Defense?

[What Would Jesus Do?]

I saw an interview with Zeller the other day. He was very complimentary toward Dixon as a guy who makes few mistakes and gets the job done. He was less complimentary about the outside shooting of Henri and Powell, but thought both could be good. He also opined that we might see a tall lineup with Veesaar, Wilson and Stevenson on the court at the same time. Partly because Jarin is a good defender.

We all know that Seth is a fine defender.

Who else?

 

[LuckyPozzo]

I believe Zeller is right about the tall lineup. Likely won’t start, but will see the floor a significant number of minutes.

It’s nice to have the depth and the options we’ll have this year, at least on paper.

 

[SherrellMcMillan]

I saw an interview with Zeller the other day. He was very complimentary toward Dixon as a guy who makes few mistakes and gets the job done. He was less complimentary about the outside shooting of Henri and Powell, but thought both could be good. He also opined that we might see a tall lineup with Veesaar, Wilson and Stevenson on the court at the same time. Partly because Jarin is a good defender.

We all know that Seth is a fine defender.

Who else?

It seems weird to say considering how tall the team will be, but rebounding (a big part of defense) is something I think we should watch closely.

Who carves out a niche and becomes a reliable/strong rebounder?

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

It seems weird to say considering how tall the team will be, but rebounding (a big part of defense) is something I think we should watch closely.

Who carves out a niche and becomes a reliable/strong rebounder?

Nice to get an answer from the man, himself. Thanks.

Who do you think that rebounder will be? Veesaar's rebounding at AZ was decent but not special, iirc, but I suspect that was because of how he was used. Most of his highlight clips show him playing outside-in on offense. But of course they don't show him playing defense.

Comparing his stats with Lubin - they played similar minutes - Lubin was a slightly better rebounder overall, but Veesaar was a better offensive rebounder. Again, maybe something to do with style of play?

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

Stevenson also played similar minutes to Veesaar and Lubin, but his rebounding stats are noticeably lower. I know little about Alabama, but I seem to recall they had several good bigs, so I imagine that made it harder for him to show well, since he was probably on the floor with a better-rebounding big a lot of the time. Plus, in the games against us, my image of him is playing outside a lot.

Question being whether he might be a better rebounder than he was able to show at Alabama.

 

[bigliteblue]

An actual defense would be a welcome change. Perhaps even practice multiple defenses.

 

[Lonechicken]

Wilson and Trimble will probably be the plus rebounders for their positions. Everything still seems so unknown with this team, but I also feel much more optimistic about their defense, rebounding, and shooting than I was last year at this time.

Last year it was, "Oh they'll just gimmickly outrun all their opponents and win." And they even stopped doing that.

 

[LuckyPozzo]

In Hubert’s two successful seasons the DRB were approximately twice the ORB. And in the poor seasons, the ratio was three-to-one.


Along with Bacot, Brady was a big help the first year, and Ingram was in Hubert’s third year.


Our backcourts, especially with RJ and Trimble have rebounded above their pay grades, mostly with defensive rebounds.


With Wilson and Stevenson in the frontcourt next year along with Veesaar, our ORB should improve significantly. More points on putbacks and more possessions.


If Seth continues to rebound like he has in the past, and one of the other backcourt players picks up some of the rebounding slack, this could be an excellent rebounding team.

 

[Jriv23]

I agree and let us not forget that Comic Ryan played excellent defense as well. That dude could shoot when he got going. That team had fiery players who refuse to lose. That team was mentally tough. Ingram, Ryan, Bacot, You forgot about Leaky with Brady and Company. He was tall, long, and athletic and he played excellent defense. I am thinking that Powell will bring that mental toughness and rebounding. That is one thing that Bobby Huggins players bring. This team is suppose to have more shooters on it. I have heard that Dixon is an excellent shooter along with Powell, LD, and Stephenson.

 

[CarolinaFats]

Until CHD sets an expectation for strong defense, including getting back and help, and until he benches those who slack off, the height and individual skills on paper do not matter. Regarding offensive rebounding, until CHD sets an expectation that members of the back court will not be green lighted to hog the ball and jack 36 shots, the height of the roster will not matter.

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

I agree and let us not forget that Comic Ryan played excellent defense as well. That dude could shoot when he got going. That team had fiery players who refuse to lose. That team was mentally tough. Ingram, Ryan, Bacot, You forgot about Leaky with Brady and Company. He was tall, long, and athletic and he played excellent defense. I am thinking that Powell will bring that mental toughness and rebounding. That is one thing that Bobby Huggins players bring. This team is suppose to have more shooters on it. I have heard that Dixon is an excellent shooter along with Powell, LD, and Stephenson.

LD?

 

[LuckyPozzo]

LD?

Maybe he meant LB, as in Luka Bogavac.

“LD” gave me flashbacks of Larry Drew passes sailing into outer space.

 

[hncjc]

I saw an interview with Zeller the other day. He was very complimentary toward Dixon as a guy who makes few mistakes and gets the job done. He was less complimentary about the outside shooting of Henri and Powell, but thought both could be good. He also opined that we might see a tall lineup with Veesaar, Wilson and Stevenson on the court at the same time. Partly because Jarin is a good defender.

We all know that Seth is a fine defender.

Who else?

If Stevenson plays the three, who do we have on the bench who can backup the 4 and 5?

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

If Stevenson plays the three, who do we have on the bench who can backup the 4 and 5?

High, Brown and Ivan can fight over the remaining 0-20 minutes. The table shows a zero-minute version. Meaning we never need to play High, Brown or Ivan unless we have foul troubles or injuries.

There are ripple effects down the roster, though. If Jarin plays 10 at SF and Luka plays most of the rest, when does Powell get to play? And if Powell gets shoved down to back up Seth at SG, when do Young and Denis see the court? Meanwhile, if Dixon backs up Evans at PG, there aren't going to be a lot of SG minutes available.

Of course the odds are that a couple of guys won't be ready this year for one reason or another, so the PT problem may not be an issue.

Player	@SF	@PF	@C
Stevenson	10	10	10
Wilson	--	30	--
Veesaar	--	--	30

 

[LuckyPozzo]

High, Brown and Ivan can fight over the remaining 0-20 minutes. The table shows a zero-minute version. Meaning we never need to play High, Brown or Ivan unless we have foul troubles or injuries.

There are ripple effects down the roster, though. If Jarin plays 10 at SF and Luka plays most of the rest, when does Powell get to play? And if Powell gets shoved down to back up Seth at SG, when do Young and Denis see the court? Meanwhile, if Dixon backs up Evans at PG, there aren't going to be a lot of SG minutes available.

Of course the odds are that a couple of guys won't be ready this year for one reason or another, so the PT problem may not be an issue.

Player	@SF	@PF	@C
Stevenson	10	10	10
Wilson	--	30	--
Veesaar	--	--	30

My hunch is that Stevenson plays zero minutes at the center position. I think High, Brown, and Ivan will cover it.

It is an interesting question about Powell’s minutes, given that he, like Stevenson, is playing behind Luka. My expectation is that whoever wants minutes at the three better make shots. If Jarin doesn’t, his minutes will be skimpy playing mostly behind Wilson, you have to think.

At least on paper we finally have real depth. It should be fun watching how all of this sorts itself out once play begins.

 

[Anon1752441411]

I just hope we are better scheme wise.