I am on the AT Bandwagon

[thefish7]

houston, I see some of the same, though SS has much better hands than DC, he's not as good at actually getting the ball through the hoop. He misses a ton of "bunnies," while DC turns the ball over all the time.

Don't know enough at all about AT to say either way. His hands seem to be a lot better than DC's.

 

[Beninator]

I really believe our guards do not want to give either Collins or AT the ball on the screen roll. The only person who ever sees the ball on the roll to the basket is Singh. The guards know two things about Singh, he can score off the pass and they also know he will give them the ball back on a pass out of that roll.

They know that neither Collins or AT can pass the ball back or are often able to control the ball enough to score off that roll.

I keep saying it but I really do not believe that Collins' teammates trust him as a basketball player in many situations, but especially when it comes to giving him the basketball while he is moving. They know it is a recipe for disaster and it also means they are not seeing that ball again even if they are open.

I have definately seen this while DC is on the floor...and---it isnt just during screen and roll situations---- I havent seen too many games in which AT has played so I cant comment about that...

 

[SFP]

I agree with all your posts except I think if we used DC in an offensive scheme where we used his strength that sweet jump shot he could score a fair amount nightly. He just is not going to do well moving with the ball. On the defensive end he just does not have the instincts that a TB or EM has in finding the ball to really be a good rebounder. He has been blocking a lot of shots lately. AT for better or for worse is an unknown. I also wish we would play him at the 4 with SS but if he can prove that he can rebound I'd put him in with DC. DC on the offensive end could step away from the basket and if open hit the jumper and if covered pass it into AT where he should have plenty of room to maneuver.

 

[houstontxbrave]

Both of you are right about AT the only game he got extended minutes in was the SEMO game and he was setting the screen at the key and rolling and a few times he was open moving to the lane but never saw a pass. Of course that might mean alot of things, including his teammates didnt see him open.

But basketball just like anything is many times about personal accomplishment. If you know if you try to give someone IE Collins an entry pass and he drops it the TO can go to you, or if he gets the ball and fumbles it out of bounds instead of an assist you get nothing and they know good and well he can not handle a pass on the move and make a decision to make a return pass for a basket. I never see him get an entry pass anywhere other then directly on the block and even then its not often... his teammates know that generally nothing good happens when he gets an entry pass.

Basketball is often about what can you get when you give... in Collins case often you get a tournover, few assists and never a return pass for your own points. No matter what we think basketball is often no different then life, you need to get yours, and when your not getting yours when you give then why give... I think that is a lot of the reason why Collins does not see the ball on rolls.

Personally I think the high scree and roll is a bad offense for this team, it rarely directly leads to any open looks, has a high frequency for offensive fouls and with how poorly this team shoots it even if a guy gets open for a shot it often is missed.

This team though has can not run issolation plays like it did last year for JC, we have no one who can make an open shot consistantly or as JC could do he could take his guy off the dribble to the lane and either score over him or he could pass out of his dribble. Wilson can not handle the ball, Roberts I dont think is to good at passing out of his dribble and isnt great at handling it. The weave or the high screen and roll are about the only offense JL can play that limits the ball handling of his 3 or 4. If Warren could ever get healthy he could play the issolation game but until that happens I dont see any other offense he can run with the personal he has.

It also hurts that we have guards that can get into the lane like McCain or SM but really have big difficulties in finishing.

 

[jasonpeoria911]

Was it AT or DC that let the 300+ pound left tackle blow right past him for a layup? Everyone is screaming for AT to get more time but i've seen him just as lost at times as DC is. I've seen Les yell at him several times about where AT was at. The only remedy for that is possibly more playing time but I don't think it will be the quick fix a lot of people think it will be.

Jason

 

[Rusty 54]

I don't think many people are talking about AT being a quick fix. Just that he is the future and the present isn't looking real bright so getting more minutes for AT might be the best thing at this point, so take some hits now and be better for it later.

 

[houstontxbrave]

I went and saw Rice v Oklahoma last night. Rice had to go up against Blake Griffin, and they used a freshman and 2 sophomores to guard him last night. Yes they played a freshman against the mighty Blake Griffin.

They didnt put a 6'5 forward on him because the freshman wasnt ready, they played a freshman, whether he did good or bad was not the point, that freshman by playing against Griffin was able to get game experience versus one of the "supposide" best in college basketball.

Rice also many times in the game played two of these younger players at the same time.

Also in 40 minutes of basketball there was no weave anywhere in sight, both team ran motion offenses and several times Oklahoma ran set plays. There was not one moving screen called all night.

My point is Ben Braun was williing to let his freshman play against a 1st team all american and take his lumps but I guarantee you that the Rice freshman will be a better player after that experience then he would have by sitting and watching.

BTW Griffin is way way over rated as is Oklahoma... I say this because neither played hard or hustled much. Those who get upset with TW and his yelling or carrying on, they would love Griffin, he makes sure everyone hears him.. especially the one he scores on or blocks each and everytime. He also loves to be a hollywood actor if he thinks he got fouled. If Oklahoma is the 4th best team in college basketball then college basketball is in trouble this season.

I thought Oklahoma's best player was Willie Warren who amazingly is also a freshman.. he had 31.

 

[tornado]

..My point is Ben Braun was williing to let his freshman play against a 1st team all american and take his lumps but I guarantee you that the Rice freshman will be a better player after that experience then he would have by sitting and watching....

so isn't that exactly what we are seeing in Peoria?
Our coach is unafraid to let three TRUE freshmen, one redshirt freshman, two other 1st year guys, and four 2nd year guys play virtually 100% of the minutes, as it will help them get better.

I guess I am just astounded that year after year we deal with the same November and December "sky is falling" panic, even in the year we went to the Sweet Sixteen.

As I have said before....for those who are willing to throw in the towel and trash BU as not worth watching...
please send all unusued tickets to Box 978, 61548....and thank you...

 

[houstontxbrave]

so isn't that exactly what we are seeing in Peoria?
Our coach is unafraid to let three TRUE freshmen, one redshirt freshman, two other 1st year guys, and four 2nd year guys play virtually 100% of the minutes, as it will help them get better.

I guess I am just astounded that year after year we deal with the same November and December "sky is falling" panic, even in the year we went to the Sweet Sixteen.

As I have said before....for those who are willing to throw in the towel and trash BU as not worth watching...
please send all unusued tickets to Box 978, 61548....and thank you...

I was simply pointing out that he used a freshman big to play against a 1st team all american. Didnt say a word about any guards or anything else just that Braun played a freshman against a 1st team all american.

Also, at what point in my speaking about the Rice Oklahoma game did I mention the sky at Bradley was falling or more specifically did I even mention Bradley in what I wrote?

You have an amazing ability to get all heated up about something even when it doesnt mention Bradley, just making a point about what another team did versus another team.

And if you can tell by what I wrote how I feel about this years Bradley team, I hope that crystal ball you use to tell what I am feeling, can tell you more "magical" thoughts. Sometimes you are priceless.

But as far as what we are seeing in Peoria... no we are not seeing a freshman playing heavy minutes in the post aganist a 1st team all american... we are not even seeing a freshman in the post playing heavy minutes against anyone. Sparatic minutes at most and those are mostly attributed to injuries to two other post players. We are seeing other freshman playing heavy minutes but NOT IN THE POST.

 

[SaintLouBrave22]

I was simply pointing out that he used a freshman big to play against a 1st team all american. Didnt say a word about any guards or anything else just that Braun played a freshman against a 1st team all american.

Also, at what point in my speaking about the Rice Oklahoma game did I mention the sky at Bradley was falling or more specifically did I even mention Bradley in what I wrote?

You have an amazing ability to get all heated up about something even when it doesnt mention Bradley, just making a point about what another team did versus another team.

And if you can tell by what I wrote how I feel about this years Bradley team, I hope that crystal ball you use to tell what I am feeling, can tell you more "magical" thoughts. Sometimes you are priceless.

But as far as what we are seeing in Peoria... no we are not seeing a freshman playing heavy minutes in the post aganist a 1st team all american... we are not even seeing a freshman in the post playing heavy minutes against anyone. Sparatic minutes at most and those are mostly attributed to injuries to two other post players. We are seeing other freshman playing heavy minutes but NOT IN THE POST.

Amen!

 

[pfunk880]

so isn't that exactly what we are seeing in Peoria?
Our coach is unafraid to let three TRUE freshmen, one redshirt freshman, two other 1st year guys, and four 2nd year guys play virtually 100% of the minutes, as it will help them get better.

I guess I am just astounded that year after year we deal with the same November and December "sky is falling" panic, even in the year we went to the Sweet Sixteen.

As I have said before....for those who are willing to throw in the towel and trash BU as not worth watching...
please send all unusued tickets to Box 978, 61548....and thank you...

Did you not read the title of this thread?

 

[BradleyBrave]

so isn't that exactly what we are seeing in Peoria?
Our coach is unafraid to let three TRUE freshmen, one redshirt freshman, two other 1st year guys, and four 2nd year guys play virtually 100% of the minutes, as it will help them get better.

I guess I am just astounded that year after year we deal with the same November and December "sky is falling" panic, even in the year we went to the Sweet Sixteen.

As I have said before....for those who are willing to throw in the towel and trash BU as not worth watching...
please send all unusued tickets to Box 978, 61548....and thank you...

The true redshirt freshman hasn't come close to playing even half the minutes at his position, let alone all of them. He needs to be logging a lot more time than he has been up to this point.

 

[SFP]

I went and saw Rice v Oklahoma last night. Rice had to go up against Blake Griffin, and they used a freshman and 2 sophomores to guard him last night. Yes they played a freshman against the mighty Blake Griffin.

They didnt put a 6'5 forward on him because the freshman wasnt ready, they played a freshman, whether he did good or bad was not the point, that freshman by playing against Griffin was able to get game experience versus one of the "supposide" best in college basketball.

Rice also many times in the game played two of these younger players at the same time.

Also in 40 minutes of basketball there was no weave anywhere in sight, both team ran motion offenses and several times Oklahoma ran set plays. There was not one moving screen called all night.

My point is Ben Braun was williing to let his freshman play against a 1st team all american and take his lumps but I guarantee you that the Rice freshman will be a better player after that experience then he would have by sitting and watching.

BTW Griffin is way way over rated as is Oklahoma... I say this because neither played hard or hustled much. Those who get upset with TW and his yelling or carrying on, they would love Griffin, he makes sure everyone hears him.. especially the one he scores on or blocks each and everytime. He also loves to be a hollywood actor if he thinks he got fouled. If Oklahoma is the 4th best team in college basketball then college basketball is in trouble this season.

I thought Oklahoma's best player was Willie Warren who amazingly is also a freshman.. he had 31.

Houston I'm in full agreement about Oklahoma! I also like Ben Braun a lot as a coach, he's a great X and Os guy. I just hope he can recruit out in TX.

Now on the comments about BU and how we use AT at this point is somewhat amusing. JL is not thinking about next year at this point. His job is to win now. I'm pretty sure he believes he can get this team to settle down and come March have the possibility to do some damage. Some of us agree and some of us disagree. Those that disagree believe the season is futile and are willing to use this season to help build a better team for next year, thus use AT now. There are others I know that says this is unfair to the seniors on the team. I guess I'm not ready to throw in the towel yet with the conference records of everyone at 0-0.;-)

I just think that we are mis-using some of our personel, that our defense needs to shape up and on O weneed to settel down and try to get the ball as close to the rim as possible as first option and if all else fails then rely on the 3 point shot. I guarantee that if we start hitting shots within the lane the 3 point shots will start falling because then our guys will be open for set shots. Set shots are so much easier then trying to hit one on the move.

 

[ER3]

so isn't that exactly what we are seeing in Peoria?
Our coach is unafraid to let three TRUE freshmen, one redshirt freshman, two other 1st year guys, and four 2nd year guys play virtually 100% of the minutes, as it will help them get better.

I guess I am just astounded that year after year we deal with the same November and December "sky is falling" panic, even in the year we went to the Sweet Sixteen.

As I have said before....for those who are willing to throw in the towel and trash BU as not worth watching...
please send all unusued tickets to Box 978, 61548....and thank you...

Boy, that 'haters, send me your unused tickets' bit of yours sure is a classic. It never gets old.

This year's BU squad is a defensively inept, horrible shooting bunch that regularly appears to be completely unprepared and poorly coached, in my opinion...but the sky isn't falling, I'm not looking for refunds on my season tix...I've been through darker years with BU...
There are a lot of intriguing young guys on this year's team that give this year a bit of a silver lining looking toward the future...I just hope this coaching staff can figure out how to implement some sort of system that can allow these guys to have some success in the years ahead...because this current system is a mess and doesn't fit with the personnel we currently have.

 

[Da Coach]

Blake Griffin is an imposing player with incredible skills and strength for a big man. He does have a tenedncy to play down to his competetion, and play better when challenged or when he gets mad.
He will likely be the #1 draft pick by the NBA next June.

 

[ph]

Houston I'm in full agreement about Oklahoma! I also like Ben Braun a lot as a coach, he's a great X and Os guy. I just hope he can recruit out in TX.

Now on the comments about BU and how we use AT at this point is somewhat amusing. JL is not thinking about next year at this point. His job is to win now. I'm pretty sure he believes he can get this team to settle down and come March have the possibility to do some damage. Some of us agree and some of us disagree. Those that disagree believe the season is futile and are willing to use this season to help build a better team for next year, thus use AT now. There are others I know that says this is unfair to the seniors on the team. I guess I'm not ready to throw in the towel yet with the conference records of everyone at 0-0.;-)

I just think that we are mis-using some of our personel, that our defense needs to shape up and on O weneed to settel down and try to get the ball as close to the rim as possible as first option and if all else fails then rely on the 3 point shot. I guarantee that if we start hitting shots within the lane the 3 point shots will start falling because then our guys will be open for set shots. Set shots are so much easier then trying to hit one on the move.

Good points.

I think there is an art involved in balancing "play to win" and "play for a good season". I do agree that Jim leans towards "play to win" There is a very difficult choice here because there is no margin to lose if you goal is an NCAA at large (vs longer NBA or MLB seasons), but playing to win seems to put us in the position to go down hard due to an injury.

I think it is possible to play for the future while in the non-con, not future years, but for the near future conference season

For instance I was troubled, last year, that Ruff played too many minutes in exhibition and non-con. When he went down, the team and SM still needed a few games to be full D1 ready. This year we have been forced to get EM and DN ready, and may be positionally better at guard down the stretch because of it. I wish the same logic (play now) could be applied to our bigs with AT. Last game showed we are one more bigs injury or foul trouble from several poor games.

I do think JL set himself up for fans questioning his lack of AT use by proclaiming AT, "the 2nd best offensive big man I ever coached" last year.

 

[houstontxbrave]

Blake Griffin is an imposing player with incredible skills and strength for a big man. He does have a tenedncy to play down to his competetion, and play better when challenged or when he gets mad.
He will likely be the #1 draft pick by the NBA next June.

I am only baseing this on seeing him one time in person against Rice University, but if he is the #1 pick next year, someone is waisting that pick. Yes he has some very nice skills he is able to pass out of the block and can leap big time. I did not see any game from him outside of the 3 feet in the lane, he has a nice physical body but no way is he 6'10 and I do not see how he can make a living posting up in the NBA and trying to make post moves.

He seemed active when he knew it was a dunk or going get a block. He just didnt seem all that energized.. maybe it was the team they played but with 7 minutes to go it was tied so I would think by then he should have decided maybe he needed to step it up.

Oh ya and he got smacked in the face last night got 6 stitches but he didnt seem to upset or his game became to dominate after the hit. The Warren kid though from Oklahoma is the real deal on both ends of the court.
The guy had some very nice number something like 24 points and 11 boards, I believe he was 9-11 from the line. He just was not overly impressive. No way is he as talented as either Rose or Beasley honestly I dont think he is as versitale or talented as Kevin Love from last year and I am not sure he is as good as Hansbourgh is, he certainly does not play as hard, but then again I didnt think his team played real hard or was as good as their #4 ranking.

The Warren kid though is the real deal on both ends of the court.

 

[SaintLouBrave22]

I am only baseing this on seeing him one time in person against Rice University, but if he is the #1 pick next year, someone is waisting that pick. Yes he has some very nice skills he is able to pass out of the block and can leap big time. I did not see any game from him outside of the 3 feet in the lane, he has a nice physical body but no way is he 6'10 and I do not see how he can make a living posting up in the NBA and trying to make post moves.

He seemed active when he knew it was a dunk or going get a block. He just didnt seem all that energized.. maybe it was the team they played but with 7 minutes to go it was tied so I would think by then he should have decided maybe he needed to step it up.

Oh ya and he got smacked in the face last night got 6 stitches but he didnt seem to upset or his game became to dominate after the hit. The Warren kid though from Oklahoma is the real deal on both ends of the court.
The guy had some very nice number something like 24 points and 11 boards, I believe he was 9-11 from the line. He just was not overly impressive. No way is he as talented as either Rose or Beasley honestly I dont think he is as versitale or talented as Kevin Love from last year and I am not sure he is as good as Hansbourgh is, he certainly does not play as hard, but then again I didnt think his team played real hard or was as good as their #4 ranking.

The Warren kid though is the real deal on both ends of the court.

I agree w/ everything you said, and I myself would take Clark from Louisville over Griffin any day....there are just some things that Clark can do that much better and no he may not have as many rebounds, but then again his team has other players that do rebound for 1 and they also make more shots for 2.

Johnny Flynn from the Cuse has been pretty darn impressive himself as well.