by Mitch on Fri Jan 08, 2016 5:39 pm
I thought I would check in and add some thoughts---
JC's Offense:
* Good ball movement at times, but when they reverse the ball, they don't attack off the dribble, so what's the point? This is why the team doesn't get to the foul line or score points in the paint. The only players who show any kind of ability to drive the basketball are Carter, Robinson and Hicks.
* Too much wasted dribbling, especially from Carter and Robinson. JC needs to set picks to create easier entry passes.
* Any offense that involves Clifford and Diallo popping and catching and handling the ball and trying to make re-entry passes from the top of the key is not going to work. Neither is skilled enough. And neither Clifford nor Diallo can finish off the pick and roll because they don't have any body control.
* So, what to do? Keep Clifford (Diallo) on the backside block---this team desperately needs layups off drives and dishes, and, even more so, offensive rebounds. Clifford actually had a very good offensive rebound around the basket last night when he was stationed on the backside.
* What they should do is play a version of the triangle to one side with Carter (Hicks), Turner (Mesnieks) and Robinson (Barnes-Thompson), with a shooter (Milon) on the weak side wing and the center (Clifford) on the weak side block or short corner. That was when one of the three in the triangle drives to the open middle, and the weak side comes to help, Milon can spot up outside, Clifford can spot up inside and if they recover quickly on him.
* They also should set some double and staggered screen for the better shooters.
Personnel on Offense:
* Carter---I've mentioned this before, but he is not in great shape---he's still in the Florida Gator 4-5 minute shift in and out mode---which is fine because that's what JC should do with him---play him hard for 5 minutes, pull him for 3-4, and so on. You can see when Carter is gassed when he gets sloppy with the ball and he breaks down mentally, as he did ad nauseum last night. I think JC should consider moving him off the point---and let him crash the boards---the guy is a very good rebounder for his size and he is slippery. If JC continues to do nothing about offensive rebounding, this team will not win a game in the ACC.
* Clifford---working hard and is at his best when he plays low and under control. Keep him away from the perimeter and have him flash low post or set up on the backside block.
* Hicks---this guy is smooth and he is versatile. Despite his injuries, he has good body control, particularly when he drives to the hoop, and his 3 point shot is starting to look good. Solid defender as well. Plays with some much needed toughness.
* Mesnieks---he too plays very much under control and has solid skills and works hard on defense, although his defensive assignments are often overly demanding. I really think he is a good glue player---but he has to improve his rebounding. He looks to box out, which shows he understands where to start, but he needs to get a little more physical and he needs to get after the ball quicker. I really like his jump shot---he has a smooth release and good touch.
* Milon---is a little slow defensively, but is working hard to improve his feet and he looks to help from the weak side. However, he is the best shooter on the team, and the fact that teams have to guard him closely, that opens the floor up wider for the others. JC has to start having Milon come off double screens and make him a bigger threat.
* Turner---his outside shot is good, but the rest of his game is under-developed, and the worst thing is he's not hungry enough to score, because if he was, he would crash the boards and try to get some put backs. Really has to work on making his first step off the dribble explosive and when he can create a path to the hoop he has to stop picking up his dribble or develop a pull-up, mid to short range game. I've seen all the games, and I cannot recall him taking the ball hard to the goal. Would like to see him develop a baseline game off the dribble and as mentioned, crash the heck out of the boards whenever he can.
* Robinson---he's got the all-around skills that could make him a standout player, plus he has the determination. Not only do I think he could be masterful in a triangle offense, I think JC should post him up low at times. I bet you he has some post moves that may be able to get him to the foul line another 4 times a game, and his ability to pass out of a double team could increase his assist totals.
* Barnes-Thompson---does anyone know why he didn't play last night? I really like his intensity and already see some solid improvement in his ball and shooting skills. Would like to see if he can take his man off the dribble. He's got decent body strength to compensate for lack of quickness.
* Diallo---I would make things extra simple for him---stay on the weak side, only flash to an open passing lane as a pressure relief (only if needed) and bang the boards hard from the weak side. He is starting to make some strides on defense---he took a nice charge last night, for example. And he is not fouling as much.
* Owens---the one thing he was good at was driving the baseline for thunder dunks---the problem is, the current offense doesn't feature that for him and it requires him to display ball handling, motion cuts and passing skills that he does not have. he would be great playing the weak side short corner, where is his man goes to help, he could step into a passing lane, take a power dribble and flush the ball. But---to have poor ball handlers like Clifford, Diallo and Owens touching the ball on the perimeter as much as they are asked to do is a mistake.
