Austin Reaves

[ShockTalk]

The kid is uber special.

I know Mark Adams can be way over the top, but he was already drawing some RB comparisons from him. His minutes need to increase IMO. Where do they go? I dunno.

He can have a few of CF's minutes.

Reaves needs to get better defensively to get more minutes. But I think he will, and soon. The ceiling of the team is much higher with him playing more minutes than Frankamp

I don't believe CF is AR's competition for minutes. Over the first 7 games, CF was averaging just under 25 mpg. Over the last 4 games it's just under 17 mpg. Landry on the other hand never played more than 22 minutes in his first 6 games, but now, he's averaging over 25. More D-I experience, improve the D, and convince Marshall you're healthy to play more minutes and Landry and Daishon are his competition.

I think Marshall is being very careful with Reaves and not going to over play him. I'd be surprised if he plays more than 20 minutes in a game (unless he's taking LS or DS minutes). Coach has the luxury of having 4 pretty solid guards and does not want to over work any of them. Keep giving all of them more experience. Fred and Ron had to play 30+ minutes often out of necessity. These 4 are not that far apart, at this time anyway.

[SHOXAAC]

I do agree with you on not over playing AR. But if he does get a few more minutes per game, I think it will come at the expense of CF. They both play PG/SG.

[ShockTalk]

I do agree with you on not over playing AR. But if he does get a few more minutes per game, I think it will come at the expense of CF. They both play PG/SG.

Here's my thinking:

1) CF is not likely to go under averaging 15 mpg. He's been playing 17 mpg over the last 4. He's an upper classman. At the OU game, after he made a 3, he was running back and directing players. After DS made his late 3, he started to celebrate to soon and CF quickly got him into position. He does some of the little things the other 3 many not be doing as well yet.

2) If DS can consistently play like yesterday, he's not giving up many minutes.

3) Landry, like AR, is a freshman and his play may be more vulnerable to losing some minutes as he's been playing at around 25 mpg lately. I think that is the max, maybe more than Marshall wants any of these 4 to play at this time unless one breaks away from the other 3. LS has the advantage of knowing system better and better D, but AR is learning quickly. AR has the advantage of his passing.

Stat comparison if AR played LS minutes:

LS : 8.3 ppg / 7.8 shots pg / 3.0 rpg / 2.7 apg / 0.6 spg / 0.1 bpg / 1.0 TOpg / .385 FG% / .810 FT% / .318 3pt%

AR :11.2 ppg/ 6.3 shots pg / 3.6 rpg / 2.6 apg / 1.1 spg / 0.3 bpg / 0.8 TOpg / .579 FG% / .714 FT% / .538 3pt%

4) As you said, AR can play both PG/SG. That means he can take minutes from either position.

[ShockingButTrue]

I knew Lutz got a lot of his info from this board, but I had no idea he had so many accounts.

[molly jabali]

I love Austin as much as the next but your statement of a higher ceiling is just conjecture. Some on here feel the need to beat up Conner just because they like Austin and DS. There is no need to force rank. All of are players are doing well. No need to badmouth. I'm sure Greg will play those who give the team the highest ceiling regardless of how many coaches on here feel they are better suited. Conner made some great plays vs OU notwithstanding his missed shots.

This

[Jhook89]

The fact that 3 years from now, god willing, Reeves and Shamet will still be in our backcourt is very comforting.

[ShockingButTrue]

The fact that 3 years from now, god willing, Reeves and Shamet will still be in our backcourt is very comforting.

Mmm hmm... :good:

[Stickboy46]

The fact that 3 years from now, god willing, Reeves and Shamet will still be in our backcourt is very comforting.

Barring any defections/injuries our next 4 years of backcourt look like this

2016-2017: CF, LS, AR, DS, CJK
2017-2018: CF, LS, AR, DS, CJK, SHJ
2018-2019: LS, AR, CJK, SHJ
2019-2020: LS, AR, CJK

Think about that for a minute. That's likely the best Valley back court (or better) all the way through 2020 already set.

[_kai_]

He has the confidence and swagger similar to that of Toure. Hitting big shots as a freshman, and producing efficiently when asked to be on the floor.

[shocks02]

As if we need someone from the nerd brigade (myself included) to show us with fancy numbers and what not, that Austin is a special player:
Austin's Ortg per Kenpom is 148.6, this leads the team. CF is second at 125ish.
If Austin qualified for kenpom's player rankings (played 40% of team's minutes) 148.6 would be good for 4th OVERALL.
The best Ortg's Shockers have produced in recent history -Joe Ragland ~127 in 2012, Ben Smith ~129 in 2011, FVV ~130 in 2014.

Now with more minutes and more usage (likely) that efficiency might go down but still, Holy smokes.

I know Austin still doesn't qualify because he hasn't reached 40% of the team's minutes, but since this last post his Ortg has actually increased to 149.8.

[WUpigsooie]

I know Austin still doesn't qualify because he hasn't reached 40% of the team's minutes, but since this last post his Ortg has actually increased to 149.8.

Not to be contradictory but I see him as down to 146.1 on kenpom right now. Still outstanding to go "down" to 146.

[shocks02]

Not to be contradictory but I see him as down to 146.1 on kenpom right now. Still outstanding to go "down" to 146.

I don't have access to kenpom so I used sports reference. They must use different metrics? http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/...-reaves-1.html

[WUpigsooie]

I don't have access to kenpom so I used sports reference. They must use different metrics? http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/...-reaves-1.html

Ah yes, they are slightly different, couldn't tell you how. At any rate the point still stands, the kid is crazy efficient in his limited minutes and shows no sign of slowing down soon.

[Stickboy46]

Ah yes, they are slightly different, couldn't tell you how. At any rate the point still stands, the kid is crazy efficient in his limited minutes and shows no sign of slowing down soon.

That's a higher efficiency rating than Loyola's Jackson who's currently shooting 78% on the year.

[Jamar Howard 4 President]

I love Austin as much as the next but your statement of a higher ceiling is just conjecture.

Conjecture... as are most opinions on this board... and there is nothing wrong with that.