For those who had concerns about replacing Geo’s and Ron’s scoring, hopefully these reports make you feel a little better. Looks like our bench scoring and free throw percentage will be improved and Spencer will average double digits. Also our depth will be a plus and our defense might actually be even better than last year . Certainly, looking forward to the coming season and surpassing some of the predictions. I don’t believe we will fall into the trap of losing to lower caliber teams that impacted us last year. Think shortly into the season we enter the top 25 and stay there all year.
Today’s Open Practice
- Thread starter hoquat63
- Start date
I’m no longer confident on Spencer averaging double digits. But he’ll be close. Id be very surprised if the point averages do not go up for the rest of the starters Cliff, Caleb, Paul, Mag, and also the “bench”.
What has lessened your confidence in Spencer averaging double digits? If anything, the preseason comments from Pike and his teammates should only solidify your confidence.
I think Spencer is going to average at least 12 ppg, basically replacing Geo's offensive production.
I think we could have 4 guys at 10-15 ppg. It’ll be a different team without clear #1/2 scorers
1 open practice lol.
How many shots / good looks will he get a game?
I was previously VERY confident at him being over 10ppg. I should have started my earlier post with “I am now less confident …”. That’s what I meant.
I’d put his over/under at like 10.8 right now.
It's basketball. Every perimeter player on every team gets open outside shots and good looks.
As long as defenses continue to focus on protecting the lane and rim those open shots from ball and player movement will continue.
Spencer, Mulcahy, McConnell, Hyatt, Mag, Miller, Simpson will All get open shots all year long.
Excited to see Simpson back up Paul and provide a nice change of pace to keep opponents on their heels.
I do believe this team has a high ceiling and be a tournament team. Why? Decent depth that has unique attributes like Woolfolks soft touch, Chol's shooting, and Simpsons speed. Looking forward to getting on Livi this winter and being loud!
I do believe this team has a high ceiling and be a tournament team. Why? Decent depth that has unique attributes like Woolfolks soft touch, Chol's shooting, and Simpsons speed. Looking forward to getting on Livi this winter and being loud!
I think this can be a tournament team as well. I think we'll see some different offensive sets this year without GB and RHJ. This team should have an inside-out game with a lot more ball movement. Cliff is going to draw a lot of attention inside and I also think we will have very balanced scoring with 4 starters who average 10+ ppg. I expect Paul to lead the league in assists and really would be surprised in Cliff doesn't average a season double-double.
Strange take, it differs from all other observers
So I too thought it differed but after your post I reread all posts in this thread.
One poster heard from his son, another from a friend. They were impressed. Who knows, maybe they thought he was going to suck? Also, were they impressed because of his free throw shooting because I knew going into it he was hardly going to miss. There are 0 posts of people impressed at his 3pt shooting in 4v4 and 5v5s (again from this 1 practice).
Also, one poster wrote the same thing I posted or alluded to in one of my comments in this thread where he said “I did notice during the scrimmage that they weren't able to run plays to get him open looks at 3's though.”.
If you go back and reread my posts I think you’ll see it’s from the viewpoint of someone who thought very highly of Spencer ahead of time and now the combo of his play and the flow of the offense (again in this limited sample size) is tempering my personal expectations of him for this year.
If I previously thought he was going to suck or even that he wasn’t going to start then I’d be raving about him right now too! He’s going to start and def help this team!!
Absolutely. I like your ideas with more inside out, especially with a decent shooter who is going to need a screen, or some more space to start. As season goes on, Spencer will pick up the speed and should have no issues.
T
Spencer and Paul have a similar game, with obviously Paul having the vision that Spencer may not have as more of a shooting guard.
Still, the pivots, headfakes, strength, look offs are similar. With that being said, having both of them on the floor together brings a similar style of adding their offense to the team. I think that is one of the reasons we will see SImpson with 15-20 minutes a game.
Spencer will not have to carry the load by himself which will be good. I think he will be in the 9-11 range with nights where he has 16 points. Luckily he is a team player though and will do what it takes to have his team win. Offense will be more of a group effort like everyone has mentioned. The team wants to win above all, and that is where Paul and Spencer share a similar mindset.
Spencer and Paul have a similar game, with obviously Paul having the vision that Spencer may not have as more of a shooting guard.
Still, the pivots, headfakes, strength, look offs are similar. With that being said, having both of them on the floor together brings a similar style of adding their offense to the team. I think that is one of the reasons we will see SImpson with 15-20 minutes a game.
Spencer will not have to carry the load by himself which will be good. I think he will be in the 9-11 range with nights where he has 16 points. Luckily he is a team player though and will do what it takes to have his team win. Offense will be more of a group effort like everyone has mentioned. The team wants to win above all, and that is where Paul and Spencer share a similar mindset.
He’s not a wow type of athlete. He’s going to get a lot of shots and expect him to hit a high percent.
Think Iowa sharp shooter. We have needed that for years...Hopefully he's the guy...
I wasn’t there so obviously no eye balls from me.
Here’s what I do know, he led the Patriot league in scoring last year, it’s not the B1G but it’s D-1 basketball where every starter from every team are still amazingly gifted players.
I say amazingly gifted because that’s what it takes to be a D-1 player.
He will be noticed and be the consistent shooter and great foul shooter we’ve been missing the last few years.
That’s my prediction!!!!
Overall my thoughts are that this is a very good team with quality depth and guys vying for minutes. It is quite amazing how far the program has come the last few years and how we now can look forward to every season. Woolfolk will develop nicely battling Cliff at every practice and Chol looks to be the real deal who can really shoot it. Pike indicated he’s been hitting 54% on three from practice stats. Simpson looked sharp and plays with confidence so this class is a strong one.
Anyone know how we can get the group picture that was taken at the end?
I've written and maintain Cliff and Dean will be on the floor for +/- 10 minutes per game.
Kinda surprised it's not included in the photo gallery in the link... Valerie is asking the same question in the reply section.
Last edited by a moderator:
There isn’t any real damage
