Q for Shaunsters

[Black Scholes]

I'm really liking what I'm seeing from Ridley. This is best-case scenario so far for me on his production and development. Like the energy and attitude of some of the new guards and wings. Maybe not elite talent but the basketball IQ seems higher than you usually get with Barnes. Felix just seems like a liability on many sets; I hope his minutes get shaved and he locks in as a role player. Wondering if we're going to have the outside shooters to bust a zone or get points in a tightly called game.

Thoughts? Do you think we still miss Papapetrou much or can this team grow past that? Wondering if Lammert can become what we thought Buckman would be; his ceiling looks a little higher on athleticism and agility although a different body type.

 

[Mulligan30]

You weren't asking me, but I'll chime in anyway since I really love college basketball talk.

I've been a big critic of Barnes for a while and have been justified. That being said, this team has been fun to watch. He might be doing his best coaching job this season, but it's too late. There could even be an outside chance at making the tourney if the bigs and the freshman PG stay healthy. The front line with Ridley, Lammert and Holmes can hang physically with most of the front lines of the top teams. The lack of any elite shooters will catch up with us. If we had Papi, I think this is a tourney team. He was gonna be a difference maker on this team.

I like Lammert's game. Buckman is an interesting comparison. Lammert seems a lot stiffer and less talented than Buckman, but he works a lot harder. Buckman would disappear for multiple games, then bust out with an 18 point and 15 rebound type game.

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

I'm really liking what I'm seeing from Ridley. This is best-case scenario so far for me on his production and development. Like the energy and attitude of some of the new guards and wings. Maybe not elite talent but the basketball IQ seems higher than you usually get with Barnes. Felix just seems like a liability on many sets; I hope his minutes get shaved and he locks in as a role player. Wondering if we're going to have the outside shooters to bust a zone or get points in a tightly called game.
Thoughts? Do you think we still miss Papapetrou much or can this team grow past that? Wondering if Lammert can become what we thought Buckman would be; his ceiling looks a little higher on athleticism and agility although a different body type.

Ridley has been beastly inside for UT so far this season! I'm pleasantly surprised by the results. Love our super-frosh, DeMarcus Croaker, too. Kid's gonna be a player!

 

[mesoHorny]

They need to run more sets for JH. That kid could be an offensive machine if they set him up. The point and 2 guard positions are terrible and will get us beat when we start playing real teams.

 

[JimR]

I had a team once with locker room cancers. I do not think one can discount the effect on a team or on a coach from people like that. in retrospect, RB likely should have kicked him/them off the team during the season, but he kept trying to reach him/them. I like what he is doing with this team.

 

[3xhorndad]

You weren't asking me, but I'll chime in anyway since I really love college basketball talk.
I've been a big critic of Barnes for a while and have been justified. That being said, this team has been fun to watch. He might be doing his best coaching job this season, but it's too late. There could even be an outside chance at making the tourney if the bigs and the freshman PG stay healthy. The front line with Ridley, Lammert and Holmes can hang physically with most of the front lines of the top teams. The lack of any elite shooters will catch up with us. If we had Papi, I think this is a tourney team. He was gonna be a difference maker on this team.

I like Lammert's game. Buckman is an interesting comparison. Lammert seems a lot stiffer and less talented than Buckman, but he works a lot harder. Buckman would disappear for multiple games, then bust out with an 18 point and 15 rebound type game.

Mulligan....

You read my mind....totally agree with you.

Watching the first two games was brutal at times. when they went inside, nobody could finish...Very frustrating watching the effort without any points or consistency....

The last two have been more revealing of a possible inside strength to build on....I like it....Hope they can continue to improve...

 

[NLeininger]

I would like to see Yancy and Croaker cut into Holland and Felix's PT, but I understand that Holland typically guards the other teams best perimeter player.

 

[Shaunsters]

Scholes my man. Sorry been traveling.

This team is a breath of fresh air. I said before the season started about how much the bigs were improving. So far they have gotten better every game. I still think the key especially in league play is Ibeh. When his head is in the game he is a difference maker. Just oozes athleticism.

On Ridley, what you saw this past week is what he can do on a constant basis. His offense game is a little limited but he is getting very good around the basket. His lack of athleticism hurts him sometimes but he actually has a very high basketball IQ. He is a student of the game. No reason he can't be 14 and 8 for the rest of the year.

Scholes I love your comparison of Lammert and Buckman. I loved Brads game, even if at times he didn't live up to what people thought he could do. Lammert I feel can be a bigger impact player. Very smart kid on the court and his mid range game is a plus for this team, especially vs zone Ds. Lammert really is a smart physical player. Very underrated rebounder and defender.

The PG situation is interesting. Rick has done a great job so far with this team. But his one downfall has been playing Felix so many minutes. IMO and from what I heard Felix should be a kid off the bench that hits a few shots and score some points for you. But Rick feels a certain level of comfort with Felix. Maybe throughout the year his minutes shrink. but Taylor is without a doubt the future PG of this program. He just oozes that IT factor. I love the kid and his ability to create for himself and others. The sky is the limit for him. Especially with his developing jumpshot.

The biggest weakness of this team is the lack of a premier type shooter. Really over the past 3-4 years we have lacked it. Losing the big Greek kid hurts. His ability to knock down a open shot what big for this team. Him leaving really hurt. However Holmes continued development at the 3/4 has been a bright spot. When Holmes plays smart and limits stupid fouls, he can take over stretches of the game on offense. Wide range of variety with JH.

Rick has done a great job so far. Let's see how he handles some tough games coming up. Then I will have a better feel for this team. That UnC game will be interesting. Mich st your playing one of the best in the nation, I don't expect a win there. But they need to beat UnC. Before the year when we talked ball, I had this team in the NiT with between 16-18 wins. I'm sticking to that now. But if they continue to play as a team, I think they could sneak in the NCAA as a 11-12 seed. The scary part is next year could be a big year for Texas with upperclassmen bigs, and young wings. They will be a Top 15-20 team, but will it be with rick? That's the big question. I still believe it will be Buzz or Billy D. With growing whispers about Shaka.

I'm not a Barnes guy but if he leads this team with these young guys to NCAA bid, he deserves one more year. Let's just be patient and sew what happens.

Any other questions? I'm a open book.