bradley's leading scorer?

[BradleyBrave]

I don't have a problem with JC I think he will score 10 points a game but he will give up 20. He is lost on defense and is a step slow.He lost his playing time last year because of his defense not is offense.

JC's defense was a part of why he lost playing time, but if he was still hitting his 3's at a 40% clip, he'd have been getting 10-15 minutes a game, guaranteed.

He was lost on defense. It was a new defensive system, and a system where athleticism immediately flourishes. JC isn't the most athletic guy on the team, but he is one of the smartest, and one of the most skilled players we have. What he lacks athletically, he has to make up for with positioning, strength, and desire defensively. He will do that this year. It doesn't take a great athlete to play great defense (although it helps). It takes heart, fire, and desire. Just ask Jim Les.

was coach les a great defensive player too? i know he was a great assist man and shooter.

The answer to that is, if you didn't play defense for Dick Victory, you didn't play. Jim played from day 1 for Dick Versace. He was in your face, annoying you, pestering you from the tip til the final buzzer.

[Braves4Life]

Les

I don't have a problem with JC I think he will score 10 points a game but he will give up 20. He is lost on defense and is a step slow.He lost his playing time last year because of his defense not is offense.

JC's defense was a part of why he lost playing time, but if he was still hitting his 3's at a 40% clip, he'd have been getting 10-15 minutes a game, guaranteed.

He was lost on defense. It was a new defensive system, and a system where athleticism immediately flourishes. JC isn't the most athletic guy on the team, but he is one of the smartest, and one of the most skilled players we have. What he lacks athletically, he has to make up for with positioning, strength, and desire defensively. He will do that this year. It doesn't take a great athlete to play great defense (although it helps). It takes heart, fire, and desire. Just ask Jim Les.

was coach les a great defensive player too? i know he was a great assist man and shooter.

The answer to that is, if you didn't play defense for Dick Victory, you didn't play. Jim played from day 1 for Dick Versace. He was in your face, annoying you, pestering you from the tip til the final buzzer.

..........just like brother Tom. Two real pains in the @ss if you were on the other team. Both loved to be in your face, taking charges, and diving for loose balls. I remember plenty of Tom ending up two deep in Robertson Mem. Field House

[bu fan 9]

I totally agree with you Bradley Brave. But I am not sure JC has the heart and desire Jim And Tom had just my opinion.

[flipper]

I totally agree with you Bradley Brave. But I am not sure JC has the heart and desire Jim And Tom had just my opinion.

kinda hard on jc aren't ya, bu fan 9. give me a break about jc's heart and desire. the guy works as hard as anyone on the team.

[MacabreMob]

We're winning this year with defense, but here's the way I see it shaking out.

JC - 14 PPG
ZA - 13 PPG
Salley - 11 PPG
Ruffin - 8 PPG
JJ - 5 PPG (this will seem like a ton)

Franklin - 6 PPG
XC - 5 PPG
DA - 3 PPG
AW - 3 PPG

Wow.

I couldn't disagree more.

You have done a nice job compiling your thoughts.

If JC and ZA are our top 2 options, IMO, we are in really big trouble.

I think ZA will have some good games and bad (scoring) games. Remember, this is a guy who claims he wants to become a leader in the nation in rebounding. I know, I know... you are gonna say 'yes, rebounds, some offensive leading to points'; but I think he aspires to be a rebounder like Dennis Rodman who wasn't much of a scorer (in the NBA).

JC is a fine shooter. He will contribute... especially without Brown around. My hangup with JC is his shot. It is best delivered in a brought-up-from-the-low-knees-area and launched in a set-shot fashion. Deadly! But the college game can be too quick at most times for this shot to be launched. Hence, he started to dribble/drive throwing his opposition off. But he isn't lightning fast, so defenses adjusted to that play as well. JC will find a way to adjust and contribute, I just don't think he is gonna be Option #1, #2, or #3.

I can hang with your assessment of Salley and Ruffin.

JJ and Franklin are gonna be the 'Bust-Outs'. You can quote me on that and take me to task mid-way and once the season is done (right now, I prefer my Crow grilled - even in the winter time).

Not sure what to say about Crawford, Adams, and Warren - you could be right about them (I don't expect more or less).

Hmm. Well, I think I have more tangible evidence that my predictions will be right before yours will be. I guess I would start by asking you to provide evidence that JJ Tauai will score any points at all this year, considering he heads into his senior campaign with a career average of 2.2 PPG, including 1.8 PPG last year. JC scored twice as much in about half the minutes last season, and averaged nearly 10 PPG as a freshman while shooting nearly 40% from 3. I suspect that next year JC will shake off his sophomore slump and benefit greatly from the 3 and 4 guard offense, and by MVC assist leader Daniel Ruffin's penetration. JC has scored before, and scored well against MVC competition. JJ never has. JC will be a double-digit scorer this year. Book it.

In regards to ZA - Just because a guy scores 13 PPG as I have ZA projected doesn't mean he's the #1, #2 or #3 option. ZA will score most of his points off of putbacks and fastbreaks. He will get the occasional drop-step in, but mostly he'll be a garbage man, and an elite one at that. He proved he can be a monster on the glass and still score, as evidenced by his 19 point, 15 rebound game against a strong and athletic Western Kentucky frontcourt last year, on 9 of 13 shooting and 11 of his 15 boards coming on the offensive end. He'll be a double-digit scorer this year. Book it.

As far as Franklin goes, I am not even sure he'll be in the starting lineup. He may be better served giving us a spark of the bench again this year. Even if he did start, he's a point guard first, scorer second. He would max out around 7-8 ppg as a starter, and 5-6 as a bench player.

I might be wrong, but I really don't think we'd be in big trouble if JC and ZA, 2 guys who actually have shown the ability to put the ball in the basket in one way or another, are our 2 leading scorers. In fact, I think it would mean we're pretty **** good, as we FINALLY will have a perimeter player who can shoot the ball and score consistently, and yet still have an inside force to compliment him. If JJ Tauai, a guy who's never shown any ability to score at the DI level, is our 1st option, we won't win 5 games. I have evidence to support my theory. You have none.

On a side note - I really don't understand how people can be so sour on JC. Just a year ago, people were talking about how important he was to the program, how good teams have guys like him, etc. A sophomore slump later everyone is ready to kick him to the curb. I just don't get it. A 6'5" shooting guard recruited by Big 10 schools who has actually had success at this level, and people are saying it is a joke if he's one of the leading scorers on our team. That's amazing to me. It really is.

BBrave -

Let me start with ZA. I apologize to suggest ZA as a #1, #2 or #3 OPTION. I agreed that he is gonna score a lot of points at times - I just don't think it is gonna happen ALL THE TIME. So 18 one night and 6 the next means a 12 pt average. I can agree with that. Instead of calling him OPTION 1, 2 or 3, I guess I meant RELIANCE #1, 2 or 3. So he may average 12-14 but don't count on it EVERY NIGHT. Don't RELY on it. That was what I meant.

Now to proving JJ's production. I agree from what you have said he has shown zero in the past. What I think you are overlooking is... JJ has found his place in the starting lineup. He played nearly 20 minutes a game average in the last 11 games last season (I refer to the last 11 because, IMO, the last 11 is when it all seemed to come together for BU). Yes - he only averaged 2.09 points a game in those last 11. But he understood his role. There were plenty of other options on the floor and he did a lot of things to help them produce. I know - I know... you think he is just gonna continue with that 'role' and you expect nothing from him.

I remember re-viewing the Bradley/Kansas game a little while ago???‚¬?¦ late in the first half action???‚¬?¦ D Adams comes in the game. I know it was under 4 to play in the 1st half, maybe around 2 minutes to play. I remember thinking, ???‚¬??Gee, I don???‚¬?„?t recall if DA did anything here ???‚¬??? I am gonna watch his movement 'cause he is usually in the game for one reason.???‚¬?„? Sure enough, offense sets up, DA drifts out to a corner and awaits a pass???‚¬?¦ the ball is near the top of the key???‚¬??? yea ???‚¬??? it must go to DA???‚¬?¦. Pass to the corner, shot up and drained???‚¬?¦ from the other corner by???‚¬?¦ JJ! That said something to me. Maybe I am reading too much into it. But it said to me JJ IS comfortable shooting. He just didn???‚¬?„?t cause he didn???‚¬?„?t have to. In reflection, the UNI game was another indicator.

Another thing about JJ???‚¬?„?s game I saw earlier in the season???‚¬?¦ about the time he began starting. I was doubting the minutes he was getting and wondering why???‚¬?¦ why was he getting them and why was he a Co-Captain. But one offensive possession, someone else had the ball (maybe Bennett) from a defensive stop and he was looking to advance the ball and fly and JJ came over yelling for the ball (I think he was running the point for Ruff at the time)???‚¬?¦ JJ was given the ball and (after he chewed Bennett about something) he advanced up the floor and got ready to set the offense in motion while using vision of the whole floor and he gave the team a ???‚¬??calm down ???‚¬??? calm down???‚¬?„?. I thought, wow, he IS a LEADER and I now KNOW why he was awarded Co-Captain.

Now to Franklin. You are not sure he is even gonna start? He might better serve as a ???‚¬??spark???‚¬?„? off the bench? In the final 11 games, he averaged 21.82 minutes and averaged 4.82 points a game. He averaged 23.17 minutes and 5.17 ponts in the post-season (dropping 14 on Kansas). This in a lineup of guards clogged by Bennett, Ruffin and JJ (and scorers MS and OB). IMO, lose Bennett and Franklin fills his spot. Also, of the team/players I saw, Franklin was really beginning to come on. Remember, he sat out the first 6 games. (I remember seeing his first appearance and thinking ???‚¬??man ???‚¬??? he looks like a deer in headlights???‚¬?„?) Another thing witnessed???‚¬?¦ at the Fieldhouse in the reception for the team after the Memphis loss???‚¬?¦ at the end of the ceremony???‚¬?¦ Franklin and Les walking away and Franklin said ???‚¬?“C???‚¬?„?mon, let???‚¬?„?s go... tomorrow, I???‚¬?„?m ready.???‚¬?? And Les said something to the effect of, ???‚¬??Ok, anytime.???‚¬?„? I think Franklin wants that starting job and he is gonna prove to everybody that he deserves it. He doesn???‚¬?„?t need to run the point because he isn???‚¬?„?t afraid to shoot, score, drive, and dish. Just let him play.

So let???‚¬?„?s get to the real meat of this debate. Jeremy Crouch. I am not sour about JC. If you re-read what I said, I said nice things about JC (fine shooter and will find a way to contribute). That is similar to your ???‚¬??ability to put the ball in the hole ???‚¬??? type of player important to this program???‚¬?„?.

So the debate goes like this???‚¬?¦

Last 11 games stats:
Franklin ???‚¬??? 21.82 minutes/game ???‚¬??? 4.82 points/game
JJ ???‚¬??? 19.36 ???‚¬??? 2.09
Adams ???‚¬??? 3 ???‚¬??? 0.27
JC ???‚¬??? 1.45 - 0.64

You say JJ and Franklin (BOTH Seniors) are just gonna step aside and let JC take all the freed up playing time to be a leader in scoring throwing bombs based on how he played as a Freshman without Franklin around and before teams figured out how to beat JC at his shot and drive/dribble.

I seriously hope you are right that JC is a MAJOR contributor on a winning BU team this season, because it would mean post-season (IMO), based on what I think the rest of the team is gonna do before JC gets to drop the bomb.

[MacabreMob]

I totally agree with you Bradley Brave. But I am not sure JC has the heart and desire Jim And Tom had just my opinion.

kinda hard on jc aren't ya, bu fan 9. give me a break about jc's heart and desire. the guy works as hard as anyone on the team.

This is something I also wanted to mention...

After EVERY missed shot by JC, he would turn and run down the floor immediately with his head down.

I AM NOT TRYING TO DIS JC.

I AM MERELY POINTING OUT AN OBSERVATION OF A PLAYERS ACTIONS.

Where's the heart and desire in a hanged head?

[Braves4Life]

Mac

Mac, I so hope you are right!

[BradleyBrave]

We're winning this year with defense, but here's the way I see it shaking out.

JC - 14 PPG
ZA - 13 PPG
Salley - 11 PPG
Ruffin - 8 PPG
JJ - 5 PPG (this will seem like a ton)

Franklin - 6 PPG
XC - 5 PPG
DA - 3 PPG
AW - 3 PPG

Wow.

I couldn't disagree more.

You have done a nice job compiling your thoughts.

If JC and ZA are our top 2 options, IMO, we are in really big trouble.

I think ZA will have some good games and bad (scoring) games. Remember, this is a guy who claims he wants to become a leader in the nation in rebounding. I know, I know... you are gonna say 'yes, rebounds, some offensive leading to points'; but I think he aspires to be a rebounder like Dennis Rodman who wasn't much of a scorer (in the NBA).

JC is a fine shooter. He will contribute... especially without Brown around. My hangup with JC is his shot. It is best delivered in a brought-up-from-the-low-knees-area and launched in a set-shot fashion. Deadly! But the college game can be too quick at most times for this shot to be launched. Hence, he started to dribble/drive throwing his opposition off. But he isn't lightning fast, so defenses adjusted to that play as well. JC will find a way to adjust and contribute, I just don't think he is gonna be Option #1, #2, or #3.

I can hang with your assessment of Salley and Ruffin.

JJ and Franklin are gonna be the 'Bust-Outs'. You can quote me on that and take me to task mid-way and once the season is done (right now, I prefer my Crow grilled - even in the winter time).

Not sure what to say about Crawford, Adams, and Warren - you could be right about them (I don't expect more or less).

Hmm. Well, I think I have more tangible evidence that my predictions will be right before yours will be. I guess I would start by asking you to provide evidence that JJ Tauai will score any points at all this year, considering he heads into his senior campaign with a career average of 2.2 PPG, including 1.8 PPG last year. JC scored twice as much in about half the minutes last season, and averaged nearly 10 PPG as a freshman while shooting nearly 40% from 3. I suspect that next year JC will shake off his sophomore slump and benefit greatly from the 3 and 4 guard offense, and by MVC assist leader Daniel Ruffin's penetration. JC has scored before, and scored well against MVC competition. JJ never has. JC will be a double-digit scorer this year. Book it.

In regards to ZA - Just because a guy scores 13 PPG as I have ZA projected doesn't mean he's the #1, #2 or #3 option. ZA will score most of his points off of putbacks and fastbreaks. He will get the occasional drop-step in, but mostly he'll be a garbage man, and an elite one at that. He proved he can be a monster on the glass and still score, as evidenced by his 19 point, 15 rebound game against a strong and athletic Western Kentucky frontcourt last year, on 9 of 13 shooting and 11 of his 15 boards coming on the offensive end. He'll be a double-digit scorer this year. Book it.

As far as Franklin goes, I am not even sure he'll be in the starting lineup. He may be better served giving us a spark of the bench again this year. Even if he did start, he's a point guard first, scorer second. He would max out around 7-8 ppg as a starter, and 5-6 as a bench player.

I might be wrong, but I really don't think we'd be in big trouble if JC and ZA, 2 guys who actually have shown the ability to put the ball in the basket in one way or another, are our 2 leading scorers. In fact, I think it would mean we're pretty **** good, as we FINALLY will have a perimeter player who can shoot the ball and score consistently, and yet still have an inside force to compliment him. If JJ Tauai, a guy who's never shown any ability to score at the DI level, is our 1st option, we won't win 5 games. I have evidence to support my theory. You have none.

On a side note - I really don't understand how people can be so sour on JC. Just a year ago, people were talking about how important he was to the program, how good teams have guys like him, etc. A sophomore slump later everyone is ready to kick him to the curb. I just don't get it. A 6'5" shooting guard recruited by Big 10 schools who has actually had success at this level, and people are saying it is a joke if he's one of the leading scorers on our team. That's amazing to me. It really is.

BBrave -

Let me start with ZA. I apologize to suggest ZA as a #1, #2 or #3 OPTION. I agreed that he is gonna score a lot of points at times - I just don't think it is gonna happen ALL THE TIME. So 18 one night and 6 the next means a 12 pt average. I can agree with that. Instead of calling him OPTION 1, 2 or 3, I guess I meant RELIANCE #1, 2 or 3. So he may average 12-14 but don't count on it EVERY NIGHT. Don't RELY on it. That was what I meant.

Now to proving JJ's production. I agree from what you have said he has shown zero in the past. What I think you are overlooking is... JJ has found his place in the starting lineup. He played nearly 20 minutes a game average in the last 11 games last season (I refer to the last 11 because, IMO, the last 11 is when it all seemed to come together for BU). Yes - he only averaged 2.09 points a game in those last 11. But he understood his role. There were plenty of other options on the floor and he did a lot of things to help them produce. I know - I know... you think he is just gonna continue with that 'role' and you expect nothing from him.

I remember re-viewing the Bradley/Kansas game a little while ago???‚¬?¦ late in the first half action???‚¬?¦ D Adams comes in the game. I know it was under 4 to play in the 1st half, maybe around 2 minutes to play. I remember thinking, ???‚¬??Gee, I don???‚¬?„?t recall if DA did anything here ???‚¬??? I am gonna watch his movement 'cause he is usually in the game for one reason.???‚¬?„? Sure enough, offense sets up, DA drifts out to a corner and awaits a pass???‚¬?¦ the ball is near the top of the key???‚¬??? yea ???‚¬??? it must go to DA???‚¬?¦. Pass to the corner, shot up and drained???‚¬?¦ from the other corner by???‚¬?¦ JJ! That said something to me. Maybe I am reading too much into it. But it said to me JJ IS comfortable shooting. He just didn???‚¬?„?t cause he didn???‚¬?„?t have to. In reflection, the UNI game was another indicator.

Another thing about JJ???‚¬?„?s game I saw earlier in the season???‚¬?¦ about the time he began starting. I was doubting the minutes he was getting and wondering why???‚¬?¦ why was he getting them and why was he a Co-Captain. But one offensive possession, someone else had the ball (maybe Bennett) from a defensive stop and he was looking to advance the ball and fly and JJ came over yelling for the ball (I think he was running the point for Ruff at the time)???‚¬?¦ JJ was given the ball and (after he chewed Bennett about something) he advanced up the floor and got ready to set the offense in motion while using vision of the whole floor and he gave the team a ???‚¬??calm down ???‚¬??? calm down???‚¬?„?. I thought, wow, he IS a LEADER and I now KNOW why he was awarded Co-Captain.

Now to Franklin. You are not sure he is even gonna start? He might better serve as a ???‚¬??spark???‚¬?„? off the bench? In the final 11 games, he averaged 21.82 minutes and averaged 4.82 points a game. He averaged 23.17 minutes and 5.17 ponts in the post-season (dropping 14 on Kansas). This in a lineup of guards clogged by Bennett, Ruffin and JJ (and scorers MS and OB). IMO, lose Bennett and Franklin fills his spot. Also, of the team/players I saw, Franklin was really beginning to come on. Remember, he sat out the first 6 games. (I remember seeing his first appearance and thinking ???‚¬??man ???‚¬??? he looks like a deer in headlights???‚¬?„?) Another thing witnessed???‚¬?¦ at the Fieldhouse in the reception for the team after the Memphis loss???‚¬?¦ at the end of the ceremony???‚¬?¦ Franklin and Les walking away and Franklin said ???‚¬?“C???‚¬?„?mon, let???‚¬?„?s go... tomorrow, I???‚¬?„?m ready.???‚¬?? And Les said something to the effect of, ???‚¬??Ok, anytime.???‚¬?„? I think Franklin wants that starting job and he is gonna prove to everybody that he deserves it. He doesn???‚¬?„?t need to run the point because he isn???‚¬?„?t afraid to shoot, score, drive, and dish. Just let him play.

So let???‚¬?„?s get to the real meat of this debate. Jeremy Crouch. I am not sour about JC. If you re-read what I said, I said nice things about JC (fine shooter and will find a way to contribute). That is similar to your ???‚¬??ability to put the ball in the hole ???‚¬??? type of player important to this program???‚¬?„?.

So the debate goes like this???‚¬?¦

Last 11 games stats:
Franklin ???‚¬??? 21.82 minutes/game ???‚¬??? 4.82 points/game
JJ ???‚¬??? 19.36 ???‚¬??? 2.09
Adams ???‚¬??? 3 ???‚¬??? 0.27
JC ???‚¬??? 1.45 - 0.64

You say JJ and Franklin (BOTH Seniors) are just gonna step aside and let JC take all the freed up playing time to be a leader in scoring throwing bombs based on how he played as a Freshman without Franklin around and before teams figured out how to beat JC at his shot and drive/dribble.

I seriously hope you are right that JC is a MAJOR contributor on a winning BU team this season, because it would mean post-season (IMO), based on what I think the rest of the team is gonna do before JC gets to drop the bomb.

The title of the thread was 'BU's leading scorer', not 'BU's leader'. I have never questioned JJ's leadership. He proved last year why he was named a captain. However, I don't see a guy going from 1.8 PPG to leading the team in scoring, which is what this thread is about. If there's one thing JC has shown he can do well, it is score. There is tangible evidence of that.

It's like when JL became coach - We all wanted to believe he could do it, we just had no tangible proof or past experiences that says he could. Thankfully for us he succeeded. With JC, there is indisputable, hard proof that he can score, and score well at this level. There is no proof of that with JJ, and that's why I think it is ridiculous that my post about JC being the leading scorer was attacked the way it was, with JJ Tauai's scoring ability being the primary argument against it.

[MacabreMob]

The title of the thread was 'BU's leading scorer', not 'BU's leader'. I have never questioned JJ's leadership. He proved last year why he was named a captain. However, I don't see a guy going from 1.8 PPG to leading the team in scoring, which is what this thread is about. If there's one thing JC has shown he can do well, it is score. There is tangible evidence of that.

It's like when JL became coach - We all wanted to believe he could do it, we just had no tangible proof or past experiences that says he could. Thankfully for us he succeeded. With JC, there is indisputable, hard proof that he can score, and score well at this level. There is no proof of that with JJ, and that's why I think it is ridiculous that my post about JC being the leading scorer was attacked the way it was, with JJ Tauai's scoring ability being the primary argument against it.

I guess a point I haven't driven home yet is...

You need to be playing in order to shoot and score.

I tried to show minutes played in the last 11 games as evidence to who I think is gonna get a lot of playing time. I find it hard to believe that overnight JC is gonna go from 1.45 minutes a game to major minutes because he is going to overcome his slump... a slump dictated by an ineffective shot at the DivI level. So he has had to try and adapt - alter his shot - change his shot - change his game and drive/dribble to get off a shot... which he is a little slow for the drive/dribble to be effective there.

We have different opinions on JC.

Until he can start hitting QUICKER RELEASE JUMPERS from 3-land and or get quicker on offense AND DEFENSE, I don't expect to see him on the floor for a long enough time to lead the team in scoring.

Now you might take that as a personal attack on JC. I am not trying to personally attack JC. I am just trying to point out some weaknesses in his game in my opinion.

With all that said... getting back to the thread title... I stand by my view that Wil Franklin and JJ are gonna be the 'Bust-Outs'. Based on what I have seen in the last 11 games, they are gonna get a lot of playing time. Without the options to score from last year, I got a hunch JJ is gonna start shooting more and he is gonna score. I beleive Franklin to be the type of player who is confident in shooting and be able to knock down shots as well as create shots.

[MacabreMob]

By the way, BBrave, you said....

it is ridiculous that my post about JC being the leading scorer was attacked the way it was

IMO, I did not attack your post. I said I disagreed. I said you did a nice job compiling your thoughts. I also said this about JC: " JC is a fine shooter. He will contribute... especially without Brown around."

and you added this...

with JJ Tauai's scoring ability being the primary argument against it

I said this: "JJ and Franklin are gonna be the 'Bust-Outs'."

You told me to prove my thinking behind JJ having a 'bust-out' year. So you told me to make JJ the primary argument against JC as a leading scorer.

I just don't understand how YOU can be SO sour over JJ and WF.

[BradleyBrave]

The title of the thread was 'BU's leading scorer', not 'BU's leader'. I have never questioned JJ's leadership. He proved last year why he was named a captain. However, I don't see a guy going from 1.8 PPG to leading the team in scoring, which is what this thread is about. If there's one thing JC has shown he can do well, it is score. There is tangible evidence of that.

It's like when JL became coach - We all wanted to believe he could do it, we just had no tangible proof or past experiences that says he could. Thankfully for us he succeeded. With JC, there is indisputable, hard proof that he can score, and score well at this level. There is no proof of that with JJ, and that's why I think it is ridiculous that my post about JC being the leading scorer was attacked the way it was, with JJ Tauai's scoring ability being the primary argument against it.

I guess a point I haven't driven home yet is...

You need to be playing in order to shoot and score.

I tried to show minutes played in the last 11 games as evidence to who I think is gonna get a lot of playing time. I find it hard to believe that overnight JC is gonna go from 1.45 minutes a game to major minutes because he is going to overcome his slump... a slump dictated by an ineffective shot at the DivI level. So he has had to try and adapt - alter his shot - change his shot - change his game and drive/dribble to get off a shot... which he is a little slow for the drive/dribble to be effective there.

We have different opinions on JC.

Until he can start hitting QUICKER RELEASE JUMPERS from 3-land and or get quicker on offense AND DEFENSE, I don't expect to see him on the floor for a long enough time to lead the team in scoring.

Now you might take that as a personal attack on JC. I am not trying to personally attack JC. I am just trying to point out some weaknesses in his game in my opinion.

With all that said... getting back to the thread title... I stand by my view that Wil Franklin and JJ are gonna be the 'Bust-Outs'. Based on what I have seen in the last 11 games, they are gonna get a lot of playing time. Without the options to score from last year, I got a hunch JJ is gonna start shooting more and he is gonna score. I beleive Franklin to be the type of player who is confident in shooting and be able to knock down shots as well as create shots.

JC is a fine shooter. He will contribute... especially without Brown around.

You need to be playing in order to shoot and score.

Which one is it? You have to play in order to contribute. Your 'last 11 games' theory and subsequent arguments suggest you don't think he's going to play at all.

I just find it hard to believe JC won't play considering -

1.) Ray Brown is out for the season.

2.) 3 players who played JC's position(s) - Bennett, Wright, Sommerville - are gone. The 'last 11 games' theory holds very little water when you consider that.

So that's 4 guys that are not with the team this year that JC would be competing with for time. If we're running a 3 and 4 guard offense, JC is going to have to try pretty hard not to play significant minutes.

I just don't get it. You're using a half-season by JC where he didn't get minutes and labeling him for the rest of his career (which last time I checked had 2 years left). Tauai has shown over the course of 3 years (2 of which he's had significant playing time) that he can't score at this level. JC has a bad sophomore year, and suddenly he's not even worthy to see the court. Thank goodness BU didn't take that approach with Jerome Robinson!

I don't have a problem with you disagreeing that JC won't lead the team in scoring - it's very possible he won't. However, your prediction of JJ Tauai, and justification behind it, is ridiculous. JJ Tauai has proven more than any player I have ever seen that minutes absolutely do NOT automatically translate into shots and points.

BTW - I am not sour on JJ or WF at all. They both were major players in our run last year. I love the energy WF brings to the court. I just don't see either of them, especially JJ Tauai, coming close to leading us in scoring. There's nothing that suggests Tauai will score 3 points a game, let alone double-digits.

PS - I love passionate Bradley discussion in the middle of the summer. It makes me forget how awful this baseball season has been. Without rediscovering my golf game and talking BU hoops, I don't know what I would do.

[MacabreMob]

Look - I am suggesting this past season JJ did not shoot/score because he didn't need to. So his 'zero production' in his Jr year is not the same as his 'zero production' in his first 2 years. I think his ability to be out there and do other things this past season has boosted his confidence.

I think JC would definitely increase his playing time if he worked on a post game. I know - I know... laugh all you want. You even said we are gonna be running maybe a 4 guard offense at times. So with that thought, BU's running some screens or the weave and JC winds up with a mis-match - HELLO! Post up!

And really... I am surprised you haven't jumped on me for suggesting Franklin as a scoring leader. You don't even think he is gonna start. It almost gives me the feeling you are anti-JJ.

I believe Franklin will lead in scoring. I think JJ will have a 'bust-out' year for him. it will be more than 3pts a game. Maybe only 8-10... maybe 11-13. It may not sound like a lot, but I think we can all agree this team is gonna have the scoring spread out quite a bit.

[BradleyBrave]

Look - I am suggesting this past season JJ did not shoot/score because he didn't need to. So his 'zero production' in his Jr year is not the same as his 'zero production' in his first 2 years. I think his ability to be out there and do other things this past season has boosted his confidence.

I think JC would definitely increase his playing time if he worked on a post game. I know - I know... laugh all you want. You even said we are gonna be running maybe a 4 guard offense at times. So with that thought, BU's running some screens or the weave and JC winds up with a mis-match - HELLO! Post up!

And really... I am surprised you haven't jumped on me for suggesting Franklin as a scoring leader. You don't even think he is gonna start. It almost gives me the feeling you are anti-JJ.

I believe Franklin will lead in scoring. I think JJ will have a 'bust-out' year for him. it will be more than 3pts a game. Maybe only 8-10... maybe 11-13. It may not sound like a lot, but I think we can all agree this team is gonna have the scoring spread out quite a bit.

I am not anti-JJ. Not at all. I have been hard on him in the past (As I usually am on people who don't perform. Believe it or not, I advocated JC's benching on numerous occasions), but I am not 'anti' anyone on the team. I think he was a great story in persistence and perserverance last season. I hope he can score. I just don't think he can.

I know WF can score. I think he's more of a pass-first point guard though than a score-first point guard, which is why I don't think he'll lead the team in scoring. I think a big reason why he and Ruffin were so strong down the stretch was because they were able to spell each other and keep each other fresh. With WF in the starting lineup, you basically take that away and both players could suffer. While I don't envision WF starting games, I certainly envision him finishing a lot of them. I personally think he will be better suited coming of the bench and delivering some punch in 20-25 minutes per game.

As for JC posting up, well that's never going to happen. If he was 6'9" maybe. 6'5" white guys with his vertical don't make very good post players at the DI level. The kid was a dead-eyed shooter in high school, and his freshman year. He had an off year. He's not the first player to go through a sophomore slump or regress and lose time. JJ Tauai is a perfect example of this. If he can do it, why can't JC?

I agree 100% that the scoring will be spread around. Hopefully we can get 3-4 guys in double figures. If we can, we'll be in good shape. I envision JC and ZA being 2 of those guys. If JJ and WF join them, we'll be in better shape than any of us imagined.

[bu fan 9]

DA is a head of JC for playing time right now unless JC has great preseason I know that for a fact.

[MacabreMob]

DA is a head of JC for playing time right now unless JC has great preseason I know that for a fact.

I can agree with this.

BBrave... your turn.