Question about Player Positions

[Kung Wu]

Question: Do you all agree that these are the natural positions for these players?

1) DWilliams, JRagland

2) DKyles

3) GHatch, BSmith, TMurry

4) AEllis, GBlair

5) GStutz, JDurley


If you don't agree, I'd like to see how you break it down.

If you do agree, then there is an obvious void in our lineup at the two -- which is exactly why TMurry gets so much time on the pitch even when he is in a slump. He is NEEDED out there at the two -- so he has spent the ENTIRE season learning/playing two positions that aren't natural for him. That in and of itself is impressive.

The only improvement I can see is to try moving Ben to the 2 since he is hitting his threes impressively. That puts Toure back at the three and we are rockin'.

Good job doing your best trying to fill in the hole Toure! Keep your chin up and let's get some wins in the NIT.

Again if you don't agree with the premise, then the above observation is moot so I would like to see your breakdown.

[RoyalShock]

DWill has the body of a PG, but the skillset, due to mental lapses you can't tolerate out of your PG, of a SG.

Kyles is a SF in my mind, but I'm not sure what he is in his mind. If he isn't going to be a slasher like he's capable of, then he's best at the SG.

Durley is a more of a PF than a C.

[ShockTalk]

Pretty much agree, Royal. DWill looks a lot more comfortable at the 2.

I'm not sure that it makes much difference whether your 2 or 3 can slash to the hole. No doubt Kyles has the best tools for doing it. What's key is that you have from the 2/3 positions one who can slash, one who can pop the 3, or one or both be able to do both skills. If DK would drive more often, he might just find that the defense will be giving him more room to hit the 3 and won't over play it.

Durley's best position is PF. I thought that's why when he and GS were in a the same time, they looked good together most of the time.

[Snapshot9]

Pretty much except I would have Murry at the 2.

[wu_shizzle]

Pretty much except I would have Murry at the 2.

Why do you think that the 2 should be his natural position?

For me, a 2 guard better shoot around 40% from 3 unless he's exceptional at every other aspect of the game, offense and defense.

[ShockTalk]

Pretty much except I would have Murry at the 2.

Who do you invision backing up Smith for 15 minutes a game?

[NCAABound]

As with a lot of our guards, TM is a tweener. Not a good enough shooter to be considered a 2, but not tall enough to be a pure 3 (but his "length" makes up for a lot of it). IMO a pure 3 is a 6-5/6-6 slasher who can shoot a decent and drive and finish.

[tropicalshox]

If DK would drive more often, he might just find that the defense will be giving him more room to hit the 3 and won't over play it.

It's the weak part of his game according to the coach. Perhaps he can improve during his senior year, but don't count on it. IMO if he has a little room he's pretty good driving the base line and hitting a pull up jumper. But he's not strong at creating a shot or play. He is a 2. Same goes for Ben Smith. Driving to the basket from the outside is new to him but he's a 3. He doesn't have the handles and dribbling skills for a guard.

William's needs to be a 2. It doesn't look like he will cut it consistently at the pg.

I agree with Royal with JT at the 4. We would of been much better off if Garrett could of stayed on the floor more. It's mostly a defensive problem. This aspect of Garrett's game could be a key for next year.

[pinstripers]

Smith is a great player in spots, but he cannot drive nor handle.

[SHOXAAC]

PG: Rags is the man moving forward and I feel he has the makeup to be a leader at the point. Expect him to shoot better from the arc, while also getting into the lane. His A-TO ratio should give us great hope at this position. D-Will is like a man without a country. He is neither a PG or a SG. He can't be trusted running the offense as it bogs down with him at the helm, and doesn't appear to have the instincts to even be an effective and consistent part-time captain. As a SG he needs time and space to get off a shot. He is not Gal Mekel in that regard, but he is close.

SG: On defense, Kyles is an outstanding SG. He can guard and rebound when he wants to. On Offense he is a shooter and a shooter only...PERIOD. I just wish he would take more shots in the rhythm and flow of the offense. Murry is the stop-gap until next year when he will either have a short memory and forget this whole year and work on becoming tough and relentless, or he won't.

SF: Smith is IMO the only option now and going forward. He is our best long-range shooting option. He has shown to be very adequate on defense, including rebounding, and has shown a nice ability to having a nose for the ball, like we have seen with Hatch. Speaking of Hatch, yes is is tough and will dive through a brick wall, but he is so limited on offense. He can only shoot when he has time and space. He is not a very good passer. He is not very good at creating his own shot. He can be counted on to guard on defense. Insert Murry here as well. He can defend and guard.

PF: Durley is by far our most skilled option here, but has shown to be adequate at guarding the post. It's nice to see a 4/5 guy that has the ability to shoot the deep ball, but at times he seems to settle for that shot at the expense of the offense. I like his skill down low, however I do think he was the black hole at times. He needed a greater variety of moves IMO. Out of 10 low post opportunities, 8 times he would back a defender down, which would take several seconds. The other 2 times he would move laterally or spin. He needed more variety and would have easily been the best "player" in the conference.

Ellis got the most out of his ability. I am happy for what he brought to the team.

Blair shot 51% from the Field, but it didn't seem like it to me. I recall so many easy "bunnies" he, and others, missed. But what a tenacious player. He is fun to watch.

Post: Garrett can be a terrific MVC post player if he would just eliminate the fouls. His MO for a foul is standing with his arms pointed toward the sky as the defender crashes into him. Waiting for an official to call an offensive foul like that on a 7-footer would make your hair turn gray. Act like a 7-footer and either go up and block the shot or position your body to prepare to rebound. It has been said by several "Garrett is a guard in a centers body." He just lacks a mean streak that I don't think is in him, or we would have seen it by now.

[shock]

PG: Rags is the man moving forward and I feel he has the makeup to be a leader at the point. Expect him to shoot better from the arc, while also getting into the lane. His A-TO ratio should give us great hope at this position. D-Will is like a man without a country. He is neither a PG or a SG. He can't be trusted running the offense as it bogs down with him at the helm, and doesn't appear to have the instincts to even be an effective and consistent part-time captain. As a SG he needs time and space to get off a shot. He is not Gal Mekel in that regard, but he is close.

SG: On defense, Kyles is an outstanding SG. He can guard and rebound when he wants to. On Offense he is a shooter and a shooter only...PERIOD. I just wish he would take more shots in the rhythm and flow of the offense. Murry is the stop-gap until next year when he will either have a short memory and forget this whole year and work on becoming tough and relentless, or he won't.

SF: Smith is IMO the only option now and going forward. He is our best long-range shooting option. He has shown to be very adequate on defense, including rebounding, and has shown a nice ability to having a nose for the ball, like we have seen with Hatch. Speaking of Hatch, yes is is tough and will dive through a brick wall, but he is so limited on offense. He can only shoot when he has time and space. He is not a very good passer. He is not very good at creating his own shot. He can be counted on to guard on defense. Insert Murry here as well. He can defend and guard.

PF: Durley is by far our most skilled option here, but has shown to be adequate at guarding the post. It's nice to see a 4/5 guy that has the ability to shoot the deep ball, but at times he seems to settle for that shot at the expense of the offense. I like his skill down low, however I do think he was the black hole at times. He needed a greater variety of moves IMO. Out of 10 low post opportunities, 8 times he would back a defender down, which would take several seconds. The other 2 times he would move laterally or spin. He needed more variety and would have easily been the best "player" in the conference.

Ellis got the most out of his ability. I am happy for what he brought to the team.

Blair shot 51% from the Field, but it didn't seem like it to me. I recall so many easy "bunnies" he, and others, missed. But what a tenacious player. He is fun to watch.

Post: Garrett can be a terrific MVC post player if he would just eliminate the fouls. His MO for a foul is standing with his arms pointed toward the sky as the defender crashes into him. Waiting for an official to call an offensive foul like that on a 7-footer would make your hair turn gray. Act like a 7-footer and either go up and block the shot or position your body to prepare to rebound. It has been said by several "Garrett is a guard in a centers body." He just lacks a mean streak that I don't think is in him, or we would have seen it by now.

I can't remember where i heard it, but GS defers to the seniors. I think next year he will step up and, honestly, I think HCGM will run the offense through him. All year long, we saw flashes and glimpses of the player he can be, and yes, he needs to work on his D, but next year will be the year of Garrett Stutz. I just can't get that step through one handed jam from a few games ago out of my head.

[DaShox]

Stutz
2008-09: 4.2ppg, 2.6 rpg, 47.1%FG, 12.5 mpg
2009-2010: 7.8ppg, 4.4rpg, 48.3%FG, 16.5mpg
2010-2011: 6.8ppg, 3.4rpg, 52%FG, 14.3mpg


The improvement many seek will never happen.

[tropicalshox]

Stutz
2008-09: 4.2ppg, 2.6 rpg, 47.1%FG, 12.5 mpg
2009-2010: 7.8ppg, 4.4rpg, 48.3%FG, 16.5mpg
2010-2011: 6.8ppg, 3.4rpg, 52%FG, 14.3mpg


The improvement many seek will never happen.

I think his numbers go way up next year. I'm not saying he will be all conference 1st team but he's going to see a lot more time. If they don't it's because of foul trouble and defensive woes and we might be in trouble. It appears the plan is for him to be the 5 and Hall to be the 4.

[DaShox]

If Garrett plays 22 mpg, which he has never done, he will average about 11 ppg.

A 4.2 ppg improvement. That is the best you can hope for.

[tropicalshox]

If Garrett plays 22 mpg, which he has never done, he will average about 11 ppg.

A 4.2 ppg improvement. That is the best you can hope for.

About what I'm thinking.