Post by stagthomas on Oct 30, 2014 19:18:43 GMT -5
Thanks Joe for the updates. Unfortunately, was not able to make it to this. Maybe they will have some leftover thunder sticks to pick up at the exhibition game!
Thanks Joe for the updates. Unfortunately, was not able to make it to this. Maybe they will have some leftover thunder sticks to pick up at the exhibition game!
ST, I do not think thundersticks are allowed at NCAA hoop games
They interviewed Stevie Johnston after the event and they asked him about the 2 JUCO's. He said Kirkland is similar to Mo Barrow and he is a good rebounder and defender. He also said Threatt is a Playmaking guard, who has picked up the offense very quickly
Last Edit: Oct 30, 2014 19:50:25 GMT -5 by JoeStag
Post by reindeerfan on Oct 30, 2014 21:34:26 GMT -5
I was in Fairfield on other business so I stopped by Alumni Hall for this event. I had no trouble getting in. This is clearly an event designed for the students and except for the poor sound quality of alumni hall I have to say it was a very nice event.
There was really little opportunity to see any real basketball played, but I do have two observations. First, its easy to see why folks are high on Kirkland - he enters the program with more natural athletic ability than either Sidibe or Gilbert. I am surprised to be saying this. I am not ready to say he starts or gets more minutes than these others but I have to concur with those who felt he will demand minutes based on his talent.
The other observation I have is on Smith. I liked Smith last year, and I like him even more now. He was 8 of 12 in the three point shooting contest. But its not just his consistent stroke, he looked much more confident, he looks bigger and he is certainly much stronger. Unfortunately he is playing behind our best player Marcus Gilbert, but I believe we have to find a way to get this kid minutes. I don't know if that means he plays a little at the 4, or if Gilbert plays a little bit at guard and Smith plays the 3. I can' really say. I just know that Smith is ready to contribute.
I wish I could say something positive about the guards, I didn't see anything bad, there was just little to see that would indicate anything about dribbling, passing, ball-handling or defensive abilities. Threat also shot well though.
While I was on campus I did drink from some of that same Koolaid that Nashville and JoeStag drink and I am now ready to believe we could be much improved this year. Its tough be an eternal optimist, but somehow I start to convince myself that we will be improved before the start of every Fairfield Stag and every NY Met season. Maybe there's something in the water on campus. I'm not sold on Sydney but I can't help but like some of these kids we have on our team. I hope that they do surpass our expectations and find a way to finish in the top half of the standings. I do believe that if we are lucky enough to have two impact guards (and that would be very lucky) we have much of the other elements in place to be a competitive MAAC team. Looking forward to the UB game and getting a read on the guards.......
Post by nashvillestag on Oct 30, 2014 23:15:50 GMT -5
RF you're right, the sound system was horrible. Actually the event itself was more about pumping up the huge student crowd rather than demonstrating much basketball ability of either of the teams. That was all right. I basically expected this type of thing. Although just a few drills by the women and men might have been nice. But to tell you the truth, because almost everything heard on the P.A. was impossible to understand it kind of ruined the message (although by the roars of the students, they seemed to know what was going on). Saw you on the other side, maybe you could hear better than we could on our side. As far as judging anything about the players at all from this, hard to tell anything. Considering only a bit more than half the team participated at all between the shooting and dunking, and they didn't even warm up before doing so, really not enough to base any opinions about them IMO. As far as Smith, I wasn't paying much attention to him because he was at the other end of the court from where we were sitting. But remember this is his comfort zone (getting fed passes for open jumpers). Steve will earn playing time if he has improved in other areas of the game such as dribbling, passing and rebounding. On Sat. he did get some rebounds, but the rest of his floor game still looks like it needs some more work.
If I recall correctly, Steve was one-dimensional -- a set shooter. As for defense, opponents could get around him too easily too often. Maybe he's remedied that.
RF, Like u, I also like Smith. But then I always like offensive players (shooters) because they bring excitement to the game. I agree with "stagparty" he is a one dimensional player. However,that's is not bad if the coach understand the one dimension and uses it properly. Fans will be un-happy with Smith if they expect Smith to play defense, rebound and create space for his shot. If you expect all those things of Smith, he will be nothing more then an effective "warm up" or practice shooter. Sid needs to understand that Smith can be an effective role player in a balanced offensive team when instant outside shooting is required during a game. However, smith needs a screen and space to get his shot off. His role on the stags team should be similar to the role that Shane Richards plays on the Manhattan Jaspers. Both are similar players ( shooters with a slight build). Richard was a highly effective player for the jaspers last year in his role as an "off the bench" shooter who coach massiello used properly by positioning him in the corner or at the top of the arc. The jaspers set screens for him, rotated the ball to him in an open position so he could knock down the long 3 pt shots. The jaspers coach figured out a role for him, he new his role, he was comfortable with his role and he was a deadly shooter. Off course he was working in a balanced offense, featuring good guard play and three experienced seniors George Beman , Mike Alvarado and the big guy Rhamal Brown. Sid, ur challenge is to put together that type of a balanced offensive team and find a similar supporting role for Smith. If the coach can figure that out, the fans on this board will be calling Smith "Hurricane Smith" because he will be raining 3 pointers.
RF you're right, the sound system was horrible. Actually the event itself was more about pumping up the huge student crowd rather than demonstrating much basketball ability of either of the teams.....
Actually the sound system has been improved when the new (used) Daktronics scoreboard was installed. Many years ago I asked Gene about it and was told that the shape of the AH roof is the real problem. It also depends on where you sit if you can understand what is being said through the speakers. However, the upside of the problem is the atmosphere inside AH, especially when it is packed with students, can get really, really loud and it does produce a "home court advantage" for the Stags/Prep Jesuits and an intimidating in your face factor for the visiting teams.
Pumping up the students last night was great and much needed every October but will the fun and atmosphere transfer over to the WBA later this month? I hope so. However, anything close to last season's 7-25 record and 5-9 home record will just add to the three year attendance slide in Bridgeport.
RF, Like u, I also like Smith. But then I always like offensive players (shooters) because they bring excitement to the game. I agree with "stagparty" he is a one dimensional player. However,that's is not bad if the coach understand the one dimension and uses it properly. Fans will be un-happy with Smith if they expect Smith to play defense, rebound and create space for his shot. If you expect all those things of Smith, he will be nothing more then an effective "warm up" or practice shooter. Sid needs to understand that Smith can be an effective role player in a balanced offensive team when instant outside shooting is required during a game. However, smith needs a screen and space to get his shot off. His role on the stags team should be similar to the role that Shane Richards plays on the Manhattan Jaspers. Both are similar players ( shooters with a slight build). Richard was a highly effective player for the jaspers last year in his role as an "off the bench" shooter who coach massiello used properly by positioning him in the corner or at the top of the arc. The jaspers set screens for him, rotated the ball to him in an open position so he could knock down the long 3 pt shots. The jaspers coach figured out a role for him, he new his role, he was comfortable with his role and he was a deadly shooter. Off course he was working in a balanced offense, featuring good guard play and three experienced seniors George Beman , Mike Alvarado and the big guy Rhamal Brown. Sid, ur challenge is to put together that type of a balanced offensive team and find a similar supporting role for Smith. If the coach can figure that out, the fans on this board will be calling Smith "Hurricane Smith" because he will be raining 3 pointers.
Stags74: I agree wholeheartedly with your analysis. I think its not always about the talent you have but getting the most out of the talent and finding ways to take advantage of the skills you have. Steve Kerr was a very effective role player for the Bulls and your example of Richards at Manhatten is spot on. I felt Cooley had a very effective strategy with Mike Evanowich, which is something similar to what I would like to see Sydney do with Smith. Cooley would play a stiffling defense designed to wear his opponents down. Then midway into the half he would insert MikeE run set plays to Mike who produced instant offense. People would complain that we would start giving up points when Mike entered the game and they would complain he couldn't play defense. Clearly his defense was not on par with the starters. But we scored 3 points for the opponents 2 for every minute he played. The game is about outscoring your opponent, not shutting them out. Mike had the best +/- numbers his senior year of any stag since these numbers were tracked. He had the highest 3 point shooting percentage in team history and was an efficient scorer. He also made it much easier for Needham to score as the two knew how to play off of each other.
The point is that a player like Smith used properly, could be a real contributor to the program. There are also ways to use other folks in roles where they can help the team win. I am hopeful Sydney gets away from trying to make everyone fit into a set formula and instead starts to make adjustments to take advantage of the players he has.
PS. Like the Hurricane Smith nickname -and "Oh Babe, what would you say.".....
Post by nashvillestag on Oct 31, 2014 15:38:54 GMT -5
74, Richards is a good example of a player fitting perfectly in a system with the right teammates around him. Yes, Masiello used him correctly because he did have so many other threats on the team such as the three guys you mentioned. In comparison, because of the lack of scoring threats on the Stags Smith really was not given an opportunity to thrive. So hopefully with more firepower this season that can be corrected a bit and there will be some room for him to do what he does best, especially when points are needed quickly. However it would still help him if he becomes more proficient in other areas of the game. To use an example of the big E. (RF) is fine, but remember, Mike was not only a great long range shooter, but he could dribble the ball a bit and he really was a very good passer for a big man. I'm not sure Steve is, although hopefully he will be improved in those areas this year. I do like the fact that he had a few rebounds in the scrimmage. Also, the example of Steve Kerr. Think of this, if Michael Jordan in his prime was playing for Fairfield right now, you think Smith could play with him and get a lot of open shots? I do. The point is that (hopefully) our guards will be much better at drawing attention this year thereby creating more open space for Steve (not to mention Nelson) to get great chances for 3PT. baskets. Then maybe Sydney would look like a much smarter coach!
Steve Smith has been having a hard time getting open because he is being played by Quick 3G's or SF. he had the same issue in a few HS games I saw him play. He will be much more effective if he can play the PF position so that he can be covered by a slower player that cannot effectively cover the perimeter. For Smith to play PF he needs to improve his defense and rebounding at least to the level of Evanovich. If he can do that, he will be in a much better position to score. Smith and Evanovich are of similar Foot-speed. Evanovich was also much more effective against the slower defenders(PF's). The teams that put the quicker players on Evanovich were also able to shut him down.
Richards is much Quicker than both Smith and Evanovich. And he is more guard-like that Smith/Evanovich ..... he is also much shorter, a better ballhandler and Passer. He gets a lot of open three-pointers off fast breaks, 50-50 loose balls and turnovers. He is more similar to Tyler Nelson
If Smith can improve Rebounding and defense at the 4 , he could have the same impact as Evanovich. Remember that Evanovich made Zero three-pointers as a Frosh and transferred out of Iowa State.
Smith has to grow at the 4. And maybe those early rebounds in the scrimmage are a sign he is. Marcus is going to be on the floor for 35 minutes for many games. The minutes are really at the 4 spot.