That's a lot of pets.

One Tribe. One Family.

After four games our center tandem of Knight and Whitman are averaging 20 pets, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks per game. Paul Rowley has taken full advantage of his starting opportunity to put together an impressive stat line as well. In other words, we are getting better than expected production from these three players and the teams upside is now higher IMO. Dixon, Cohn, and Prewitt have played slightly below standard against the two best defenses we'll likely face all season. Get the latter group playing to the level we known they're capable and get Malinowki back to full speed/game shape and we could really have something special by the time, we get to conference play. Crazy depth, with no fewer than 9 players capable of going for double digit scoring any given night.

(11-25-2016 07:46 AM)WMTribe90 Wrote:  After four games our center tandem of Knight and Whitman are averaging 20 pets, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks per game. Paul Rowley has taken full advantage of his starting opportunity to put together an impressive stat line as well. In other words, we are getting better than expected production from these three players and the teams upside is now higher IMO. Dixon, Cohn, and Prewitt have played slightly below standard against the two best defenses we'll likely face all season. Get the latter group playing to the level we known they're capable and get Malinowki back to full speed/game shape and we could really have something special by the time, we get to conference play. Crazy depth, with no fewer than 9 players capable of going for double digit scoring any given night.

Mostly agree. We have the potential to be pretty darn good, and I think we took a step forward Weds, despite the score. A couple of other points:

--Nathan deserves all the praise he's getting, but he needs to adjust to the intensity of the college game. He seems to mentally drift off every once in a while. He's given up some baskets that way, lost some rebounds, and failed to grab some loose balls. Easily correctable, especially if Seacat comes back, and Tony can incentivize Nate with playing time.

--Mrs. R disagrees with me, but I think Knight should be encouraged to take jumpers from the high post, if he can make them. (He hasn't proven that he can, except in YouTube clips.). It works well within the scheme of our offense, and would clear up the lane for Omar and everyone else.

--There are definitely times when Omar needs to work outside the offense and take the game over. But those times aren't all the time. Honestly, I think if he tries to do a little less, he'll do more.

--Defensively, the jury is definitely still out. I've been to Duke and Presbyterian. Seems to me we kept Presbyterian from getting good shots, but not Duke. In the back of my mind, I'm thinking it might have something to do with the competition. We'll know more tomorrow.

--Is Whitman the man, or what?

Whitman is definitely the most improved player. We need Tot and Schlotman to step up and be aggressive as Cohn cannot play all 40 minutes.

(11-25-2016 10:38 AM)Got Ribe Wrote:  

(11-25-2016 07:46 AM)WMTribe90 Wrote:  After four games our center tandem of Knight and Whitman are averaging 20 pets, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks per game. Paul Rowley has taken full advantage of his starting opportunity to put together an impressive stat line as well. In other words, we are getting better than expected production from these three players and the teams upside is now higher IMO. Dixon, Cohn, and Prewitt have played slightly below standard against the two best defenses we'll likely face all season. Get the latter group playing to the level we known they're capable and get Malinowki back to full speed/game shape and we could really have something special by the time, we get to conference play. Crazy depth, with no fewer than 9 players capable of going for double digit scoring any given night.

Mostly agree. We have the potential to be pretty darn good, and I think we took a step forward Weds, despite the score. A couple of other points:

--Nathan deserves all the praise he's getting, but he needs to adjust to the intensity of the college game. He seems to mentally drift off every once in a while. He's given up some baskets that way, lost some rebounds, and failed to grab some loose balls. Easily correctable, especially if Seacat comes back, and Tony can incentivize Nate with playing time.

--Mrs. R disagrees with me, but I think Knight should be encouraged to take jumpers from the high post, if he can make them. (He hasn't proven that he can, except in YouTube clips.). It works well within the scheme of our offense, and would clear up the lane for Omar and everyone else.

--There are definitely times when Omar needs to work outside the offense and take the game over. But those times aren't all the time. Honestly, I think if he tries to do a little less, he'll do more.

--Defensively, the jury is definitely still out. I've been to Duke and Presbyterian. Seems to me we kept Presbyterian from getting good shots, but not Duke. In the back of my mind, I'm thinking it might have something to do with the competition. We'll know more tomorrow.

--Is Whitman the man, or what?

I think it is difficult to evaluate the defense versus Duke. The officiating had to have an impact. Play tough defense, and then foul out in 5 minutes.

In his post-game interview Coach Shaver mentioned that we could not stop the dribble drive. That had nothing to do with the officiating (which was atrocious) and continues to be our biggest defensive issue.

Stopping the dribble drive is the most important fundamental of basketball defense. We have to get better at this.

(11-25-2016 06:41 AM)Tribal Wrote:  That's a lot of pets.

One Tribe. One Family.

Damn auto correct, though the image of Nathan inviting a young lady over to his dorm room to play with his 20 cats made me smile.

(11-25-2016 10:38 AM)Got Ribe Wrote:  

(11-25-2016 07:46 AM)WMTribe90 Wrote:  After four games our center tandem of Knight and Whitman are averaging 20 pets, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks per game. Paul Rowley has taken full advantage of his starting opportunity to put together an impressive stat line as well. In other words, we are getting better than expected production from these three players and the teams upside is now higher IMO. Dixon, Cohn, and Prewitt have played slightly below standard against the two best defenses we'll likely face all season. Get the latter group playing to the level we known they're capable and get Malinowki back to full speed/game shape and we could really have something special by the time, we get to conference play. Crazy depth, with no fewer than 9 players capable of going for double digit scoring any given night.

Mostly agree. We have the potential to be pretty darn good, and I think we took a step forward Weds, despite the score. A couple of other points:

--Nathan deserves all the praise he's getting, but he needs to adjust to the intensity of the college game. He seems to mentally drift off every once in a while. He's given up some baskets that way, lost some rebounds, and failed to grab some loose balls. Easily correctable, especially if Seacat comes back, and Tony can incentivize Nate with playing time.

--Mrs. R disagrees with me, but I think Knight should be encouraged to take jumpers from the high post, if he can make them. (He hasn't proven that he can, except in YouTube clips.). It works well within the scheme of our offense, and would clear up the lane for Omar and everyone else.

--There are definitely times when Omar needs to work outside the offense and take the game over. But those times aren't all the time. Honestly, I think if he tries to do a little less, he'll do more.

--Defensively, the jury is definitely still out. I've been to Duke and Presbyterian. Seems to me we kept Presbyterian from getting good shots, but not Duke. In the back of my mind, I'm thinking it might have something to do with the competition. We'll know more tomorrow.

--Is Whitman the man, or what?

I'll start by saying I did not see Duke or Prsby games, except for highlights. I agree that Knight needs to raise his intensity further, especially on defense, but I think he is already playing with more energy than he showed in his HS/prep film. I agree completely that a big man that can knock down an open elbow jumper really opens up our offense for the back door cuts. Rusthoven was the last big we had with that ability. Would love for Knight or Whitman to take and make that shot.

Team defense does need to improve. We are not yet athletic enough to play lock-down man-to-man, but with our length we could be more disruptive as a unit, but that requires applying enough pressure to force mistakes. Tomorrow will tell us a lot about the defense. Expect Shaver will sub liberally based on defensive effort (or lack of) given the depth available.

At some point, expect a light will go on in Knight's head regarding just how good he can potentially be with putting in the hard work. He has shown no fear on the big stage. He's still very young and learning his role. The great benefit of all this depth and talent level is how hard these guys can push each other in practice, which should continue to play out in game to game improvement.

Land another long, athletic big in this next class like Maguire, and the future prospects will be scary good.

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(11-25-2016 12:46 PM)tribeintexas Wrote:  Whitman is definitely the most improved player.

Whitman is playing better, no doubt. But, how can anyone but Rowley be the most improved. He went from late game mop up duty to a contributing starter in one off season.

(11-25-2016 04:11 PM)mrjoolius Wrote:  

(11-25-2016 12:46 PM)tribeintexas Wrote:  Whitman is definitely the most improved player.

Whitman is playing better, no doubt. But, how can anyone but Rowley be the most improved. He went from late game mop up duty to a contributing starter in one off season.

They both are contributing at a level we expected coming out of HS. Just took a little longer than expected. Rowley has hops, and what we haven't seen yet is his potential for playing above the rim. Love seeing that joy of playing smile.

(11-25-2016 04:11 PM)mrjoolius Wrote:  

(11-25-2016 12:46 PM)tribeintexas Wrote:  Whitman is definitely the most improved player.

Whitman is playing better, no doubt. But, how can anyone but Rowley be the most improved. He went from late game mop up duty to a contributing starter in one off season.

Rowley also benefited from Malinowski's injury. I have a hard time believing Paul would be starting if Greg had a healthy offseason. But either way, picking between most improved players at the positions that were the two biggest question marks heading into the season is a place we're happy to be.

I'm afraid that this isn't going to happen. My guess is that Cohn plays about 36 minutes per game once conference play starts. Both are tall, but neither is a weapon to score or penetrate.

(11-25-2016 12:46 PM)tribeintexas Wrote:  We need Tot and Schlotman to step up and be aggressive as Cohn cannot play all 40 minutes.

I just finished watching the replay of the Duke game. Nathan Knight is the most promising player this program has seen since Marcus Thornton. I have no idea how he's here or why he's here, but my goodness is he going to be (already IS) good. If Jack Whitman is still starting over Nathan by the end of the season, something will have gone wrong, or somehow BOTH of them will be starting. If and when Hunter Seacat returns to the program, he better get used to pine.

It's been awhile since we had two good and one decent big guy.

I foresee our bigs being a lot more physical inside knowing they have two capable back-ups. Kitts, Rustoven, and Sheldon really didn't have that luxury.

As many have stated, our depth at all positions, save PG, is a real advantage.

One Tribe. One Family.

Neither Whitman or Knight are very quick in terms of footwork on defense. They are going to foul a lot. Having both of them and Seacat will be a huge bonus come later in the season.

I'm old enough to have seen a lot of players both with the Tribe and on our opponents roster. There is one player that Knight reminds me of. David Robinson. Okay, let's not jump to conclusions, but as a Freshman he was the same height, very clumsy, but fluid and a lefty. He was clearly under-recruited as he went to Navy as a 6'7" high school senior. Knight was probably very similar as a high school senior. That one year of prep school makes a difference.