Would love to see us add a big man and a PG or CG. I don't think we have a single true PG on the team. Pack (more of an undersized 2) will probably be our primary ball-handler and Bethea (a scoring guard) will probably will likely back him up when needed. I know Coach L likes to play positionless ball but we could run into some trouble if/when teams decide to pick us up 94 feet and we start seeing some presses.
Hate to burst your bubble but true, past-first PG are becoming obsolete in the game of basketball. UCONN's starting PG - Tristen Newton - was a 6'5 combo guard. Mark Sears played the point for Bama and his assist numbers are similar to Nijel's.
Not bursting my bubble one bit. Positionless basketball is the flavor of the month. Has been for a while now. Everyone seems to be in tune with it including Coach L as I mentioned in my earlier post. However, when I say PG, I'm referring to someone who can handle the ball at a high level and create for others. We don't have that. I don't think we have anyone on the team who can put the ball on the floor against pressure, get by a defender and create for a teammate. This isn't the NBA where you're consistently looking at 1-on-1 ISO's and P&R's. At the college level you're going to see more teams try different things, such as pressing, trapping, double teams, etc. Pack has struggled with this and if we're going into this season with him as our only viable option.... YIKES!
Blackmon will handle too
I saw Blackmon twice this past season in person with Stetson and I can't say I saw anything from him to tell me he'll be a significant upgrade to what we currently have in the ball-handling department. In fact, in one of the games he struggled mightily. Good scorer, but very similar to what we already have in Pack. More of an undersized 2, than a guy who can put it on the floor and get by pressure defense with consistency.
Agree 200%. (A needed solid) PG would also need to be comfy with Pack as the primary offensive "play target". Apparently Wooga was not and was part of reason for leaving, and in general Coach L's "target Pack" tactics didn't do much for team chemistry (which may have already been selfish.) Hope to see this all meld better next season.
It'll be by committee, just as it was two years ago.
Yet they wonder why the student athletes and the long time supporters view them as vultures when they do come around.
Considering there currently isn't a player on the team who could run the point, I imagine that's the only option left unless we add a quality PG from the portal. Last few years it's been by committee, including this past season. Difference between last year and 2 years ago was Wong and Miller. Key pieces who were able to score and facilitate off of their mismatches. Would love it IF we see a more improved Pack next season. A guy who isn't just a shooter. It would behoove him if he could develop that portion of his game. Probably the biggest reason why we're not seeing him on any draft boards.
Wong and Pack weren't true point guards and both handled the ball a ton. We'll have 5 starters in our starting lineup that averaged at least 14 ppg last season. We'll have more length in the front court as well with Cleveland moving back to his natural position at the 3.
This is such a horrendous take. Prognosticating that this is a .500 team in May when we still have 3 scholarships open is really going out on a limb. Also, and no offense to you, but folks that are far more plugged into the sport believe we're a tournament team next year, and that's without knowing who fills out the rest of our roster.
Any update on the Idaho State kid?
One, this is based on who we have so far. Ive taken into possibly adding the Idaho State big man, and it just doesnt move the needle much for me. Of course adding someone of signifigant talent or needle mover could change my outlook. At this point I dont see it.
Our projected starting 5 all averaged over 14 points per game last year. We are going to have a top 10 recruit coming off the bench.
Agree with you on PG but every team has question marks that have to be answered. Last year was a perfect storm of ****. We completely overhauled our roster so anyone using last year as an excuse to be pessimistic is outing themselves as a casual follower of the program that doesn’t pay much attention to what’s going on.
Again, last season we had no one who could put the ball on the floor and get by a defender to create for themselves or others. We struggled against pressure. 2 years ago Wong and Miller played a big role in doing those things. Time will tell if anyone on this current team can do it.
