Can Geo take over the point
- Thread starter zappaa
- Start date
I agree. With either Caleb or Paul at the point the game is a bit too slow. If there is ball pressure they spend too much time dribbling in place with their heels just across half court. Many possessions didn’t start an attack until the shot clock was under 15 seconds.
I agree. Don't like letting defenses take a mini-vacation when we're bringing the ball up.
Agree - Paul should spell Geo and/or perhaps give teams a different look. He can't be the full-time PG.
Trying him at PG might get him more into the flow of the game, which is when he's at his best.
People keep saying the chemistry of the team is better this season. But I didn't see that at all in last night's game. The on court chemistry looked pretty bad to me. By chemistry, I'd not talking about how well the players get along (which I couldn't care less about).
I'm talking about how a particular combination of players on the court lifts the overall level of play and lead to good offensive flow and good defensive intensity. That combination is often counter-intuitive and often isn't comprised of the outright best or most skilled or most individually productive players on the team.
Last season, prior to McConnel coming back from injury, that was when I saw the best team chemistry of the entire season. There was flow, and the players on the court seemed to gel very well. The level of play was elevated.
Somehow, McConnel's coming back altered how Harper approached the game. And that in turn seemed to alter how Geo approached the game. This is NOT a condemnation of McConnel or any kind of negative remark about him. I am a fan of McConnel and his play, especially on defense when he's really switched on.
But somehow, it altered the chemistry. Unless it was something coincidental going on behind the scenes.
People keep saying the chemistry of the team is better this season. But I didn't see that at all in last night's game. The on court chemistry looked pretty bad to me. By chemistry, I'd not talking about how well the players get along (which I couldn't care less about).
I'm talking about how a particular combination of players on the court lifts the overall level of play and lead to good offensive flow and good defensive intensity. That combination is often counter-intuitive and often isn't comprised of the outright best or most skilled or most individually productive players on the team.
Last season, prior to McConnel coming back from injury, that was when I saw the best team chemistry of the entire season. There was flow, and the players on the court seemed to gel very well. The level of play was elevated.
Somehow, McConnel's coming back altered how Harper approached the game. And that in turn seemed to alter how Geo approached the game. This is NOT a condemnation of McConnel or any kind of negative remark about him. I am a fan of McConnel and his play, especially on defense when he's really switched on.
But somehow, it altered the chemistry. Unless it was something coincidental going on behind the scenes.
I also don't like Mulcahy as a PG.
If Mulcahy can become more consistent with 3s, then he's at his best, on O, by playing off the ball and lulling his man into forgetting about him momentarily. Mulcahy has a great sense of space and time and regularly moves well off the ball.
The only problem is that, when he gets the ball, he doesn't feel comfortable shooting it right away when he's most open. He always looks for someone else. To be more effective, he needs to punish the other team for leaving him alone, and shoot with confidence.
The answer is ...we may have to
I have a lot of concerns that we can’t play Geo and Paul at the same time ...for defensive reasons. Especially if coach wants to switch everything 1 through 4....
I have a lot of concerns that we can’t play Geo and Paul at the same time ...for defensive reasons. Especially if coach wants to switch everything 1 through 4....
Agree. He’s more of a point forward.
I’d go Geo and try like crazy to get a true PG in here for 2022-2023.
Maybe I just like the kid too much, but I’m not ready yet to write off Mulcahy.
I would rather geo not waste a lot of energy bringing the ball up. We may be able to do some other things to help get into the offense quicker.
I wouldn't mind seeing Geo try the point and PM come off bench. In the past PM coming in with a wave of subs created a surge, iirc. While PM is no RHJ.. I think he can sub for both Geo and RHJ and change roles. Or maybe link PM to Cliff.. they come in and go out together because PM feeds the bigs pretty well... and we may have to hide Cliff on the jump ball to protect him from teams targeting him right away.
In any case.. now is the time to try stuff. Get it done before the bulk of the Big Ten conference play starts. We have some tough games early that we could lose whether or not we found our prefered roster moves... so get creative.
One more thought.. I don't know that PM's handle is good enough should someone like a JY check him in the backcourt... in the front court I wouldn't care.. PM will find the right pass.. but we may need to find someone with a great handle should teams press us with some top talent defenders.. PM can pass over most of them.. but still... we lost JY and Mathis and that's who would have had that duty last year. Geo can do it some..
In any case.. now is the time to try stuff. Get it done before the bulk of the Big Ten conference play starts. We have some tough games early that we could lose whether or not we found our prefered roster moves... so get creative.
One more thought.. I don't know that PM's handle is good enough should someone like a JY check him in the backcourt... in the front court I wouldn't care.. PM will find the right pass.. but we may need to find someone with a great handle should teams press us with some top talent defenders.. PM can pass over most of them.. but still... we lost JY and Mathis and that's who would have had that duty last year. Geo can do it some..
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This was my big concern coming into the season. JY, albeit sometimes out of control, got the ball up the court quickly. Paul, Geo and Caleb dribble high and I don’t love any of them driving to the hoop. When the offense got stagnant at times last year, JY was the go to player and he came through in big spots. I had hopes that maybe Jalen Miller could be that type of player but since we didn’t see him in the game, I’m guessing he’s not ready? Paul had a really bad off night but I don’t think he’s the answer? Geo seems to be the best of the other guards but I’m also curious about Jaden Jones and what he can do? The player who impressed the most in game one was Hyatt. And I think that missing Mag hurt us so hopefully he plays on Saturday!
Great post.
I have seen Geo get his pocket picked a lot also when trying to do just enough to keep the defender off of him.
I believe PM is serviceable at the point but why does he always seem hesitant? He should be trying to attack at all times and Lee the flow of the game going with some speed. That’s what was lacking at PG the other day for him.
he created a ton of Mismatches on offense as their smaller guys typically cover him which is good for us if he attacked more getting to the post
I don’t see jaden being ready for that. I am not sure about his handle too but it’s an interesting thought.