Just my rambling thoughts on our current, healthy personnel and what I think their ideal role on a team should be.
Braeuer - What can one say? He's the heart and soul of this team and probably one of two players who is a natural fit for his position. With only a few exceptions, is probably the only player who I have a hard time finding any fault with, game in, game out.
Mekel - He's still young and has had a lot put on his shoulders this year due to adversity. Has the skills of a PG, but lacks the quickness to be effective and doesn't seem to understand how the game is played at that position in USA, D-1 basketball. A misfit, if you will. He should probably be a first-guard-off-the-bench type of player.
Couisnard - A gifted athlete who is perhaps a little undersized given his skillset. Every game he tends to lose focus a time or two with a bad reach-in foul or charge. Seems to be most effective when he has teammates on the floor that can compliment his level of play. He's a good fit for his swingman position.
Clemente - He does one thing very well - rebound. Brings lots of energy to the floor. But he's small for a PF. His shooting form is poor and as a result has trouble finishing. He relies too much on a quick release being the best chance for the shot to go in. Ideally, Ramon should be a quality backup PF, a spark off the bench.
Thomasson - Decent all-around forward playing center. Good jumper and can beat a defender to the basket. Like PJ, can lose focus and pick up the proverbial "dumb foul". He's starting PF material if you have a pretty good center.
Durley - Prototypical PF on offense. Prototypical juco player on defense. For all the flashes of brilliance, there's something missing or wrong. Whether it's attitude, effort or whatever, isn't ready to be in a regular D-1 rotation.
Ellis - A small-forward in a combo-forward's body. He's decently athletic and can shoot relatively well. But doesn't quite understand how to play at this level yet. At this point in his career, Aaron should be red-shirting.
Harris, Preadom - Walk-on or D2-caliber players being asked to do more than they are equipped to handle, although Lance has stepped up and gotten the most of his ability.
When I look at this team and see only two players (MB, PJ) who are playing their suited positions, it is no wonder we struggle to score, keep the other team from scoring, and end up with post players in foul trouble. Combine that with what appears to be a lack of in-game toughness and determination when the other team puts up a fight, and you have a coach's nightmare.
While I have my preferences with how some players should be handled in the offseason, I'll accept whatever changes Marshall and his staff feel need to be made, even if I don't agree.
Braeuer - What can one say? He's the heart and soul of this team and probably one of two players who is a natural fit for his position. With only a few exceptions, is probably the only player who I have a hard time finding any fault with, game in, game out.
Mekel - He's still young and has had a lot put on his shoulders this year due to adversity. Has the skills of a PG, but lacks the quickness to be effective and doesn't seem to understand how the game is played at that position in USA, D-1 basketball. A misfit, if you will. He should probably be a first-guard-off-the-bench type of player.
Couisnard - A gifted athlete who is perhaps a little undersized given his skillset. Every game he tends to lose focus a time or two with a bad reach-in foul or charge. Seems to be most effective when he has teammates on the floor that can compliment his level of play. He's a good fit for his swingman position.
Clemente - He does one thing very well - rebound. Brings lots of energy to the floor. But he's small for a PF. His shooting form is poor and as a result has trouble finishing. He relies too much on a quick release being the best chance for the shot to go in. Ideally, Ramon should be a quality backup PF, a spark off the bench.
Thomasson - Decent all-around forward playing center. Good jumper and can beat a defender to the basket. Like PJ, can lose focus and pick up the proverbial "dumb foul". He's starting PF material if you have a pretty good center.
Durley - Prototypical PF on offense. Prototypical juco player on defense. For all the flashes of brilliance, there's something missing or wrong. Whether it's attitude, effort or whatever, isn't ready to be in a regular D-1 rotation.
Ellis - A small-forward in a combo-forward's body. He's decently athletic and can shoot relatively well. But doesn't quite understand how to play at this level yet. At this point in his career, Aaron should be red-shirting.
Harris, Preadom - Walk-on or D2-caliber players being asked to do more than they are equipped to handle, although Lance has stepped up and gotten the most of his ability.
When I look at this team and see only two players (MB, PJ) who are playing their suited positions, it is no wonder we struggle to score, keep the other team from scoring, and end up with post players in foul trouble. Combine that with what appears to be a lack of in-game toughness and determination when the other team puts up a fight, and you have a coach's nightmare.
While I have my preferences with how some players should be handled in the offseason, I'll accept whatever changes Marshall and his staff feel need to be made, even if I don't agree.
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