I guess I missed something because i thought official practice with the coaches begins around mid -October? I guess something has changed? Is this part of the new rule changes like the 30 second clock thus year?
This new Oct 1st start of practice began last year. Teams can start early, but they still can only practice a specific amount of days. Makes sense, since players can get days off between Oct 1st and the Yale game.
I had a talk with one of the coaches this morning. Nothing confidential, but I prob should not use his name. Here's what he said about the new guys: He raved about Kasibabu. He said he is so strong and physical that guys "bounce off of him". He is aggressive and relentless, he never stops. He knows the game and constantly talks to his teammates while playing. He is a leader already. J.J is a very, VERY good shooter. Have to give him time on the floor. Milin is very skilled as advertised. Smart and a terrific passer. Coach thinks we finally have the pieces to fit the system. It sounds like the players will be able to post to their skills, play to their individual strengths more this year, and that the system will be designed more that way. That it would be less complicated and allow the players to play. I was very encouraged.
Time will tell of course. But has the makings of the best frosh class in a while. A physical big, a skilled big, a 3 star guard and a shooter. Let's hope the pieces fit. Any feedback on Cobb?
If they rave about JJ, would you expect Nelson or Cobb not to be in the starting lineup we had initially expected? Also, could Kasibabu start? We need rebounds, especially if Amadou isn't healthy. Though I wouldn't run this lineup out there, is this what we might see if the season started today?
The coach or coaches are raving about JJ's shooting but Steve Smith is also an excellent shooter. Point being that shooting is only one aspect of being a good player -- there's still ballhandling, passing, rebounding and defense. I'm glad JJ is an excellent shooter but I don't think that means he's going to leapfrog over Tyler and Cobb to be the starting SG.
" CONJECTURE " that's what the attorney would say - - for the pat 2 years we have had the wrong people, at the wrong place, at the wrong time. hopefully, with 3 ex head coaches in the past 12 months, giving input to sydney, this will now change. any chance the fans can get a look, before the red white ?
Bridgeport brings up the point that Syd has had 3 former head coaches on staff since last January. Does anyone know the backstory on this? Did Syd realize he needed help and reached out? Did Gene decide he was in over his head and force the hires? If it was Gene's play, did Syd resist? Usually when former head coaches join programs as an assistant there is some kind of past connection with the Head Coach, did that exist here? What exactly was Carmody's input, did he advise Syd to give up on some players? Or was he just a security blanket? I'm sure these and other questions have been pondered by many posters. Anybody have any answers?
If they rave about JJ, would you expect Nelson or Cobb not to be in the starting lineup we had initially expected? Also, could Kasibabu start? We need rebounds, especially if Amadou isn't healthy. Though I wouldn't run this lineup out there, is this what we might see if the season started today?
1. Segura 2. JJ 3. Marcus 4. Degnan 5. Kasibabu
Probably yes to Segura and Gilbert. Certainly a possibility of Kasibabu in there if he is a rebounding force as suggested by the info that has been passed along. I'm sure Nelson will be the starting 2 because he has established himself already. At the 4, I think it will be Kirkland based on the fact that he was ahead of Degnan last season, and indeed at times he was a scoring and rebounding force. But his consistency has to improve, especially with the availability of other bigs like Kevin, C. Johnson, King and Milin. Lots of options up front. As far as JJ and CC, sounds like they really might help. But they have to prove it on the court in practice and eventually in the games. So no, I don't believe either of them will be in the starting lineup, at least in the beginning.
" CONJECTURE " that's what the attorney would say - - for the pat 2 years we have had the wrong people, at the wrong place, at the wrong time. hopefully, with 3 ex head coaches in the past 12 months, giving input to sydney, this will now change. any chance the fans can get a look, before the red white ?
The coach or coaches are raving about JJ's shooting but Steve Smith is also an excellent shooter. Point being that shooting is only one aspect of being a good player -- there's still ballhandling, passing, rebounding and defense. I'm glad JJ is an excellent shooter but I don't think that means he's going to leapfrog over Tyler and Cobb to be the starting SG.
Sure.
And, simply being a good shooter doesn't always translate to being a good shooter in competitive games. How much space do you need to get your shot off? Are you able to consistently get open - either through guile or quickness? Can you still shoot well under defensive pressure?
Jerry Johnson has come with shooters reputation. He also has played PG, so he does have "other" skills to go with his shooting..... one I have heard was a good basketball IQ. I think he will play the "instant" offense role on this team, similar to the way Kudjo Sogadzi did in 2001-04. So I figure that JJ will come off the bench. Where I think the big unknown on JJ is his defense, something Kudjo excelled in.
Tyler Nelson will most definitely start along with Marcus. Segura at PG. Don't know if Cobb will start, but I would think that he will get a lot of minutes. He has too many skills and he can fill many roles. If Amadou can't go, I feels it will be a battle between Scott King and Degnan.
