I'm sure each guy had his own personal expectations and hopes. Maybe Pope is too nice to burst their bubbles, but here is what I think he needs to tell each guy.
Mo D - You aren't a 3pt shooter (14%), and you don't have the offensive game to be a "go-to scorer", you are a down low grinder
Moreno - Actually he is one of the few who I'm happy with, he seems to be playing within himself. Sure there is room for growth.
Chandler - Just focus on spot up 3's (& Def). Sure if they are giving you a lane to the basket take it, but don't go looking for it.
Oweh - Just be more consistent in that fire that you show sometimes, you need to be a leader on this team, that is not limited to scoring, you need to lead in every aspect on the court and in the huddles and in practices and in the locker room.
Aberdeen - There is a reason you were the 7th man last year (on a Championship team), you are a contributor but not a leading player. Don't force things.
JQ - (not seen enough of him yet to have an assessment)
Garrison - I think Pope has already had the conversation with him, and I've seen a much better much more engaged player since his benching, fighting for rebounds & blocking some shots. Just remind him, your job is Defense & Rebounding & being physical.
Johnson - You are an important player to this team, you just need to play within yourself and play within the team structure. If you get others involved like you do Moreno, while still scoring you could have a big 2nd half of the year. But defense is very important too.
Williams - the SEC isn't the American Conference, more physical & less time to think, you have to react & be proactive. If your shot isn't falling, go contribute in other ways (lock-down your guy, get some boards).
Lowe - enough with the 3's, you aren't a 3pt shooter. Also when you penetrate, don't forget to look for wide open guys for 3.
Jelavic - I know you want to be a traditional Euro-4, but your (3pt) shooting just isn't there. Abandon that, focus on playing around the basket, when you do go outside just set screens. Also Euro-4's are usually good passers too, lets see some of that and not be a black hole when you get the ball.
Noah - You are the 12th man. That will limit your minutes. You are ahead of last year, and I think will make another step forward next year. But when you do get on the court, keep doing the little stuff but also get yourself open for open 3's (when we put you in, it's primarily to get some 3's), screen then cut hard to an open 3pt spot and be ready to shoot if passed the ball.
Mo D - You aren't a 3pt shooter (14%), and you don't have the offensive game to be a "go-to scorer", you are a down low grinder
Moreno - Actually he is one of the few who I'm happy with, he seems to be playing within himself. Sure there is room for growth.
Chandler - Just focus on spot up 3's (& Def). Sure if they are giving you a lane to the basket take it, but don't go looking for it.
Oweh - Just be more consistent in that fire that you show sometimes, you need to be a leader on this team, that is not limited to scoring, you need to lead in every aspect on the court and in the huddles and in practices and in the locker room.
Aberdeen - There is a reason you were the 7th man last year (on a Championship team), you are a contributor but not a leading player. Don't force things.
JQ - (not seen enough of him yet to have an assessment)
Garrison - I think Pope has already had the conversation with him, and I've seen a much better much more engaged player since his benching, fighting for rebounds & blocking some shots. Just remind him, your job is Defense & Rebounding & being physical.
Johnson - You are an important player to this team, you just need to play within yourself and play within the team structure. If you get others involved like you do Moreno, while still scoring you could have a big 2nd half of the year. But defense is very important too.
Williams - the SEC isn't the American Conference, more physical & less time to think, you have to react & be proactive. If your shot isn't falling, go contribute in other ways (lock-down your guy, get some boards).
Lowe - enough with the 3's, you aren't a 3pt shooter. Also when you penetrate, don't forget to look for wide open guys for 3.
Jelavic - I know you want to be a traditional Euro-4, but your (3pt) shooting just isn't there. Abandon that, focus on playing around the basket, when you do go outside just set screens. Also Euro-4's are usually good passers too, lets see some of that and not be a black hole when you get the ball.
Noah - You are the 12th man. That will limit your minutes. You are ahead of last year, and I think will make another step forward next year. But when you do get on the court, keep doing the little stuff but also get yourself open for open 3's (when we put you in, it's primarily to get some 3's), screen then cut hard to an open 3pt spot and be ready to shoot if passed the ball.
