Men's Basketball

[Hatch]

I was out of touch with the world with no internet for a week and a half so I just caught up on everything watching the Little Rock game last night then just read through this thread. Here are a few thoughts.

As bad as the injury bug was last year it is even worse this year. I wouldn’t have a problem either way with a coaching change at the end of the year as I am expecting to be below .500 if not well below. The staff obviously doesn’t have a full deck right now and I don’t believe the roster overhaul this past offseason was all on them but ultimately they are somewhat responsible for the decisions the players they sign make off the court as well.

It was questioned earlier if this team can win next year with this roster. I still think that there is the talent here to where if you swap out Hardy for the Thomas signee and everyone is back 100% healthy they would be right in the mix for a conference title. However at this point a lot of these guys may never be at 100% again. Julien with both knees, Cadwell with a knee, Wesley and Russell with foot issues, and Smith’s condition possibly limiting him from going all out or playing full minutes, that all adds up to a lot to overcome.

[Cajunsmike]

I won't give up on him at this time. Perhaps he's going through a period of adjustment. He's obviously trying too hard out there, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Maybe just needs time to get it together and let the game come to him. At least that's what I'm hoping for.

Dou shot 38 percent from three at Daytona last year. Over 40 percent from three his first JC year in Japan. That is why they were OK with him taking the shot early in the season. At this stage, his issues with the shot are probably mental and lack of confidence. My suggestion is only take it at the end of the shot clock.

[CajunVic]

I was out of touch with the world with no internet for a week and a half so I just caught up on everything watching the Little Rock game last night then just read through this thread. Here are a few thoughts.

As bad as the injury bug was last year it is even worse this year. I wouldn't have a problem either way with a coaching change at the end of the year as I am expecting to be below .500 if not well below. The staff obviously doesn't have a full deck right now and I don't believe the roster overhaul this past offseason was all on them but ultimately they are somewhat responsible for the decisions the players they sign make off the court as well.

It was questioned earlier if this team can win next year with this roster. I still think that there is the talent here to where if you swap out Hardy for the Thomas signee and everyone is back 100% healthy they would be right in the mix for a conference title. However at this point a lot of these guys may never be at 100% again. Julien with both knees, Cadwell with a knee, Wesley and Russell with foot issues, and Smith's condition possibly limiting him from going all out or playing full minutes, that all adds up to a lot to overcome.

Realistic overview of why we are bad.

[Cajunsmike]

I was out of touch with the world with no internet for a week and a half so I just caught up on everything watching the Little Rock game last night then just read through this thread. Here are a few thoughts.

As bad as the injury bug was last year it is even worse this year. I wouldn’t have a problem either way with a coaching change at the end of the year as I am expecting to be below .500 if not well below. The staff obviously doesn’t have a full deck right now and I don’t believe the roster overhaul this past offseason was all on them but ultimately they are somewhat responsible for the decisions the players they sign make off the court as well.

It was questioned earlier if this team can win next year with this roster. I still think that there is the talent here to where if you swap out Hardy for the Thomas signee and everyone is back 100% healthy they would be right in the mix for a conference title. However at this point a lot of these guys may never be at 100% again. Julien with both knees, Cadwell with a knee, Wesley and Russell with foot issues, and Smith’s condition possibly limiting him from going all out or playing full minutes, that all adds up to a lot to overcome.

Agree with VIC in that this post does a good job of explaining our current struggles. Also indicates that next year is an unknown. We could continue to have health issues limiting our effectiveness or we could be much improved.

[zephyr]

Dou shot 38 percent from three at Daytona last year. Over 40 percent from three his first JC year in Japan. That is why they were OK with him taking the shot early in the season. At this stage, his issues with the shot are probably mental and lack of confidence. My suggestion is only take it at the end of the shot clock.

I haven't had a problem with his perimeter shots with the exception of sometimes pulling the trigger without moving it or being covered as I know he is capable of hitting those shots. I think the bigger issues have been his ball handling at the top of the key trying to be a PG and create his own shots. That has proven to be fruitless thus far as he has turned the ball over quite a bit.

[zephyr]

I was out of touch with the world with no internet for a week and a half so I just caught up on everything watching the Little Rock game last night then just read through this thread. Here are a few thoughts.

As bad as the injury bug was last year it is even worse this year. I wouldn’t have a problem either way with a coaching change at the end of the year as I am expecting to be below .500 if not well below. The staff obviously doesn’t have a full deck right now and I don’t believe the roster overhaul this past offseason was all on them but ultimately they are somewhat responsible for the decisions the players they sign make off the court as well.

It was questioned earlier if this team can win next year with this roster. I still think that there is the talent here to where if you swap out Hardy for the Thomas signee and everyone is back 100% healthy they would be right in the mix for a conference title. However at this point a lot of these guys may never be at 100% again. Julien with both knees, Cadwell with a knee, Wesley and Russell with foot issues, and Smith’s condition possibly limiting him from going all out or playing full minutes, that all adds up to a lot to overcome.

This is very reasonable assessment but I will add that we would need to improve drastically in regards to defense and rebounding if you want to all of a sudden take this group and make it a conference contender.

[Million$Mullet]

I haven't had a problem with his perimeter shots with the exception of sometimes pulling the trigger without moving it or being covered as I know he is capable of hitting those shots. I think the bigger issues have been his ball handling at the top of the key trying to be a PG and create his own shots. That has proven to be fruitless thus far as he has turned the ball over quite a bit.

So kinda like Justin Miller?

[zephyr]

So kinda like Justin Miller?

Exactly like him but taller, more athletic and a better defender.

[Turbine]

Exactly like him but taller, more athletic and a better defender.

Needless reset (so far) "this" year. Dividends late in the year perhaps

Half point less scoring and 2 rebounds less per 40.

I believe with an added year of maturity and playing in the same system Miller would have been much better than he 'was' then or 'is' now.

Both are hampered in learning a new system.



jmo

[Cajunsmike]

This is very reasonable assessment but I will add that we would need to improve drastically in regards to defense and rebounding if you want to all of a sudden take this group and make it a conference contender.

Current group does not have two players who will either start or be the sixth man next year in Caldwell and Julien. Those two guys may allow the improvement needed on defense and on the boards. Current group does need to get better in those areas with the players they have.

[CajunEXPRESS]

Current group does not have two players who will either start or be the sixth man next year in Caldwell and Julien. Those two guys may allow the improvement needed on defense and on the boards. Current group does need to get better in those areas with the players they have.

Well the current group isn't good enough period. Adding Kobe back isn't that big a difference. We were awful with him this year. I don't know how much Caldwell will matter. Nobody knows for sure.

Having both those guys healthy we might go from very bad to just barely mediocre. I'm doubting that the freshman replacement for Hardy will be as good in his first year, so that's probably a small step back.

The only thing we can hope for is several players being healthy and therefore an opportunity to be much better.

But really it’s way too early to be talking next year. That clearly is bad news that we are talking next year.

[Turbine]

Rebooting a team without a healthy transition is never a good thing.

It's like coming out of a self imposed death penalty.