Wet_Blanket_Guy
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- Mar 13, 2019
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I caveat this thread and make the assumption that all underclassmen stay and play their for the duration of their college eligibility *unless otherwise noted below*
JoJ - Strengths: Possesses a strong B10 body and could be one of the most athletic players the gophers have had in the last 15 years. His bigger build is suited for the B10 and he should grow and develop over these next 4 years. . Weaknesses: Needs to work on tightening up his dribble. Overall: Impressed through 4 games. I believe he will be a player who plays up to his competition and we will not see who he truly is until he plays real competition....maybe he turns into the next OG Anunoby (player comparison) Grade B
Payne - Strengths: Possesses a strong B10 body albeit and hopefully can add another 15-20 pounds of muscle over the next 1-2.5 years to combat the size of bigger Centers in the B10 . Weaknesses: Only 6'9" for a true Center who can't stretch the floor to take his opponent away from the hoop to open driving lanes for his teammates to attack. Passing (but I chalk this up to Freshman mistakes and this will be sorted out) Overall: Impressed through for games (outside of his freshman mistakes). This years B10 season will be hard on Payne but with hopefully another 10-15 LBs and a year of seasoning (learning the trade) he will become a steady double double guy who can stay out of foul trouble while slowing down the likes of Dickenson and Edey (other B10 centers) - Long-Term: he will need to develop a face-up game along with the ability to space the floor as Evans will be the primary center who anchors our defense and plays close to the basket. GRADE B
Battle- Strengths: ability to create his own offense when needed, pre-season B10 all-conference pick, ability to guard multiple positions due to combo of size & agility . Weaknesses: *maybe this is an error in the data on the U's 2021-22 stats page, but it says in 29 games last year he had 11 Steals and 28 assists all season, in which he started 29 games (playing over 1062 minutes)* - clearly a weakness is creating easy buckets for his teammates along with deflecting passes and generating steals (by being in the passing lanes *potentially conditioning related*) Overall: N/A Long-Term: He is the straw that stirs the drink and the key cog for the gophers GRADE N/A
Garcia- Strengths: 6'11" body who can stretch the floor and is mobile enough to guard small forwards, has an ability for getting to the free throw line (average 7 per game - Harden'esque) Weaknesses: For being 6'11" is he absolutely not a banger and looks like he is soft / avoids contact. His shooting percentage on 2 pointers is 44% (and when he gets contact he struggles) and while he gets to the free throw line a lot (a positive) he is only shooting 69%. Additionally, he has a negative assist / turnover ration (7 assists and 8 turnovers) along with only 2 blocks on the season (how does someone 6'11" only have 2 blocks through 4 games against our level of competitions so far? Overall: He has shown the ability to stretch the floor, but he is not a creator and so far plays soft - Long-Term: With his mobility, he will need to work on his drive and kicks since he should be able to blow by other near 6'10" with his talent + speed, but he needs to look for his teammates. Paired with Battle and Evans he'll mesh nicely as a stretch 4, but an absolute focus needs to be put on assist to turnover ratio & free throws GRADE C+
Cooper- Strengths: Assist to turnover ration 3 to 1, Size (bigger build *not height*) which will be good for the B10, 3pt shooting 58% on 7-12 Weaknesses: Not quick so it will be hard to stay in front of speedy guards and we've already seen this at lower level competition, Free throw shooting 48% (main ball handler at end of games is a horrendous ft shooter) . Overall: The 3pt % will come back to reality, but if it is around 40%+ that is fantastic and we need a PG who has the ability to generate a 2.0 assist to turnover ration....while I can get past the lack of footspeed, I can't get past the abysmal ft shooting and the risk that is at end of close games (how do you play him when we don't really have any other true ball handlers) GRADE B-
Henley- Strengths: Good b10 body, 40% on treys Weaknesses: 2pt shot selection he is shooting 33% so its a combo of he's a bad shooter and he's taking bad shots. Doesn't have a nose for the ball in regards to rebounding (in 104 minutes of play he has 6 total rebounds). Negative assist to turnover ration 4 assists / 11 Turnovers (chalk some up to being a freshman) Overall: He needs to work on getting aggressive as he could be a nice rotation piece for this team over the next four years. Fix the assists to turnover ration (seasoning will help) but shot selection and rebounding will go a long way: Long-Term: Rotation player until at least a junior behind (evans, battle, garcia, JoJ *from current roster) GRADE C+
Carrington- Incomplete due to injury but I have concerns about how he is getting blown by every time he is the on ball defender GRADE Incomplete (but leaning towards a C as he has 2 games at this point) *he may end up being like Gabe in which we were told his shot is amazing but in reality the data doesn't align...Gabe had the prettiest misses I have ever seen. *I am hopeful this is not the case*
Thompson- Strengths: Ability to stretch the floor and pull the opposing team's center away from the hoop to open driving lanes, shooting for a 7fter, Vision has a 3-1 assist to turnover ratio (6-2). Microwave ability / when he gets hot it creates a buzz within the arena (which is rare) - good for team momentum. Weaknesses: Boxing out / defensive rebounding. He has a complete disregard for this aspect of the game and it keeps him off the floor. Extremely thin frame means he typically gives up 40+ lbs to who he guards on the defensive end night-in / night-out Overall: He needs to get the mentality of an NBA player on a 10-day contract...meaning if he doesn't have the aggressive play he is cut / out of the league. He can't play without being aggressive, especially with another 7 footer coming in. If he can be aggressive, rebound, and stretch the floor with his shooting while energizing the barn...it will be to everyone's advantage Long-Term: 50/50 if he makes it 4 years with the program as he easily could transfer with Evans coming in and two other bigs (Payne and Garcia taking the majority of the minutes) GRADE C
Samuels - don't need to spend to much time on him, I think the B10 will destroy him. Incredibly out of shape for this level of basketball
Ramberg - Shouldn't be playing, but I will say this...This kid is a warrior. He is 3rd in minutes on the team and while he is only 6'5" and no where near the tallest Gopher on the court at any point in time, he is second on the team in rebounds this season with 23 (only Garcia has more with 28). Kid has heart. But, he has 2 assists and 2 turnovers in 113 min because he can't create for himself or his teammates at this level of play (and we are not playing high level basketball until December even). Even though he has 113 minutes of play, he's only shot the ball 14 times all season and + going 40% on free throws (2-5)...so he's out there for heart and rebounds... GRADE B- but shouldn't be playing
Coaching Staff:
JoJ - Strengths: Possesses a strong B10 body and could be one of the most athletic players the gophers have had in the last 15 years. His bigger build is suited for the B10 and he should grow and develop over these next 4 years. . Weaknesses: Needs to work on tightening up his dribble. Overall: Impressed through 4 games. I believe he will be a player who plays up to his competition and we will not see who he truly is until he plays real competition....maybe he turns into the next OG Anunoby (player comparison) Grade B
Payne - Strengths: Possesses a strong B10 body albeit and hopefully can add another 15-20 pounds of muscle over the next 1-2.5 years to combat the size of bigger Centers in the B10 . Weaknesses: Only 6'9" for a true Center who can't stretch the floor to take his opponent away from the hoop to open driving lanes for his teammates to attack. Passing (but I chalk this up to Freshman mistakes and this will be sorted out) Overall: Impressed through for games (outside of his freshman mistakes). This years B10 season will be hard on Payne but with hopefully another 10-15 LBs and a year of seasoning (learning the trade) he will become a steady double double guy who can stay out of foul trouble while slowing down the likes of Dickenson and Edey (other B10 centers) - Long-Term: he will need to develop a face-up game along with the ability to space the floor as Evans will be the primary center who anchors our defense and plays close to the basket. GRADE B
Battle- Strengths: ability to create his own offense when needed, pre-season B10 all-conference pick, ability to guard multiple positions due to combo of size & agility . Weaknesses: *maybe this is an error in the data on the U's 2021-22 stats page, but it says in 29 games last year he had 11 Steals and 28 assists all season, in which he started 29 games (playing over 1062 minutes)* - clearly a weakness is creating easy buckets for his teammates along with deflecting passes and generating steals (by being in the passing lanes *potentially conditioning related*) Overall: N/A Long-Term: He is the straw that stirs the drink and the key cog for the gophers GRADE N/A
Garcia- Strengths: 6'11" body who can stretch the floor and is mobile enough to guard small forwards, has an ability for getting to the free throw line (average 7 per game - Harden'esque) Weaknesses: For being 6'11" is he absolutely not a banger and looks like he is soft / avoids contact. His shooting percentage on 2 pointers is 44% (and when he gets contact he struggles) and while he gets to the free throw line a lot (a positive) he is only shooting 69%. Additionally, he has a negative assist / turnover ration (7 assists and 8 turnovers) along with only 2 blocks on the season (how does someone 6'11" only have 2 blocks through 4 games against our level of competitions so far? Overall: He has shown the ability to stretch the floor, but he is not a creator and so far plays soft - Long-Term: With his mobility, he will need to work on his drive and kicks since he should be able to blow by other near 6'10" with his talent + speed, but he needs to look for his teammates. Paired with Battle and Evans he'll mesh nicely as a stretch 4, but an absolute focus needs to be put on assist to turnover ratio & free throws GRADE C+
Cooper- Strengths: Assist to turnover ration 3 to 1, Size (bigger build *not height*) which will be good for the B10, 3pt shooting 58% on 7-12 Weaknesses: Not quick so it will be hard to stay in front of speedy guards and we've already seen this at lower level competition, Free throw shooting 48% (main ball handler at end of games is a horrendous ft shooter) . Overall: The 3pt % will come back to reality, but if it is around 40%+ that is fantastic and we need a PG who has the ability to generate a 2.0 assist to turnover ration....while I can get past the lack of footspeed, I can't get past the abysmal ft shooting and the risk that is at end of close games (how do you play him when we don't really have any other true ball handlers) GRADE B-
Henley- Strengths: Good b10 body, 40% on treys Weaknesses: 2pt shot selection he is shooting 33% so its a combo of he's a bad shooter and he's taking bad shots. Doesn't have a nose for the ball in regards to rebounding (in 104 minutes of play he has 6 total rebounds). Negative assist to turnover ration 4 assists / 11 Turnovers (chalk some up to being a freshman) Overall: He needs to work on getting aggressive as he could be a nice rotation piece for this team over the next four years. Fix the assists to turnover ration (seasoning will help) but shot selection and rebounding will go a long way: Long-Term: Rotation player until at least a junior behind (evans, battle, garcia, JoJ *from current roster) GRADE C+
Carrington- Incomplete due to injury but I have concerns about how he is getting blown by every time he is the on ball defender GRADE Incomplete (but leaning towards a C as he has 2 games at this point) *he may end up being like Gabe in which we were told his shot is amazing but in reality the data doesn't align...Gabe had the prettiest misses I have ever seen. *I am hopeful this is not the case*
Thompson- Strengths: Ability to stretch the floor and pull the opposing team's center away from the hoop to open driving lanes, shooting for a 7fter, Vision has a 3-1 assist to turnover ratio (6-2). Microwave ability / when he gets hot it creates a buzz within the arena (which is rare) - good for team momentum. Weaknesses: Boxing out / defensive rebounding. He has a complete disregard for this aspect of the game and it keeps him off the floor. Extremely thin frame means he typically gives up 40+ lbs to who he guards on the defensive end night-in / night-out Overall: He needs to get the mentality of an NBA player on a 10-day contract...meaning if he doesn't have the aggressive play he is cut / out of the league. He can't play without being aggressive, especially with another 7 footer coming in. If he can be aggressive, rebound, and stretch the floor with his shooting while energizing the barn...it will be to everyone's advantage Long-Term: 50/50 if he makes it 4 years with the program as he easily could transfer with Evans coming in and two other bigs (Payne and Garcia taking the majority of the minutes) GRADE C
Samuels - don't need to spend to much time on him, I think the B10 will destroy him. Incredibly out of shape for this level of basketball
Ramberg - Shouldn't be playing, but I will say this...This kid is a warrior. He is 3rd in minutes on the team and while he is only 6'5" and no where near the tallest Gopher on the court at any point in time, he is second on the team in rebounds this season with 23 (only Garcia has more with 28). Kid has heart. But, he has 2 assists and 2 turnovers in 113 min because he can't create for himself or his teammates at this level of play (and we are not playing high level basketball until December even). Even though he has 113 minutes of play, he's only shot the ball 14 times all season and + going 40% on free throws (2-5)...so he's out there for heart and rebounds... GRADE B- but shouldn't be playing
Coaching Staff:
- Starting with the Ramberg situation as it is immediately above: I assume your attempting to show your young players that if you have heart you will play...but that is a bad message to send as there are a lot of players in this world who have a ton of heart but at the end of the day don't have the talent to compete at the level of major college basketball (and hopefully Ben isn't looking for bottom of the B10). I get it if he wants to showcase Ramberg's heart / hustle in practice and occasionally in games, but starting him every game and playing him the 3 most minutes on the team so far this season is egregious. (maybe this is coupled with the Carrington injury...we will see how the minutes start to shift) but come on, start playing for the future of the program with the young guys who we need to evaluate if they have the juice or not
- Maybe I have a different philosophy then our current Coaching Staff, but the style of offense we play does not match our personal. I think we out team is geared to a run and gun / up-temp (Memphis Dribble Drive - Memphis Dribble Drive Motion Offense Film Study) style of play. Our bigs are not that big (Payne is only 6'9" and in the B10 that is not concerned large) + Garcia while 6'11" is not a true post / bruiser and Treyton is really a perimeter player...
- We have all of these bigs (Treyton, Garcia, Battle) who can run and handle the ball / space the floor / shoot treys / drive and kick plus we have a big (Payne) who can sit on the block and wait for a drive man to kick it to him for a dunk ...
- We have an elite athlete (JoJ) on the wing along
- We have shooters in Carrington (fingers crossed), Cooper
- Rebounding has been terrible (if you can call what we do rebounding) - this should be a non-negotiable if you want to see the court
- FT shooting % - woof - get a team sports head shrink and however much time you are spending on this, double it, then double it again
- Scoring - through 4 games (and our creampuff opponents) we only average 60.8 points per game - this is dare I say pathetic especially when we are a B10 team competing against sisters-of-the-poor. Push the pace and crush them into submission with our depth and talent. Not everything needs to be an x's and o's battle. Recruits may be turned off by seeing a team gut out 60 points against bad competition as it isn't the sexiest brand of basketball - one could argue Michigan State is known as a really gritty / blue collar team ...but their lowest scoring game of the season was 63 points and that was against some bad team called Gonzaga
