I've only been to my apartment one night since the college season started and I used it to watch my DVR'd IU games, so I've yet to see Purdue play. Could you guys provide me with a critique? Any surprises? Concerns? Pretty much as expected so far?
Rundown On Purdue
- Thread starter BigRed3588
- Start date
Pros:
Biggie has fit very well w/ our system. He can play high low with our 5's & his passing ability & great effort for rebounding has really helped put AJ & Isaac into positions to succeed.
We are deep. It's early in the season but right now we have 9, maybe 10 guys who can come in & contribute valuable minutes. We also have guys that can step up each & every night. We might not have a "go-to" guy, but different nights different guys pick up the slack & have good games.
3 PT. shooting has been solid so far. We shot 40 something % during our win against Florida & that was with Stephens going 0-7. Biggie can step out & shoot it. Vince, Dakota & Rapheal both shooting around 50% from beyond the perimeter.
Point guards have played well against competition, that in theory, would have given us problems. Fast teams with strong guards haven't really phased us yet. Took us a couple possessions in the Florida game to get acclimated to the pressure but it was smooth sailing after the 15 minute mark.
Cons:
Biggie has turned the ball over 15 times in the past 3 games. He's still a freshman even though how talented he is. He needs to clean it up & we assume he will by the time conference play starts. Kid works too hard for him NOT to improve.
We have no one really who can beat anyone off the dribble. Vince & Rapheal are the two guys for that but still they don't wow anyone with their ball handling & ability to create their own shot. Might need them to develop that for later in the season.
3pt shooting & AJ have to stay consistent. We've played some solid teams but no one yet that really pushes us to the edge. Gotta see if our shots fall & AJ steps up in those situations.
Pretty shitty write-up. I'm laying in bed just going over things off the top of my head just to drum up the conversation.
Biggie has fit very well w/ our system. He can play high low with our 5's & his passing ability & great effort for rebounding has really helped put AJ & Isaac into positions to succeed.
We are deep. It's early in the season but right now we have 9, maybe 10 guys who can come in & contribute valuable minutes. We also have guys that can step up each & every night. We might not have a "go-to" guy, but different nights different guys pick up the slack & have good games.
3 PT. shooting has been solid so far. We shot 40 something % during our win against Florida & that was with Stephens going 0-7. Biggie can step out & shoot it. Vince, Dakota & Rapheal both shooting around 50% from beyond the perimeter.
Point guards have played well against competition, that in theory, would have given us problems. Fast teams with strong guards haven't really phased us yet. Took us a couple possessions in the Florida game to get acclimated to the pressure but it was smooth sailing after the 15 minute mark.
Cons:
Biggie has turned the ball over 15 times in the past 3 games. He's still a freshman even though how talented he is. He needs to clean it up & we assume he will by the time conference play starts. Kid works too hard for him NOT to improve.
We have no one really who can beat anyone off the dribble. Vince & Rapheal are the two guys for that but still they don't wow anyone with their ball handling & ability to create their own shot. Might need them to develop that for later in the season.
3pt shooting & AJ have to stay consistent. We've played some solid teams but no one yet that really pushes us to the edge. Gotta see if our shots fall & AJ steps up in those situations.
Pretty shitty write-up. I'm laying in bed just going over things off the top of my head just to drum up the conversation.
PJ Thompson: Small sample size but he has been great at the PG spot so far. Literally has not turned the ball over. Was worried about the PG match up in the PU/iu game but not anymore. Thompson went head to head against a former McDonald's All American PG when we played Florida and completely dominated the match-up. Not a flashy game but the kid plays with a huge chip on his shoulder and has made massive improvements to his game.
I am in the Paintcrew and always go to watch shoot-around before games. PJ is consistently making 90-95% of his threes during warm-ups. I know I know only shoot-around but my point is that his shooting stroke is very consistent and more than capable of averaging 38%+ from the 3-point line.
Florida schemed to leave him open and help onto other guys. PJ went 3-5 from three and finished with 15 pts showing clutch moments and very nice poise.
I am in the Paintcrew and always go to watch shoot-around before games. PJ is consistently making 90-95% of his threes during warm-ups. I know I know only shoot-around but my point is that his shooting stroke is very consistent and more than capable of averaging 38%+ from the 3-point line.
Florida schemed to leave him open and help onto other guys. PJ went 3-5 from three and finished with 15 pts showing clutch moments and very nice poise.
I would add...
Pros
- Rebounding. With Biggie, one 7-footer or the other, Vince, and some guards that are also rebounding well on the floor, we are going to win most battles of the boards this year, many by a wide margin. As B-Westy indicated, Biggie alone is going have a huge rebounding year.
- Sharing the basketball. A high percentage of our made shots have been assisted, and in general our guys make the extra pass to try to get the best shot possible.
Cons
- Turnovers. Biggie is the biggest culprit recently, but other than a couple players the team in general needs to do a little better protecting the basketball.
- Untested thus far by a game that is close at the end. Not meaning this to be a brag... We have just led all our games by a comfortable margin by the time we got to the closing minutes. It's a different kind of pressure when it's close, and this team hasn't faced it yet. We have stumbled at the end of close games before (yes, there is a game I'm thinking of in particular), which is why I call this out.
Pros
- Rebounding. With Biggie, one 7-footer or the other, Vince, and some guards that are also rebounding well on the floor, we are going to win most battles of the boards this year, many by a wide margin. As B-Westy indicated, Biggie alone is going have a huge rebounding year.
- Sharing the basketball. A high percentage of our made shots have been assisted, and in general our guys make the extra pass to try to get the best shot possible.
Cons
- Turnovers. Biggie is the biggest culprit recently, but other than a couple players the team in general needs to do a little better protecting the basketball.
- Untested thus far by a game that is close at the end. Not meaning this to be a brag... We have just led all our games by a comfortable margin by the time we got to the closing minutes. It's a different kind of pressure when it's close, and this team hasn't faced it yet. We have stumbled at the end of close games before (yes, there is a game I'm thinking of in particular), which is why I call this out.
I would add that Isaac Haas looks like a completely different player on both ends of the court. On offense, he is decisive and has developed a tremendous shooting touch on his turnaround and free throws. He also has much better awareness than last year and has become a much better passer. On defense, he's far more mobile and effective than last season.
Hammons is also playing very well, but Isaac isn't going to make it easy to reclaim his starting job.
I think your critique of IU may be a little one sided. In the games I have watched, I have been impressed by Bryant. That kid is a great player. He has terrific range in that he can catch out front and in a step, close in in the basket. He has a great first step, he is quick and decisive for a freshman. Yogi is the same Yogi we have seen before. Competent, and does set up his teammates. Nothing flashy. I would take either of those players in a heartbeat.
Williams is that player who uses his athleticism to make shots. Against a defender who matches his athleticism, I think he would struggle because I see some fundamental basketball skills lacking. He is what he is, and that is still a pretty good player. JBJ has not impressed me yet. Maybe it was just the games I watched.
As a team, their lack of stopping the dribble-drive on defense was making me crazy. They don't seem to switch on screens very well, and they don't stay in front of their man. They have allowed relatively pedestrian guards to get around them at the top of the key, and they seem vulnerable to back door cuts. Poorly disciplined on the defensive end. I also think they are not sharing the basketball (assists) all that well. As the commentators say, "they need to make that extra pass", so they shoot a lot of contested shots.
Just my 2 cents. It is still early in the season, so these faults can get corrected. In general: good players but no chemistry yet.
Williams is that player who uses his athleticism to make shots. Against a defender who matches his athleticism, I think he would struggle because I see some fundamental basketball skills lacking. He is what he is, and that is still a pretty good player. JBJ has not impressed me yet. Maybe it was just the games I watched.
As a team, their lack of stopping the dribble-drive on defense was making me crazy. They don't seem to switch on screens very well, and they don't stay in front of their man. They have allowed relatively pedestrian guards to get around them at the top of the key, and they seem vulnerable to back door cuts. Poorly disciplined on the defensive end. I also think they are not sharing the basketball (assists) all that well. As the commentators say, "they need to make that extra pass", so they shoot a lot of contested shots.
Just my 2 cents. It is still early in the season, so these faults can get corrected. In general: good players but no chemistry yet.
Who's minutes would you give to Bryant?I think your critique of IU may be a little one sided. In the games I have watched, I have been impressed by Bryant. That kid is a great player. He has terrific range in that he can catch out front and in a step, close in in the basket. He has a great first step, he is quick and decisive for a freshman. Yogi is the same Yogi we have seen before. Competent, and does set up his teammates. Nothing flashy. I would take either of those players in a heartbeat.
Williams is that player who uses his athleticism to make shots. Against a defender who matches his athleticism, I think he would struggle because I see some fundamental basketball skills lacking. He is what he is, and that is still a pretty good player. JBJ has not impressed me yet. Maybe it was just the games I watched.
As a team, their lack of stopping the dribble-drive on defense was making me crazy. They don't seem to switch on screens very well, and they don't stay in front of their man. They have allowed relatively pedestrian guards to get around them at the top of the key, and they seem vulnerable to back door cuts. Poorly disciplined on the defensive end. I also think they are not sharing the basketball (assists) all that well. As the commentators say, "they need to make that extra pass", so they shoot a lot of contested shots.
Just my 2 cents. It is still early in the season, so these faults can get corrected. In general: good players but no chemistry yet.
Just curious.
I think your critique of IU may be a little one sided. In the games I have watched, I have been impressed by Bryant. That kid is a great player. He has terrific range in that he can catch out front and in a step, close in in the basket. He has a great first step, he is quick and decisive for a freshman. Yogi is the same Yogi we have seen before. Competent, and does set up his teammates. Nothing flashy. I would take either of those players in a heartbeat.
Williams is that player who uses his athleticism to make shots. Against a defender who matches his athleticism, I think he would struggle because I see some fundamental basketball skills lacking. He is what he is, and that is still a pretty good player. JBJ has not impressed me yet. Maybe it was just the games I watched.
As a team, their lack of stopping the dribble-drive on defense was making me crazy. They don't seem to switch on screens very well, and they don't stay in front of their man. They have allowed relatively pedestrian guards to get around them at the top of the key, and they seem vulnerable to back door cuts. Poorly disciplined on the defensive end. I also think they are not sharing the basketball (assists) all that well. As the commentators say, "they need to make that extra pass", so they shoot a lot of contested shots.
Just my 2 cents. It is still early in the season, so these faults can get corrected. In general: good players but no chemistry yet.
All that may be true......and they still suck!!
To me, IU is *that team* that plays to the level of their competition (outside of extreme cupcakes). There is no way they should have lost to a projected 15th place team in the ACC, but Wake was no cupcake school. I wouldn't be surprised at all to seem them hang with Duke in the challenge and make that a very close game.
They don't play defense under Crean, never did, & never will. They're like the old ABA Denver Nuggets & San Antonio Spurs, strong on offense, little defense [& most of the other ABA teams]. IU won't win anouther B1G championship under Crean. Crean is by far the worst defensive coach in the B1G, & will continue to be. Crean counts on his teams out [high] scoring the opponents, with no, or matador defense. Some recruits may like this approach, initially anyway, but when they find they will never be a great team under Crean, the dream begins to fade away. If IU doesn't finish in the top 4 of this conference [& there's a real, 50/50 chance] this season, Crean may not be at IU more than a season or two from now. IU gets/has too much talent to finish as badly/low as they often do. If Glass & co./IU were wise, they'd get rid of Crean a.s.a.p. I hope they keep Crean, for Purdue's sake. Crean often coaches the kind of teams which need two basketballs on the court at once.
No shirt, no shoes, no defense
http://www.tomcreanbuyout.com
Appreciate the input I.e. Purdue. I don't want to turn this into an IU thread so I'm not going to address the IU critiques. It sounds like you guys have a solid squad this year and I'll be checking the team out for myself when I get back to Indiana and have time to watch the games.
I will add that Hill has fit into the program almost seamlessly, and ain't a bad pg himself........
Thank BigRed - I got off track when defending/critiquing IU.
As for Purdue, the original post was a query about the team, here are my thoughts
As with most Matt Painter teams, these guys are methodical. They can break you down when they want to score better than any previous Boilermaker team I have seen, with the exception of the second year of the baby boilers, before Hummel’s knee gave out. They rebound well, and box out like someone put a wall around the basket.
The biggest difference between this year and last is the development of good outside shooters. Stephens has always been streaky. Now Mathias, PJ Thompson and Edwards will drain 3’s if left open at a 50% rate it seems. Will that % remain high against better competition? Who knows? Right now, it is pick your poison: either defend the three-ball and die with the bigs scoring at will, or pack it in the paint and die by 3-pt shooting. Purdue has also exhibited very good team play with high numbers of assists/baskets - making that extra pass..
Defensively, Purdue is not as good as they were last year. They have shown flashes of it, but not for a whole game. If this tightens up, and the good shooting remains, this is going to be a special team.
New Players:
Biggie Swanigan: Dangerous rebounder and can run a devastating high-low game with either center. Takes steps without dribbling the ball and sometimes brings it down low. Has thrown some bad passes, so has a few more TO’s than many like, but this is just part of his development. Stamina may be in question.
Ryan Cline: Bean pole with good Basketball IQ and a great pure shot. Defense is a work in progress. Going to be a great 3-pt shooter once he gains some muscle. May drop out of the regular rotation as the year goes along.
Johnny Hill: Reasonable replacement for Octeus. Octeus was longer, but Hill gets after his guy and understands the game very well. Good body control and can score reliably on drives. He may lose his starting job to a much improved PJ Thompson.
As for Purdue, the original post was a query about the team, here are my thoughts
As with most Matt Painter teams, these guys are methodical. They can break you down when they want to score better than any previous Boilermaker team I have seen, with the exception of the second year of the baby boilers, before Hummel’s knee gave out. They rebound well, and box out like someone put a wall around the basket.
The biggest difference between this year and last is the development of good outside shooters. Stephens has always been streaky. Now Mathias, PJ Thompson and Edwards will drain 3’s if left open at a 50% rate it seems. Will that % remain high against better competition? Who knows? Right now, it is pick your poison: either defend the three-ball and die with the bigs scoring at will, or pack it in the paint and die by 3-pt shooting. Purdue has also exhibited very good team play with high numbers of assists/baskets - making that extra pass..
Defensively, Purdue is not as good as they were last year. They have shown flashes of it, but not for a whole game. If this tightens up, and the good shooting remains, this is going to be a special team.
New Players:
Biggie Swanigan: Dangerous rebounder and can run a devastating high-low game with either center. Takes steps without dribbling the ball and sometimes brings it down low. Has thrown some bad passes, so has a few more TO’s than many like, but this is just part of his development. Stamina may be in question.
Ryan Cline: Bean pole with good Basketball IQ and a great pure shot. Defense is a work in progress. Going to be a great 3-pt shooter once he gains some muscle. May drop out of the regular rotation as the year goes along.
Johnny Hill: Reasonable replacement for Octeus. Octeus was longer, but Hill gets after his guy and understands the game very well. Good body control and can score reliably on drives. He may lose his starting job to a much improved PJ Thompson.
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All good points/observations.....and I'll add a few additional thoughts as my $0.02.
As to rebounding: Purdue has traditionally under CMP had trouble, especially on the "defensive" glass, even when having success on its own misses. So far......and it is VERY EARLY, this may actually be one of the strengths of the defense......and that has a lot to do with Caleb Swanigan. I also like V Edwards potential on both ends as to rebounding......have to wait until conference season to really get a better judge on this.
Point guard: clearly not a strength, but VERY EARLY returns suggest this may not be the over-arching liability that many thought or predicted. There is at least some depth, and if PJ Thompson and J Hill continue to know their roles and play smart......good teams won't be able to exploit the Boilers backcourt as much, especially so if PJT keeps knocking down shots.
Passing: looks more assertive this year.....SO FAR.
TO's: still an issue.....most of these seem to be unforced but aren't the result of mental breakdowns.....although there are still some careless moments to be concerned about.
FT's: not enough data.....JMO, there are times when you still wonder.....CS, Haas, and AJH are going to get a lot of opportunities......Haas looks better. The only one on the team though to me that looks/feels clutch at the line is Ray Davis. Again, JMO.
Athletic Wings and Back-court pressure is still going to be a stern test for Purdue. The more they see it, the more dividends it could pay off down the line if they learn to handle it and make teams pay for it.....jury is obviously still out on that.
CMP has a lot of flexibility with line-ups.....cuts both ways. The team seems to be enjoying playing as a team, and I think that goes beyond the W/L results column, although it's nice to get off to a good start. More positives than negatives.
As to rebounding: Purdue has traditionally under CMP had trouble, especially on the "defensive" glass, even when having success on its own misses. So far......and it is VERY EARLY, this may actually be one of the strengths of the defense......and that has a lot to do with Caleb Swanigan. I also like V Edwards potential on both ends as to rebounding......have to wait until conference season to really get a better judge on this.
Point guard: clearly not a strength, but VERY EARLY returns suggest this may not be the over-arching liability that many thought or predicted. There is at least some depth, and if PJ Thompson and J Hill continue to know their roles and play smart......good teams won't be able to exploit the Boilers backcourt as much, especially so if PJT keeps knocking down shots.
Passing: looks more assertive this year.....SO FAR.
TO's: still an issue.....most of these seem to be unforced but aren't the result of mental breakdowns.....although there are still some careless moments to be concerned about.
FT's: not enough data.....JMO, there are times when you still wonder.....CS, Haas, and AJH are going to get a lot of opportunities......Haas looks better. The only one on the team though to me that looks/feels clutch at the line is Ray Davis. Again, JMO.
Athletic Wings and Back-court pressure is still going to be a stern test for Purdue. The more they see it, the more dividends it could pay off down the line if they learn to handle it and make teams pay for it.....jury is obviously still out on that.
CMP has a lot of flexibility with line-ups.....cuts both ways. The team seems to be enjoying playing as a team, and I think that goes beyond the W/L results column, although it's nice to get off to a good start. More positives than negatives.
Red,
Depth has been covered well but I believe the fact that Purdue has depth at ALL skill sets is a significant additional advantage. Florida's depth was a big topic for the announcers but it was all at the wing position. Painter can cover foul trouble or a bad night for the post, the wings, and seemingly the point as well all at once.
Depth has been covered well but I believe the fact that Purdue has depth at ALL skill sets is a significant additional advantage. Florida's depth was a big topic for the announcers but it was all at the wing position. Painter can cover foul trouble or a bad night for the post, the wings, and seemingly the point as well all at once.
they will get some close games before the tourney, but this team is better and still mature than last year. They need tested in the Big, not beat...just tested.
well said....improvement in Isaac in several areas...still has a lot of "cargo" per Matt, but since that comment Isaac has blocked a few.
Well said. Overall I think Octeus was a better all around player than Hill, but Hill is a better PG for a typical PG offensively and both are close defensively. Hill can do a few more things to set you up.
I have to see more of Hill before comparing him to JO. If you made me do it right now, I would take JO all day long. I'm willing to be convinced otherwise as the season goes on but JO did so much for us last year it's hard for me to see JH being as effective.
With the improvements and additions, Hill will rarely have to do as much as Octeus (good thing). That being said there are always a few games where unlikely players make a huge difference and I think Thompson and Hill are both capable of doing that. If they can do it at the right times, they will fill their roles on this team perfectly.
Smotherman's
I'll steal an assessment from an opposing player: "Purdue has six 7-footers that knock down every open shot."
I would say that my only surprise is how well they are playing together as a team this early in the season. They are having defensive lapses and lose focus when getting a big lead, but that will get fixed. I would also say that individually, while still inconsistent, everyone is playing close to the potential that they showed ast year. Hammons, Haas, Edwards, and Davis are all playing at a level where I hoped they would. Matthias, Stephens, and Thompson are getting close to where I hoped, based on their best play last year. I never have real expectations for 1st-year players (except that they will be inconsistent), so anything that Swanigan, Hill, Cline, and Taylor provide is a plus. To no one's surprise, Swanigan has been a plus-plus, and Hill has been solid. When all players are consistently focused, this will be a very, very tough team.
you notice how I qualified things in the beginning? Octeu,s as I said seems to be the better player so far. However, Octeus was just learning to play pg. He played a 3 before Purdue and that is why he was so good around the basket and rebounding. Hill, has played the point and there are times he has seen people and set up people Jon didn't. Octeus was great for Purdue, but he was trying to learn the PG position. Octeus basically played great D, rebounded and never turned it over..he managed the game. Hill has shown some good D and has done some things in setting people up and dishing that is more representative of a PG. As I said in the beginning, JO is the better all around player or seems that way right now. JH may be a better PG in the strictest sense for most teams. Purdue doesn't demand a strict PG in their motion offense. Never did say JH was the better player...
"Hill can do a few more things to set you up". That is what I was responding to. I have not seen anything in the small sample size we have so far to suggest that JH does anything better than JO. As I stated, I will certainly be willing to change my mind after seeing more from him. Hill has only played against inferior competition and way fewer minutes. JO showed he could do it against the best in the conference. I'm not knocking JH just saying I need to see more before I compare any part of his game to JO. Maybe you have seen something from him that I have missed.you notice how I qualified things in the beginning? Octeu,s as I said seems to be the better player so far. However, Octeus was just learning to play pg. He played a 3 before Purdue and that is why he was so good around the basket and rebounding. Hill, has played the point and there are times he has seen people and set up people Jon didn't. Octeus was great for Purdue, but he was trying to learn the PG position. Octeus basically played great D, rebounded and never turned it over..he managed the game. Hill has shown some good D and has done some things in setting people up and dishing that is more representative of a PG. As I said in the beginning, JO is the better all around player or seems that way right now. JH may be a better PG in the strictest sense for most teams. Purdue doesn't demand a strict PG in their motion offense. Never did say JH was the better player...
And yes, I read your whole message.
You do not have to read my whole message as you are entitled to your opinion whether you read anything I write. I've watched JH get into traffic and draw them in and hit people 180 from his drive. I see more PG type of things in Hill as far as vision, but as I said I think Octeus was great and at this stage better. I saw JO as a stabilizer, a calm influence that was deliberate, great rebounder, can get the shot off in traffic and a little more athletic than JH. I saw JO a hard working defender that offensively always played the safe side, error on the safe side. I see JH not as good on most those things, but a better understanding of creating for others, pushing the envelope a little more into trying to create things.
That's just me...doesn't mean I'm right. Course we should expect JH to perform more as the typical PG...and again that doesn't mean he is better...just that his approach is more typical of what we would expect in a PG, but perhaps he isn't...perhaps I'm not seeing certain things? JO came in and managed the team and started the team down a road to success that had been missing. JO got a lot of credit and deserves that credit...whether he was a converted 3 or not. Again do NOT confuse anything I said to imply that JH has or will handle the PG better than JO...that was never my intent. I was not trying to compare results in a Purdue uniform with characteristics of a position in Purdue uniform, but just characteristics. JO was a savior for Purdue last year...
I've never been an IU fan, & wouldn't know, however, seeing how IU just had too much trouble [yet again] with an unranked UNLV team, that question will be on the mind of many this season. If you look at IU's schedule, they've got more pre B1G season losses comming, & then there's the B1G season. I wouldn't want to be in Crean's shoes now, nor those of AG Glass., nor IU fans. IU's getting what they've got comming to them, this karma is long overdue. I believe if IU finishes the B1G regular season standings lower than 4th place, & IU doesn't make the Sweet Sixteen, Crean will be gone after they play their last game this season. Year in & year out, IU has too much talent for this kind of losing to continue too long. Crean's days are probably numbered, as they should have been much sooner. He's been exposed one time too many, for the IU powers that be. He's been living on borrowed time anyway.
IU = No coach, no defense, no problem
Hmmm, IU soon = No defense, no chance & no coach?
The only thing I still want to see from Purdue, is when a good/exceptional team or guard oriented team, highly ranked, & well coached, [with good guard depth] [& we'll see plenty of this in the B1G] puts full court press/presure on the Purdue team, especially our guards, all game long, trying to run/fast break Purdue to death/defeat. An opponent which will try to turn over Purdue, especially our guards, continuesly, all game long, & fast break Purdue all game long. If any coach can prepare Purdue for this senario, Coach Painter can, & will.
"In Painter We Trust!"
E PLURIBUS UNUM
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i see Purdue as very cerebral. "ANY" defense that is applied all game will soon have Purdue attacking it. Purdue may miss shots, but without a changing defense in type and pressure I think Purdue's versatility and cerebral approach can handle it. Purdue is NOT fast and if slowed down more by thinking about different defenses it in theory takes away from the already limited clock.
Bryant is far from impressive or a great player. So far, the games he has done well in, he has been allowed to bulldoze his way to the basket for half of his points. The other half have been by standing under the basket while others drive and dish to him. He's extremely slow! He's always at least a half step late on getting to the ball. He's had 6 rebounds in his last 2 games. He whines every other play and will soon be a player we'll all dislike (think Shehee). In the B1G, he'll be lucky to average 8 and 5. If he is an upgrade from Perea, it is an extremely minor upgrade.I think your critique of IU may be a little one sided. In the games I have watched, I have been impressed by Bryant. That kid is a great player. He has terrific range in that he can catch out front and in a step, close in in the basket. He has a great first step, he is quick and decisive for a freshman. Yogi is the same Yogi we have seen before. Competent, and does set up his teammates. Nothing flashy. I would take either of those players in a heartbeat.
Williams is that player who uses his athleticism to make shots. Against a defender who matches his athleticism, I think he would struggle because I see some fundamental basketball skills lacking. He is what he is, and that is still a pretty good player. JBJ has not impressed me yet. Maybe it was just the games I watched.
As a team, their lack of stopping the dribble-drive on defense was making me crazy. They don't seem to switch on screens very well, and they don't stay in front of their man. They have allowed relatively pedestrian guards to get around them at the top of the key, and they seem vulnerable to back door cuts. Poorly disciplined on the defensive end. I also think they are not sharing the basketball (assists) all that well. As the commentators say, "they need to make that extra pass", so they shoot a lot of contested shots.
Just my 2 cents. It is still early in the season, so these faults can get corrected. In general: good players but no chemistry yet.
