Post by motorcitysam on Sept 18, 2020 7:03:26 GMT -5
I do think we have upgraded the roster, but with so many new players, it's hard for me to make forecasts on production, roles, etc. Some of you who have spoken to the coaches might have a better idea. Some early thoughts of mine:
I expect good play out of Thompson. Davis has had success at the mid major level with high major guys who didn't quite meet expectations elsewhere. Don't know if he'll be dominant, but he should be a legitimate starter and contributor on this level, and as good a center as we have had in awhile. Talent-wise, his ceiling his high, and he should be motivated.
My hope is that Fraser and Johnson will be an upgrade at the guard position and earn a lot of minutes. One of them needs to be, if not the primary ballhandler, a guy who can split those ball handling duties with Antoine. As many have said, it's too much to ask AD to be the primary ball handler and scorer, especially the way the conference lets other teams beat up on him. I'm higher on Johnson than some, but basing that mostly on a hunch and what he did at a very good JUCO program. He's still kind of a mystery. I'm hoping he gets the waiver, but if not, he'll be needed in 2021-22.
Looking for some improvement from Brandon, not necessarily as an offensive threat, but in the things he already does well. He can be a double figure rebounder, and with a few more putbacks, transition, and scoring at the basket off of guard penetration, he can get his scoring average to ten points per game. Seems like a hard worker who was still learning last year and should get better. I also think he will be a better free throw shooter. He went from 35% as a freshman to 51% as a sophomore. Would love to see him get that to the 60s.
Bul could be a key. Can he give us what Derrien King gave us a couple of years ago, but with a higher FG%? That would be a big help, but it might be a lot to ask. King came to us from a PAC 12 program, and had had some pretty solid games against good conference foes. Bul did have some double figure games for Cal Baptist against league competition, so perhaps the potential is there. Fingers crossed.
I think AD is a better shooter, percentage-wise, than we saw last year. He had to carry so much of the offensive load, and too often we found ourselves running out of shot clock with the ball in his hands. As stated previously, by me and others, he needs ball handling and scoring support. If he gets that, this could be his best year, even if his scoring numbers aren't as high.
My SWAG (Scientific Wild A$$ Guess) at the starting lineup: Thompson at Center, Brandon at PF, Bul at SF, Fraser and Davis in the backcourt. Johnson, Rose, and Cal all see time at guard off the bench. Willy logs some minutes up front, but we also run a lot of three guard lineups. If Waterman gets the waiver, I hope we see him get significant minutes backing up Thompson, or playing with Thompson in a twin towers lineup on occasion. I look for our three freshman guards to spend this year as a learning experience, adjusting to D1 ball and learning the ropes. I expect Pink to get the most playing time out of the three of them, based mostly on his experience in the system.
I'm optimistic, but there are still a lot of questions. Hopefully, we get a lot of positive answers. Go Titans.
I expect good play out of Thompson. Davis has had success at the mid major level with high major guys who didn't quite meet expectations elsewhere. Don't know if he'll be dominant, but he should be a legitimate starter and contributor on this level, and as good a center as we have had in awhile. Talent-wise, his ceiling his high, and he should be motivated.
My hope is that Fraser and Johnson will be an upgrade at the guard position and earn a lot of minutes. One of them needs to be, if not the primary ballhandler, a guy who can split those ball handling duties with Antoine. As many have said, it's too much to ask AD to be the primary ball handler and scorer, especially the way the conference lets other teams beat up on him. I'm higher on Johnson than some, but basing that mostly on a hunch and what he did at a very good JUCO program. He's still kind of a mystery. I'm hoping he gets the waiver, but if not, he'll be needed in 2021-22.
Looking for some improvement from Brandon, not necessarily as an offensive threat, but in the things he already does well. He can be a double figure rebounder, and with a few more putbacks, transition, and scoring at the basket off of guard penetration, he can get his scoring average to ten points per game. Seems like a hard worker who was still learning last year and should get better. I also think he will be a better free throw shooter. He went from 35% as a freshman to 51% as a sophomore. Would love to see him get that to the 60s.
Bul could be a key. Can he give us what Derrien King gave us a couple of years ago, but with a higher FG%? That would be a big help, but it might be a lot to ask. King came to us from a PAC 12 program, and had had some pretty solid games against good conference foes. Bul did have some double figure games for Cal Baptist against league competition, so perhaps the potential is there. Fingers crossed.
I think AD is a better shooter, percentage-wise, than we saw last year. He had to carry so much of the offensive load, and too often we found ourselves running out of shot clock with the ball in his hands. As stated previously, by me and others, he needs ball handling and scoring support. If he gets that, this could be his best year, even if his scoring numbers aren't as high.
My SWAG (Scientific Wild A$$ Guess) at the starting lineup: Thompson at Center, Brandon at PF, Bul at SF, Fraser and Davis in the backcourt. Johnson, Rose, and Cal all see time at guard off the bench. Willy logs some minutes up front, but we also run a lot of three guard lineups. If Waterman gets the waiver, I hope we see him get significant minutes backing up Thompson, or playing with Thompson in a twin towers lineup on occasion. I look for our three freshman guards to spend this year as a learning experience, adjusting to D1 ball and learning the ropes. I expect Pink to get the most playing time out of the three of them, based mostly on his experience in the system.
I'm optimistic, but there are still a lot of questions. Hopefully, we get a lot of positive answers. Go Titans.