Postgame Breakdown - Augusta (Exhibition 11/2/16)

[shockmonster]

When we lost the lead, CF was sitting on the bench. When he was inserted back into the game, the lead was very close. Conner was the player who was our biggest leader from the time he re-entered, to the end of the game. He calmed the team down, took control of the ball, and was our biggest leader on the court. His handles were good, he made good decisions, and took the team under his wing. This is what he did best this afternoon, and that was the time his game was closest to what Fred would do.

[wufan]

When we lost the lead, CF was sitting on the bench. When he was inserted back into the game, the lead was very close. Conner was the player who was our biggest leader from the time he re-entered, to the end of the game. He calmed the team down, took control of the ball, and was our biggest leader on the court. His handles were good, he made good decisions, and took the team under his wing. This is what he did best this afternoon, and that was the time his game was closest to what Fred would do.

Same thing at the beginning of the game. Shamet and Brown started, and we were slow to get going. Conner came in and we started to get going. The second half also started with Conner and we played quite well until the reserves came in. Shaq can't be discounted in the equation however. He was involved in all thegood Shocker moments as well.

[proshox]

One of the TV commentators said he asked CF if he lprefers SG or PG. Conner says he likes point because he likes the ball in his hands. That doesn't mean he's better or worse at the 1 or the 2, but interesting NtL.

Correct. I feel like this is bizarro world. He passes the ball and facilitates the offense better than any "SG" we have had in the last ten years.

The scoreboard for WSU, KU, North, Team USA goes in the right direction when he is PG. He gets comfortable with the ball in his hands. He scores more efficiently when he creates his own shot.

I assume people just don't understand where and when the ball is supposed to go. Otherwise they would get why he is effective as a PG.

[shockmonster]

Same thing at the beginning of the game. Shamet and Brown started, and we were slow to get going. Conner came in and we started to get going. The second half also started with Conner and we played quite well until the reserves came in. Shaq can't be discounted in the equation however. He was involved in all thegood Shocker moments as well.

I agree with you and I think that Conner seemed to know to get the ball to Shaq at the end of the game.

[Steeleshocker]

While I think Conner isn't the type of point guard to break down a defense and create for others as much, he did get us into our offensive flow quickly without a lot of dribbling. Landry is much better at creating for himself and others, but didn't seem to have as much success getting the offense to flow.

Daishon and Conner should be our primary point guards with AR sprinkled in until he gets up to speed and then move Conner more over to SG.

[wufan]

While I think Conner isn't the type of point guard to break down a defense and create for others as much, he did get us into our offensive flow quickly without a lot of dribbling. Landry is much better at creating for himself and others, but didn't seem to have as much success getting the offense to flow.

Daishon and Conner should be our primary point guards with AR sprinkled in until he gets up to speed and then move Conner more over to SG.

I was ready to like this post until the move Conner to SG part. I think CF only plays SG this year when he plays along side Daishon.

[ArtVandalay]

Shaq can, should and (crosses fingers) will be the best player in the MVC. Conditioning and effort have been the only question marks for him. He looked like he could have played 30+ minutes today and stayed out of foul trouble. Oh, and that dunk, where he started at the three point line, showed solid effort. I hope and pray shaq wants/tries/does carry this team.

[AZ Shocker]

ShaQ goes for 20!!! Yippee...finally!!! Lol

[shelback]

I was ready to like this post until the move Conner to SG part. I think CF only plays SG this year when he plays along side Daishon.

Baffles me! It was quite obvious the ball needs to be in Conner's hands when he's on the court. Hands down our most savvy High basketball IQ player on the roster.

[Shocker Mama]

ShaQ goes for 20!!! Yippee...finally!!! Lol

They said that he broke the record for points scored in an exhibition game -- Carl Hall's 23 point game against Pittsburg.

[AZ Shocker]

They said that he broke the record for points scored in an exhibition game -- Carl Hall's 23 point game against Pittsburg.

Nice!

[wufan]

Per go Shockers.com,

*Marshall used the exhibition as an opportunity to reward the five players that the staff felt had contributed the most to preseason practices. The result was a one of the larger Shocker lineups in recent memory at an average of 6-foot-7. Landry Shamet (6-4) ran the point with Zach Brown (6-6) at the no. 2 guard. Forwards Markis McDuffie (6-8) and Rashard Kelly (6-7) were joined by center Rauno Nurger (6-10).

[AZ Shocker]

I saw that too. Was intrigued yet a wee-bit concerned. I can't read into too much yet cause things can and will change throughout the season as this team grows and finds some leaders..but freshmen Laundry getting the nod over junior CF still says Conner's got some more work to do. No biggie. I guess I like the effort the freshman Shament put in during practices!!!

[Keyser Soze]

PS - and I'm honestly not trolling or baiting people, I genuinely want to know:

How would you rank Conner - AS A POINT GUARD, NOT A SHOOTING GUARD - against Clevin Hannah, Joe Ragland, Malcolm Armstead, and Fred Van Vleet?

I think his ceiling - which is all that is important here - is last among that group. I think that Daishon, Austin, and Landry have higher ceilings.

I think none of those guys have eligibility remaining so the answer to your question is not relevant. Out of the guys who have eligibility, CF is the only one who looked remotely like PG today. The timing, movement and rhythm was much worse with anyone else attempting to lead the offense.

Additionally, there is little doubt in my mind that CF will shoot much better with the ball in his hands frequently than playing off the ball. He's done the former when allowed as well as just about any jump shooter around thus far in his life and struggled with the latter whether at KU or WSU. For better or worse, having the ball in his hands frequently seems to substantially calm him and improve all other aspects of his play.

[WuDrWu]

I kind of feel like today asked more questions than it answered.

Landry Shamet - Serviceable at the 1. Very, very, very capable at the 2. Defense excellent. 7/1 A/TO works every time. Love the way he sees the floor, plays defense and looks to pass the ball. I'm slightly concerned about his shot. His release is too low. He gets away with it because he rises up like 6 feet. But he's got to fix that I think. Love how he takes it to the cup.

Conner Frankamp - Really good at the 1. Should never shoot from the right sight elbow area. It's just not his spot. His defense was really good I felt. Huge basket when we needed it. Solid, but needs more. Side note, I really think he's too hard on himself. I'd like to see him play with more enthusiasm and have fun. It's a game Conner, and you're damned good. Enjoy it.

Shaquille Morris - 24/7 in 21 minutes and he was even better than that. That works, every night. I felt like he showed excellent leadership as well.

Rauno Nurger - Wasn't bad, but needs to be better in 21 minutes. Better than 1-3, 2 boards and 3 turnovers (a couple for fouls). He'll be ok.

Rashard Kelly - I liked his energy and really everything about his game, except his shooting. Layups and dunks only young man, thank you very much. Run, jump and cause havoc.

Markis McDuffie - 1 of 5 and 7 boards. I hope he wasn't bored with the competition. Clearly he needs to press a little more. He's just too damned good to not assert himself.

Zach Brown - 3 fouls in 6 minutes. He started and barely saw the floor again. Weird. Seemed anxious to return in the 2nd half.

Austin Reaves - First, I thought his d was outstanding. His mental understanding of the game is in Fred territory. Love what he brings. Difference maker....made freshman mistakes, and will make more, but he's going to be GREAT.

Daishon Smith - Juco jitters light. Man is he fast though. We need him to understand the system just as fast. If he learns to play to his strengths, he'll be fine.

Darral Willis - Juco jitters. Let's leave it at that for now.

Eric Hamilton - Did some nice things. 6 points on 3 shots and 3 boards in 7 minutes. Only 2 fouls...but in 7 minutes. Still a long way to go but he slowed down and let the china shop come to the bull. A step in the right direction.

C.J. Keyser - Clearly the one furthest behind. He's the obvious 12 right now, in front of only JR. Maybe he'll redshirt....I doubt it. Incredible athlete and didn't play poorly at all, but was lost a lot.

J.R. Simon - Love the kid, and he does little wrong, but he's just not going to play meaningful minutes unless something awful has happened.


Overall I didn't think the guys played poorly. I loved when they turned it up full court. And they missed a BUNCH of near "atomic bombs" where a near steal would have turned into a thunder dunk, or 7. And Augusta played well, were prepared and Sherrill along with a little Monroe went nuts and turned a 20 point game into a 1 point nightmare. That's ok. But still, that's a D2 team. A really good D2 team, driven by a coach that wanted to put on a good show in front of a man he has huge respect for. Lots more positives than negatives, but clearly this isn't, YET, a top 25 type team, or frankly anywhere near it. That however doesn't mean they can't become one, and sooner than later.