We need a true point guard

Jun 7, 2001
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Part of the reason our shooting % has been terrible is that we aren’t getting quality looks at the basket. The assist stats for our players aren’t that great, though we’re probably over achieving with the current personnel. The biggest difference between Michigan and Rutgers was that they had a senior point guard, who carried their team. We need someone similar, who can handle the ball and setup others.
 
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Greene Rice FIG

Heisman
Dec 30, 2005
40,437
23,613
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Zavier Simpson is #2 in the country in assists per game.

When looking at this particular team I don't agree with you.

We have a pass 1st (and 2nd) true point guard and when he comes in the game he isn't normally the primary ball handler.
 
Jun 7, 2001
35,942
43,365
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Zavier Simpson is #2 in the country in assists per game.

When looking at this particular team I don't agree with you.

We have a pass 1st (and 2nd) true point guard and when he comes in the game he isn't normally the primary ball handler.

we need someone who is going to be the primary ball handler and is steady with the rock.
 

Yeah Baby

All-American
Aug 14, 2001
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Yeah like Lebron; or Jordan/ Pippen, or Curry. All great teams no true PG.

Our passing was great when we beat Illinois. We got away from that last game. Might have been all the holding out there.
 
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Jun 7, 2001
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Yeah like Lebron; or Jordan/ Pippen, or Curry. All great teams no true PG.

Our passing was great when we beat Illinois. We got away from that last game. Might have been all the holding out there.

we don’t have Lebron or Jordan. We need a point guard who can get the rest of our guys better opportunities. It drives me nuts when our kids hoist up a less than stellar shot so early in the shot clock. Too much of that has been going on.
 

Perricone7

All-Conference
Jan 26, 2015
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Seems like the roster is a bit discombobulated. Geo, young, Mathis, and McConnell are all basically 2Gs. Mulcahy is too young to start at point. I wouldn’t be surprised if at this point next year the starting lineup is Mulcahy, geo, Harper, grad transfer, Johnson. A stretch 4 would be huge.
 

AshCatchEm

Heisman
Jan 8, 2016
13,891
19,936
113
he doesn’t have the skillset to penetrate into the lane and dish, which is part of the reason we settle for shots which aren’t great opportunities.
He's been developing that skill as the season has progressed. How about give it more than a half year to see if he can fill that role? I figure you would considering you're ready to write walk-ins into our starting lineup for the football team.
 

Yeah Baby

All-American
Aug 14, 2001
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we don’t have Lebron or Jordan. We need a point guard who can get the rest of our guys better opportunities. It drives me nuts when our kids hoist up a less than stellar shot so early in the shot clock. Too much of that has been going on.
Okay how about the Knicks with Sprewell, Camby and Houston. No true point guard and no true center but a bunch of gutsy gamers who made it to the finals.
 
Jun 7, 2001
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Okay how about the Knicks with Sprewell, Camby and Houston. No true point guard and no true center but a bunch of gutsy gamers who made it to the finals.

those Knicks were exceptions to the rule. without a true point guard, who can break his man down off the dribble, its hard to succeed.
 

Yeah Baby

All-American
Aug 14, 2001
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those Knicks were exceptions to the rule. without a true point guard, who can break his man down off the dribble, its hard to succeed.
I don’t disagree but Geo can do that. Problem is he’s also our best shooter. I happen to like true point guards but not everyone has or needs them. Geo shoots better off the dribble IMO.

Our passing vs Illinois was brilliant. Need to play like that and hitting the 3’s or dominating the paint help open the passing lanes as much as a true point guard or a pick and roll.
 

bethlehemfan

Heisman
Sep 6, 2003
15,112
16,398
113
Preseason......we’d be 9-7 in B1G, and the sky would be falling, and Latrell Sprewell would be discussed.

100,000 to 1
Sprewell reference is classic. Not to mention learning we would be better with a guy who might be the best point guard in the country.
 

RUsojo

Heisman
Dec 17, 2010
29,438
28,583
113
Zavier Simpson is #2 in the country in assists per game.

When looking at this particular team I don't agree with you.

We have a pass 1st (and 2nd) true point guard and when he comes in the game he isn't normally the primary ball handler.

Though this wasn’t the topic, this is exactly why Paul shouldn’t be playing more than 10 minutes a game with the roster.
 

BillyC80

Heisman
Oct 23, 2006
17,110
15,542
72
Paul is a point guard, currently in a backup role at 18 minutes per game. We often don’t think of him as a true point guard because he’s not as quick or athletic as classic point guards.

Meanwhile our two most athletic guards, Mathis and Young, are fantastic defenders, but are very inconsistent with the ball in their hands and when driving the lane. They’re often out of control, turning it over, getting shots blocked, and never looking to pass.

Penetrating the paint is a key playmaking opportunity to pass/assist or score, and they do not capitalize on it enough. So, while they both make “point-guard-like” moves, they do not complete those moves (passing or shooting) efficiently.

By comparison, Mulcahy is excellent with the ball in his hands and when he penetrates the paint. He’s an outstanding finisher who always looks to dish from there, rarely turns it over or gets his shot blocked. On top of all that Paul, at 57% from the field, outshoots those other guys by a wide margin. He may not be a classic athletic point guard, but he gets the job done.
 

Scangg

Heisman
Mar 19, 2016
25,448
49,369
113
he doesn’t have the skillset to penetrate into the lane and dish, which is part of the reason we settle for shots which aren’t great opportunities.
 
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RUReady76

Freshman
Sep 7, 2009
177
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he doesn’t have the skillset to penetrate into the lane and dish, which is part of the reason we settle for shots which aren’t great opportunities.
You mean like in the 3rd qtr when Mulcahy passed to a cutting Harper who wasn't looking for the return pass?
 
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Scangg

Heisman
Mar 19, 2016
25,448
49,369
113
You mean like in the 3rd qtr when Mulcahy passed to a cutting Harper who wasn't looking for the return pass?
As a rule of thumb, Al never knows what he's talking about. I think it might be somehow worse in basketball though. Mulcahy's game is all about penetrating to dish so he really couldn't be further off. He has elite court vision, feel, and passing. The players actually need to cut more when Paul is dribbling instead of standing and watching. He will hit you.
 
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Jun 7, 2001
35,942
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As a rule of thumb, Al never knows what he's talking about. I think it might be somehow worse in basketball though. Mulcahy's game is all about penetrating to dish so he really couldn't be further off. He has elite court vision, feel, and passing. The players actually need to cut more when Paul is dribbling instead of standing and watching. He will hit you.

you know what you’re talking about. Our so called great point guard had 0 assists against Wisconsin and 1 assist against Michigan. We shot 34.9% against Michigan. That isn’t going to get it done.
 

Scarlet Shack

Heisman
Feb 3, 2004
26,282
15,977
73
Part of the reason our shooting % has been terrible is that we aren’t getting quality looks at the basket. The assist stats for our players aren’t that great, though we’re probably over achieving with the current personnel. The biggest difference between Michigan and Rutgers was that they had a senior point guard, who carried their team. We need someone similar, who can handle the ball and setup others.



No!!!!!! We have FOUR point guards right ...four guards whose offense comes when the ball is in their hands

We needs a shooting guard in the worse way.

Put a 12-14 ppg shooting guard with 36-38 three point shooting percentage and our offense would be entirely different.
 

soundcrib

All-Conference
Oct 7, 2002
6,746
3,904
113
Paul just needs the reps that'll grow his confidence to let it fly from 3 at any time. I'm very comfortable with Paul as our PG. He can only get better.
 
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Scangg

Heisman
Mar 19, 2016
25,448
49,369
113
you know what you’re talking about. Our so called great point guard had 0 assists against Wisconsin and 1 assist against Michigan. We shot 34.9% against Michigan. That isn’t going to get it done.
You ALWAYS have unreleastic expectations for freshman.

It's also impossible to get an assist when someone misses a shot.
 

satnom

All-American
Jun 28, 2002
6,985
8,587
88
Once Paul develops a consistent outside shot I think he will blossom along with improvement to strength and speed to take over the keys of the offense.

In my opinion Paul is the future, Caleb, Mathis and Young are now to help get the team two wins with transition baskets, athleticism and hard nosed defense. These guys are physically more mature and should be getting the bulk of guard mins to support Geo.

GO RU
 
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RUsince52

All-Conference
Apr 3, 2016
6,821
2,046
0
True PG or not, right now we're not good at finishing the play so not sure if our assists would improve. Than if it's a pass to one of our bigs, they can't really finish from in close unless it's a dunk situation.
We have trouble scoring in close with normal defenses and very rarely use the backboard. Most of the other teams don't seem to have as big an issue with that part of the game. Plus they utilize the kick out pass for the 3 pointers.
 

mikefla

All-Conference
Nov 19, 2012
6,450
1,552
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"lights out shooters"can pick their team and usually pick a :Money: :MoneyBags:winning team:Money: :MoneyBags:

After this years winning season...THAT team can be :Chop banana:Rutgers:Chop banana:

I would like a "lights out shooter":uzi:.... that can fill in at point guard when need be
and
a "lights out" :uzi:forward that can rebound
 

SleepingGiantIsAwake

All-Conference
Jul 24, 2001
4,657
1,595
113
Al is 100% right on this. We need a stud true PG who will electrify the RAC.

Love Mulcahy but he’s not the answer right now. Also needs to play quicker.

I don’t agree with Kyk who’s freaking out about the offense (doesn’t matter if guys don’t hit open shots), but what has been driving me nuts is our guys off the ball DONT’ CUT!!!!!! Watch when someone penetrates particularly on the baseline, 4 guys just standing around watching. Basics!!!!!
 
Jun 7, 2001
35,942
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I specifically watched for this yesterday. Jacob Young and Baker are the only ones with the confidence to drive to the basket. Mulcahy, for the most part, is content to stay in the perimeter and pass the ball off, once contested. Mulcahy drove twice to the basket yesterday, and wound up with 3 pts and 0 assists.

Maybe Jacob Young is the point guard we need, but it would help to have someone else as well, because he's not always consistent. Young came off the bench and had 5 assists, 13 points and 3 steals, and was key to our 2nd half comeback. Terrific game for him. When your shot isn't falling, you've got to attack the rim, and we did a much better job of that in the 2nd half, which also helped us shoot better.