Tonight
- Thread starter Halldan
- Start date
I agree Simpkins is the likely candidate. But I’d go small and flip him with Fisher to start and see how that goes. IMO Simpkins is also our best all around skilled offensive player, but is only a sophomore and it shows at times.
I think it should be Hines but he’s only been playing like 10 mins recently, then to starter? But he’s a guy who can help bc he commands attention to open space, he’s a legit scoring threat, and can move. Payne does but have an offensive game and can only be effective there with over-help or great spacing leading to lobs or dishes or putbacks. Payne is one of those physical, tough, defensive players who can’t create that Sha loves though.
I think it should be Hines but he’s only been playing like 10 mins recently, then to starter? But he’s a guy who can help bc he commands attention to open space, he’s a legit scoring threat, and can move. Payne does but have an offensive game and can only be effective there with over-help or great spacing leading to lobs or dishes or putbacks. Payne is one of those physical, tough, defensive players who can’t create that Sha loves though.
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The reason I chose Simpkins is because I want someone to come off the bench who can score. And that would be AJ.
That said, the player that should IMO not start is Fisher. But I think if he doesn't start Rivera will replace him.
That said, the player that should IMO not start is Fisher. But I think if he doesn't start Rivera will replace him.
Rivera had that nice little run when we made those comebacks off the press bc he’s physical, holds ground fairly well defensively, and good in that situation. But he also has no offensive game and is way too slow with the ball. It’s a mess when he puts the ball on the floor typically.
I was pushing this for several weeks. I thought it would help both guys and the topline. You get Simpkins in the flow right away. It takes stress off AJ and allows him to operate against the other team's second unit. Almost no chance SHU can score in the 70's unless one or both of these two guys produce points. I really doubt Sha will tinker with his team's defensive integrity and make any changes.
Both Simpkins and AJ are good defenders. So I don't think that will factor into the decision. But Holloway is very stubborn and doesn't like change. He said as much the other day. So the possibly exist that he won't make any changes. But sometimes you have to change a formula when it's not working and doing the same thing is a recipe for disaster.
What is the formula for shooting and making free throws ? If NOBODY can make a shoots it really doesn't matter what lineup is out there .
The first change is Hines for Payne.
I’d change a guard Simpkins for Williams
I’d change a guard Simpkins for Williams
If I was betting, I’d bet nothing changes and he uses the consistency to show confidence or something.
After watching this team now for half the BE season, I would have it:
Clark
Simpkins
Staton-McCray
Fisher
Hines
But this is too radical for Holloway. Hes also coaching tight now.
**We must get Fisher untracked. He is playing terribly and is lost. Being next to Hines and with our best 3PT shooters and slashers on the floor together (Simpkins + Staton-McCray), it should work. Fisher was a factor early because the entire offense had better structure which created opportunities for his style of game as an undersized-4.
**Parker and Williams can give us some pop off the bench. Both are very active defenders and good on-ball tempo players; that’s an asset off the bench.
**I don’t like Rivera + Payne together because the defense just stands on them doesn’t even have to move, but situationally if we’re pressing or something it can be workable. I’d also consider sliding Staton-McCray to be a small-4 when we need offense and sit Fisher, but in Williams.
After watching this team now for half the BE season, I would have it:
Clark
Simpkins
Staton-McCray
Fisher
Hines
But this is too radical for Holloway. Hes also coaching tight now.
**We must get Fisher untracked. He is playing terribly and is lost. Being next to Hines and with our best 3PT shooters and slashers on the floor together (Simpkins + Staton-McCray), it should work. Fisher was a factor early because the entire offense had better structure which created opportunities for his style of game as an undersized-4.
**Parker and Williams can give us some pop off the bench. Both are very active defenders and good on-ball tempo players; that’s an asset off the bench.
**I don’t like Rivera + Payne together because the defense just stands on them doesn’t even have to move, but situationally if we’re pressing or something it can be workable. I’d also consider sliding Staton-McCray to be a small-4 when we need offense and sit Fisher, but in Williams.
Makes sense honestly what Sha is saying. I do think Fisher might benefit from coming off the bench with less pressure. If I had to make one move it would be that one. Another idea I had would be to put one or 2 guys into starting lineup based on how well they play. Example Simpkins and Dar start next game as a reward for outstanding play. I like this idea because other teams would never know our starting lineup which makes it harder to prepare. Encourages guys to play hard every night. Whether he starts or not Hines needs to see more minutes if he can stay out of foul trouble.
He didn’t have these concerns with last year’s team or Year 1 when it was changing often. But he uses it to motivate some groups, others not.
Once again we got off to a terrible start. I know Simpkins eventually played starter minutes but when you're instantly down by double digits again in the first half you don't always come back.
Simpkins, as he should started the second half and we saw the results. On a offensively challenged team, it makes less than no sense to have your best offensive player on the bench for the opening tip.
Also, not sure why Dar has been buried on the bench but nice to see him get a decent run.
Hines to me is another story. I don't like to see him in very early because as I have noted often he is going to pick up two fouls and have to sit the rest of the half. But Payne was so bad yesterday I understand the move.
Simpkins, as he should started the second half and we saw the results. On a offensively challenged team, it makes less than no sense to have your best offensive player on the bench for the opening tip.
Also, not sure why Dar has been buried on the bench but nice to see him get a decent run.
Hines to me is another story. I don't like to see him in very early because as I have noted often he is going to pick up two fouls and have to sit the rest of the half. But Payne was so bad yesterday I understand the move.
Dar was great. All over the floor. Stayed with Carroll much better in 2nd half and could be physical around him.
Lots to digest from last night's game. I still believe Sha is wrong about the starting lineup. Also, the snide comment about "experts" was unnecessary. Once again you had three starters that combined for 6 points as a trio. By continuously starting guys that are struggling is not helping their confidence. Thankfully, the small crowd that were there to start the game did not boo.
I thought Clarke's energy and fast paced attack style was fantastic during the comeback. Simpkins really brought his A game. AJ played much better as the game went along. However, the key was having your absolute best players on the court together at the same time.
I thought Clarke's energy and fast paced attack style was fantastic during the comeback. Simpkins really brought his A game. AJ played much better as the game went along. However, the key was having your absolute best players on the court together at the same time.
I don't get it. Isn't McCray a wing anyway. It's literally Willaims for Simpkins. Williams has been one of the scapegoats on the player side. Isn't it a coincidence, when Simpkins replaced him in the stating lineup, offense looked better. Simpkins obviously seems better as a polished scorer. I like what I've seen from Willaims but he just seems like an ultimate ball stopper and doesn't seem committed in team defense. I feel he is one of the guys SHa called out as "agents influencing him." He would actually be bette roff the bench. And Fishcer as well as he just adds another offense orientated player to a starting lineup that has several guys that want to get points. Guys like Rivera and Dar seem like perfect glue guys that will do the little things to win.
That makes him LOOK F*********** weak bro. WTF is he bending to these players? I don't even know it's mostly Sha now.
These players were literally castouts at bigger schools or stars at smaller schools. They need to stop this entitlement. This is why I get annoyed seeing these double digit deficits and the four game losing streak. I see so many guys play with entitlement and think they can get away with **** play constantly. Fisher and Willaims should've been benched games ago. They have been probably riding off that one Maui tournament. Clark, SImpkins, and McCray have been more consistent and earn the starting spot. And Payne and Hines at least produce when needed. Payne was a double double machine during a stretch.
FOr me SHa seems arrogant about his play style and seems to coddle to certain players for some BS reason or some of these players are pouty and taking advantage of this toxic NIL culture. This team would probably 17-3 if we didn't have this stupid BS pathetically ruining this team.
Staton MaCray has a tendency to disappear in games. That said he is one of our best players. There's two reason I noted I would like to see him temporarily come off the bench.
One: to relax and watch how the game is being played/reffed.
Two: we need a scorer to come in off the bench. That's not Williams.
If Dar is really coming on, that’s great. Gives us another option. Then you just use Fisher/Dar/Rivera and see who works out. Rivera is by far the most limited, Fisher is playing the worst, and Dar has upside.
The combinations of players was a huge factor last night and we’re generally not using that combination enough if you look at our lineup tendencies. That’s one adjustment coaches have at their disposal to mix up slumps or how teams are scheming; it’s not just dreamy play design.
The combinations of players was a huge factor last night and we’re generally not using that combination enough if you look at our lineup tendencies. That’s one adjustment coaches have at their disposal to mix up slumps or how teams are scheming; it’s not just dreamy play design.
Absolutely. Everyone knew at the beginning of the year that the PF spot would be a major problem. And that has come to pass. So yes, play the player who is giving you the most game by game. But IMO starting Fisher is a big concern. He is playing by far the worst of the three. Yet despite all our terrible starts he's the one on the court at the opening whistle.
Of the 3 I think Dar is the most explosive offensively and can play above the rim more and block shocks. Also the quickest.
I'm for anything that can improve this offense. A basket here or there instead of a wasted trip could make the difference
I still think Fisher is a lot better than Rivera & Dar, although they have shown spurts. I also think Holloway has to do a better job of running some sets for Fisher to see the ball go in or get to the line.
When we push the ball like we did last night its amazing how the shots start falling doesn't it?
Fisher’s numbers are terrible and have really dropped off. There was a play during our 2H surge last night where you could see the value of having Hines in and clearing space for him. Hope to see more of that. You can see how he has no clue right now; he probably leads the team in number of layups that end up in jump balls after he goes up. It’s uncanny. That’s a guy not attacking assertively and not finishing. His BE %’s and efficiency is way down from when he played in the league two years ago at DePaul. The o-rating alone was 103.3 there to 80.2 here, wow.
If we can get leads early we dont need a scorer off the bench. Spell minutes, play d and dont blow it