rghneck016
Active member
Sanon being JAG is disappointing. Don’t even know where to start on Ian.
Iowa St., Mon., Nov. 24, 4:30p, TruTV / 1050 AM
- Thread starter Knight
- Start date
Last edited:
Well, I don't expect these guys to be big rebounders (maybe Jackson, but not the other two).
Darling actually has to shoot a little more, IMO. If he misses, he misses, but it's feels a little too much like playing 4 on 5 offensively with him, right now.
There is part of it that relates to how we want to defend. Rick wants pressure on the ball wherever it is. Which by nature means guys are going to get beat off the dribble at times (or often..) which will lead to others having to help and so on and so on.
Now if you’ve got a really solid defensive team that can 1. Switch and guard multiple spots, and 2. when things do break down are capable of scrambling, staying disciplined on close outs, and finishing off misses with defensive rebounds, then you can have a really tough team to beat. If you don’t have those things, you’re going to see a lot of good looks by opponents. And if you don’t force enough mistakes with the pressure you do provide, you’ll probably end up being beat by your own game.
Of course there’s also the fact that Alabama is phenomenal offensively.
Whether the sky is falling or not depends on what your expectations were/are.
My own view of this team has been that the staff never acquired a stud PG or even a high level major conference PG and that would limit their potential. They can still be very successful, but it will require a somewhat unique approach and/or some matchup fortune.
It is clear that at the moment the only remotely competent PG on the team is Darling. It's equally clear (IMO) that in an optimal situation he should not be playing more than 12 minutes a game against major OOC teams. I think he will be fine in conference against everyone but U Conn. But for most, finishing second in the conference or making the round of 32 is not the goal.
We have a talented, athletic and productive front court. Sellers is a very solid player.
The hole is that Pitino needs to get Sanon and Jackson up to speed so he can get away with Sellers at the point for a bit, maybe Mitchell at point forward for a bit, and in general have plus athletes at every position.
Otherwise he's stuck where he is now, which is playing Darling big minutes against competition he isn't ready for, trying to hide him on defense, and not having enough offense on the floor when Mitchell is also in (and Mitchell needs to be in).
I think Pirino will make progress with Jackson and Sanon but maybe not before conference play. Which will tank our poll ranking and as DK points out we will be a 5 seed.
But also as DK points out we will be a dangerous team by the end of the year assuming Pitino gets these guys to play (and I am amazed at the restraint and diplomacy he is showing publicly with regard to them, it's not like him).
I think our HOF coach messed up the roster construction and that he has his hands full here, but I also think that he has material to work with (if not perfectly aligned material) and that if anyone can figure it out, he can.
I'm just not sure we will see that until February and there may be more of these types of losses coming before then.
My own view of this team has been that the staff never acquired a stud PG or even a high level major conference PG and that would limit their potential. They can still be very successful, but it will require a somewhat unique approach and/or some matchup fortune.
It is clear that at the moment the only remotely competent PG on the team is Darling. It's equally clear (IMO) that in an optimal situation he should not be playing more than 12 minutes a game against major OOC teams. I think he will be fine in conference against everyone but U Conn. But for most, finishing second in the conference or making the round of 32 is not the goal.
We have a talented, athletic and productive front court. Sellers is a very solid player.
The hole is that Pitino needs to get Sanon and Jackson up to speed so he can get away with Sellers at the point for a bit, maybe Mitchell at point forward for a bit, and in general have plus athletes at every position.
Otherwise he's stuck where he is now, which is playing Darling big minutes against competition he isn't ready for, trying to hide him on defense, and not having enough offense on the floor when Mitchell is also in (and Mitchell needs to be in).
I think Pirino will make progress with Jackson and Sanon but maybe not before conference play. Which will tank our poll ranking and as DK points out we will be a 5 seed.
But also as DK points out we will be a dangerous team by the end of the year assuming Pitino gets these guys to play (and I am amazed at the restraint and diplomacy he is showing publicly with regard to them, it's not like him).
I think our HOF coach messed up the roster construction and that he has his hands full here, but I also think that he has material to work with (if not perfectly aligned material) and that if anyone can figure it out, he can.
I'm just not sure we will see that until February and there may be more of these types of losses coming before then.
I have no issues with darling running the offense. His defense was exposed today with guys getting around him at will.
As for Ian. Something has to change and soon. He came here to showcase his talents on the court but he spends more time on the bench than making big shots. My guess, today, is that he won't be back next year.
As for Ian. Something has to change and soon. He came here to showcase his talents on the court but he spends more time on the bench than making big shots. My guess, today, is that he won't be back next year.
Thus far nothing about his shooting has made me say "yeah. I want to see more of that." Feels like he was a driving scorer at the lower level and that isn't going to happen now
mullinmagic
Member
Don't bite the hand the feeds you.
Go Red Storm
Well-known member
the big miss was bringing in both sanon and Jackson. Should have brought in one with a talented pg. The two of them are duplication especially with Sellers here. A lineup of Zuby, Hopkins, sanon/jackson, sellers and a pg with Mitchell as sixth man would have been awesome
Larry Wright
Well-known member
My main problem with Sellers at the point was thought he wasn’t looking for his own shot enough. Thought he did a good job of that today.
I think should go Zuby, Hopkins, Sanon or Ian and Sellers
Prey, Ian or Sanon, Ayo, Darling off bench
I think should go Zuby, Hopkins, Sanon or Ian and Sellers
Prey, Ian or Sanon, Ayo, Darling off bench
mullinmagic
Member
Sanon looks underwhelming through 6 games. He missed a wide open layup horribly at a crucial moment in the game.
You lost me at starting Ian.
How about he figures out how to play basketball first. It's sweet that he can drive to the rim and hit the 3 here and there.
He just needs to become remotely competent at the other 90% of playing the game outside the schoolyard
Last edited:
Ball game
7 months ago...
April 21st ...Rick Pitino:
"We had big shoes to fill at the point [guard position]," said 2024-25 National Coach of the Year Rick Pitino. "Kadary [Richmond] and Deivon [Smith] were awesome. The ball is now in the hands of our next great point [guard]. Let's go Ian!"
April 21st ...Rick Pitino:
"We had big shoes to fill at the point [guard position]," said 2024-25 National Coach of the Year Rick Pitino. "Kadary [Richmond] and Deivon [Smith] were awesome. The ball is now in the hands of our next great point [guard]. Let's go Ian!"
mullinmagic
Member
The problem was not getting a 2nd point guard in the offseason. There is no other guy to bring the ball up the court consistently and setup the offense besides Darling.
mullinmagic
Member
Can we trade Jackson for Lipsey?