Two Early Observations...

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

1) King has to play more, he's the 2nd best player on this team behind Mitchell.

2) This is the most offensively limited front line we've had since I can remember. We've never had it this bad down low from an offensive perspective. There is nobody to throw the ball to, to get buckets down there. Nobody. It's to the point where I cringe when we throw any of the bigs the ball.

With so many interchangeable parts it's going to be interesting to see how Pitino molds this team.

We all have lineup preferences it will probably be a match-up based decision most nights.

I would just love one time to see Pitino turn a talented FR loose and make him a center piece. We've had contributors as FR, but this King kid is the real deal and considering the alternatives, I just hope he gets more burn and becomes a primary cog. I have no idea if he has the intangibles Pitino demands.

Thoughts?

 

[n4cer2ad]

I agree, just one time turn a freshman loose. I think once he picks the defense up a little better he will be in the starting line up. He will be at the 3 and Adel at the 4 with Johnson at the 5, because the rest of our big's can not cut it.

 

[nccardfan]

It looks like CRP likes to pair the bigs with one offensive minded and one defensive minded. Mango (defense) and Johnson (offense) and then he brings in Mahmoud (offense) and Spaulding (defense). Maybe those aren't the right combinations? How about Johnson at the 4 and Mahmoud at the 5 if Mango is not going to take shots.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

It looks like CRP likes to pair the bigs with one offensive minded and one defensive minded. Mango (defense) and Johnson (offense) and then he brings in Mahmoud (offense) and Spaulding (defense). Maybe those aren't the right combinations? How about Johnson at the 4 and Mahmoud at the 5 if Mango is not going to take shots.

Interesting take...

 

[shadow force]

1)

I would just love one time to see Pitino turn a talented FR loose and make him a center piece. We've had contributors as FR, but this King kid is the real deal and considering the alternatives, I just hope he gets more burn and becomes a primary cog. I have no idea if he has the intangibles Pitino demands.

Thoughts?

I would like to see King play more as well as he has high potential and has shown good ability. However, knowing CRP, King's defense will be one of the main factors that keeps him on the floor or not. King is just a freshman so he will have lapses in there and maybe CRP sees him losing too many defensive assignments.

Also I think that Pitino really believes in Adel. I think maybe Adel just had a rough tourney and that hopefully his game picks back up. Maybe the lineup with both King and Adel playing at the same time will warrant more looking in to though I know they have played together in stretches if it was possible. That might be the way to go in some games and other times not.

One thing is for sure, King will have to earn that PT, especially as a frosh, because he won't put him out there for the "spotlight" or to "try to lure other 5 star guys" here. Pitino is about winning games and his sights set on the long game- the NCAAT- rather than trying to highlight a highly touted freshman. I'm not saying I agree or disagree with him at this time but that seems to be the way he operates.

 

[REDFISTFURY3]

Why Rick cannot get the elite of elite players . I'm so sick of this crap he pulls it's obvious VJ is the second player on this team . Probalby overall the best.

 

[tn00nan]

Our biggest problem this year is no apparent point guard backup (unless you want to say Mitchell is, but he's already playing 38? 39? minutes a game). Whatever happened to Hicks? I seriously don't know. Did he leave the team? Is he just no good? In Pitino's doghouse.

I think Snider wore out against Baylor, thus the two awful turnovers near the end of the game that led to Baylor layups, that in my view were due to Snider not making an effort to get free to accept a pass.

I think UL wore out and then tightened up as they couldn't throw one in the ocean and Baylor got sizzling hot.

But we MUST have a backup point guard to spell Snider at least 10 minutes a game. Whether it's Levitch, McMahon, Hicks - someone has to be developed to play at least adequate point.

 

[nccardfan]

Good post and dead on. CRP said as much in his after game presser. Guards wore out. When I heard that Mitchell was taking reps at the backup PG, I felt the same way, he's a freakish athlete but he can't play 40 mins every game. Also although he does make good passes his assist to turnover ratio is barely over 1.0. Either snider has to think less scoring or someone else has to step up. I think it's Hicks and CRP is trying to make his point by not playing him. He looked good in the exhibition game and I think he can contribute but right now Pitino is saying if you think score first, you ain't playing. I hope CRPs stubbornness lightens up. We need some help for Q and DM. Why did you bring Hicks in if you didn't think he could play?

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

I believe I heard somewhere (sorry if bad info) that Hicks may have had some dental work, and was not 100% for the most recent 3 game trip?

Can anyone confirm?

There are a number of different areas to look at a team and point out weaknesses and/or areas of improvement.

For me the biggest problem is what it is most years, scoring, most specifically the 4/5 position. This team does not look like it can shoot, though the sample is still small. We've always worked around that in the past.

I think the bigger issue is getting easy baskets out of the front line - I don't see it on this roster, at least not in some type of consistent way. Onuaku, Harrell, Chane, Dieng - these are guys in recent years that could score the ball in the post and/or on dunks from good passing. Our 4/5 spot just doesn't look like they have it. Maybe the prove me wrong here, that would be great.

Or maybe we go absurdly small at times and play Deng @ the 4?

Not trying to get into all that it's just so early.

 

[nccardfan]

I believe I heard somewhere (sorry if bad info) that Hicks may have had some dental work, and was not 100% for the most recent 3 game trip?

Can anyone confirm?

There are a number of different areas to look at a team and point out weaknesses and/or areas of improvement.

For me the biggest problem is what it is most years, scoring, most specifically the 4/5 position. This team does not look like it can shoot, though the sample is still small. We've always worked around that in the past.

I think the bigger issue is getting easy baskets out of the front line - I don't see it on this roster, at least not in some type of consistent way. Onuaku, Harrell, Chane, Dieng - these are guys in recent years that could score the ball in the post and/or on dunks from good passing. Our 4/5 spot just doesn't look like they have it. Maybe the prove me wrong here, that would be great.

Or maybe we go absurdly small at times and play Deng @ the 4?

Not trying to get into all that it's just so early.

Valvano said Mitchell had an abscess but wasn't sure it he meant tooth. DM missed a couple of practices and reportedly lost 3-4 lbs. Have not heard about why Hicks didn't play much other than his shooting woes. I am wondering if he was in the doghouse for something more.