Random thoughts

[PhillySpider]

A few random thoughts

1. The key guy to me this year is MW. He showed some at VT he could rebound some with the big boys (led VT in boards at Duke, had 14 boards at NC State etc.). We are a pretty complete team offensively with his shooting if he's at the four, but we look very meek on the glass and defensively with he and TJ at the 4/5 (and a three guard lineup in all probability) . TJ is a below average defensive player (despite great effort) and a below average rebounder. If MW doesn't up his game in these areas, I can't see how we improve the defense. I actually think he can rebound - - defense I am not so sure.

2. As great a story as Kwesi is, I can't see him playing more than 5-6 minutes (and I really think he could be anchored to the bench) unless we are in deep foul trouble etc. Nothing in his 4 year college career marks him a great defender or physical presence and he's dreadful offensively.

3. The 3 spot is really a bit scary to me right now. JJ looks like a starter there I guess, but unless there is a lot of improvement there, I can't see what he offers. He's undersized for the spot. Not superquick. Ok, but not great shooter. Looks like a decent defensive player (but can he guard other teams' 3 man? Would love to see either Grant be good enough to play along side TJ at times and slide Marshall to the 3 or one the freshman step up early and really demand the 3 spot minutes with their play.

4. The mix of players again worries me. That is, we seem to have guys who have skills, but so many are sorta one dimensional in that they are either defensive players or offensive players. This is what led to all that offense/defense crap with DT and others, but its also what led to struggling. You can't put 4 guys out there at once who are one dimensional. Even two guy who are not a threat offensively ruins the offense and the same is true on defense. Basically, I think you need at least 3 really well rounded (and good, not just evenly mediocre) to build around and maybe even 4. Not sure we have that at all. In fact, not sure I even see one. KF might very well fit the bill, but we don't know that yet. TJ is a way better offensive player than defensive and I'd argue the same is true of SDJ, MW (and even JJ if he is the starting 3). . Their defensive shortcomings have to get some (a lot?) of the blame for our defense being awful last year. So in that sense we look a lot like last year (or maybe worse minus TA who was decently balanced?). This is very scary to me.

 

[spiderman]

I don't think we'll see offense/defense switches unless we're protecting foul trouble or trying to get guys a little rest. maybe Abaka could sub in for defense. nobody on the bench has a reputation as a defensive specialist. that's not necessarily a bad thing. bench has some talent.

 

[CarolinaSpider]

A few random thoughts

1. The key guy to me this year is MW. He showed some at VT he could rebound some with the big boys (led VT in boards at Duke, had 14 boards at NC State etc.). We are a pretty complete team offensively with his shooting if he's at the four, but we look very meek on the glass and defensively with he and TJ at the 4/5 (and a three guard lineup in all probability) . TJ is a below average defensive player (despite great effort) and a below average rebounder. If MW doesn't up his game in these areas, I can't see how we improve the defense. I actually think he can rebound - - defense I am not so sure.

2. As great a story as Kwesi is, I can't see him playing more than 5-6 minutes (and I really think he could be anchored to the bench) unless we are in deep foul trouble etc. Nothing in his 4 year college career marks him a great defender or physical presence and he's dreadful offensively.

3. The 3 spot is really a bit scary to me right now. JJ looks like a starter there I guess, but unless there is a lot of improvement there, I can't see what he offers. He's undersized for the spot. Not superquick. Ok, but not great shooter. Looks like a decent defensive player (but can he guard other teams' 3 man? Would love to see either Grant be good enough to play along side TJ at times and slide Marshall to the 3 or one the freshman step up early and really demand the 3 spot minutes with their play. Marshall is not quick enough to cover the 3. He is better covering a 4 or 5 player. May be Sherod might be a better option at the 3.

4. The mix of players again worries me. That is, we seem to have guys who have skills, but so many are sorta one dimensional in that they are either defensive players or offensive players. This is what led to all that offense/defense crap with DT and others, but its also what led to struggling. You can't put 4 guys out there at once who are one dimensional. Even two guy who are not a threat offensively ruins the offense and the same is true on defense. Basically, I think you need at least 3 really well rounded (and good, not just evenly mediocre) to build around and maybe even 4. Not sure we have that at all. In fact, not sure I even see one. KF might very well fit the bill, but we don't know that yet. TJ is a way better offensive player than defensive and I'd argue the same is true of SDJ, MW (and even JJ if he is the starting 3). . Their defensive shortcomings have to get some (a lot?) of the blame for our defense being awful last year. So in that sense we look a lot like last year (or maybe worse minus TA who was decently balanced?). This is very scary to me.

Yes we are a lot like last year, but if you look at last year we were two different teams in terms of out of conference and in conference play. I have spoken with a few people as to what happened once we entered in Conference play, it is like our offense went to hades in a hand basket and the defense got worse. The difference i hope will be that these guys play with a lot more heart and desire which is the intangible I saw missing during Conference play. That is something that cannot be taught and I think TJ and Shawndree have those attributes and in a leadership role will lead by example. Last years seniors were not leaders and that was evident.

 

[fan2011]

I would not rest the hopes of our season on MW improving greatly. Wood is just too one-dimensional. His defense was poor last year (not a great rebounder, trouble staying in front of his man, etc.), and he couldn't do much on offense besides shoot wide open threes (but when the other team gave him room he did hit them very often). Unless he significantly improved his quickness I can't see any scenario where Mooney puts him in at the 3. If anything, the best sign for our team would be MW playing significantly less time since that would mean one of our other players (GG?) is performing at a higher level and replacing MW's minutes with higher quality minutes.

I am not scared at all for the upcoming season. It is nearly impossible for our defense to be worse, and I think we will in fact be significantly better. On offense we lost TA, but we bring back TJC (by far the most important piece in our offense) SDJ, KF and MW who all are extremely efficient, offensive players. We also are adding perhaps the best recruiting class we have ever had on paper. I think our offense will not be that different than it was last year.

I would not be surprised by 20 wins next season.

 

[urmite]

I would not rest the hopes of our season on MW improving greatly. Wood is just too one-dimensional. His defense was poor last year (not a great rebounder, trouble staying in front of his man, etc.), and he couldn't do much on offense besides shoot wide open threes (but when the other team gave him room he did hit them very often). Unless he significantly improved his quickness I can't see any scenario where Mooney puts him in at the 3. If anything, the best sign for our team would be MW playing significantly less time since that would mean one of our other players (GG?) is performing at a higher level and replacing MW's minutes with higher quality minutes.

I am not scared at all for the upcoming season. It is nearly impossible for our defense to be worse, and I think we will in fact be significantly better. On offense we lost TA, but we bring back TJC (by far the most important piece in our offense) SDJ, KF and MW who all are extremely efficient, offensive players. We also are adding perhaps the best recruiting class we have ever had on paper. I think our offense will not be that different than it was last year.

I would not be surprised by 20 wins next season.

Slightly off topic, but should fit on a thread titled "Random Thoughts", when does Kenpom usually add the current season schedules?

 

[R&B fan]

Agree on MW but feel that you are underestimating Kwesi. I see 12 mins at least a game for him.

 

[fan2011]

Slightly off topic, but should fit on a thread titled "Random Thoughts", when does Kenpom usually add the current season schedules?

Usually not until a week or two before the season starts. Late October, early November.

 

[Ulla1]

I would not rest the hopes of our season on MW improving greatly. Wood is just too one-dimensional. His defense was poor last year (not a great rebounder, trouble staying in front of his man, etc.), and he couldn't do much on offense besides shoot wide open threes (but when the other team gave him room he did hit them very often). Unless he significantly improved his quickness I can't see any scenario where Mooney puts him in at the 3. If anything, the best sign for our team would be MW playing significantly less time since that would mean one of our other players (GG?) is performing at a higher level and replacing MW's minutes with higher quality minutes.

I am not scared at all for the upcoming season. It is nearly impossible for our defense to be worse, and I think we will in fact be significantly better. On offense we lost TA, but we bring back TJC (by far the most important piece in our offense) SDJ, KF and MW who all are extremely efficient, offensive players. We also are adding perhaps the best recruiting class we have ever had on paper. I think our offense will not be that different than it was last year.
Well then, ROLL SPIDE!!! OSC
I would not be surprised by 20 wins next season.

 

[32counter]

I would not be surprised by 20 wins next season.

Are you referring to next season as '16-'17 or '17-'18 for the 20 wins?

 

[coachfezz]

I think freshmen guards play more minutes than jj then it will be good

 

[fan2011]

Are you referring to next season as '16-'17 or '17-'18 for the 20 wins?

16-17. Offense is already really good, defense should improve. If we have last years offense and our average defensive performance we are an at-large quality team.

 

[97spiderfan]

Two counterpoints:

1. I don't agree that TJ is a poor defender. I think he is maligned as a poor defender but actually is better than he is given credit.
2. Kwesi is a huge powerful man. I think he fulfills a huge role in some games. Last year, Deion had to match up against other teams big men, that was a huge disadvantage for us because Deion was simply not as big and strong as some of those guys. That will not be the case with Kwesi.

 

[urmite]

16-17. Offense is already really good, defense should improve. If we have last years offense and our average defensive performance we are an at-large quality team.

So you are saying if we have '15-'16 offense and '13-'14 or '14-'15 defense., we will be ok?

 

[fan2011]

So you are saying if we have '15-'16 offense and '13-'14 or '14-'15 defense., we will be ok?

We would get an at large bid.

 

[urmite]

We would get an at large bid.

or we would be Clemson or Creighton...

 

[Ulla1]

or we would be Clemson or Creighton...

Maybe, but they don't play in the A10. OSC

 

[spiderman]

I agree with 97. TJ was actually one our best defenders after Khwan. wasn't that way as a sophomore but really improved athletically. that said, while he's a good defender he's in no way a rim protector. so he doesn't help others as well as some big guys do. most good defenses have a guy back there helping. if you have 4 good defenders you don't need that. but we don't. or we didn't. we'll see about this year.

 

[WebSpinner]

was the term "at large" actually utilized on this thread?

 

[fan2011]

was the term "at large" actually utilized on this thread?

We were 1st 4 out just two seasons ago. If we had that defense and our offense from last year we would unquestionably be an at large team.

 

[WebSpinner]

if

 

[coachfezz]

i think we see tj and kwesi together sometimes this year

 

[MrTbone]

Back to Phillys original thoughts, I would generically state that "whoever plays at the 4" is going to dictate in large part how well we do.

Replacing the play of two of three graduating starters from last years team is easy, I think any number of our younger guys bring more to the game than DT or TD did.

What's not easy is replacing TA and no one on this team looks like TA. MW isn't a post-playing 4 on O and is a poor perimeter defender at 3.

The answer is going to be Grant.

 

[SpiderK]

A few random thoughts

1. The key guy to me this year is MW. He showed some at VT he could rebound some with the big boys (led VT in boards at Duke, had 14 boards at NC State etc.). We are a pretty complete team offensively with his shooting if he's at the four, but we look very meek on the glass and defensively with he and TJ at the 4/5 (and a three guard lineup in all probability) . TJ is a below average defensive player (despite great effort) and a below average rebounder. If MW doesn't up his game in these areas, I can't see how we improve the defense. I actually think he can rebound - - defense I am not so sure.

2. As great a story as Kwesi is, I can't see him playing more than 5-6 minutes (and I really think he could be anchored to the bench) unless we are in deep foul trouble etc. Nothing in his 4 year college career marks him a great defender or physical presence and he's dreadful offensively.

3. The 3 spot is really a bit scary to me right now. JJ looks like a starter there I guess, but unless there is a lot of improvement there, I can't see what he offers. He's undersized for the spot. Not superquick. Ok, but not great shooter. Looks like a decent defensive player (but can he guard other teams' 3 man? Would love to see either Grant be good enough to play along side TJ at times and slide Marshall to the 3 or one the freshman step up early and really demand the 3 spot minutes with their play.

4. The mix of players again worries me. That is, we seem to have guys who have skills, but so many are sorta one dimensional in that they are either defensive players or offensive players. This is what led to all that offense/defense crap with DT and others, but its also what led to struggling. You can't put 4 guys out there at once who are one dimensional. Even two guy who are not a threat offensively ruins the offense and the same is true on defense. Basically, I think you need at least 3 really well rounded (and good, not just evenly mediocre) to build around and maybe even 4. Not sure we have that at all. In fact, not sure I even see one. KF might very well fit the bill, but we don't know that yet. TJ is a way better offensive player than defensive and I'd argue the same is true of SDJ, MW (and even JJ if he is the starting 3). . Their defensive shortcomings have to get some (a lot?) of the blame for our defense being awful last year. So in that sense we look a lot like last year (or maybe worse minus TA who was decently balanced?). This is very scary to me.

We replaced 3 players with 3 new ones. All 3 new players are better at every phase of the game than two of the three we lost. The returning players will be older and better. This will be a better team than last year on day one, and improve all year.

 

[Not-A-Homer]

We replaced 3 players with 3 new ones. All 3 new players are better at every phase of the game than two of the three we lost. The returning players will be older and better. This will be a better team than last year on day one, and improve all year.

The premise of your comment is solid. If the freshman are deployed appropriately this team COULD be better.

 

[fan2011]

The premise of your comment is solid. If the freshman are deployed appropriately this team COULD be better.

Under Mooney which freshmen deserved more playing time than they received? I can not think of a single instance under Mooney where a freshman was playing better than the upperclassmen in front of him, but still received less playing time due to seniority.

 

[PhillySpider]

How bout last year when KF got less time than TD?

 

[fan2011]

How bout last year when KF got less time than TD?

KF played over 20 minutes a game as a freshmen, he is your example of Mooney not playing freshmen enough? KF and TD played different positions, they were on the court together a lot. Our most common lineup last year was SDJ, KF, TD, TA, TJC. TD did not take time away from KF (and KF was actually playing more minutes than TD by the end of the season).

 

[97spiderfan]

Yes, it took Mooney all year to realize Khwan was a better player than Trey Davis.

 

[coachfezz]

I think i want to see sherod and buck mins total greater than jj

 

[spiderman]

don't give up on JJ so easily. his best is yet to come. if others earn more time, that's fine too. best guys play.

 

[AnnapSpider]

I think i want to see sherod and buck mins total greater than jj

I don't see anything to be gained by knocking JJ or any of our players before the season even starts. You have no idea how they may have developed over the off season.

 

[coachfezz]

I think i am not knocking players . I like the ability of these freshman to create own shot off dribble

 

[keefusb]

If Buck and Sherrod can defend, they will play.

 

[SouthJerseySpiderFan]

Searched for random thoughts thread and didn't realize this one was few years earlier than mine. So will use this one.

Saw where kenpom has WAC as only 17th best conference last season but kind of surprised seeing him first team. Hope it works out for Buck and will be keeping track of CSUB like I did with Louisville last year. Buck only 10+ PPG scorer returning to a subpar outside shooting team with article stating team will rely on defense to finish year in top half of conference.

Bottom Line: Rod Barnes is a superb mid-major coach with the way he gathers and unleashes athleticism, and his versatile defensive arsenal this year may be on par with his outstanding 2016 and 2017 teams. The problem is that this might be one of the 10 or 15 worst perimeter shooting teams in the country, and if opponents pack the paint, take care of the ball, and hit free throws, they can outrace the Roadrunners. Still, I’m looking forward to seeing opponents step onto the blue floor of “Buckingham Palace,” as their home gym will now be known, and seeing how Barnes unleashes his new multi-talented weapon.

 

[MrTbone]

I just hope Terrell Brown shows up for the 2nd team, otherwise they’ll really be hurting out there.

 

[spider23]

I just hope Terrell Brown shows up for the 2nd team, otherwise they’ll really be hurting out there.

Hopefully the Travelling Queen doesn't get called for too many walks either.

 

[MrTbone]

Hopefully the Travelling Queen doesn't get called for too many walks either.

Touché!

 

[RichmondNative]

Bottom Line: Rod Barnes is a superb mid-major coach.....seeing opponents step onto the blue floor of “Buckingham Palace,” as their home gym will now be known, and seeing how Barnes unleashes his new multi-talented weapon.

Well Buck sure does have a hype machine. Odd to see the palace in a different gym. Guess he would be making some decent $ on his likeness and last name if that was within NCAA rules.

 

[SpiderTrap]

Technically - now that Buck is an NCAA Athlete is California - he can get money for his likeness. If Buck wants to do a commercial for the car dealer who is an alumni of the school or use his image for flyers, etc - Buck can get paid for that and by law the school can't punish him.

 

[spiderman]

Technically - now that Buck is an NCAA Athlete is California - he can get money for his likeness. If Buck wants to do a commercial for the car dealer who is an alumni of the school or use his image for flyers, etc - Buck can get paid for that and by law the school can't punish him.

yeah California is very progressive on this. what could possibly go wrong? smh