Roster Moves

[TU_BLA]

What are the thoughts about Jeffries at the 3? My concern with several of our guys is ball handling. I think Jeffries can do it if that improves, same with Jackson and Scott. Horne came here to play the "4" (whatever that means), but he mentioned that in his interview last year with Bruce- this would make sense, but would be the backup to Martins, right?

You put Jeffries wherever he can get touches moving to the basket and requires as few touches where he has to put the ball on the floor.

Jackson's handle is pretty good, his outside shot is just terrible. Scott- he has a sneaky good handle, very calm under pressure, and he is pretty shifty on his drives. He doesn't look terribly athletic and I think it catches defenders off guard a bit when he is able to wriggle through a space and get off a pretty easy shot.

On another note where we're talking about players and the system and no longer needing 2-3 true bigs at your C and F spots. Yesterday on the Buzz, Poplin was talking about the shift in philosophy of basketball coaches based on analytics. An easy layup is worth 1.7 pts per attempt. A corner 3 is worth 1.3 pts per attempt, a 3 from any other spot is 1.2 pts/attempt. A defended post up attempt is worth .7 pts/attempt. This is why shooters have become the money market.

 

[lawpoke87]

Jeffries is the perfect modern day basketball player imo. Dude can rebound, slash, shoot, play D and block shots. His versatility is invaluable. We need several Jeffries going forward.

 

[cmullinsTU]

The analytics are very fascinating, and that is why it's becoming increasingly important that the post players are 1. Good defenders and 2. Good passers

If they can also post up and score? That just makes the entire defense harder to defend.

 

[astonmartin708]

You put Jeffries wherever he can get touches moving to the basket and requires as few touches where he has to put the ball on the floor.

Jackson's handle is pretty good, his outside shot is just terrible. Scott- he has a sneaky good handle, very calm under pressure, and he is pretty shifty on his drives. He doesn't look terribly athletic and I think it catches defenders off guard a bit when he is able to wriggle through a space and get off a pretty easy shot.

On another note where we're talking about players and the system and no longer needing 2-3 true bigs at your C and F spots. Yesterday on the Buzz, Poplin was talking about the shift in philosophy of basketball coaches based on analytics. An easy layup is worth 1.7 pts per attempt. A corner 3 is worth 1.3 pts per attempt, a 3 from any other spot is 1.2 pts/attempt. A defended post up attempt is worth .7 pts/attempt. This is why shooters have become the money market.

Some of this depends on who's taking the post up. If you have a guy shooting over 60% from the post that number goes up. I'm not nearly as mad at taking a .7 pt / attempt shot that has a good chance to be an offensive rebound if missed as I am at taking mid range jumpers which Haith lets our guards and forwards get away with way too much. Those are the worst shots in basketball.

 

[astonmartin708]

That being said, Jeffries should be getting the most minutes on the team next season. His advanced stats are ridiculous. He was at or near the top of the conference in about 20 different stats on both offense and defense

 

[TU_BLA]

Some of this depends on who's taking the post up. If you have a guy shooting over 60% from the post that number goes up. I'm not nearly as mad at taking a .7 pt / attempt shot that has a good chance to be an offensive rebound if missed as I am at taking mid range jumpers which Haith lets our guards and forwards get away with way too much. Those are the worst shots in basketball.

The mid range jumper was the lowest pts/attempt. It's why you rarely see it anymore. Are there going to be anomalies...yes. Shaquille Oneal was much higher than the .7 because nearly everything was a dunk. The point again is, you're not going to clog the lane with 3 6'9"-7'0" post players anymore because the stats simply don't point to a great enough return. However, if 2 of those 3 shoot 35% from 3, you just made it harder to defend your wings. No one is saying we don't need a center, but the 6'5"+ wings who can shoot (Scott, Jeffries, Korita, Horn) are where you beat other teams.

 

[astonmartin708]

The mid range jumper was the lowest pts/attempt. It's why you rarely see it anymore. Are there going to be anomalies...yes. Shaquille Oneal was much higher than the .7 because nearly everything was a dunk. The point again is, you're not going to clog the lane with 3 6'9"-7'0" post players anymore because the stats simply don't point to a great enough return. However, if 2 of those 3 shoot 35% from 3, you just made it harder to defend your wings. No one is saying we don't need a center, but the 6'5"+ wings who can shoot (Scott, Jeffries, Korita, Horn) are where you beat other teams.

Jeffries and Horne will spend time between the 3 and 4. Both are 6-5 to 6-7 and both can shoot the 3. It's good to have guys that can slide up and down as matchups present themselves. Jeffries and Horne are what anyone would call stretch forwards. We still need 3 legit bigs to box out, rebound, and to receive dribble drive passes as well as play defense (I'd include Igbanu in that number). You don't want to only have 2 roster guys that can play center because if one gets hurt your defense is screwed for 15 minutes a game. Either you'll get eaten alive in man when your one remaining big checks out; or you'll switch to zone and start giving up 3's.

No one wants Jeffries or Horne to have to play center for 15 minutes a game if Igbanu or Hewitt get hurt. I don't care how much you like small ball, no one plays effectively that small.

 

[Gmoney4WW]

He might be, but it is a real thing for some players. Back in my glory days (middle school) of basketball. I came off the bench about 1-2 min into the game and then played the rest of the game.

For me, I liked to get a sense of how the two teams were playing.

Yes I’m aware my middle school playing days is not at all equivalent.

I thoroughly understand some players are better off the bench. I just thought Haith jumped to that conclusion too quickly, and despite extenuating circumstances with Jeffries.

 

[cmullinsTU]

I thoroughly understand some players are better off the bench. I just thought Haith jumped to that conclusion too quickly, and despite extenuating circumstances with Jeffries.

I’m sure you do. I just wanted an excuse to talk about my glory days in the sport I love but have very little talent in playing.

 

[TULSARISING]

I’m sure you do. I just wanted an excuse to talk about my glory days in the sport I love but have very little talent in playing.

Don't tell me that! I bet you were a 3 point shooting fool!

 

[cmullinsTU]

Don't tell me that! I bet you were a 3 point shooting fool!

I was a stretch 5 before a stretch 5 existed!!! :joy:

 

[Gmoney4WW]

I was a stretch 5 before a stretch 5 existed!!! :joy:

OLman shooting three pointers, isn't that in the definition of a stretch 5? I'll bet you were soft in basketball too.

 

[TU_BLA]

OLman shooting three pointers, isn't that in the definition of a stretch 5? I'll bet you were soft in basketball too.

Stretch 5 is nothing...I was like a stretch 1/2. All I could do was shoot

 

[Li'l Eric Coley]

I was best at fouling. The best, Jerry. The best!!!1

 

[TU_BLA]

I was best at fouling. The best, Jerry. The best!!!1

The soup is the meal!

 

[astonmartin708]

3 and D! Collins Fitness Center Pickup ball. Always fun to play some of the football players in the offseason.

 

[seniorgolfer]

I think you’ll find Zeke Moore to be another one. 39.1% from 3-pt as a frosh and 52.2% in HS.
Someone I know saw him do shooting drills with our players on his visit and said he out
performed everyone.

Another thing that gives me hope that he can contribute is his length....In the match-up zone,
the front people, if long enough, can really shield the view of the opposing guards....Syracuse's
match-up is so effective because of the length of their whole team.....It limits visibility and seems
to narrow the passing lanes in general....

 

[TU_BLA]

I think you’ll find Zeke Moore to be another one. 39.1% from 3-pt as a frosh and 52.2% in HS.
Someone I know saw him do shooting drills with our players on his visit and said he out
performed everyone.

Another thing that gives me hope that he can contribute is his length....In the match-up zone,
the front people, if long enough, can really shield the view of the opposing guards....Syracuse's
match-up is so effective because of the length of their whole team.....It limits visibility and seems
to narrow the passing lanes in general....

And everyone almost misses that it’s really a 3-2 zone in execution vs a 2-3. I like to call it an umbrella when you’re teaching kids. If you get that top guy with length it really forces passes away from the basket, reduces the risk of over the top entry passes and if he really pushes the top out and picks up early, creates a ton of havoc. Syracuse is simply the best at it. I have noticed that Duke played a lot of the same type of zone when they got in some foul trouble against Kansas.

 

[I.I.]

With all the zones, it is becoming imperative that the "flash to the free throw line" offensive man be able to catch and shoot (make) a 13-14 footer or pass out for the open three just like Kansas' winning basket.

 

[aTUfan]

So, with all the changes, will we be better next year?

 

[goldenhurricane2]

So, with all the changes, will we be better next year?

I don’t see how we wouldn’t be.

 

[t-townpod]

Need Horne to be a immediate impact player and Moore to be a 35+% 3 point shooter. Or maybe we will find some additional help in the next couple of weeks.

 

[Tulsafanzz]

That being said, Jeffries should be getting the most minutes on the team next season. His advanced stats are ridiculous. He was at or near the top of the conference in about 20 different stats on both offense and defense

I’m a big Jeffries fan & I agree with your post. However, you left out a big factor in his minutes, his fouling.

Hopefully he can be coached up to pick his spots to tip away passes & block shots. He’s very good at both defections &. blocks, but he just can’t foul at the rate he did this season. It keeps him off the court too much.

 

[TU_BLA]

Not our roster but just saw a tweet saying Landry Shamet was declaring for the NBA draft. Just my .02, that may be a mistake.

 

[astonmartin708]

#secondrounder

 

[ctt8410]

I will take an interior player who can protect the rim and score from the low block.

Since we have another spot, I’ll take a 40% three point shooter. Shooting has been our downfall in so many big games the past three years. If Zeke can shoot 40% then sign one more. Can never have too many shooters.

If you want to kill a couple hours, just go the link below and sort by different columns.

In limited minutes, the top shot blocker available is a guy we've been linked to.

The top 3-pt shooting transfer who took more than 100 of them last year is Triston Chambers from Samford at 44.6%.

link

 

[I.I.]

If you want to kill a couple hours, just go the link below and sort by different columns.

In limited minutes, the top shot blocker available is a guy we've been linked to.

The top 3-pt shooting transfer who took more than 100 of them last year is Triston Chambers from Samford at 44.6%.

link

Where is he transferring.? He looks like a bigger Rotnei Clarke to me. Maybe Amie knows???

 

[dmarsh1985]

Close connection at Samford- I watch all the games. Chambers is a good guy, but we should be looking at the two grad transfers not him- not an upgrade- hope the best for him, but not the fit- coach recruited over him for a reason

 

['Cane-man]

Is Samford named for Fred or Lamont?

Sorry, couldn't resist.

 

[TU Sepp]

Is Samford named for Fred or Lamont?

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Fred!!! Lamont was "and Son!"