Ellis?

[vancedave56]

He's only a freshman 1/3 of the way through a season...not that uncommon.

Many people don't get "life" figured out until their 30's or even later. Let's keep it in perspective.

[BOBB]

He's only a freshman 1/3 of the way through a season...not that uncommon.

Many people don't get "life" figured out until their 30's or even later. Let's keep it in perspective.

Try sophomore

[t7017s]

I'm just not sure about the kid. He doesn't seem to know wth is going on on the court ever. He doesn't seem to know where he needs to be or where his man is or how to not throw his long arms into his mans lap when they have the ball. I know the kid has so much potential but I just can't figure out what his deal is. Hes not one of the new kids that's "figuring it out" or "getting used to it". I'm really beginning to think he is never going to come around. Who knows why? I mean the guy just looks totally freaking depressed when he walks onto the court. I just don't get anything about this kid at all. Nothing seems to add up in my mind as to what his deal is.

Wow, let's not throw the kid under the bus...

Did you notice last night that when Hawkins got his 2 chances at dunks the whole bench jumped to their feet and got excited... Ellis just sat there with no emotion at all. Something is wrong. I can't help but wonder what. I have my own ideas as to whats going on but I'm not about to start speculation on here. I want the kid to do well and I have nothing against him at all. Seems like an alright guy and all that but something isn't right with him and I don't think I'm the only one that's concerned about it or seeing it. I hope he comes around and gets it figured out I really do but at this point I have some real doubts about that happening. Kid has loads of talent though and should be a real match up problem for most teams.

[RoyalShock]

Not sure if it was the pre or post-game show Saturday, but one of the assistants mentioned a player having some academic struggles in the fall. I'm pretty sure that player he named was Ellis. (Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.)

If you'll recall, he wasn't admitted to USC due to academic concerns (even though he met NCAA requirements).

If he's struggling in school and unhappy with either his play or minutes on the court I could see where his attitude might suffer. Hopefully it's not something more personal and he can get back on course. I would hate to see him squander away an opportunity he won't get back (getting a quality education for free while playing college b-ball).

[ISASO]

C'mon Aaron! We're pullin' for ya man!

[C0|dB|00ded]

Regardless of Aaron's struggles on or off the court, we don't want to lose a 6'9" player right now... He causes some matchup problems even when he doesn't make much noise on the scoreboard.


T


...8)

[Kung Wu]

It's no problem really .. we just duct tape his butt to an office chair and roll him into the tape room and force him to watch back-to-back viewings of Hoosiers, Rudy, Invincible, followed up with Rocky 2.

If that doesn't cure him then he's a lost soul forever.

[Shocker85]

Regardless of Aaron's struggles on or off the court, we don't want to lose a 6'9" player right now... He causes some matchup problems even when he doesn't make much noise on the scoreboard.

A player that doesn't score and doesn't play defense DOES NOT create match-up problems - ever - regardless of size. Other teams can ignore him or let there be a mis-match because all he does is mope around.

--'85.

[RoyalShock]

I'm not sure whatever matchup problem Ellis is creating works to WSU's benefit. Let's compare Ellis' last five games and Griskenas' last three (he didn't play against Tech or TCU):

Ellis: 37 minutes, 4 points, 7 rebounds, 6 fouls, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, 0 blocks.

Griskenas: 31 minutes, 8 points, 6 rebounds, 3 fouls, 3 assists, 0 turnovers, 3 blocks.

If you want to limit Ellis's number to the same games as Griz, he's at 11 minutes, 0 points, 3 rebounds, 3 fouls, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 0 blocks.

You could point to defense, but 1 foul per 6 minutes played is not a good average. Combine that with 0 blocks and 0 steals and it's tough to make a case.

He should create matchup problems, but 11 games in and we've yet to see it. I have no problem with him getting spot minutes, but until he gets things figured out I'd rather have Griz. And if Ellis isn't careful, he may become the 3rd option at PF next year behind Blair and Hamilton. And if Coy picks WSU, he'll be 3rd or 4th at SF. (Hawkins, Coy, Hatch)

[C0|dB|00ded]

Regardless of Aaron's struggles on or off the court, we don't want to lose a 6'9" player right now... He causes some matchup problems even when he doesn't make much noise on the scoreboard.

A player that doesn't score and doesn't play defense DOES NOT create match-up problems - ever - regardless of size. Other teams can ignore him or let there be a mis-match because all he does is mope around.

--'85.

He creates problems even at his current capacity, I can assure you. He is quick for a 6'9" guy and causes guards to rethink their lanes when he is running around. Sure, we would like to have everybody score 10 pts a game but that doesn't always happen. He's had some okay rebounding efforts and a few steals here and there. He also averages over 25% of a games minutes. You don't want this kid slipping into the abyss.

As bad as he is, he is no Mantas. If Ellis slips away then there goes HCGM's entire recruiting class...


T


...8)

[C0|dB|00ded]

I'm not sure whatever matchup problem Ellis is creating works to WSU's benefit. Let's compare Ellis' last five games and Griskenas' last three (he didn't play against Tech or TCU):

Ellis: 37 minutes, 4 points, 7 rebounds, 6 fouls, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, 0 blocks.

Griskenas: 31 minutes, 8 points, 6 rebounds, 3 fouls, 3 assists, 0 turnovers, 3 blocks.

If you want to limit Ellis's number to the same games as Griz, he's at 11 minutes, 0 points, 3 rebounds, 3 fouls, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 0 blocks.

You could point to defense, but 1 foul per 6 minutes played is not a good average. Combine that with 0 blocks and 0 steals and it's tough to make a case.

He should create matchup problems, but 11 games in and we've yet to see it. I have no problem with him getting spot minutes, but until he gets things figured out I'd rather have Griz. And if Ellis isn't careful, he may become the 3rd option at PF next year behind Blair and Hamilton. And if Coy picks WSU, he'll be 3rd or 4th at SF. (Hawkins, Coy, Hatch)

Mantas over Ellis? Ummm.... no.

Ellis doubles Mantas' rebound average and can actually steal a ball or two. As measly as his point average is, it is still more than Mantas.

I feel sorry for Mantas but he has a lot of things going against him right now. If he would have had a third knee he would have blown it out on that breakaway dunk the other night...

Ellis' last 5 game trend is disturbing though... let's just hope that is a glitch because he certainly has a better "body" than Mantas.


T


...8)

[RoyalShock]

When you normalize the minutes per game, their rebounding numbers are virtually identical:

Ellis: 12.5 mpg, 2.8 rpg
Griz: 6.6 mpg, 1.4 rpg

If you give Ellis' minutes to Griz, he averages 2.7 ppg. Ellis is at 1.7 ppg.

With half the minutes, Griz has twice the assists per game.

Add their assists and steals per game, then compare to turnovers - Ellis: 0.7 to 0.7, a wash. Griz: 0.6 to 0.0, a positive.

Just for fun let's compare all the miscellaneous per-game stats. Add assists, steals, blocks. Compare to turnovers and fouls - Ellis: 0.7 to 2.7 (significant overall negative). Griz: 1.3 to 0.7 (moderate overall positive).

Ellis is not performing to his capabilities. Until he does, Mantas gives the team more production with fewer mistakes.

[pinstripers]

Mantas is a better player, right now, no doubt.

[C0|dB|00ded]

When you normalize the minutes per game, their rebounding numbers are virtually identical:

Ellis: 12.5 mpg, 2.8 rpg
Griz: 6.6 mpg, 1.4 rpg

If you give Ellis' minutes to Griz, he averages 2.7 ppg. Ellis is at 1.7 ppg.

With half the minutes, Griz has twice the assists per game.

Add their assists and steals per game, then compare to turnovers - Ellis: 0.7 to 0.7, a wash. Griz: 0.6 to 0.0, a positive.

Just for fun let's compare all the miscellaneous per-game stats. Add assists, steals, blocks. Compare to turnovers and fouls - Ellis: 0.7 to 2.7 (significant overall negative). Griz: 1.3 to 0.7 (moderate overall positive).

Ellis is not performing to his capabilities. Until he does, Mantas gives the team more production with fewer mistakes.

You're making a BIG ASSumption that Mantas can handle Aaron's minutes. I personally think he would leave his knees at center court.

Aaron brings intangibles to the game at 6'9" that Mantas doesn't. That is why HCGM plays him more.


T


...8)

[1979Shocker]

And if Coy picks WSU, he'll be 3rd or 4th at SF. (Hawkins, Coy, Hatch)

Hatch hasn't been any better.

His last 5 games: 50 minutes, 3 points, 3 rebounds, 6 fouls, 4 assists, 5 turnovers, 1 block.