MugCostanza
Well-known member
17 games in to the season is essentially the half way point and I'm bored on a holiday so figured I'd grade out the 12 players that have gotten minutes for the team on their performance in the first half of the season. A better grade doesn't necessarily mean a player is better than those with a lower grade, just playing better relative to their expectations/potential.
Joel Soriano (A): He's been great offensively as expected and has shown an improved mid range jumper to elevate his game on that end. Did make 7 of his first 8 3 point attempts before missing his last 4 and has shown to not get trigger happy with those which is good. The reason he's not an A+ is because while he's good defensively against bigs along the same style as him, he is a liability on that end against bigs or lineups that can force him to guard in space.
RJ Luis (A-): Completely changed the complexion of this team when he returned from injury. The only player other than Jenkins able to create his own shot, sometimes to his detriment. Needs to learn to be a little bit less of a black hole forcing plays that aren't there but I think he'll learn that in short order. Makes winning plays with his athleticism like in the Providence game and is just a consistent jump shot away from being a 1st round pick.
Daniss Jenkins (B+): His shot selection early in the season was a well documented issue. Over the past month or so his shot selection has significantly improved and while the volume is still there, the shots are coming more in the flow of the offense. Ironically, the shots I hate the most from him are the pull-ups off the dribble from the elbow but Pitino seems to be confident in that shot for him as it's a shot he draws up in ATOs. Despite his high shooting volume, he's the only one on the team that can pass and run the offense at this level. Defensively he's been not great but not terrible. He and Soriano seem to be the leaders of the team both on and off the court.
Glenn Taylor Jr (B): Good at everything, not great at anything. Has provided solid defense and rebounding and knows his role on offense where he's definitely limited. Good attitude in the games in which he got little to no playing time.
Drissa Traore (B): Wasn't expecting anything at all from him and he gave us solid minutes in the games he's played this season. Couldn't have asked for much more from him.
Brady Dunlap (B): Same as Drissa where I wasn't expecting anything at all from him this year. Obviously had a few great games in a row but consistency the main drawback right now. Has been fairly invisible in 3 straight halves now.
Chris Ledlum (B-): Had a pretty rough start to the season and the consistency hasn't been there but seems to be adjusting to the speed and physicality of this level and has always provided solid rebounding and ability to get to the rim.
Naheim Alleyne (B-): Was hoping he'd be a little more steady for us at the beginning of the season as a veteran that has played at this level his whole career. Has had some decent games and some real clunkers.
Zuby Ejiofor (C+): His grade probably a little low due to the expectations for him being raised before the season with Pitino saying he could potentially start and play alongside Joel. Turns out he's nothing more than Joel's backup which is a role he's been fine at. His offensive game has been ugly at times but seems to be coming along little by little. Defensively he's been better than Joel though does foul too much.
Sean Conway (C): He is what he is. There's been times in his limited minutes where he's provided some value and there's been other times where he's showed he has no business playing at this level.
Jordan Dingle (C-): Has been the biggest disappointment on the team by a wide margin. Was supposed to be the team's best scorer but is far from it both from a volume and efficiency standpoint. Hasn't adjusted to this level and seems completely afraid of any type of contact. Also has been our worst perimeter defender.
Simeon Wilcher (C-): I generally have lower expectations for Freshmen than most but was hoping for a little more out of him. Hasn't been able to inspire confidence that he could spell Jenkins for limited minutes and at least just run the offense without turning it over. Potential is clearly there but it's been a rough go for him so far.
Rick Pitino (A-): No coach in the country I'd rather have. There is only one team ahead of us on KenPom that also has a first year head coach (Texas Tech) and even in this free transfer world, other power conference first year head coaches have been struggling out of the gate - Cooley, Rhoades, Shrewsberry, Stoudamire, Autry etc. The reason for the minus is the defense being torched by Michigan and BC, two games we'd win easily if they were replayed now.
Joel Soriano (A): He's been great offensively as expected and has shown an improved mid range jumper to elevate his game on that end. Did make 7 of his first 8 3 point attempts before missing his last 4 and has shown to not get trigger happy with those which is good. The reason he's not an A+ is because while he's good defensively against bigs along the same style as him, he is a liability on that end against bigs or lineups that can force him to guard in space.
RJ Luis (A-): Completely changed the complexion of this team when he returned from injury. The only player other than Jenkins able to create his own shot, sometimes to his detriment. Needs to learn to be a little bit less of a black hole forcing plays that aren't there but I think he'll learn that in short order. Makes winning plays with his athleticism like in the Providence game and is just a consistent jump shot away from being a 1st round pick.
Daniss Jenkins (B+): His shot selection early in the season was a well documented issue. Over the past month or so his shot selection has significantly improved and while the volume is still there, the shots are coming more in the flow of the offense. Ironically, the shots I hate the most from him are the pull-ups off the dribble from the elbow but Pitino seems to be confident in that shot for him as it's a shot he draws up in ATOs. Despite his high shooting volume, he's the only one on the team that can pass and run the offense at this level. Defensively he's been not great but not terrible. He and Soriano seem to be the leaders of the team both on and off the court.
Glenn Taylor Jr (B): Good at everything, not great at anything. Has provided solid defense and rebounding and knows his role on offense where he's definitely limited. Good attitude in the games in which he got little to no playing time.
Drissa Traore (B): Wasn't expecting anything at all from him and he gave us solid minutes in the games he's played this season. Couldn't have asked for much more from him.
Brady Dunlap (B): Same as Drissa where I wasn't expecting anything at all from him this year. Obviously had a few great games in a row but consistency the main drawback right now. Has been fairly invisible in 3 straight halves now.
Chris Ledlum (B-): Had a pretty rough start to the season and the consistency hasn't been there but seems to be adjusting to the speed and physicality of this level and has always provided solid rebounding and ability to get to the rim.
Naheim Alleyne (B-): Was hoping he'd be a little more steady for us at the beginning of the season as a veteran that has played at this level his whole career. Has had some decent games and some real clunkers.
Zuby Ejiofor (C+): His grade probably a little low due to the expectations for him being raised before the season with Pitino saying he could potentially start and play alongside Joel. Turns out he's nothing more than Joel's backup which is a role he's been fine at. His offensive game has been ugly at times but seems to be coming along little by little. Defensively he's been better than Joel though does foul too much.
Sean Conway (C): He is what he is. There's been times in his limited minutes where he's provided some value and there's been other times where he's showed he has no business playing at this level.
Jordan Dingle (C-): Has been the biggest disappointment on the team by a wide margin. Was supposed to be the team's best scorer but is far from it both from a volume and efficiency standpoint. Hasn't adjusted to this level and seems completely afraid of any type of contact. Also has been our worst perimeter defender.
Simeon Wilcher (C-): I generally have lower expectations for Freshmen than most but was hoping for a little more out of him. Hasn't been able to inspire confidence that he could spell Jenkins for limited minutes and at least just run the offense without turning it over. Potential is clearly there but it's been a rough go for him so far.
Rick Pitino (A-): No coach in the country I'd rather have. There is only one team ahead of us on KenPom that also has a first year head coach (Texas Tech) and even in this free transfer world, other power conference first year head coaches have been struggling out of the gate - Cooley, Rhoades, Shrewsberry, Stoudamire, Autry etc. The reason for the minus is the defense being torched by Michigan and BC, two games we'd win easily if they were replayed now.
