbs on the Chris's - Obekpa and Jones - and 20 on Sanchez), a 53% shooter, effective FT shooter, a solid remarkably balanced rebounder (Gift got 91 offensive boards, 95 defensive - Obekpa led last years tam with 73 offensive boards) is going to see his senior season from the bench.

But we'll see - as they say, "that's why they play the games".....

Quote from: desco80 on June 13, 2013, 10:21:05 AM

Quote from: crgreen on June 13, 2013, 06:24:56 AM

Quote from: desco80 on June 12, 2013, 03:36:15 PM

Quote from: Amaseinyourface2 on June 12, 2013, 03:22:51 PM

Quote from: desco80 on June 12, 2013, 02:33:05 PM

And, my feelings on GG are pretty clear - but it would be a huge mistake if Obekpa lost minutes to Gift.   Aside from foul shooting down the stretch, that's almost incomprehensible to me.

I will repeat - I'm talking about what I think Steve Lavin will do with minutes.  He's not going to have a 10/5 redshirt senior on the bench.   Chris played 875 minutes last year.   That's the 2nd most minutes Lavin's ever given one of his centers.    Dan Gadzuric got 480, 740, 861, 865 his 4 years for Lavin.  Jelani McCoy 846.  Ryan Hollins 711.  Jerome Moiso 689 ---------- - But #1 minutes for a Lavin center so far in his career have gone to....Junior God's Gift Achiuwa - 1,025.

Knowing Lavin, I don't see any way that player, two years better, still the biggest player on the team (he's got 10-15 lbs on the Chris's - Obekpa and Jones - and 20 on Sanchez), a 53% shooter, effective FT shooter, a solid remarkably balanced rebounder (Gift got 91 offensive boards, 95 defensive - Obekpa led last years tam with 73 offensive boards) is going to see his senior season from the bench.

Exactly.

GG can play and he is a 5th year senior.  No way the kid sits.  Nobody is saying he is a superstar but you guys who just dismiss him like he is a stiff are dead wrong.

CO is prone to foul trouble, he is not going to play 35 minutes, probably not even 30 minutes.

Quote from: crgreen on June 13, 2013, 06:24:56 AM

Quote from: desco80 on June 12, 2013, 03:36:15 PM

Quote from: Amaseinyourface2 on June 12, 2013, 03:22:51 PM

Quote from: desco80 on June 12, 2013, 02:33:05 PM

  Obekpa should be much improved, but we've also heard how good Sanchez looked in practice - so you gotta figure there will be some minutes lost there.   

Agree Chris may lose minutes, but not to Sanchez.  I think Orlando takes a few from Jakarr, and gets the rest of his from Amir's vacated 20 a game.   Chris will lose minutes to Gift.

Interesting.  You see Orlando playing most of his minutes at forward?   
I agree that he's not a prototypical center but that doesn't seem to be a prerequisite for coach.  (And really, who on our roster is a real center?)   I think our best frontcourt is Orlando and Jakarr; I'd be surprised if those two don't start together, and play more minutes than anyone else.   

And, my feelings on GG are pretty clear - but it would be a huge mistake if Obekpa lost minutes to Gift.   Aside from foul shooting down the stretch, that's almost incomprehensible to me. 

Agree 100% that our most common front court will be Jakarr and Orlando. Not only are they our two best options but it allows more playing time for our 4 guards + Dom.

Quote from: desco80 on June 13, 2013, 10:21:05 AM

Quote from: crgreen on June 13, 2013, 06:24:56 AM

Quote from: desco80 on June 12, 2013, 03:36:15 PM

Quote from: Amaseinyourface2 on June 12, 2013, 03:22:51 PM

Quote from: desco80 on June 12, 2013, 02:33:05 PM

And, my feelings on GG are pretty clear - but it would be a huge mistake if Obekpa lost minutes to Gift.   Aside from foul shooting down the stretch, that's almost incomprehensible to me.

I will repeat - I'm talking about what I think Steve Lavin will do with minutes.  He's not going to have a 10/5 redshirt senior on the bench.   Chris played 875 minutes last year.   That's the 2nd most minutes Lavin's ever given one of his centers.    Dan Gadzuric got 480, 740, 861, 865 his 4 years for Lavin.  Jelani McCoy 846.  Ryan Hollins 711.  Jerome Moiso 689 ---------- - But #1 minutes for a Lavin center so far in his career have gone to....Junior God's Gift Achiuwa - 1,025.

Knowing Lavin, I don't see any way that player, two years better, still the biggest player on the team (he's got 10-15 lbs on the Chris's - Obekpa and Jones - and 20 on Sanchez), a 53% shooter, effective FT shooter, a solid remarkably balanced rebounder (Gift got 91 offensive boards, 95 defensive - Obekpa led last years tam with 73 offensive boards) is going to see his senior season from the bench.

But we'll see - as they say, "that's why they play the games".....

Those GG stats are misleading.  Gift played those minutes because there literally were zero other options on the roster. 

All things considered, front court minutes will be dominated by CO, Jakarr, and Sanchez.  Gift and Jones gets leftover pt.  Plus there might be fewer big man minutes to go around if we go to a three guard set.

Quote from: desco80 on June 13, 2013, 10:21:05 AM

Quote from: crgreen on June 13, 2013, 06:24:56 AM

Quote from: desco80 on June 12, 2013, 03:36:15 PM

Quote from: Amaseinyourface2 on June 12, 2013, 03:22:51 PM

Quote from: desco80 on June 12, 2013, 02:33:05 PM

  Obekpa should be much improved, but we've also heard how good Sanchez looked in practice - so you gotta figure there will be some minutes lost there.   

Agree Chris may lose minutes, but not to Sanchez.  I think Orlando takes a few from Jakarr, and gets the rest of his from Amir's vacated 20 a game.   Chris will lose minutes to Gift.

Interesting.  You see Orlando playing most of his minutes at forward?   
I agree that he's not a prototypical center but that doesn't seem to be a prerequisite for coach.  (And really, who on our roster is a real center?)   I think our best frontcourt is Orlando and Jakarr; I'd be surprised if those two don't start together, and play more minutes than anyone else.   

And, my feelings on GG are pretty clear - but it would be a huge mistake if Obekpa lost minutes to Gift.   Aside from foul shooting down the stretch, that's almost incomprehensible to me. 

You and CR are firmly on each end of the Gift spectrum.  He loves him like a first born child and you can't stand him in so many words

It's so true.  I don't want to beat the issue to death, but in all likelihood neither of us will be entirely right.  He'll probably end up playing 7mpg; not a key player in the rotation, but he won't warm the bench either. 

Also, I couldn't agree more with you and sju61982, if ever there was a year to employ baseline to baseline pressure; this is it.  We have the guys for that kind've system.   But like you say; if it's going to be sloppy pressure, we might as well not play it all.   Hope the guys nail that down this summer/fall.


(PS. Chudney, I've been saying that about Gift's numbers for a year now.  Yet some people are still impressed that he avg'd 5rebs a game playing with 5 undersized freshmen.    If you're the tallest guy on your team and you stand near the hoop for 30mins, the ball will fall in your lap 5 times. 

Lordy, its only June.

Have been following this program intensely since 72-73 season and I have yet to see us effectively employ a full court press. Well maybe my fr yr of 72-73 under coach Frank Mulzoff and that was only against the over matched teams on our schedule. We always play the press half hearted never getting up in the faces of our opponents. Would love to see it but only if we go all out and create some turnovers instead of lay-ups and dunks on the other end. Sheed, Dom, Karr, Orlando with CO protecting the basket would seem capable (as well as Felix).

 I think it is pretty crazy to disregard Gift as being able to have a positive impact for this team. We were a terrible rebounding team last year, he can certainly help.

 I agree with Fordham.. he is far from a stiff.  I've seen enough big men come through this program that couldn't jog down the court and chew gum at the same time.  That isn't Gift. I feel his contribution to next season will be positive both on the court and in the locker room... the latter shouldn't be overlooked either.   I'm looking at Dom, Gift , and Phil to be the team leaders.

 Lavs tried D-lo last season and got burned.

Quote from: crgreen on June 13, 2013, 11:25:55 AM

Quote from: desco80 on June 13, 2013, 10:21:05 AM

Quote from: crgreen on June 13, 2013, 06:24:56 AM

Quote from: desco80 on June 12, 2013, 03:36:15 PM

Quote from: Amaseinyourface2 on June 12, 2013, 03:22:51 PM

Quote from: desco80 on June 12, 2013, 02:33:05 PM

And, my feelings on GG are pretty clear - but it would be a huge mistake if Obekpa lost minutes to Gift.   Aside from foul shooting down the stretch, that's almost incomprehensible to me.

I will repeat - I'm talking about what I think Steve Lavin will do with minutes.  He's not going to have a 10/5 redshirt senior on the bench.   Chris played 875 minutes last year.   That's the 2nd most minutes Lavin's ever given one of his centers.    Dan Gadzuric got 480, 740, 861, 865 his 4 years for Lavin.  Jelani McCoy 846.  Ryan Hollins 711.  Jerome Moiso 689 ---------- - But #1 minutes for a Lavin center so far in his career have gone to....Junior God's Gift Achiuwa - 1,025.

Knowing Lavin, I don't see any way that player, two years better, still the biggest player on the team (he's got 10-15 lbs on the Chris's - Obekpa and Jones - and 20 on Sanchez), a 53% shooter, effective FT shooter, a solid remarkably balanced rebounder (Gift got 91 offensive boards, 95 defensive - Obekpa led last years tam with 73 offensive boards) is going to see his senior season from the bench.

But we'll see - as they say, "that's why they play the games".....

Those GG stats are misleading.  Gift played those minutes because there literally were zero other options on the roster. 

Yes - and on a team that DID have Mo, D'Lo, Sir Dom, Amir, Phil, he was only 3rd in scoring and 2nd in rebounding and 1st in FG%.