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

[THam]

Bill Self wanted Frankamp to play the Tyrel Reed, get lost in the corner, "sniper" role at KU and he appeared less comfortable as a catch-and-shooter as he was as an off the dribble shooter in high school. Conner obviously didn't feel like that was the best use of his talents. The jury is still out on how successful he will be as a D1 point guard, but I don't think he'd be here if he wasn't set on earning that spot and if Marshall didn't think he was good enough to do so. I'm surprised the question is still being asked about which spot he'd rather play or which he'd be better at. The kid is a 1, for better or worse.

[WstateU]

Please provide a link as I have not been able to locate a replay of the game.

Sorry to disappoint, but it was on Time Warner Cable's sports channel this morning. Not aware of any online link for ya.

I believe you can still watch a replay on ESPN3; I watched a replay a couple hours after the game. Not sure how long the replays are available?

http://www.espn.com/watchespn/roadblock?watchsrc=true&device=ios&id=951124&_slug_=ncaa-outdoor-track-field-championships-presented-northwestern-mutual-day-two

Sorry, I searched and didn't see another replay offered. :(

[Aargh]

A lot of folks were super impressed with Reaves. While I'm very high on his long term potential, and believe he will be a contributor this year, here's the things I saw that lead me to believe he still has a ways to go:

On the press, Reaves tried to guard the inbounder in the middle of the defense. Kelly had to grab and throw him to the wing position. They broke the press on his side and Reaves stuck with the forward forcing Kelly to guard the PG in the offensive set.

On two occasions he nearly lost his dribble when being pressured. He was skilled enough to retain it, but several seconds ticked off the shot clock and the offense had to be reset.

He got trapped at half court, panicked and turned the ball over.

He drove to the paint and tried to hit the 7 footer over two power forwards in the lane.

There was lots of good he did, which others have eluded to, but I'm not going to go over that here. None of his mistakes make me any less confident that he will be a stud someday. There was a large gap in effectiveness between Frankamp/Shamet and Reaves yesterday.

If someone were that nit-picking about certain other players, there would be about a dozen immediate posts ripping them a new one. When you've got to go so far as to specifically mention that he ALMOST turned it over twice, then it seems you're looking awfully hard for problems.

Your list of shortcomings is spectacularly short for a Fr PG in his first game, who missed all of summer practices. Reaves was 3rd on the team in assists and A/TO (Shamet 7/1, Kelly 4/1, Reaves 3/1). We've had 4th -year Sr PG's drive into the lane and discover there was nothing they could do when they got there. I don't think I've ever seen a poster point out a PG's weakness by describing in detail his only turnover and pointing it out as a "shortcoming".

We've had other guards, better known for their shooting, go 1/4 or worse from the field when they first got on the court at CKA. When others do it, the reaction is "don't worry, we know he can shoot it, he'll be OK". When Reaves does it, it's a "shortcoming"?

[wufan]

If someone were that nit-picking about certain other players, there would be about a dozen immediate posts ripping them a new one. When you've got to go so far as to specifically mention that he ALMOST turned it over twice, then it seems you're looking awfully hard for problems.

Your list of shortcomings is spectacularly short for a Fr PG in his first game, who missed all of summer practices. Reaves was 3rd on the team in assists and A/TO (Shamet 7/1, Kelly 4/1, Reaves 3/1). We've had 4th -year Sr PG's drive into the lane and discover there was nothing they could do when they got there. I don't think I've ever seen a poster point out a PG's weakness by describing in detail his only turnover and pointing it out as a "shortcoming".

We've had other guards, better known for their shooting, go 1/4 or worse from the field when they first got on the court at CKA. When others do it, the reaction is "don't worry, we know he can shoot it, he'll be OK". When Reaves does it, it's a "shortcoming"?

The point of my thread was not to nitpick him, it was to point out that we as fans tend to see what we want to see and hear what we want to hear. Smith is quick! He's been praised by the coaches for being THE quickest PG under HCGM. He's picked up the offense faster than any JC PG we've had. Many people believe that means he's starting. I don't think so. Reaves has tons of intangibles. He's picked throngs up quickly. He's tall and has added lower body strength. He's a true PG that knows how to score. Many think that means he will be the starting PG by Valley play.

I think it best to temper expectations of the young man at least until we've seen him for more than 12 minutes. I saw many people talking about how well he handled the ball, well, to me he didn't look ready to lead the team just yet. The kid is skilled, no question. He's going to be very, very good at minimum. I'm going to enjoy watching him develop; he's a freshman after all.

[Aargh]

...we as fans tend to see what we want to see...

And you have quite clearly pointed out, in multiple posts, what you saw.

[SHOXAAC]

One time at band camp the third chair clarinet player told me once he almost saw Fred turn it over three times early in his freshman season...and he drove too deep in the lane and got his shat rejected...hell, I saw him do that as a senior too. Let's debate how Fred's career turned out.

[wufan]

And you have quite clearly pointed out, in multiple posts, what you saw.

Would it make you feel better if I said again that I'm really excited about him?

[Aargh]

If Reaves is a starter this year or next (and both Frankamp and Smith are healthy), I'll be pleasantly surprised. But I will be surprised.

I'm expecting something resembling VanVleet's Fr year. By March, Reaves could be ready for some prime time minutes. VanVleet didn't have 2 more experienced PG's in front of him his So year. Reaves will have that. If Reaves can beat both Frankamp and Smith for a starting spot next year, he's a potential 3-time all-league player.

I'm not anointing Reaves, but I did see a 6'5" PG when I watched him play. I saw a player who looked like a natural PG who did more things right than I expected at this point.

Reaves is a PG. Frankamp can play PG. There is a difference. I expect Frankamp will be the starting PG the next 2 years, but he's going to be pushed and he's going to have opportunities to improve at that position by the pressure he's going to have in practices. His practice opponents might be better (each in their own ways) than many PG's he will face in games.

[pie n eye]

Call me Lt Riggs cause I'm getting too old for this ****!

Reaves is a PG. Frankamp can play PG. That is nonsense.

Reaves looked very comfortable for a freshman. No one expected him to play perfect and I don't understand the need to point out every minor mistake in the first game of his career.

Conner, from everything I've seen so far, is the best PG on the team right now. He played well Saturday. He wasn't perfect but I don't understand the need to continually doubt him and say things like "he's not a PG" despite all the evidence to the contrary.

Who knows what will happen as the season rolls on but sometimes it feels like people are so entrenched on a certain viewpoint that they almost root against players on the team in hopes that they're proven correct.

[Topshock]

If Reaves is a starter this year or next (and both Frankamp and Smith are healthy), I'll be pleasantly surprised. But I will be surprised.

I'm expecting something resembling VanVleet's Fr year. By March, Reaves could be ready for some prime time minutes. VanVleet didn't have 2 more experienced PG's in front of him his So year. Reaves will have that. If Reaves can beat both Frankamp and Smith for a starting spot next year, he's a potential 3-time all-league player.

I'm not anointing Reaves, but I did see a 6'5" PG when I watched him play. I saw a player who looked like a natural PG who did more things right than I expected at this point.

Reaves is a PG. Frankamp can play PG. There is a difference. I expect Frankamp will be the starting PG the next 2 years, but he's going to be pushed and he's going to have opportunities to improve at that position by the pressure he's going to have in practices. His practice opponents might be better (each in their own ways) than many PG's he will face in games.

Good points. I remember Fred stated his Freshman year with, I believe, a bad ankle and started that year very slowly and impressed few out of the gate.

[AZ Shocker]

By most accounts after 1 exhibition...Conner will be the starting PG and Reeves is a natural (albeit gifted) PG...but is a freshman. Plus we have experienced Smith. In other words...I'm thinking we're pretty set up the next couple few years no???

[Cdizzle]

There is no doubt in my mind what-so-ever that Conner is our best option at point. The only times the offense had any flow to it at all yesterday was when he was at point. We have a lot we need to improve on, but Conner at point isn't one of those worries.

It is possible that Frankamp is the best current option at PG AND Frankamp being our best current option at PG is something to worry about. The two are not mutually exclusive.

I do think Frankamp is the best Frankamp while running PG. Or at least, as a ball-dominant 2. He's had the ball in his hands for 20 years. I really wish I had the data, cause I'd wager he shot 20% better off the dribble last year. It's what he's used to, and best at. I also think one of the things that helped Frankamp at the 1 was having Shamet at the 2. Shamet looked pretty good at the 2, but the offense was completely stagnant when he was running point on Saturday.

[Topshock]

We were a much better team when Frankamp was in the game. I'm sure his plus/minus was very positive.

[Shockers5150]

Connor is a really good point... quick hands, sees the floor, good handle. He needs to be ok with missing a few shots. I'd like to see him take 8-10 a game. The CF, LS, SM, MM, RK lineup was nice... Willis in for RK. Brown seems lost as to what he wants to do... not sure what kind of year he'll have.

[Dan]

The CF, LS, SM, MM, RK lineup was nice.

This group is a clear step ahead of the rest of the team right now.