Damn. I was really optimistic about this team 5 games into the season, and I feel like it was justified. We finished last season with 7 scholarship players. Two of them were probably 2 of the 5 worst scholarship players I can ever remember at OSU. One of those two was clearly dead last. Both are gone, but even with those two, we were mostly competitive at the end of last season, and even won games we should not have.
So, we seemed to have a solid base, and I was seeing enough flashes from the freshmen that I figured this would be a fun season.
What we have now is a mess. Stepping back, I think MB actually deserves credit for getting as much out of this group as he did last season.
Ice is clearly our best player, but let’s face it. He can’t shoot, and he is no Doug G when it comes to passing and setting up his teammates. He is basically Fr/So Byron Eaton on offense, and not as good as BE on defense. He can drive to the hoop. Sometimes he can finish. That’s pretty much it.
Lindy improved significantly for 3 seasons. Logic would suggest that he would be better this year, or at least as good as last season. Somehow, he looks worse than ever. He can’t hit shots. He is afraid to pass the ball. His defense is the worst it has ever been.
Dz has always been a guy who can carry a team, in spurts, when he is hot from 3. His defense has always been lacking, but he has been average at rebounding. Now, he can’t shoot, doesn’t try to rebound, and his D is worse than ever.
Cam is what he is. He looked special as a freshman, when he was an energy guy off the bench. As a starter, playing heavy minutes, he’s just a guy. His biggest issue is that he lacks lateral mobility, and is a below average perimeter defender. He’s probably the least of our problems right now, but he’s not part of the solution either.
I have no explanation for what has happened to Yor. Remember when he was a rim protector, and the only concern was that he would get into foul trouble? Then, he developed a nice offensive game. Somehow, all of that is gone (except for the foul trouble concerns).
Laurent has been a bust, and none of the freshmen look like they are ready for prime time. Maybe one or two will get there before the end of the season. Maybe.
The roster is simply missing a go to guy who can make up for limitations everywhere else.
Another shitty season, that seemed like it had potential.
So, we seemed to have a solid base, and I was seeing enough flashes from the freshmen that I figured this would be a fun season.
What we have now is a mess. Stepping back, I think MB actually deserves credit for getting as much out of this group as he did last season.
Ice is clearly our best player, but let’s face it. He can’t shoot, and he is no Doug G when it comes to passing and setting up his teammates. He is basically Fr/So Byron Eaton on offense, and not as good as BE on defense. He can drive to the hoop. Sometimes he can finish. That’s pretty much it.
Lindy improved significantly for 3 seasons. Logic would suggest that he would be better this year, or at least as good as last season. Somehow, he looks worse than ever. He can’t hit shots. He is afraid to pass the ball. His defense is the worst it has ever been.
Dz has always been a guy who can carry a team, in spurts, when he is hot from 3. His defense has always been lacking, but he has been average at rebounding. Now, he can’t shoot, doesn’t try to rebound, and his D is worse than ever.
Cam is what he is. He looked special as a freshman, when he was an energy guy off the bench. As a starter, playing heavy minutes, he’s just a guy. His biggest issue is that he lacks lateral mobility, and is a below average perimeter defender. He’s probably the least of our problems right now, but he’s not part of the solution either.
I have no explanation for what has happened to Yor. Remember when he was a rim protector, and the only concern was that he would get into foul trouble? Then, he developed a nice offensive game. Somehow, all of that is gone (except for the foul trouble concerns).
Laurent has been a bust, and none of the freshmen look like they are ready for prime time. Maybe one or two will get there before the end of the season. Maybe.
The roster is simply missing a go to guy who can make up for limitations everywhere else.
Another shitty season, that seemed like it had potential.
