Roster 06-07

[bigcatlover]

I heard a lot a of discussion at the game about the lact of the swing offense, lack of a press, and how Mauldin and Thornton, despite some problems, seemed to contribute a lot considering the few minutes they were in the game. Does anyone have insights as to why
Jeter seems to persist in using these 5 as starters despite other possibly more effective alternatives?

[teddyp00]

I am not sure there is a more effective alternative at this point in time. The only change I see being made any time soon is Swiggett getting moved into the starting line up. Thornton is too much of a defensive liability at this point in time. Mauldin's knee does not look like its ready for major minutes (or maybe he just lacks the confidence in it) because he can not make sharp cuts or really jump off it at this point.

The biggest concern for this team is its lack of depth with guys that have size. Masiah just looks bad again this year and Mauldin has yet to be able to contribute any big mintues. Paulsen is very inconsistent and appears to much rather play 15 feet from the basket than 5. Skinner is just undersized to be a post threat.

After just two games its clear this team has lots of talent and is going to be good but this year is in fact a rebuilding and growing year for this team. Guys need to get use to playing again at a competive level (Paulsen and Franklin), at the D-1 level (basically everyone), and togeather as a team. There will be games where they look good and things look like they are clicking (see the second half against Radford) and entire games where they just get nothing going and look like the team that was picked to finish 8th in the Horizon league.

I think that by February this will be an entriely different team than it is right now and will help us forget what will have been a very up and down non-conference schedule which is a very difficult one might I add.

[bball30]

I don't think Massiah looks bad, he just lacks confidence in his game. He has the athletic tools to contribute here, he just needs to take the ball to the basket! He needs to step up, and play a good power forward type roll, slash, and not be afraid to drive. Mauldin might as well not have a leg, because he has absolutely no faith in it. I would like to see Thornton a bit more, I think he can provide some offense on this team that lacks a dominant scorer.

[PantherLou]

raar said:

I think this team is missing toughness and drive. They lack heart as a team (so far) Skinner does it, but he is all but alone. Franklin shows some toughness now and then. We need tough guys. Hopefully next year or the year after?

After the game, I spoke to Rob, Bid, Sharif, Chip, James Wright, and Alando Tucker (Alando was at the game as a guest of Sharif's).

EVERY one of them told me that they were happy with the team's effort on the court.

I don't think the problem with this team is a lack of "toughness and drive." The problem is that we are very young and have not learned to play together and with the consistency required to win games.

[PantherLou]

bball30 said:

I don't think Massiah looks bad, he just lacks confidence in his game. He has the athletic tools to contribute here, he just needs to take the ball to the basket! He needs to step up, and play a good power forward type roll, slash, and not be afraid to drive. Mauldin might as well not have a leg, because he has absolutely no faith in it. I would like to see Thornton a bit more, I think he can provide some offense on this team that lacks a dominant scorer.

Offensively, I agree with you on Massiah. But on defense, he missed a number of assignments and looked flat out bad in both games, IMO.

I think we will continue to see more of Thorton the more he gets comfortable on defense. He seems pretty uncomfortable with his on the ball defense. Not sure about off the ball. I'm going to watch that today.

[Pantherholic]

for Mauldin, it seems to me he's thinking way too much out there. he gets almost no PT and yet they expect him to somehow perform w/ almost no practice. yeah he made some mistakes on defense but apparently its ok for Massiah to just flat out suck (defensively) instead? he's like a defensive version of Pancratz.

even in garbage minutes, Myles showed how terrible of a decision-maker he is. is there an instance in a game where he won't shoot? apparently triple-covered against at least 2 guys who are noticeably taller than him is irrelevant. sad. if he's in a game, you know Jeter's thrown in the towel.

Paulsen's gotta be tougher on defense IMO. that #34 could just push him back w/ relative ease and he might as well have just gotten out of the way. the few times he did decide to be tough, what happend? his opponent missed his shot.

[teddyp00]

I have given Mckay the nickname of the blackhole...once he gets the ball you know its not coming back to anyone.

[damasa]

teddyp00 said:

I have given Mckay the nickname of the blackhole...once he gets the ball you know its not coming back to anyone.

haha, that's a good one too. I like the nickname concrete as well but I think I'll just them both.

[pnthr97]

teddyp00 said:

I have given Mckay the nickname of the blackhole...once he gets the ball you know its not coming back to anyone.

Funny, after last night's game I was starting to say the same thing for Marcus Skinner.