The bigs you listed can surely bully him in the post. However, based on assertions made by Miller, Adam Baum-Paul F, and Byron, Lazar has the potential to be the best player on the team. Based on the highlights (a couple listed below) he is a three level scorer with a very good handle, something none of the centers you listed can say. His ability to play a stretch big - a la Nunge - will help create gaps in the lane that X doesn't have now, as none of the bigs can shoot outside of the paint. He also has a very good fake, so I can see him set, fake a shot, and beat his man off the dribble. He is supposed to make an appearance in Vegas. If Mman leaves doesn't take all of his show poodles to Vegas, I'll be able to steal one of the seats on his leased Cesna.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaHyKeGDn0g
https://www.google.com/search?q=lazar+D ... trt64,st:0
Purdue Game Thread
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Re: Purdue Game Thread
To the naysayers, I get it - we get it. I ask all to take a step back. Coach Miller came in last year late in the process. Inherited a seasoned team with many having little to no eligibility left. He brought in Souley, homerun- and made us a force again in the BE. But folks, that was a man jumping onboard a sinking ship and steering it safely into port with a nice Sweet 16 experience to boot. (which the prior staff would NEVER have attained) Now comes reality, the Sr's graduated and then we lose two experienced key starters to injury. X gave it their best shot at some of the top tier proven portal studs. The staff came close on a few but missed. It happens, especially with NIL. However, we landed experienced portal talent that will be serviceable while Sean rebuilds. Make no mistake - this is the true rebuilding year, not last season. Can Sean & staff turn it into a "Reload", maybe, but we all need to be fair with our expectations. The staff has brought in 6 true Frosh and 4 of them seem exceptional so far. Jury out on Reid & Kachi but even they show hints of promise. Landing Gytis late was impressive after Jerome went down by the way. Any glory this year will be a bonus. If you look at 2024 and beyond it is a very rosy scenario. As for 2023, this is going to be a challenge to grow the kids quickly. From a love of the sport aspect, I am really enjoying watching this metamorphosis unfold - I still say by Mid-January, watch the hell out...!
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Re: Purdue Game Thread
These guys are sure fun to watch. As the song goes, "they've got heart." They may even win some games.
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Re: Purdue Game Thread
Isn’t “they’ve got heart” similar to “she has a great personality”?
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Re: Purdue Game Thread
Could be.
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Re: Purdue Game Thread
The bigs generally played well against Purdue. Some nice post moves displayed, great defensive positioning most of the game.
I mentioned Trey in my earlier post mostly because he was a net negative on the floor because of his shot selection. I simply wanted to point out that he will be good. He has the ability to get his shot off despite the lack of height. My assumption is that he is a good shooter based on HS but he won't be in college if he doesn't improve his shot selection.
McKnight played well. Claude had a good 2nd half but generally the guards were why X lost. Completely agree the team didn't attack Edey. Claude is the right guy to attack him as he has the size and athleticism to get it done. Guessing some of his mental errors early impacted any chance he would attack Edey directly. Swain would be the other guy to do it but it is a bit early in his freshman campaign to expect that.
The bigs played smart, probably deserved more opportunities. They were efficient with limited TOs and solid shooting percentage.
Many posters keep saying the team can't shoot. 2 bad shooting games out of 3 certainly isn't encouraging but if you take away Oli and Trey the team shot great from 3. Both of those players were guilty of poor shot selection. The issue is shot selection or Trey is not the shooter people believe him to be but from what I saw, it was forcing the action. Trey should get a pass for the 3/4 court shot he was fouled on to end the half. Would have been nice to get that call.
I do not understand how anyone can be down on this team after the Purdue game. Is there risk that they will forever be close to winning tough games but never quite get it done, sure. 500 against good teams is certainly a reasonable expectation but X has plenty of bad teams on the schedule. I suspect there will only be 3 ranked BE teams after Nova's loss to Penn. Not exactly a deep powerhouse conference so far. Top 3 are great but after that it is all about who steps up. X could easily finish 4th but 9th is also possible.
Regardless how the season turns out, I'll be happy if X continues to limit turnovers and makes huge strides in shot selection. We cannot go back to the TS days where players chucked up shots from anywhere whenever they felt like it.
I mentioned Trey in my earlier post mostly because he was a net negative on the floor because of his shot selection. I simply wanted to point out that he will be good. He has the ability to get his shot off despite the lack of height. My assumption is that he is a good shooter based on HS but he won't be in college if he doesn't improve his shot selection.
McKnight played well. Claude had a good 2nd half but generally the guards were why X lost. Completely agree the team didn't attack Edey. Claude is the right guy to attack him as he has the size and athleticism to get it done. Guessing some of his mental errors early impacted any chance he would attack Edey directly. Swain would be the other guy to do it but it is a bit early in his freshman campaign to expect that.
The bigs played smart, probably deserved more opportunities. They were efficient with limited TOs and solid shooting percentage.
Many posters keep saying the team can't shoot. 2 bad shooting games out of 3 certainly isn't encouraging but if you take away Oli and Trey the team shot great from 3. Both of those players were guilty of poor shot selection. The issue is shot selection or Trey is not the shooter people believe him to be but from what I saw, it was forcing the action. Trey should get a pass for the 3/4 court shot he was fouled on to end the half. Would have been nice to get that call.
I do not understand how anyone can be down on this team after the Purdue game. Is there risk that they will forever be close to winning tough games but never quite get it done, sure. 500 against good teams is certainly a reasonable expectation but X has plenty of bad teams on the schedule. I suspect there will only be 3 ranked BE teams after Nova's loss to Penn. Not exactly a deep powerhouse conference so far. Top 3 are great but after that it is all about who steps up. X could easily finish 4th but 9th is also possible.
Regardless how the season turns out, I'll be happy if X continues to limit turnovers and makes huge strides in shot selection. We cannot go back to the TS days where players chucked up shots from anywhere whenever they felt like it.
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Re: Purdue Game Thread
Those covering the team and close to the team will tell you that the biggest concern is the lack of shooters on this team as well as lack of scorers. That will hopefully improve with Lazar coming back, however he is still a first year player. The shooting woes have been going on since the first private scrimmage, so not really an isolated incident. What is most concerning is that Olivari, who is considered their best shooter has been terrible and since he is a defensive liability he has to be able to knock down shots. Green is our next best shooter and although he will be a stud it is hard to really on a freshman especially one that is 5'10" and also a liability on defense. This team will need to be aggresive and get to the line, which was not a priority on Monday. Hopefully, we can turn things around tonight, however it will take time with 10 new players and lack of shooters and scorers.
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Re: Purdue Game Thread
So, X is a bad shooting team, with only 2 good shooters. The good shooters are the players that gave X a bad shooting percentage last game from deep and the non shooters, shot well. That feels like a shot selection issue and/or an off night.
Most players that include 3 point shooting in their game whether via practice, pick up games, etc. will shoot a solid percentage from 3 when using appropriate shot selection. True post players that are back to the basket type guys simply won't take the shot unless forced. If the bulk of players can shoot a solid percent from 3, then good shooters, over the course of a season, should shoot at a high percentage if they also exercise judgement.
If the shooting issue continues, we certainly have a problem. Whether it is bad shot selection or an inability to shoot won't matter if the problem persists but hopefully the coaching staff is addressing the shot selection issue. Take fewer 3s and as the defense packs the paint, open looks will reveal themselves. That should result in a higher shooting percentage assuming the team isn't an abnormality in basketball. Most HS players can hit a decent percentage of open looks from 3. Improved ball movement should also help create better looks. That should improve as the team has more time playing together.
Most players that include 3 point shooting in their game whether via practice, pick up games, etc. will shoot a solid percentage from 3 when using appropriate shot selection. True post players that are back to the basket type guys simply won't take the shot unless forced. If the bulk of players can shoot a solid percent from 3, then good shooters, over the course of a season, should shoot at a high percentage if they also exercise judgement.
If the shooting issue continues, we certainly have a problem. Whether it is bad shot selection or an inability to shoot won't matter if the problem persists but hopefully the coaching staff is addressing the shot selection issue. Take fewer 3s and as the defense packs the paint, open looks will reveal themselves. That should result in a higher shooting percentage assuming the team isn't an abnormality in basketball. Most HS players can hit a decent percentage of open looks from 3. Improved ball movement should also help create better looks. That should improve as the team has more time playing together.
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