Here's maybe part of the problem with this team:
No matter what anyone says about individuals on this squad, in my opinion we have 11 guys who need to see the court, 12 if you include Drissa, who is such a team first guy he won't make a fuss.
Younger KEEPERS But not ready for prime time. Three of those guys are keepers (Wilcher, Zuby, Dunlap). Essentially all become free agents, so Rick has had to find time and to assess them.
1) Zuby is going to play each game as an understudy to Joel. Soriano is solidly in a funk so bad he doesn't even resemble the guy who was a force in the post in the early going. Zuby is pressing for minutes with spirited play, but when he rebounds or catches a pass with his back to the basket, he turns without regard to the defense waiting for him, and often gets stripped, blocked, or tosses up total garbage. Still Zuby provides interior defense and rebounding and as Soriano struggles, begs for time. Despite having two capable big men, neother are the answer right now.
2) Dunlap - We've seen some flashes of what Dunlap is capable of - a catch and shoot player, can shoot off the dribble, and might just be a bottom of the net shooter at some point. He is scrappy under the boards, hits the deck frequently, but is not a plus defender. Good ceiling, but when given the chance to start, just didn't contribute on offense enough to warrant significant playing time.
3) Wilcher - He looks like a player, but so far has not shown enough of anything in any one area that makes him stand out. He hasn't failed miserably, has had some moments, but hasn't distinguished himself.
The Smart guys
a) Dingle - He looks like he can play. He has gone off to score baskets quickly in a few possessions, then goes silent. In blowout wins, gets greedy at the end to pad a score sheet. He unfortunately is playing like a guy pressing in a tryout. He had good games against good OOC competition for Penn, so I have hope he will put it together here. right now appears to be competing against his teammates and his own head to shine.
b) Ledlum - There are a lot of things to like about Ledlum. He works hard under the boards. He gives up his body and hits the deck continually. On offense, he has some range on his shot, and can take it to the hoop. Unfortunately, has not been a good enough shooter, or strong enough to the hoop to get anyone excited. Part of an ensemble cast, yes. Star, well, no.
Can do it all
RJ Luis is the one spectacular talent we have. He can make absolutely incredible shots. He can follow his own misses for easy put backs. He can bang a 3 now and then. In those moments he is the best talent on the court, and everyone knows it. Unfortunately, doing it all also means bad passes, poor shot selection, wild drives into traffic, defensive lapses, which unfortunately all diminish his value.
What's the point
Jenkins has been one of the best players for us. That in one sentence, is what's right and wrong about this team. He makes some big shots, carries a big part of the scoring load, but you wish there were better options on the team if you want to make the tourney. Simply put, the guy with the ball in his hands has to be better in big moments, playing his best ball in the closing moments and out playing the opponent in the last possessions. On that score, he has not been adequate.
Nahiem the Dream
I would think that just about any team who is capable of cutting down the nets in March would jump at the chance to add Alleyne as a rotation player. Yes, he has been hurt here, but Nahiem has shown enough so far, to understand why he was an important part of UCONN's title last season. Not sure what he'd contribute over 25 minutes per game, but I'd be willing to find out given inconsistencies of others.
Pros and Con-ways
I sort of feel bad for this guy. He can definitely shoot, he isn't overwhelmed out there. I would say if he was in the keeper pool he'd get more minutes than Simeon or Dunlap with more consistent play. Largely has been the odd man out. Probably not thrilled with his choice to come here. Still think he can contribute, but doesn't have the upside of Jenkins, Dingle, or the keepers.
Taylor made
I think we've all seen enough of Glenn Taylor to know he can contribute. Surprisingly he appears to have been yanked when he was playing well, and really hasn't recovered from what appears to be a demotion in favor of Luis. I think he is solid and can play well consistently.
Conclusively Inconclusive
Bottom line, this team will be as good as they finish. They have an upside, and one thing missing at this point has been this team spirit, where guys feed off of each other, celebrating teammates success and raising their collective level of play, especially in big moments. Can they put it together - I firmly believe YES. If these guys forget about the cars they've leased with NIL money, and start playing like someone is trying to steal their lunch, they can be very good. Am I confident about that. Hmm, not really, but I wouldn't be surprised.
No matter what anyone says about individuals on this squad, in my opinion we have 11 guys who need to see the court, 12 if you include Drissa, who is such a team first guy he won't make a fuss.
Younger KEEPERS But not ready for prime time. Three of those guys are keepers (Wilcher, Zuby, Dunlap). Essentially all become free agents, so Rick has had to find time and to assess them.
1) Zuby is going to play each game as an understudy to Joel. Soriano is solidly in a funk so bad he doesn't even resemble the guy who was a force in the post in the early going. Zuby is pressing for minutes with spirited play, but when he rebounds or catches a pass with his back to the basket, he turns without regard to the defense waiting for him, and often gets stripped, blocked, or tosses up total garbage. Still Zuby provides interior defense and rebounding and as Soriano struggles, begs for time. Despite having two capable big men, neother are the answer right now.
2) Dunlap - We've seen some flashes of what Dunlap is capable of - a catch and shoot player, can shoot off the dribble, and might just be a bottom of the net shooter at some point. He is scrappy under the boards, hits the deck frequently, but is not a plus defender. Good ceiling, but when given the chance to start, just didn't contribute on offense enough to warrant significant playing time.
3) Wilcher - He looks like a player, but so far has not shown enough of anything in any one area that makes him stand out. He hasn't failed miserably, has had some moments, but hasn't distinguished himself.
The Smart guys
a) Dingle - He looks like he can play. He has gone off to score baskets quickly in a few possessions, then goes silent. In blowout wins, gets greedy at the end to pad a score sheet. He unfortunately is playing like a guy pressing in a tryout. He had good games against good OOC competition for Penn, so I have hope he will put it together here. right now appears to be competing against his teammates and his own head to shine.
b) Ledlum - There are a lot of things to like about Ledlum. He works hard under the boards. He gives up his body and hits the deck continually. On offense, he has some range on his shot, and can take it to the hoop. Unfortunately, has not been a good enough shooter, or strong enough to the hoop to get anyone excited. Part of an ensemble cast, yes. Star, well, no.
Can do it all
RJ Luis is the one spectacular talent we have. He can make absolutely incredible shots. He can follow his own misses for easy put backs. He can bang a 3 now and then. In those moments he is the best talent on the court, and everyone knows it. Unfortunately, doing it all also means bad passes, poor shot selection, wild drives into traffic, defensive lapses, which unfortunately all diminish his value.
What's the point
Jenkins has been one of the best players for us. That in one sentence, is what's right and wrong about this team. He makes some big shots, carries a big part of the scoring load, but you wish there were better options on the team if you want to make the tourney. Simply put, the guy with the ball in his hands has to be better in big moments, playing his best ball in the closing moments and out playing the opponent in the last possessions. On that score, he has not been adequate.
Nahiem the Dream
I would think that just about any team who is capable of cutting down the nets in March would jump at the chance to add Alleyne as a rotation player. Yes, he has been hurt here, but Nahiem has shown enough so far, to understand why he was an important part of UCONN's title last season. Not sure what he'd contribute over 25 minutes per game, but I'd be willing to find out given inconsistencies of others.
Pros and Con-ways
I sort of feel bad for this guy. He can definitely shoot, he isn't overwhelmed out there. I would say if he was in the keeper pool he'd get more minutes than Simeon or Dunlap with more consistent play. Largely has been the odd man out. Probably not thrilled with his choice to come here. Still think he can contribute, but doesn't have the upside of Jenkins, Dingle, or the keepers.
Taylor made
I think we've all seen enough of Glenn Taylor to know he can contribute. Surprisingly he appears to have been yanked when he was playing well, and really hasn't recovered from what appears to be a demotion in favor of Luis. I think he is solid and can play well consistently.
Conclusively Inconclusive
Bottom line, this team will be as good as they finish. They have an upside, and one thing missing at this point has been this team spirit, where guys feed off of each other, celebrating teammates success and raising their collective level of play, especially in big moments. Can they put it together - I firmly believe YES. If these guys forget about the cars they've leased with NIL money, and start playing like someone is trying to steal their lunch, they can be very good. Am I confident about that. Hmm, not really, but I wouldn't be surprised.
