Comments from the Couch: vs Kennesaw State

[dbronco7sc]

True, but Jamie played some pretty good post defense against Drake last week---I didn't know he had it in him to do that! And he has shown the desire to post up a bit too.

He's definately shown some improvement in the post. I do still worry a bit about Big 12 play.

Though... the nice thing is now opponents have to try to match up with him too... so they may change things up to guard him out on the perimiter with our guard heavy 3point abilities, but we don't give up a tall defensive post player in order to do our crazy offense.

 

[bawbie]

I agree with you guys and I tend to not give JVB as much credit as he deserves. I'm used to thinking of JVB's weaknesses as he was used last year. When Hoiberg talks about playing to our players strengths, I figured he was just giving the media sometihng to write... but you can tell he truly means everything he says.

JVB is no longer, our post player that has a poor post game and keeps stepping out of position to shoot the three. He's truly an amazing 3 point threat, that forces the defense to bring out their posts to the arc and helps space the floor. In addition, to being a valued offensive spacing/3 point threat... he is 6'11' and gives us a tall guy in the paint defensively.

Essentially, instead of thinking of him as an average defensive post that gives us little offensively in the post so we sometimes pull him out to the three just to get value out of him... I now think of him as a big offensive perimeter threat, with the bonus of an extra tall guy that we can put in the paint on defense.

His ability is big part of what allows us to run our guard heavy lineup!

I agree with everything you said, but also don't forget that this is the first year he's been here when he's been healthy and able to participate in preseason drills. I think that has a lot to do with it too.

Also, he's shown the last two games just how much trouble he can cause a defense. Creighton put a smaller, more mobile defender on him and he scored 8 points in the post and didn't take a 3 (until the end).

This game he had the ball on the wing with the defender up close, so he drove by him for a layup.

Also, one more generic thought I had: one of the reasons I think this team can be consistent on offense is the balance the starting 5 has in scoring. Anyone of them can (and has) go off for 20+ (ok, Jake's high is 19 so far), and there will be games like tonight where they all score ~14. So you can take one or two away, but there's someone to fill the void (unlike last year).

 

[dbronco7sc]

Also, one more generic thought I had: one of the reasons I think this team can be consistent on offense is the balance the starting 5 has in scoring. Anyone of them can (and has) go off for 20+ (ok, Jake's high is 19 so far), and there will be games like tonight where they all score ~14. So you can take one or two away, but there's someone to fill the void (unlike last year).

It's awesome isn't it!

 

[cayin]

JVB did not play last year dbronco. GMac wanted him on the outside too. That way it would prevent the double team on Brackins.

 

[dbronco7sc]

JVB did not play last year dbronco. GMac wanted him on the outside too. That way it would prevent the double team on Brackins.

True... I meant two years ago...

And I know JVB stepped out to take outside shots and GMac took advantage of that... (and maybe I'm remembering incorrectly as it's been 2 years) but I feel that Jaime used to clog the lane a bit more than he does now and the outside shot was the backup plan if we couldn't use him in the post. Now it feels like the outside shot is option 1, keeping the paint open at all times for anyone to drive.

 

[CycloneErik]

True... I meant two years ago...

And I know JVB stepped out to take outside shots and GMac took advantage of that... (and maybe I'm remembering incorrectly as it's been 2 years) but I feel that Jaime used to clog the lane a bit more than he does now and the outside shot was the backup plan if we couldn't use him in the post. Now it feels like the outside shot is option 1, keeping the paint open at all times for anyone to drive.

His outside involvement is much smoother now. It doesn't look forced, but like it's actually his game.

 

[tee1up]

I dont want to turn this into a bash GMAC post. I actually liked him, wish we would have done better.

Having only listened to almost every game last year and this year, there seems to be an entirely different mindset. In the past, we seemed to always react to what the other team did. GMAC would say after the game,"they went small, so we had to take JVB/Big Ham out", etc. This year it seems like we exploit what they do. When Drake had a small guy on JVB, he posted up and hit a couple jump hooks. When the situation is right, he steps out and hits the 3. They go small, Edge take him inside. They go big, we draw them away from the hoop and take them off the dribble. I love it.

Jake reminds me of Kantrail Horton. Just does whatever it takes. Stat line may not look that great, but it Duke had a guy that had 12 points, 5-6 rebounds, a couple steals, 4-5 assists and played good D he would be talked about like an All-American.

I love it when we force the action. I felt like we might be better than people thought, DG in particular. I think some teams with big strong athletes inside will probably pound us, but it is going to be a fun year.

 

[SisterSludge]

Anyone know what the Kennesaw coach said to get T-ed up???

I think he said something like "this place sure smells musty or is that you?" to the lead referee. Can you even tell when you are there that there as a flood?

 

[Wesley]

Now is the time to develop the backup players as we will need them. The starting five have meshed.

 

[mustangcy]

Good thread..

McKnight - Here is a guy that I can't help but shake my head at a little. I think everyone was excited about Ejim coming in but McKnight imo was actually the more heralded recruit. McKnight had an impressive offer list..we beat out some fine programs for him. I seem to remember C-Dub mentioning that the coaching staff thought he was one of the more talented players we've brought in since Brackins. Yet, on a team that is not afraid to play young players and without, it would seem, a lot of depth and competition in the front court we've not seen much out of him.

Does anyone know anything about how McKnight is coming along? I wonder if he doesn't need to hit the weight room a little considering Godfrey and Ejim both had ready made Big 12 bodies.

 

[dbronco7sc]

Good thread..

McKnight - Here is a guy that I can't help but shake my head at a little. I think everyone was excited about Ejim coming in but McKnight imo was actually the more heralded recruit. McKnight had an impressive offer list..we beat out some fine programs for him. I seem to remember C-Dub mentioning that the coaching staff thought he was one of the more talented players we've brought in since Brackins. Yet, on a team that is not afraid to play young players and without, it would seem, a lot of depth and competition in the front court we've not seen much out of him.

Does anyone know anything about how McKnight is coming along? I wonder if he doesn't need to hit the weight room a little considering Godfrey and Ejim both had ready made Big 12 bodies.

I think Fred purposely went for a lot of guys who could step in and play right away. McKnight just wasn't one of those guys. McKnight is probably the guy who lit it up a bit more against high school guys. I think he's one of those 'high ceiling guys' but it'll take him some time to get there both physically and mentally. Could use some weight and just needs to get comfortable with playing at this level. It took DG some time and look at him now.