All in all, very successful season. A win or two in the tourney would have been a cherry but we were right there. CMF can sell back to back postseasons, the most recent being the NCAA. Making the tournament at UGA is never negligible. I wanted to see more, but considering injuries and an overall lack of quality depth, I am damn proud of what this team accomplished.
JJ-- Potential game breaker. Today was further demonstration of what I'm seeing as his achilles heel and what he needs to work on....DRIVING THE BASKETBALL! I think JJ's biggest focus this offseason is decision making and shooting on the dribble drive. Because people are constantly overplaying him to shoot, he can get the paint like a mad man, but he generally doesn't have anyone to dish to for a high percentage look or B) They give him some room and he just can't finish--some are blocked, some are altered, most are just off. I think if he could finish a bit better on the drive, his game could really open up, and yes, I know it's an underdog story, but I truly think if he just works on a couple aspects of his game (especially how to handle the ball on the drive when he has space), he could truly be an All SEC 1st or 2nd team type....a truly dynamic player next year and the year after. Knowing JJ, I almost assume he will make great strides in his weaker areas.
Kenny Gaines--I hope health was the reason he didn't quite perform with the gusto and consistency we wanted. Hoping and betting on strong senior season.
Mann-- played great today. He knows he needs to get better. Wouldn't it be something if he really "broke out" next year. Regardless, at minimum, we will see small strides as the coaches and he definitely seem committed and aware of fixing shortcomings with turnovers, FT's, etc.
Nemi/Marcus--what can you say? Lost two DGD's. Nemi played his heart out all down the stretch. It was he and not Marcus who was our MVP over the last few games of SEC play into the tourney. Both had tremendous senior years and were leaders in their way. Maten is a star in the making and will be better than either eventually but he's gotta grow up quick. Ogbeide needs to step in an play a lot and be helpful on D and rebounding and just make the chippies and dunks.
Juwan Parker--most underappreciated player we have. I don't think most grasp the intangibles he brings. Great defender and rebounder. Nice pull up mid range jumper. Developing the three. I think he will surprise next year--with Turtle and Wilridge along with Cam and Geno, our back court is gonna be ridiculously deep.
Yante--already commented. Truly believe he has a shot to make it in the NBA. Gonna be close probably but a solid rotational player, depending on development, I could see it. Very excited about 2+ more years with both him and JJ and 3 more whole years of Yante!
Cam/Geno--bit of a log jam. We could afford for Geno to transfer. He isn't completely useless but unless we are injury stricken again, we won't need both these guys. CAM WILL NOT AND CANNOT PLAY MUCH 4. He cannot shoot or defend athletic wings--he's too slow. He cannot play physical enough to play in the post extended minutes. He has the length but not the strength. Definitely a quirky reserve who will help at times but not a cornerstone. I seem to be in the minority but if he is in the top 3 in minutes played at the 4 next season, I will eat my hat.
Kessler - gonna play a bigger role than we want unless rumors of imminent big recruiting news is true.
Iduwe - wild card. Looks raw and maybe no bueno. I am patient and open-minded, however.
Turtle, Ogbeide, Wilridge - I see Turtle and Ogbeide playing meaningful minutes. Hope they can especially with Ogbeide.
We are so deep at guard. Let Geno go or have Kessler walk on to gain a scholly. Hell, maybe Iduwe leaves.
All in all, the state of our program is STRONG! Can't wait to see how things shake out with recruiting over the next month or so. Methinks we have some serious momentum. If we can make the dance again next year, have some recruits up for some marquee games with good crowds, and Jonas and Yasir work some magic, this program could really be beginning to take flight.
GATA.
This post was edited on 3/21 12:59 PM by BarkingBulldawg
JJ-- Potential game breaker. Today was further demonstration of what I'm seeing as his achilles heel and what he needs to work on....DRIVING THE BASKETBALL! I think JJ's biggest focus this offseason is decision making and shooting on the dribble drive. Because people are constantly overplaying him to shoot, he can get the paint like a mad man, but he generally doesn't have anyone to dish to for a high percentage look or B) They give him some room and he just can't finish--some are blocked, some are altered, most are just off. I think if he could finish a bit better on the drive, his game could really open up, and yes, I know it's an underdog story, but I truly think if he just works on a couple aspects of his game (especially how to handle the ball on the drive when he has space), he could truly be an All SEC 1st or 2nd team type....a truly dynamic player next year and the year after. Knowing JJ, I almost assume he will make great strides in his weaker areas.
Kenny Gaines--I hope health was the reason he didn't quite perform with the gusto and consistency we wanted. Hoping and betting on strong senior season.
Mann-- played great today. He knows he needs to get better. Wouldn't it be something if he really "broke out" next year. Regardless, at minimum, we will see small strides as the coaches and he definitely seem committed and aware of fixing shortcomings with turnovers, FT's, etc.
Nemi/Marcus--what can you say? Lost two DGD's. Nemi played his heart out all down the stretch. It was he and not Marcus who was our MVP over the last few games of SEC play into the tourney. Both had tremendous senior years and were leaders in their way. Maten is a star in the making and will be better than either eventually but he's gotta grow up quick. Ogbeide needs to step in an play a lot and be helpful on D and rebounding and just make the chippies and dunks.
Juwan Parker--most underappreciated player we have. I don't think most grasp the intangibles he brings. Great defender and rebounder. Nice pull up mid range jumper. Developing the three. I think he will surprise next year--with Turtle and Wilridge along with Cam and Geno, our back court is gonna be ridiculously deep.
Yante--already commented. Truly believe he has a shot to make it in the NBA. Gonna be close probably but a solid rotational player, depending on development, I could see it. Very excited about 2+ more years with both him and JJ and 3 more whole years of Yante!
Cam/Geno--bit of a log jam. We could afford for Geno to transfer. He isn't completely useless but unless we are injury stricken again, we won't need both these guys. CAM WILL NOT AND CANNOT PLAY MUCH 4. He cannot shoot or defend athletic wings--he's too slow. He cannot play physical enough to play in the post extended minutes. He has the length but not the strength. Definitely a quirky reserve who will help at times but not a cornerstone. I seem to be in the minority but if he is in the top 3 in minutes played at the 4 next season, I will eat my hat.
Kessler - gonna play a bigger role than we want unless rumors of imminent big recruiting news is true.
Iduwe - wild card. Looks raw and maybe no bueno. I am patient and open-minded, however.
Turtle, Ogbeide, Wilridge - I see Turtle and Ogbeide playing meaningful minutes. Hope they can especially with Ogbeide.
We are so deep at guard. Let Geno go or have Kessler walk on to gain a scholly. Hell, maybe Iduwe leaves.
All in all, the state of our program is STRONG! Can't wait to see how things shake out with recruiting over the next month or so. Methinks we have some serious momentum. If we can make the dance again next year, have some recruits up for some marquee games with good crowds, and Jonas and Yasir work some magic, this program could really be beginning to take flight.
GATA.
This post was edited on 3/21 12:59 PM by BarkingBulldawg
