A huge issue for us is starting slow and falling behind. To get us started faster I would start Jamal Branch rather than Phil Greene. This seems counterintuitive since Phil is in to shoot and Jamal to distribute. But this is my thinking. Our three players who we need as scorers are Jordan, Harrison and Obekpa. Harrison is a notoriously slow starter as are many streaky shooters. As long as Jordan is running the point he has divided loyalty; he has to be thinking about running the team, but he also needs to score. Add to that Greene's tendency to dribble away the shot clock, limiting other offensive opportunities. We need to replace him with Branch and have him bring the ball up and set the offense. Rysheed will be freed to focus solely on scoring and Branch can get him the ball where he needs it to do so. This also takes immediate pressure off Harrison and allows him to get into the game rhythm at his pace and will also create more space for him to operate as teams focus on stopping Jordan. Phil should be the 6th man, sub in for Branch to pick up scoring load as the other guys cool off. Its no surprise that we seem to make our runs when Branch enters the game. I believe its because it turns Jordan loose on offense and that has a cascade effect on the team. Since we have so much trouble scoring early, let's start with our best scoring lineup and avoid having to play catch up. Thoughts?
Start Branch to start fast
- Thread starter REB
- Start date
agree. If we are up 10 or more Amar needs to get some time. Minnesota is pretty big. Their two lead guards are small but they start guys 6'9" and 6'10". And one of their top two subs in 6'11". So most of the game they'll have two players 6'9"+ on the court. And with a Pitino as coach I expect they will be well prepare to exploit their height advantage inside. Will be interesting to see how well we can handle it. Would be nice if Amar could pull one of the bigs away from the basket by hitting a couple threes and create space for our guards to create.
JackofVirginia
Active member
Our best scoring lineup has to include Greene. Not so sure yet if Obekpa will be a consistent scorer. Let's see once we play some competition.
Thought it was a cramp.
Need branch to play more minutes. Branch gets more minutes than greene and pointer. We are a better team.
Moose
Well-known member
I like Branch. I don't worry when the ball is in his hands. But my god can he just shoot a jumper one of these days? Keep a defense honest. When him and Dom are out there its so frustrating. They do many other things well but I feel like a hockey team being shorthanded sometimes when the ball is in their hands.
It just came down to Dom having the game of his life. When he's playing like that, there is no need for a backup. If he can keep that up....not the stats but the effort and mistake-free ball...we are soooooo much better off. Jones seems more like a band-aid that can come in and give us a few minutes at a time and some offense (and girth). He's really not a good enough rebounder to play long stretches.
LIU scored at will inside when Jones was in for Obekpa in the first half. I think lack of defensive effort is why he rode the pines most of the game. Hope he picks it up next game. CO can't play every minute and Dom will not be able to play the 5 against bigger opponents.
Can we please understand that the first basket liu scored with jones in the game came when Jones slid over to help one of our perimeter defenders who got beat. Jones did his job to help, someone else didnt do their job of helping the helper.