Pro Prospects vs Team Ball?

[skylinecat]

Originally Posted by cincyguy13

80 ppg is a lot. I think our offense will be improved but I don't think we will turn in to ucla of last year. Might want to pump the brakes a little.

Fair enough. 80 ppg last year would have been good for 36th. We were 23 on offensive efficiency per Ken Pom and 15th at D. Getting that up to 15 for both and we will have a hell of a season.

[waterhead]

Originally Posted by skylinecat

We were 325th in possessions per game last year with 67.3. Cutting that in half would get us to 71.9 possessions per game. We averaged 74.3. If we scored on half our new possessions we would end up averaging 79/80. Frankly, I think that is potentially low-balling the numbers as well given how fast Cane likes to play and the benefit of easy buckets in transition.

Yah...just 6 more possessions per game would probably get us to 80ppg. Transition points are probably scored a little more efficient than half court sets and we should be pushing more breaks this year. If we can get into the offense sooner (even on half court sets) rather than walking it up and get good shots off quicker that will also help. Pressing a few more times after makes could help a little and it seems like that is the plan for now. We will probably have better options on offense to score as well...so we could be slightly more efficient.

As someone mentioned we have a little tougher schedule so that may offset some of it. Also, Cronin is not going to throw D out the window so we are limited in how much time the opponent takes to get a shot off when we are on D. All in all I think we have a shot to break 80ppg if we play to our strengths. Walking it up will not be the best plan with these PG's.

I can't imagine the tempo not changing significantly with either Broome or Jenifer running point. But we have been hearing about faster pace for a while now. Much of this comes down to the coach and he's been somewhat stubborn to change but we have seen a little sliver of light in recent years in recruiting and a new PG (reportedly the quickest we have seen at UC) should all help the cause. Cautiously optimistic!

[jacobkdoyle]

Originally Posted by cincyguy13

80 ppg is a lot. I think our offense will be improved but I don't think we will turn in to ucla of last year. Might want to pump the brakes a little.

UCLA averaged 90 last year.

[jacobkdoyle]

Originally Posted by JasonS

Best way to do it with a talented team like this, is to maximize the number of possessions in a game like Golden State does. You can't control how fast a team shoots against your defense but you can control how quickly you get the ball into the front court, how quickly you get good looks at the basket and how often you can get out in transition from your defensive effort. The more (good) possessions you get in a game, the more opportunities your players have to showcase their skills.

I actually expect a shorter rotation this year compared to last year. I think you will see Clark and Washington average 30 minutes a game each. Evans will average 35 minutes a game. Cumberland will probably average around 30 minutes a game. Broome, I'm guessing, will be around 25 minutes, JJ around 20, Williams around 10 minutes, Brooks and Scott around 10 minutes each too. This all is based on limited foul trouble of course. I think you are looking at a rotation of 9 players but really 6 guys playing the majority of minutes.

If we truly maximize possessions, we'll need to use our depth as much as possible. Especially vs the weaker competition. That'll hurt the minute per game averages of our starters.

[jacobkdoyle]

I'll say we average 78 ppg with a defense as stingy as always.

I don't think Coach Cronin will be afraid to unleash the hounds on the competition. We have good leadership and culture, and the guys flat out know they must defend to see the floor.

I'm excited for Jenifer to have a PG mate who plays like he does. Will be pretty seamless regardless of who is in, and that should help us maintain a consistent offensive flow over the course of the game.

[cincyguy13]

Originally Posted by jacobkdoyle

UCLA averaged 90 last year.

That was my point

[jacobkdoyle]

Originally Posted by cincyguy13

That was my point

Oh. Then I guess I don't get it lol. I thought we were talking about scoring 80? The difference between UCLA and that last year would be 1 vs 33.

[waterhead]

Originally Posted by jacobkdoyle

If we truly maximize possessions, we'll need to use our depth as much as possible. Especially vs the weaker competition. That'll hurt the minute per game averages of our starters.

With 13 guys on the roster it should do wonders for playing time competition heading into the season. We could even red shirt 2 guys and be 11 deep which is one deeper than last year.

I tend to differ with some other fans in that I prefer to red shirt players with potential who are sitting behind obvious starters. I would rather not red shirt guys who are projects (or role players) and take up an extra year of scholarship. But when you have 13 on the roster I don't mind red shirting 1 project and/or one player with obvious potential.

With 7 bigs on the roster that leaves Nsoseme and Diarra IMO. I don't think we want to red shirt a role playing wing (Moore) and we don't have a lot of depth on the wing to red shirt a talented guy like Williams.

I can make a case for Nsosome as a project being relatively new to basketball. He may be able to pick things up rather quickly and be very useful by the time he leaves. He could use a year of teaching. We already red shirted Scott and we aren't going to red shirt Moore so Diarra would be my next in line. I think he has great potential and I don't want to waste a year of it.

[ZCat]

Originally Posted by JasonS

Best way to do it with a talented team like this, is to maximize the number of possessions in a game like Golden State does. You can't control how fast a team shoots against your defense but you can control how quickly you get the ball into the front court, how quickly you get good looks at the basket and how often you can get out in transition from your defensive effort. The more (good) possessions you get in a game, the more opportunities your players have to showcase their skills.

I actually expect a shorter rotation this year compared to last year. I think you will see Clark and Washington average 30 minutes a game each. Evans will average 35 minutes a game. Cumberland will probably average around 30 minutes a game. Broome, I'm guessing, will be around 25 minutes, JJ around 20, Williams around 10 minutes, Brooks and Scott around 10 minutes each too. This all is based on limited foul trouble of course. I think you are looking at a rotation of 9 players but really 6 guys playing the majority of minutes.

Man, just get Get the ball out of the basket FAST or on a defensive rebound and go Geez. We make it so hard on ourselves.

[waterhead]

Originally Posted by ZCat

Man, just get Get the ball out of the basket FAST or on a defensive rebound and go Geez. We make it so hard on ourselves.

For some reason I don't feel like this will be a problem for the next two years. We know Jenifer loves to get out and run and it sounds like Broome is the quickest guard we may have ever had. Both of them have the instinct AND desire to get the ball up the court.

I remember coach begging Troy to push the ball last year multiple times per game. I don't think that will be a problem this year. He may have to slow them down on occasion. I can't wait to see it in action!