McDuffie

[im4wsu]

Going to have a hard time buying any kind of "Sophomore Slump" or underachievement comments for the guy that led a program to a 31-5 record (2nd most wins ALL TIME), MVC Conference Championship, MVC Post Season Tournament Championship, Round of 32 in the NCAA and MVC 1st Team member with the most minutes, points, rebounds and steals on that team seem more based in unreal fan expectations than anything else.

Seriously, Markis led this team, one of the top 5 best teams in the history of the program, in minutes, points, rebounds and steals. If you expected more, maybe it's time to be a bit more of a realist and less of a fan. Just maybe.

We ask too much of these kids sometimes.

Was looking up these stats for Markis on a per 40 minute basis and was astounded to see that the team has 14 players who have double-digit points on a per-40 minute basis. Malone and Bush are the only two exceptions.

[ShockingButTrue]

I'm confident he'll reach that point where he mind melds with the coach...

[WUpigsooie]

A lot of people mention Markis needs improvement with ball handling. This may be true, but I think more importantly he needs to learn that at his size and length, every dribble needs to go somewhere.
Too often Markis takes a dribble that move him 2ft max. With his size, he needs to be moving 6 feet with every step on the dribble, preferably towards the basket. It was when Cle realized this that he became the scoring monster he was. When you can cover that much ground with your first step, it opens up so much more for you in terms of jabs and fakes.

He is already great. Add this to his game and he could be an all timer.

[Dan]

A lot of people mention Markis needs improvement with ball handling. This may be true, but I think more importantly he needs to learn that at his size and length, every dribble needs to go somewhere.
Too often Markis takes a dribble that move him 2ft max. With his size, he needs to be moving 6 feet with every step on the dribble, preferably towards the basket. It was when Cle realized this that he became the scoring monster he was. When you can cover that much ground with your first step, it opens up so much more for you in terms of jabs and fakes.

He is already great. Add this to his game and he could be an all timer.

Coach had mentioned something along these lines with regard to Zach and Rashard at one point during the season. He said 2-3 dribbles toward the rim, that's all the ball handling they need to do.

[wsushockerdude]

He continues to work on beefing up and handling the ball well, he's first team all conference.

[wufan]

He continues to work on beefing up and handling the ball well, he's first team all conference.

Already first team All-MVC.

[Cdizzle]

Already first team All-MVC.

I think he meant a real conference.

[forevershockerfan]

He continues to work on beefing up and handling the ball well, he's first team all conference.

This post made me think of MM as a Frosh. Somehow, he was in a huddle on the court by our foes. Not sure if he was listening in or just being a Freshman but was removed out of the area by one of the opposing foes. Mr. Kelly quickly arrived to suggest he prolly Will keep his mitts off of MM.

[wufan]

This post made me think of MM as a Frosh. Somehow, he was in a huddle on the court by our foes. Not sure if he was listening in or just being a Freshman but was removed out of the area by one of the opposing foes. Mr. Kelly quickly arrived to suggest he prolly Will keep his mitts off of MM.

The Redbirds huddled and Markis was "out of position." He was really just a bystander.

[forevershockerfan]

The Redbirds huddled and Markis was "out of position." He was really just a bystander.

Have I mentioned over 50 times that I have only lost one fight? Yup, yup, yup. I too was a bystander but was running my mouth and then running from this gal and I tripped so she got the jump on me. I will spare you the details but was thankful it was way before the cellphone era where the whole world could watch this waterloo. Muhahahahaha.

[ShoxRoxMySox]

The thing people don't realize is that... He was junior Cle(or slightly better) while only being a sophomore himself. The only difference is Markis didn't use as many possession(we didn't need him to due to depth).

	O-Rating	D-Rating	Usage	FG%	3 FG%	FT%	Rbd Rate	Ast Rate	Stl Rate	Blk Rate	TO Rate
Cleanthony Early	117.0	96.1	28.5	45.5	31.8	79.1	13.3	5.5	1.8	4.4	11.2
Markis Mcduffie	121.8	89.1	22.4	45.8	35.5	81.9	12.2	12.2	2.6	1.4	12.3

Nice work on the stats, I was curious. The only difference so far, in my mind, is Cle always seemed he could take over any game he wanted, but didn't need to most nights. Markis can't pick and choose his games to take over when he wants, but sometimes it just comes to him and he dominates. Just my two cents, we were lucky to get both of them!

[jocoshock]

McDuffie needs to work on nothing but ball handling and footwork drills for the next six months.

Edit: When he's not eating cheeseburgers and doing squats.

Exactly!

[proshox]

Nice work on the stats, I was curious. The only difference so far, in my mind, is Cle always seemed he could take over any game he wanted, but didn't need to most nights. Markis can't pick and choose his games to take over when he wants, but sometimes it just comes to him and he dominates. Just my two cents, we were lucky to get both of them!

Exactly. MM has not been able to create his own baskets.

He can hit pocket threes, score on offensive putbacks, and finish the occasional fast break.

With Cleanthony WSU could just give him the ball and he would score. He did this while having amazing gravitational pull on the defense. Without the ball he had his defender on him (as tight as possible) and the remaining off ball defenders cheated his way. The defenses changed their whole shape in a hope to limit him. Also, he lead the nation on as junior in points scored per back of the basket possession.

I love MM, but he isn't near Cleanthony's level - yet.

[ShockCrazy]

Exactly. MM has not been able to create his own baskets.

He can hit pocket threes, score on offensive putbacks, and finish the occasional fast break.

With Cleanthony WSU could just give him the ball and he would score. He did this while having amazing gravitational pull on the defense. Without the ball he had his defender on him (as tight as possible) and the remaining off ball defenders cheated his way. The defenses changed their whole shape in a hope to limit him. Also, he lead the nation on as junior in points scored per back of the basket possession.

I love MM, but he isn't near Cleanthony's level - yet.

You are right Cle was probably better in iso situations, but when you include defense I think Markis definitely brings at least as much value.

[Rocky Mountain Shock]

Senior CE was an All-American and best player on the court against Kentucky in 2014. MM has some ground to make up, but I think he'll get there. I think we have two future AA's on this roster, and maybe more.