Quote Originally Posted by Parrott View Post
_ 1.) With Batiste, it looks like he is moving backwards when he's trying to dunk it. He was a little off-balanced and didn't putting the ball down through the bucket. For now, he's doing fine as a starter. He gets a few minutes before Barr checks in. He is long enough to make some plays on defense and get some garbage baskets. Having Barr come in off the bench helps him avoid any quick, cheap fouls. Barr cannot stay on the floor if he's always in foul trouble.

2.) Adeife's strengths are rebounding and defense. With his length and height, I expect him to be a huge factor in conference play, with his contributions not always showing up in the stats. Whether he ever starts, I'll let coach Lee worry about that.

3.) Roberson is a natural talent. He just looks like a George Gervin-type player on the floor. So smooth and little wasted effort. He made some turnovers the other night, but that's a sign of a guy trying to do too much. His court vision and ability to handle the ball separates him for other players his size. He has a chance to be special. The sixth man role is probably best suited for him because of the energy he brings off the bench to key a strong second unit. There is no more talented non-starter in the conference.

4.) Guys like Johnson and Gary are needed on every team. They work hard and can defend. You don't want them to be your primary scorers with guys like Bureau and Gradnigo on the floor, but they can get you double-digit points if the defense is sagging off them. They are the all-important glue guys. Championship teams always need a few of those.

5.) Gradnigo is still working his way back from injury. He appears to have improved playing off the dribble after being more of a spot-up shooter a season ago. Bureau is probably the best pure shooter on the team and is getting better at using his length to shield off defenders for off-the-dribble shots. No one in the league has two 6-7 guys that can score like they can. They've appeared to be able to share the ball and both get their shots. The question is which Cajun is going to defend the other team's top scorer with Dison out?

6.) McCoy has had some issues since joining the team, but he is showing why he signed with Tulsa out of high school. He can score, dish, get to the hole and run the fastbreak. On defense, he's got quick hands and plays strong help defense on the perimeter. Coach Lee said in the preseason he expected to use McCoy and Daigle at the same time on the floor, and that's a great move. Not sure if McCoy continues to start when Daigle comes back. With McCoy and Daigle both in the lineup, you could afford to go small at the guard spots if you use any Roberson, Bureau, Gradnigo or Gary at the three and Batiste, Johnson, Adeife or Barr at the four and five. You could also go big with Roberson, Bureau, Gradnigo, Adeife and Barr. So many combinations.

As this season goes on, this team is going to be a lot of fun to watch. The Cajuns were able to defend last season despite not having a true post presence. They can do something special (i.e. NCAA tournament) this season as long as they keep defending, are willing to share playing time and the ball on offense and can find a consistent player rotation. _

JP, I agree with everything in your post except for the Batiste thing. I'm just not impressed with him at all. I don't find that he's doing well as a starter as I find him to be merely a role player at best with no major contributions of any kind. He's good for some height but he does nothing better than any of the other big guys we have. He's actually shown to be a liability on D especially when he has to cover his man outside of the lane. He's slow with his feet, doesn't play with great range and does not provide help side D when someone beats their man. How many times have you seen us give up a layup to a guard who beat their man and he was there to not even contend the basket. You should never give up an easy basket to a small guard off the dribble. He can't shoot FT's and is an offensive liability as well.

As you mentioned, Adeife is good on the glass and shot blocking and Barr is our low post scoring threat. Johnson is an all-around inside-out threat and transition catalyst but Batiste just hasn't shown me a thing. I can't believe he cracked the starting lineup.