If he can work that jump hook that he was taking tonight consistently, he could be a double figure scorer for the year and we could see a lot of double doubles. One thing I have accepted that he will not be is a prolific shot blocker; not every athletic 6‘11“ inch player is. But not every good defensive center is a prolific shot blocker.
Cliff
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My son and I were laughing at that brief scrum on his offensive board that last minute. On the video board you could clearly see Cliff yell "Thats my ball!" as he ripped the ball away from the Hawks player.
Cliff is a force for sure but he needs to stay out of foul trouble. Without him on the court, things can get dicey.
Loved seeing his added bulk/muscle and some nice post moves, plus the athleticism on the dunks and some nice shots further away that just didn't quite drop (but will) and his FT form looks good. He's not Myles on D, though, and it shows. I also don't think he's much over 6'9".
Looked like he and RHJ acquired grown man bodies this off-season with RHJ losing some of the baby fat.
I like that he’s got an edge and plays bigger than he is though. Pretty different from Myles who (at least on offense) I felt often played smaller than his size. Does need to stay controlled a little more as I can remember 3 or so times now that he has or has almost gotten a T
Myles was truly a monster defensively in the paint with size and length, and skill defensively. Just ate up space close to basket. Cliff is active, will be better on switches, and pick and roll, but will have trouble against the size of a Kofi and Dickinson. But most will. Offensively Tonight he only scored by Dunks and FTs. He has to be more decisive and quicker with his drop steps and hooks. FTs difference between him and Myles can be a 4 point positive swing On average. And the over reliance on lobs to Cliff, have to stop. Yes some turn into dunks, but more than half turn into a turnover, and that’s vs Lehigh. Against tall athletic players, it’ll be worse.
Totally agree. This team is way too enamored with the alley oops. Goes back to last season.
That’s what I like about him compared to Myles. He plays with an edge. Also think Cliff has a bigger offensive upside.
Loved the jump hook!!!! That is unstoppable so hopefully we see that as a consistent weapon.
I can’t help but think his ceiling is right up there with some of the other freakishly athletic Nigerian centers.
Shot blocking is a learned skill just like shooting. Agree 100% tall and athletic doesn't = automatic shot blocker.
It’s all about timing and hand placement. The most skilled shot blockers also are not necessarily always centers either, they just have the most and more visible ones due to size advantage.
However, Myles and Hamady are skilled and big so they were great at it.
Then neither was Myles Johnson. There's a side by side picture in this article: https://rutgers.rivals.com/news/myles-johnson-and-cliff-omoruyi-need-to-play-big-versus-clemson
Agee had a very rough first game on the defensive end. Rieber did a bit better.
I think that shot blockers are improved, but they are not “made.“ everyone who was a shot blocker here came in already fairly adept at it. Hamaday came pretty raw, but he could still block shots. He just had an instinct for it that got refined later. Hinson improved the most, but he was already pretty damm good at the beginning. We were hoping that based on his athletic prowess, Cliff would be blocking shots like these two or like James Bailey. I don’t think that will ever happen. I’m not sure if he will ever even block shots like Charlie Weiler or Steve Perry. I think we have a great athlete who will score and rebound, but he is not a natural rim protector. Again, a center can be a good defender without being a shock blocker/rim protector.
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Cliff played with the energizer bunny energy we had from a player last year. He worked very hard off the ball offensively which is something others on the team need to work on. He missed a shot with 1 minute left that was a bad look, but it told me a lot. He wants the ball and he isn't afraid of failing.
The dunks and the aggressive plays were nice, but my biggest takeaway is the fact that in game 1 of his sophomore year he is ready to be the man. I think he is the man.
The dunks and the aggressive plays were nice, but my biggest takeaway is the fact that in game 1 of his sophomore year he is ready to be the man. I think he is the man.
The question is simple. Going forward who would you say has the greater potential Myles or Cliff?
Myles will never play in the NBA… Cliff as of today has a better upside with a better chance to reach that goal. Being different players is exactly the point about Cliff .I believe you answered your own question. According to Pikiell’s quote” enjoy him for 30 games” speaks volumes. Now it is up to Cliff.
What was Cliff's +/- last night?
I suspect a material + as it appeared we played much better with him in the lineup.
Did Cliff also lead the team in +/- last night?
Thanks.
I suspect a material + as it appeared we played much better with him in the lineup.
Did Cliff also lead the team in +/- last night?
Thanks.
I don't think shooting is a learned skill. From all my years of following and playing basketball for the most part, either you are a shooter or you are not. Very few guys improve much as a shooter from the outside.
I would almost say that your shooting is what it is from your freshman year of high school on.
Best of Luck,
Groz
Cliff in the game and Cliff out of the game will be very meaningful in terms of success or lack of success for this team
Did Cliff lead the team in +/- ? Of so who was first or second? Thanks.