Ponderings while passing time in a Conn. motel room
Some ponderings as to why MU men's hoops is floundering at the moment. Now, MU could win today and Hawksville inhabitants would feel a lot better. That being said, this year's problems have been, as I see it:
1. Lack of depth overall/experience in the back court - This does not necessarily have to be a detriment as teams are capable of running only six-seven players out there (see CCSU for example, MU teams of early 90's with Blackwell, even '96 champs were really only six seven deep with Jack Gordon and Jeff Franklin off the bench though Jack, especially, was starter in reserve clothing).
On this particular team though, depth is Bunch, really a starter, who has been erratic, and Nunner, a role player, period.
The guard situation is glaring in its lack of experience. You have three guards which is fine in itself but only Whitney saw significant time last year and that was in a reserve role. Jhamar, talented though he is, was in high school, and Nunner played in just a handful of games. And MU is asking Jhamar to be the point guard, though he has instincts, never played it in his life before this year.
. Shipman's ineligibility has been a serious blow, Simpson's injury, Rickie's "situation" have all added to the woes.
2. Lack of leadership - Frankly, not one senior, as I see it - for whatever reason, has really emerged. None apparently are really cut out for it, either. If anyone has tried their words have fallen on deaf ears. You can't expect it from the young kids or newcomers. That's just the way it is.
3. Lack of ability - There is some talent here but it is not meshing as a team. Excluding Jhamar no one has over performed expectations and most have been about what you'd expect, or have under performed at varying levels.
4. Lack of consistency - For a while there Hawks played patiently and were successful, then went out of kilter again on this road trip..
Summation - problems in depth, experience, and most of all production, have been damaging.
Can this team right itself to be dangerous at NEC Tournament time? Good question. (Can it make the NECs?) There is still more than half the NEC season remaining, so there is ample time for most anything to happen, good or bad..
Re: Rickie (our most fascinating blog topic). If all goes well this weekend and he travels Monday - in my opinion - it's time for Dave to start playing him.
Let's say all the suspensions, etc. have served their purpose in that he's still in school and still on the team. But now there has to be - in my opinion - some benefit for that. Playing may further wet his ambitions to succeed, on and off the court.
Ok.....off now to CCSU.
1. Lack of depth overall/experience in the back court - This does not necessarily have to be a detriment as teams are capable of running only six-seven players out there (see CCSU for example, MU teams of early 90's with Blackwell, even '96 champs were really only six seven deep with Jack Gordon and Jeff Franklin off the bench though Jack, especially, was starter in reserve clothing).
On this particular team though, depth is Bunch, really a starter, who has been erratic, and Nunner, a role player, period.
The guard situation is glaring in its lack of experience. You have three guards which is fine in itself but only Whitney saw significant time last year and that was in a reserve role. Jhamar, talented though he is, was in high school, and Nunner played in just a handful of games. And MU is asking Jhamar to be the point guard, though he has instincts, never played it in his life before this year.
. Shipman's ineligibility has been a serious blow, Simpson's injury, Rickie's "situation" have all added to the woes.
2. Lack of leadership - Frankly, not one senior, as I see it - for whatever reason, has really emerged. None apparently are really cut out for it, either. If anyone has tried their words have fallen on deaf ears. You can't expect it from the young kids or newcomers. That's just the way it is.
3. Lack of ability - There is some talent here but it is not meshing as a team. Excluding Jhamar no one has over performed expectations and most have been about what you'd expect, or have under performed at varying levels.
4. Lack of consistency - For a while there Hawks played patiently and were successful, then went out of kilter again on this road trip..
Summation - problems in depth, experience, and most of all production, have been damaging.
Can this team right itself to be dangerous at NEC Tournament time? Good question. (Can it make the NECs?) There is still more than half the NEC season remaining, so there is ample time for most anything to happen, good or bad..
Re: Rickie (our most fascinating blog topic). If all goes well this weekend and he travels Monday - in my opinion - it's time for Dave to start playing him.
Let's say all the suspensions, etc. have served their purpose in that he's still in school and still on the team. But now there has to be - in my opinion - some benefit for that. Playing may further wet his ambitions to succeed, on and off the court.
Ok.....off now to CCSU.
posted by Tony Graham at 11:15 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home