[LUconn]

After the first 5 games of the season, here is what our roation is looking like:

Code: Select all

                         MPG
21 McLEAN, Alex.......   33.0  
05 SMITH, Anthony.....   36.0  
02 JENKINS, B.J.......   33.2  
15 BANNISTER, TeeJay..   29.8  
11 OHMAN, Kyle........   23.4  
33 PORTER, Rell.......   30.6  
01 HOLLAND, Justin....   6.8   
30 MONROE, Russell....   4.8   
03 BAKER, Tyler.......   12.0   
10 LAFSER, Garen......   3.0   
44 JONES, Armon.......   2.8   
20 LAYER, Tim.........   1.7   
04 SPENCER, James.....   1.0

We're bascially playing with 6 guys, since Baker has only played 1 one game. So not only are we gonna have guys who are tanked midseason, we're also gonna be finishing games poorly. Case in point, ECU. We lead by like 8 or 10 the entire 2nd half and we barely closed it out. We could have just as easily lost. On top of these concerns, none of the other guys are getting early season game experience. What if we get into foul trouble in one game? It's not really a "what if" either. Teefay fouls a lot. I really love everything McKay has done so far (except for getting rid of midnight madness), but I think he's really sacrificing the latter half of our conference schedule to win some games now. Maybe it's worth it.

[Cider Jim]

If the players are in the proper physical condition--and it appears that they are--it's much easier to have a rotation of only 6-7 players seeing significant playing time. For what coach lacks in depth, he makes up for in conditioning. And we WON against ECU due, in part, to good preparation and coaching.

[LUconn]

I disagree about the conditioning. We can be very well conditioned which is what is gettting us through games, but it will take it's toll later in the season. It's the same reason rookies in the NFL and the NBA hit a wall because of a longer season. We are effectively making our starters play a longer season. I said it in the game thread but it's the same reason why JJ Redick was the anticlutch in March. He had no legs from playing 40 minutes a game all season.

[Cider Jim]

Too bad Vince Redd isn't on the team.

[olldflame]

There is no question that having a thin bench is tough, but IMHO it is inaccurate to say that a team cannot succeed, or is destined to wear out if they do not have numbers. There have been a lot of GREAT teams, both college and NBA that went only 6 deep. The players need to be in great shape and mentally prepared to go the distance. The other thing is that your point guard cannot be in constant foul trouble. (Hint to TeeJay )

Having said that, if Tyler and/or Jeremy do not recover from their injuries and contribute, there may be reinforcements within our own athletic department. It is nothing unusual to do this, even at high major programs. Vince has been discussed before, but I have a feeling he showed more than enough on the football field to get the attention of NFL teams, and I suspect it would be in his best interest to prepare for the combine.

There are other players on our football team who had stellar Bball careers in HS. The 2 that come to mind immediatly are Summers and Sanderson, but I believe there are others.

[jcmanson]

I hope noone from FB comes over to help out our Bball team. They need to focus on preparing for next year's run to defend our championship. If we can't get it done with what we already have, then we will just have to take a hit this year, and be ready to go next year.

[kel varson]

A big bench is overated. 6 or 7 deep will be tough but we can manage.

[paradox]

Post depth is my biggest concern. It's all Alex again this year. What if he gets injured or gets in foul trouble. Ideally, you'd like to see Armon move forward in the developmental process and help give our big guy some rest from time to time.

We need Baker back in a big way. He's a huge upgrade in terms of scoring/rebounding at the four. He'll bring a lot of balance to that position, when he returns. Although, Rell will continue to add value as a defender and set-up man, and he has shown the ability to hit a few clutch 3's as well.

I'm not that concerned about the gaurds, unless an injury occurrs. TJ/BJ is a nice backcourt and Smith is his usual soild self. Ohman can play the two or three and BJ can spell TJ when he needs a rest. It would also be nice to see a healthy Anderson out there at some point.

[olldflame]

I think it is understood that Rocco and staff would not release a scholarship athlete to participate in another sport if they felt it would be detrimental to their development as a football player. There are cases where the skills developed in one sport can transfer very well, and the football coaches may feel the player will benefit from it. I think wide reciever and tight end are 2 positions where this is particularly true, and I see no reason why they could not do most or all of the football strength and conditioning work. The risk of injury is always there of course.

If it were to happen it would require several things:

1) The athlete WANTS to do it.
2) The football coaches are FULLY supportive (ie: they believe it will translate and make him a better football player).
3) On evaluating the athlete, RMc and staff feel he can actually help this years team.


Redd (or any other Senior) is in a seperate category, since he has no more football eligibility. In his case, the decision would be based on whether it would benefit his NFL prospects.

[paradox]

I don't think that Redd is much of an NFL prospect at the moment. Playing on the hardwood and being successful would only help him in terms of demonstrating athleticism and versitility.

With his frame, I can't imagine him as anything other than a post player in a back-up role. He could probally help us, but he'd most likely want more minutes on the floor than Mckay can commit to.

[JDUB]

i believe vince played at uva. without seeing him play don't you think your just blowing smoke dox? you have no idea how good he is. i'm sure he would benefit the team a lot, if nothing else but to provide a dominating inside presence in a backup role so the starters can get some rest.

and from what i've heard, vince hasn't ruled out bball yet, so there is still hope

[Cider Jim]

Redd was on UVa's basketball team.

Other than TeeJay, do we have any other players on our current roster who are ACC caliber players?

[JDUB]

ok, so if he was good enough to play at uva, why isn't he good enough to play here? I love the way people on here just make this bs up about stuff they no nothing about. our team needs another post player, and redd would be perfect for it. the only problem with him joining the team is he may compete with ace to start

[Fumblerooskies]

I don't think having "ACC caliber players" is necessary to win in the Big South....we had two last year and how did that work out?

[jcmanson]

Redd's not going to play basketball, he will be working for the NFL combines.

[Cider Jim]

I don't think having "ACC caliber players" is necessary to win in the Big South....we had two last year and how did that work out?

Hopefully, Fumble, a different coaching staff would produce different results.

[olldflame]

I think we should be up front about the extent of Vince's Bball career at UVA.

He was on the team for 1 year.

He practiced for 1 year.

If he played at all, it was minimal, and at garbage time.

That does not mean he could not give us some quality backup minutes in the post here.

[paradox]

ok, so if he was good enough to play at uva, why isn't he good enough to play here? I love the way people on here just make this bs up about stuff they no nothing about. our team needs another post player, and redd would be perfect for it. the only problem with him joining the team is he may compete with ace to start

talk about makin' stuff up ... competing w/Ace to start.... LOL

[LUconn]

I don't think that Redd is much of an NFL prospect at the moment.

say what? His measurements alone will probably get him an invite to the combine. From there, you'd really have to put up some Maurice Clarret type numbers for someone not to take a 7th round flyer on you. And even he got picked up.

[thesportscritic]

I don't think that Redd is much of an NFL prospect at the moment. Playing on the hardwood and being successful would only help him in terms of demonstrating athleticism and versitility.

With his frame, I can't imagine him as anything other than a post player in a back-up role. He could probally help us, but he'd most likely want more minutes on the floor than Mckay can commit to.

thats the dumbest thing you have ever said. its apparent that you haven't been to an LU football game this year.

[paradox]

I don't think that Redd is much of an NFL prospect at the moment.

say what? His measurements alone will probably get him an invite to the combine. From there, you'd really have to put up some Maurice Clarret type numbers for someone not to take a 7th round flyer on you. And even he got picked up.

I wouldn't be surprised if he were an undrafted free agent or even a late-round pick. I'm not writing the guy off. My guess is that he not real high on anyone's list at the moment.

If he gets to the combines, then maybe he can turn some heads there. I hope he does well.

[paradox]

I don't think that Redd is much of an NFL prospect at the moment. Playing on the hardwood and being successful would only help him in terms of demonstrating athleticism and versitility.

With his frame, I can't imagine him as anything other than a post player in a back-up role. He could probally help us, but he'd most likely want more minutes on the floor than Mckay can commit to.

thats the dumbest thing you have ever said. its apparent that you haven't been to an LU football game this year.

Actually, I'm a regular. I'm just a tad bit less emotional than you

[olldflame]

One of the many inaccuracies of paradox's assessment of Mr. Redd is about his frame. After arriving at LU at 288, He is now a lean, mean 250 at 6'6 1/2" I believe he could play the 4 or the 5 in the BSC.

As far as his football prospects; well let's see. I don't guess the NFL is interested in long, agile ripped athletes who can play multiple positions, and whom opposing teams changed their entire offensive schemes to avoid. No, they're never looking for those guys.

I have no idea what his 40 time or bench press is. In fact I'd be shocked if he has an impressive bench because his loooooong arms are a huge disadvantage for that. When it comes to playing the game however, they are a big plus.

Vince may not end up having an NFL career, but to say he is not a prospect????????????????? Wrong!!!

[paradox]

I swear you guys distort and misrepresent everything. It's sad.

It doesn't take much to set you'all off.

[JDUB]

oh we love having you here dox! you give us something exciting to read everyday!

what i was tryin to say earlier is without seeing him play we don't know how good he is. he could be a backup, or he could be great. we don't know until we see him play, so it's all speculation. you can speculate he won't play, i can speculate he will start, but until he joins the team it doesn't matter what we think