Someone convince me we are loaded with talent

[aTotal360]

Lots of people are playing the "we shouldn't be losing with all thattalent" card. Shane Power's post on 24/7 seemed to debunk that notion. After reading his post and watching last night's game, I am sold on the fact we are not as talented as we think we are. And by that, I mean The Recruiter is a lot more myth than reality when it comes to recruiting. His classes remind me of Nutt's football classes. All flash (stars) and little substance.<div>
</div><div>We have 2 really good players that show greatness at times (Dee and Moultrie).</div><div>Sidney is Sidney. Inconsistent andstaticallyno better than any other center in the SEC.</div><div>Hood has potential and will be a solid player, but as of today is not a phenom. Potential doesn't win games.</div><div>Bryant and Steele are average roll players.</div><div>The rest of the team is pretty weak.</div>

 

[aTotal360]

Lots of people are playing the "we shouldn't be losing with all thattalent" card. Shane Power's post on 24/7 seemed to debunk that notion. After reading his post and watching last night's game, I am sold on the fact we are not as talented as we think we are. And by that, I mean The Recruiter is a lot more myth than reality when it comes to recruiting. His classes remind me of Nutt's football classes. All flash (stars) and little substance.<div>
</div><div>We have 2 really good players that show greatness at times (Dee and Moultrie).</div><div>Sidney is Sidney. Inconsistent andstaticallyno better than any other center in the SEC.</div><div>Hood has potential and will be a solid player, but as of today is not a phenom. Potential doesn't win games.</div><div>Bryant and Steele are average roll players.</div><div>The rest of the team is pretty weak.</div>

 

[Coach34]

Our PF is up for Confrrence player of the year, leads the SEC in double-doubles, and will be a lottery pick
Our PG will be 1st team SEC, is one of the conference's leading scorers, and leads it in assists
Our SF is a future draft pick, goes for 11/5 every night, and is long and athletic
Our Center is fat, tough to move in the post, scored 13 last night even after sitting most of the 1st half- including hitting a 25 ft 3-ball when we absolutely had to have it

We have some solid role players after that

Lots of teams would love to have our talent

 

[MadDawg.sixpack]

... and our lack of depth is killing us.

 

[powwowdawg]

The lack of coaching, discipline and respect is killing us. The lack of depth is hurting us.

 

[patdog]

even though you're putting each of them in the best possible light. But

thisWe have some solid role players after that

is just complete ********. We have NOTHING after that other than Steele, who is a good shooter but can't play defense.

 

[MemphisMaroonClubDog]

This has been the myth since the rebirth of UK under Calipari. The media feel that since UK is better, the rest of the SEC is better.

I argue that the SEC is about the same as it was 4-5 years ago. Better than most but about 3-4 best bball conference. 1 team that can make the S16 or better, 2-3 bubble type (8-14 seed teams) and a bunch of NIT type teams.

Tell me where the good out of conference wins are for this conference? aTm? Arizona? UT beating a really bad UCONN?

A lot of people on this board have fallen for the kool-aid being spewed about how great and talented this team is.

I have seen very little to tell me that Moultrie is more talented than Lawrence Roberts. I have been very disappointed in the past few games in AM. He has ZERO explosion around the rim, doesn't play defense and makes poor decisions with the ball. He had 6 TOs last night, for crying out loud...

 

[MadDawg.sixpack]

Here's another way of looking at it, if we were able to substitute like we should, we might not have a single all-sec player on this "talented" team.

 

[MemphisMaroonClubDog]

ku</p>

 

[msudawg200]

And I think it's due to lack of athleticism. Everyone looks at our skill and what we can do offensively, but we are horrible defensively. Part of that is athleticism (though I think part is on the players/coaches - we could be better defensively for sure). We are not an athletic team. There are weaknesses everywhere with our defense. Bost is good, but he's not great because he doesn't get in the lane enough and settles for too many outside shots. Moultrie is good, but defenses can take him away, and when they do, we struggle. Also, he turns the ball over way too many times because he dribbles to much and tries to make too much happen when he gets the ball too far from the basket. Hood is excellent for a freshman, but he needs to learn to be more aggressive. We need him slashing to the basket more, not just playing on the perimeter. Obviously everyone knows with Sidney - talented, but out shape, picks up silly fouls, takes ill-advised shots at times, defensive liability. Bryant and Steele are average role players. Wendell wishes he was an average role player - he could be if he played like he cared at all.

Overall, we're talented, but I wouldn't say anywhere near Final Four talent - Sweet Sixteen talent at best because this was never going to be a good defensive team - I don't care who is coaching it.

 

[SchruteDog]

Hood is not a phenom only because right now he's the 4th option on the team. He's one of the most well rounded freshmens we've ever had start here. Renardo was a McD's All American, we just have a coach that has allowed him to stay fat for 3 years now. MSU is not Kentucky, we will never start 3-5 AAs in one lineup so we have to have those "roll" players. Don't forget we booted a Parade All American before the season even started. Back in 95 and 96 our bench depth was Jay Walton and Whit Hughes followed by Whit, Bart Hyche, and Tyrone Washington. So this myth that we need to have all this magical quality depth sitting on the bench in order to get past the first round of the NCAAT is ********.

 

[DrKennethNoisewater]

that we don't have depth because Stans can't keep them from leaving. Every school has transfers but we have STARTERS transfer year in and year out and this kills our depth.

 

[aTotal360]

I think 11/5 is pretty average for someone who plays theamountof minutes he does. I'm not getting into potential, I'm talking about this team...today.

 

[mstateglfr]

Moultrie- a single site, which is AWFUL if you look at its history, has him as a lottery pick. Im sure he can be a first rounder, hell he may end up in the lottery, but your source is Fing terrible on this one. And your continued use just ruins credibility.
He is up for SEC POY and does lead in double doubles though. He is clearly valuable.
But he also doesnt show up for some games. And he has a recent issue with stubbornly forcing the ball onto the floor while double teamed in the paint and turning it over which leads to a fast break.

Bost- probably could be a 1st team conference player in whichever team has like 12 players. Is that the coaches team or writer's team? I forget which. Probably make the 1st team in the larger group. He isscorer, but that also means he takes a lot of questionable shots and forces the issue which doesnt always work out. His defense is streaky too. At times its great and at times it doesnt exist.

Hood- still young so he will have limitations. From last night, he clearly cant go to the right and finish. He is not able to take over a game...yet. But solid.

Sidney- Yep, he is fat. And he scored last night. He also made that long 3. Oh yeah, he also took some awful shots and he gave up a crazy number of baskets on D by not blocking out, being late on help D, not stepping out to defend the perimeter, and literally stepping aside to create an open lane to the rim for both guards and post players.

Your post was all positive and completely ignored everything else. Way to try and make your point.

 

[Original48]

Fantastic.

 

[MadDawg.sixpack]

Only a fool would believe otherwise.

 

[NewTweederEndzoneDance]

Moultrie and Bost would be all-SEC players regardless of our depth, and Hood would be making the all-SEC freshman team as well. We have no depth and it hurts but its not like everyone would have their minutes drop by 15 minutes per game with another 2 players to play...

 

[DrKennethNoisewater]

for depth and we have seen the results of that. I think I have a better chance at winning the World Series of Poker.</p>

 

[DerHntr]

They should be leading in those categories if they are "good players" since they are in the game for so many minutes compared to the other PFs and PGs in the league. I recognize that they have to also be fighting through fatigue and there is something to be said for that. I just wonder if we had enough depth to sub them out appropriately would they still be in the conversation as leaders in any of those categories.

Now Sidney is the anomoly. He plays less minutes than most and still has pretty damn good numbers. I wish like hell that Moultrie and Bost could get some rest and Sid was in shape enough to play more minutes but hell, I wish to win the lottery too and that ain't happening.

 

[SchruteDog]

THIS is part of the reason Stans is still here. We really have fans this dumb. You are seriously shitting on a true freshman for averaging 11 points and 5 boards per game? Rodney could play 40 minutes per game, it still doesn't change the fact that he's the 4th scoring option on the team. And when Bryant is shooting, that's more competition for shots.

 

[Buford T. Justice]

I'm jumping on the "time to make a change" bandwagon with you, but I want to play devil's advocate for a minute. You named 4 players and their talent.

PF - you forgot to mention that your claim is he was suspended for a failed drug test, not knee tendinitis
PG - suspended not once, but twice for half a friggin season
SF - love me some Rodney Hood
C - how many times has he been suspended or lacked hustle

We are dysfunctional. Talent can't win when the talented players aren't winners. These guys are %!%%-ups (Hood being the exception). It's not all Stansbury's fault, but it is his responsibility.

I remember someone asking Coach K why he didn't bench Kyle Singler when he went through a shooting slump last year. He said it was because Singler never went through a winning slump. He claimed Singler always did something that helped you win games. You certainly can't say that about Moultrie, Sidney, or Bost.

 

[Coach34]

I think 11/5 is pretty average for someone who plays theamountof minutes he does. I'm not getting into potential, I'm talking about this team...today.

Only 3 other SEC teams have their 3rd leading scorer averaging 11 points or more- and only 1 of those players averages 5 or more rebounds (Kidd-Gilchrist)

Hood is far from average

 

[aTotal360]

I'm not shitting on Hood at all. He's my favorite player on the team. But you need to concede that as of today, he is NOT a phenom. He might be next year. He's a solid player no doubt.

 

[MadDawg.sixpack]

And Bost plays 35-36 minutes a game. UF's Erving Walker averages 4.9 per game and only plays 30 minutes a game. Do you think playing 5 to 6 more minutes a game could equal another assist or two?

 

[fishwater99]

If our coach was worth a crap he would be telling Hood to shoot more, the kid has major skillz and will be playing in the NBA soon...

 

[aTotal360]

but he is also playing a pile of minutes. He's doing a damn good job, but some people are acting like he could leave TODAY and be a lottery pick.

 

[SchruteDog]

THAT is my point. He can't be a phenom when he's option #4 behind 2 probable SEC first teamers and a massive ego like Sidney. There is only so much ball to go around. Add to the fact that his coach has a playbook that is the thickness of an index card, his touches are limited. Hell, there were games early in the season where it seemed that Hood did not touch the ball offensively for entire halves. For him to be averaging double figures in scoring on a team with 2 of the SEC's top 5 scorers and a center with double figures also is pretty damn remarkable IMO.

 

[SchruteDog]

Ummmm, this Year's lottery picks, Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist are averaging 14 and 12.2, and you are complaining about Hood's 11 per game. Sorry, I don't get it.

 

[NewTweederEndzoneDance]

He's been the team leader for several seasons and his minutes weren't going to go down just because Deville played more this season. He averaged over 6 apg too during that stretch, its not like he just this year is an all-sec type player...

 

[maroonmania]

don't play man-to-man 100% of the time like we do. Its still ridiculous to me that with the fact that Stans won't play but 7 players (though I think Shaun and Roquez should get more minutes) that we refuse to play any zone to cover up some of our lack of athleticism and conserve some energy. I know our zone defense stinks but so does our man defense so what's the difference. At least playing some zone maybe we won't fade so much in crunch time like we've been doing lately.

 

[MadDawg.sixpack]

that we might not have a single all-sec player. But you have to admit our best players (Bost, Moultrie and Hood) numbers are overinflated due to them playing more minutes than anybody else in the SEC.

10 points and 11 rebounds is great. But if you play 35 minutes, that's not quite as stellar as it first sounds. That's one bucket for every 7 minutes of game time.

It just finally dawned on me last night that that is the real culprit here. There's no wonder we lose leads and look pathetic in long stretches in the 2nd half - we are completely gassed. Bost is gassed. Moultrie is beyond gassed. Hood is gassed. And Sidney has been gassed since the opening tip.

 

[KurtRambis4]

talent, physically, is right up there with any teamin the nation (starting 5). However, mentally, we aren't even in the top 100. Unfortunately, the mental aspect is huge for teams to be in the top 25. One can be strong and gifted as much or more than anyone, but if they just don't have the desire and drive, it doesn't mean much. OUr staff has not helped in this area, with getting guys prepared, mentally.

 

[aTotal360]

We are top heavy and its causing our top 3 scores to play 90% of the game. And you are right, they are rundown at the end of games.

 

[JackShephard]

"And Sidney has been gassed since the opening tip."

Sid is gassed after the pre-game meal (you would be too if you ate that much, that fast!).

Seriously though...nice one, that made me laugh.

 

[NashvilleBulldawg]

or good talent and an okay coach.Right?
I used to be a fan of Stans. I've grown impatient myself.
Yesh, he helped make us a better bball school than where we were.
Yesh, he's coached some good teams.
Yesh, he's been able to recruit.
But I can't help but feel he's reached his potential and limit on growing our program any further. Should we stall our program's success just to keep him around as a HC? I think not. I'm tired of losing those games we should win. We need a Mullen-type bball coach to come in and inspire those kids more and coach their butts. I'm tired of hoping for a better team each year only to be disappointed and left holding my hopes and expectations in my hands by each mid-season point....

 

[fishwater99]

Should we stall our program's success just to keep him around as a HC? I think not. <span style="font-weight: bold;">I'm tired of losing those games we should win. We need a Mullen-type bball coach to come in and inspire those kids more and coach their butts.</span> I'm tired of hoping for a better team each year only to be disappointed and left holding my hopes and expectations in my hands by each mid-season point....

 

[NewTweederEndzoneDance]

depth is a huge culprit in the lack of success we are having right now. I do disagree to an extent though. I think that with another 1-2 players who add quality depth, those 3 guys would be even better, because as you have mentioned they could use a bit of rest here and there.

 

[patdog]

Beating USC would have been a pretty big upset. Auburn, we should have won. And that's really the only game he's lost that we should have won. He alsowon atFlorida which is a game we should have lost.</p>

 

[MemphisMaroonClubDog]

nm

 

[patdog]

We did damn good just to be in that game, much less to have a chance to win it.</p>