Big 3 or Big 5? Plus bench development

[Spideroldie]

After seeing the first two games of the season it is looking like we may have 5 very solid A-10-level players. I say this only because we already KNOW what our Big-3 can do, since we witnessed their performances through all of last season. The big question marks for this season would be about the other two starters and our remaining bench.

So far, I would be happy to take Woj and Nate over Buck and Khwan. If this trend continues beyond the first couple of games then we will have evidence of a "BIG 5," with all of ours starters showing the capability to score in double figures. Plus, I really like the vastly improved shot selection we get from Woj and Nate over Buck and Khwan. These two new starters seem to know how to play within themselves, rather then taking the ill-advised shots we saw so frequently last season.

I believe our bench will be fine and will improve as we move along. The newcomer who impressed me most in the pre-season was Dre (Andre) and we have hardly seen him at all. He needs to play less tentatively, but has the ability to be a strong A-10 player and give Woj and Jacob longer rests. Likewise, Sal has a "high-ceiling," as shown in the pre-season, but has to keep working in the weight room. We could do a "ditto" for Matt Grace, who mostly needs to spend time getting stronger and working on his defensive footwork. Matt has excellent passing skills, great instincts and is a good 3-point shooter. Noah Yates showed more in Game #2 than Game #1, and we have been told that he is an excellent outside shooter, who can stretch the floor once he gets comfortable taking open shots. The last piece in our "depth/bench" is JJ, and we already know what he can do and what he brings to the party. If he also plays within himself, and continues to play "hard-nosed" ball, as he did today on his hard block and foul, we should have 5 guys who can come off the bench and contribute. We may not yet have a high-level of confidence in our bench, but these five guys are all likely to improve as their roles become better defined and as they get more PT. Game #2 of this season may have been a "best-case scenario" where everyone played to their strengths, but it also gives us game film to help build everyone's confidence.

I know it is early,. but it looks like to me that we have a Big-5 and maybe also a valuable "SECOND-5.,

 

[spiderman]

Mooney mentioned Sal and Andre specifically.

“Sal [6-foot-9 freshman Souleymane Koureissi] came in [Wednesday] and played at the end. He might play much more in two weeks. Andre [6-4 freshman guard Andre Gustavson] might play much more in two weeks.”
...
“With a young team, you don’t know,” Mooney said. “Young guys . . . can make up ground or put themselves in better position as time goes by.”

I like the way he's handling them. don't need to get thrown right in the fire. Andre especially has missed a lot of time. they can work in practice and build confidence with little bursts of playing time. but the talent is there so it's very possible they become a bigger part of things soon. up to them to develop and earn it.

 

[CarolinaSpider]

Mooney mentioned Sal and Andre specifically.

“Sal [6-foot-9 freshman Souleymane Koureissi] came in [Wednesday] and played at the end. He might play much more in two weeks. Andre [6-4 freshman guard Andre Gustavson] might play much more in two weeks.”
...
“With a young team, you don’t know,” Mooney said. “Young guys . . . can make up ground or put themselves in better position as time goes by.”

I like the way he's handling them. don't need to get thrown right in the fire. Andre especially has missed a lot of time. they can work in practice and build confidence with little bursts of playing time. but the talent is there so it's very possible they become a bigger part of things soon. up to them to develop and earn it.

Sal looked pretty smooth and actually moved very well defensively: lateral foot movement and quickness. Andre's problem was more not knowing where to be on defense, he looked lost. But he did go aggressively after a rebound. Andre just looks tight out there and reminds me of Terry Allen when he first started, but we all know how Terry progressed.