Bigs ........quit tipping the ball on the offensive glass!

[2330859]

one of the few flaws that I see from Anas, Ray, Jaylen and Mango is their propensity to tip the ball around the offensive glass instead of rebounding the ball. If these kids can work on getting two hands for a rebound, they will be rewarded with far better half court options.

22 missed shots in the first half is a little misleading ........... mostly missed tips.

 

[Cal4Pres.]

I think this is a problem for almost every team at the beginning. I've watch UK (obviously) do it a lot in the first couple of games, with the exception of Bam. He's just so much stronger than everyone else I guess he really doesn't have to tip it up to get a rebound, that or he's got great form. But almost every major team I've watched since the season has started has done the same thing. Simple adjustments and practice will correct the course. While we are on the topic, what are Louisville's weaknesses this year? I watched them play the other day, it was some mid-major and I just couldn't stay interested? You guys looked pretty fluid in the portion I watched, and even had some good size inside, but I didn't see them take advantage of it in the post much??

 

[2330859]

This may be the first year where UL might be favored .............both UK & UL could be final 4 candidates if they address their respective weaknesses.

 

[javidnky2005]

This may be the first year where UL might be favored .............both UK & UL could be final 4 candidates if they address their respective weaknesses.

Yeah ok.

 

[Cal4Pres.]

This may be the first year where UL might be favored .............both UK & UL could be final 4 candidates if they address their respective weaknesses.

Yeah not trying to get your guys board all fired up and/or hijack a thread about rebounding, but no WAY is UofL gonna be favored in this game. Vegas would look at the OOC schedule first, records against those teams, talent, then probably past history which is one sided. Sorry, UofL might be a final 4 candidate like you said, I dunno its early, but they WONT be favored

 

[2330859]

We will see soon enough. Vegas likes this Card team.

 

[Cal4Pres.]

Maybe??? I'd have to see them play someone with some juice first, before I could believe that the spread would even be close to even. Good luck until then, and an injury free season

 

[shadow force]

While we are on the topic, what are Louisville's weaknesses this year? I watched them play the other day, it was some mid-major and I just couldn't stay interested? You guys looked pretty fluid in the portion I watched, and even had some good size inside, but I didn't see them take advantage of it in the post much??

I think you sort of answered your own question. With Onuaku gone, UofL's main weakness lies with the front court- especially the center position. The Cards will have to play center by committee which will usually include Mahmoud, Mangok, and occasionally Stockman and maybe Johnson or Spalding for a smaller lineup. The center position in particular is the biggest question mark this season. Hoping they'll be able to provide enough rebounding, rim protection, toughness, and occasional scoring to go far but that still remains to be seen against better competition. With Onuaku I'd be really confident in the front court/center spot but he's gone.

Jaylen Johnson is the only big that is big enough to really bang down low when need be- well maybe Mangok now too. Spalding and Anas, while talented, are also rail thin and could be pushed around against big, talented front courts. But they are quick as well and have shown to hold their own sometimes.

I'm pretty confident in the back court though where there is a lot of talent. Snider is the steady PG, Mitchell is the explosive underclassman that has a high ceiling, Deng Adel is long and athletic, and frosh VJ King is very talented but inexperienced and playing behind Adel right now. There is also McMahon, Hicks, and couple others to fill out the back court.

 

[Cal4Pres.]

Yeah I noticed they looked a little thin down low, I wanna say it was Anas in while I was watching. Is he just not a back to the basket type guy or what? Like you just said about the backcourt, and as I said earlier they looked fluid and pretty solid with some pretty decent talent. But when they did manage to get the ball down low it never ended in success. That's what I was wondering about Anas, was he not a back to the basket guy when he was younger? I know his size hurts him, but he did have some quickness to him for a 4/5 and with his height added to that he should be able to produce some moves to get to the basket, I haven't watched him enough to tell, but I don't think he's gonna back anyone down to it.

 

[earsky]

Is he just not a back to the basket type guy or what?

Short answer is no he's not imo,although he's got some really nice low post moves.He looks to be a 4 playing the 5.

 

[shadow force]

Yeah I noticed they looked a little thin down low, I wanna say it was Anas in while I was watching. Is he just not a back to the basket type guy or what? Like you just said about the backcourt, and as I said earlier they looked fluid and pretty solid with some pretty decent talent. But when they did manage to get the ball down low it never ended in success. That's what I was wondering about Anas, was he not a back to the basket guy when he was younger? I know his size hurts him, but he did have some quickness to him for a 4/5 and with his height added to that he should be able to produce some moves to get to the basket, I haven't watched him enough to tell, but I don't think he's gonna back anyone down to it.

Like earsky mentioned, Anas is really more of a PF despite his height. He is a finesse player in a seven foot body. If I remember correctly he was much shorter in high school and played as a guard before sprouting up to 7 feet so he still has some of the handles for when he was shorter and might explain why his post game isn't as good as could be. However he can sometimes back people down and has some nice low post moves- a pretty sweet hook shot- but I doubt the low post will ever be his bread and butter.

I'd like to see him in the post more because he is capable but he will obviously get pushed out of there at times too because he is so thin and lacking in strength. His quickness could make up for that in some situations though. I'd love to see Anas be able to hit the elbow jumper like Dieng could so he could be a nightmare against zones or just hit the pick and pop every once in a while. Having a 7 footer be able to hit that elbow jumper would also be a big asset at times. So yeah again, the center position remains the biggest question mark.

 

[Cal4Pres.]

Appreciate the info. Cant wait until Dec. Its hard to tell how any team stacks up with these Mid-majors. We've got UCLA but im still not convinced they deserve to be top 20 just yet. Until then, its setting and wondering. We'll have a tough 5 day stretch though with UNC, who I believe is very underrated and you guys. Hopefully OUR big's will start to play by then! Early thoughts about the matchup???