Corey Sanders

[Greene Rice FIG]

I have been very impressed with Corey Sanders this year. He has been a phenomenal teammate, working hard on the defensive end, and has been unselfish. His numbers are way down, but it doesn't seem to matter to him.

I'll trade him losing his shot (hopefully temporarily) for the way he is doing everything else on the basketball court.

It is refreshing to see a guy who was said no to by the NBA to come back and play for the team and not even remotely "try to get his."

Lots of good things to talk about with RU basketball...this one is near the top.

 

[goru7]

I have been very impressed with Corey Sanders this year. He has been a phenomenal teammate, working hard on the defensive end, and has been unselfish. His numbers are way down, but it doesn't seem to matter to him.

I'll trade him losing his shot (hopefully temporarily) for the way he is doing everything else on the basketball court.

It is refreshing to see a guy who was said no to by the NBA to come back and play for the team and not even remotely "try to get his."

Lots of good things to talk about with RU basketball...this one is near the top.

True but we need Corey to shoot better and score more. As the competition ramps up, your stars have to outshine their stars to win games . We will need him to make many big shots down the stretch of games. Corey has always been unselfish and was asked to do more because the team had no other options. You can only throw a pass to a teammate that drops it or misses a layup and does not get fouled , so many times. Corey is one of the better players in the Big 10 period. Coach has gotten him to really defend better and demands him going over screens that has elevated his defense and his steals.

 

[bowlgoal]

I think Corey is playing great and I'm not concerned about having him do more just so he can score more points for stats. His defense has been outstanding and together with Nigel, that's some backcourt. Corey is becoming a complete player and is unselfish and wants other guys to do well. You saw a few examples of how the unselfish play is leading to baskets. Corey got the ball to both mike Williams and Laurent so they could get going with some baskets when Corey could have taken the shots himself. This coach is preparing him for the pros and has it right. If you can't play defense, it doesn't matter how well your shoot the ball.

Ask dahntay jones? He had a long NBA career because of his defense and Corey can score a lot more than jones at this point in his career. Corey is getting stronger and can drive to the hoop on almost anyone. I wouldn't change anything he's doing as his shots will fall. We saw him shoot it well last year. Now he doesn't need to force and bad shots. So many options out there.

 

[RUMBA-JK]

I think Corey is playing great and I'm not concerned about having him do more just so he can score more points for stats. His defense has been outstanding and together with Nigel, that's some backcourt. Corey is becoming a complete player and is unselfish and wants other guys to do well. You saw a few examples of how the unselfish play is leading to baskets. Corey got the ball to both mike Williams and Laurent so they could get going with some baskets when Corey could have taken the shots himself. This coach is preparing him for the pros and has it right. If you can't play defense, it doesn't matter how well your shoot the ball.

Ask dahntay jones? He had a long NBA career because of his defense and Corey can score a lot more than jones at this point in his career. Corey is getting stronger and can drive to the hoop on almost anyone. I wouldn't change anything he's doing as his shots will fall. We saw him shoot it well last year. Now he doesn't need to force and bad shots. So many options out there.

Pikiell is doing the Mr. Miyagi thing with Corey - and ultimately Corey gets the trophy!

 

[PatrickRU92]

He could have EASILY gone into "sulk mode" with him not being clearly The Man but he hasn't. That needs to be attributed to both him and the coaches

 

[RedSpartan]

Corey is becoming a complete player and is unselfish and wants other guys to do well.

And THIS is how you impress the NBA scouts. You take coaching, do it well, and expand your game.

 

[S_Janowski]

His 1 minute post game interview that the Mods caught says a lot about his attitude this year. He said last year it felt like it was all on his shoulders but this year if he has a bad game his teammates are there to help him out.

I think the kid just wants to do whatever it takes to win and have fun with his teammates which is kind of surprising considering he has NBA aspirations but it's a great thing for us and probly means he's back for another year or two.

 

[TMCB]

Nba is a dream not a reality. Cory has a long way to go to be considered an nba player. He has nba speed and jumping ability but not an nba shooter. He has done a great job working on his defense and playing under control. He needs a full 4 yrs in college. He is receiving quality coaching. All that said Rutgers needs him to score more as the competition improves.

 

[DennisHajekRC84]

When your shot is struggling you do two things. get to the rim and get to the line. You work on it from inside out. It will come.

VERY proud of him (and the rest ) right now. That one little pass to Mike when Corey easily could have taken the layup says it all.

 

[RU-ROCS]

Green- You nailed it. Corey has been terrific. I really think his shot will start to fall once he gets used to the new mechanics. Then, watch out!

 

[soundcrib]

His numbers aren't way down. He's up in assists, rebounds, steals, blocks, (down in-good) turnovers playing 7 minutes less per game. Yes he's down in points, mainly because of FG%, but he's also taking 3 fewer shots per game (see minutes). On the surface, Corey and Nigel are comparable players, but Corey has nearly doubled Nigel's assist total in similar minutes. Corey is our floor general. He just needs to keep working on that J.

http://basketball.realgm.com/player/Corey-Sanders/Summary/73150

 

[BellyFullOfWhiteDogCrap]

Love Corey's attitude, energy, and unselfish play. But to be fair, he really needs to improve on the defensive end. I see a glaring weakness there. He continues to get beat off the dribble too often. Dribble penetration, especially from the opponent's point guard, breaks the whole defense down.

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

Love Corey's attitude, energy, and unselfish play. But to be fair, he really needs to improve on the defensive end. I see a glaring weakness there. He continues to get beat off the dribble too often. Dribble penetration, especially from the opponent's point guard, breaks the whole defense down.

Everyone can always improve, but "Glaring weakness" and continuing to get beat in dribble penetration. Really? Have I been watching the wrong games.

 

[ruman]

Its also nice to have a couple of teammates down low who can catch the ball and put it in the hole.

 

[Dpgru]

Corey is learning how to fit into this team oriented system. As he learns it and gets more experience in it he will learn there is a difference between looking for and working at getting your shot which he did all of last year and letting your shot come to you in the flow of the offense. As he learns that his shooting will get better

 

[FAT MOON]

And THIS is how you impress the NBA scouts. You take coaching, do it well, and expand your game.

Having said that...I mean he's probably going to be here for 4 years, right (sweeeeeet). I mean he's not really impressing any NBA scouts so far. Maybe in time...

 

[S_Janowski]

Everyone can always improve, but "Glaring weakness" and continuing to get beat in dribble penetration. Really? Have I been watching the wrong games.

He's gotten beat off the dribble a lot and then tries to compensate by going for the steal on the back end.

To me this just comes down to focus and being on your toes. He clearly has the athleticism to stay in front of guys.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Corey is learning how to fit into this team oriented system. As he learns it and gets more experience in it he will learn there is a difference between looking for and working at getting your shot which he did all of last year and letting your shot come to you in the flow of the offense. As he learns that his shooting will get better

From what I see he has learned.

 

[ScarletDave]

If you're talking about 3s and jump shots, yea I guess we know he can perform a little better than what he's shooting at the moment and he knows too. BUT, his strength was always the playmaker who you could dish him the ball with the shot clock winding down and he can turn a broken play into points by driving to the hoop, twisting his way around defenders in the air and putting in a sweet layup. Those are important buckets

 

[RutgHoops]

He's gotten beat off the dribble a lot and then tries to compensate by going for the steal on the back end.

To me this just comes down to focus and being on your toes. He clearly has the athleticism to stay in front of guys.

Not sure I agree with "just focus and being on your toes" but I do agree with the sentiment of the post. Now, Corey is markedly better than a year ago and he is actually trying to play defense which is certainly a step in the right direction. But, in my opinion, of all our guards he is the one who gets beat off the dribble most often. I can guarantee Coach P has him working to get better.

That written, he is a MUCH better and more complete player than a year ago. As I wrote in some posts yesterday there is a reason he leads this team in minutes by a margin.

 

[Caliknight]

Corey's points my be down but his assists and overall play is night and day.

 

[RU848789]

I have been very impressed with Corey Sanders this year. He has been a phenomenal teammate, working hard on the defensive end, and has been unselfish. His numbers are way down, but it doesn't seem to matter to him.

I'll trade him losing his shot (hopefully temporarily) for the way he is doing everything else on the basketball court.

It is refreshing to see a guy who was said no to by the NBA to come back and play for the team and not even remotely "try to get his."

Lots of good things to talk about with RU basketball...this one is near the top.

Completely agree, which is why I'm puzzled by some of the criticism of Corey on this board - the only thing he's not doing great is 3-point shooting, IMO, and that will hopefully come.

 

[BellyFullOfWhiteDogCrap]

Everyone can always improve, but "Glaring weakness" and continuing to get beat in dribble penetration. Really? Have I been watching the wrong games.

Yes, it's not good. Way too many blow bys. Who knows, this maybe the first time Corey has been asked to really play defense. He may have been able to get by on pure athleticism in high school, and last year with EJ.... well, you know. It's going to take some time for him to improve, but it looks like he's buying in which is good.

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

Yes, it's not good. Way too many blow bys. Who knows, this maybe the first time Corey has been asked to really play defense. He may have been able to get by on pure athleticism in high school, and last year with EJ.... well, you know. It's going to take some time for him to improve, but it looks like he's buying in which is good.

I'll certainly take a look, but, I just don't remember a lot opposing guards getting into the lane creating havoc or getting shots off. Just did not see that happening

 

[RU848789]

Yes, it's not good. Way too many blow bys. Who knows, this maybe the first time Corey has been asked to really play defense. He may have been able to get by on pure athleticism in high school, and last year with EJ.... well, you know. It's going to take some time for him to improve, but it looks like he's buying in which is good.

Disagree. It happens once in awhile due to what I would imagine are occasional lapses in focus, but I wouldn't say it's a big deal by any stretch. Pretty sure Coach P would agree on that.

 

[Dpgru]

From what I see he has learned.

I would say he has learned a lot. He certainly has learned how he fits in the system especially as it pertains to his running the offense and his role on defense. But I do not think that he has learned how is outside game fits in. He is penetrating and dishing and looks really good at it but I feel his outside game has not yet arrived. According to several posters his outside shooting ( 3's in particular) are not where they were last year. As he learns where those shots come from in the offense in rhythm his shooting IMO will improve dramatically.

 

[Scarlet Shack]

I have ZERO doubt that Corey going to find his shot again...I really think it has to do with the S&C throwing his shooting touch out of whack (If you have ever played competitive hoops...you will know that weight lifting ...especially after NOT really lifting...can temporarily throw your feel on the range of motion on your shot..until you readjust...you overshoot a lot...)

I've watched Corey's shot...I'm pretty confident that is a good part of the issue....

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

I have ZERO doubt that Corey going to find his shot again...I really think it has to do with the S&C throwing his shooting touch out of whack (If you have ever played competitive hoops...you will know that weight lifting ...especially after NOT really lifting...can temporarily throw your feel on the range of motion on your shot..until you readjust...you overshoot a lot...)

I've watched Corey's shot...I'm pretty confident that is a good part of the issue....

Great point, it's not like he just increased the weight lifting, he just started....he has to adjust to his current level of strength. He is probably missing short or long.

I also mentioned this in another thread....his best shot is the "Step Back" jumper and I have not seen him shot one this entire year so far.....that is strange.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Step back 3 is a <5 sec shot clock shot

 

[rudad02]

I have been very impressed with Corey Sanders this year. He has been a phenomenal teammate, working hard on the defensive end, and has been unselfish. His numbers are way down, but it doesn't seem to matter to him.

I'll trade him losing his shot (hopefully temporarily) for the way he is doing everything else on the basketball court.

It is refreshing to see a guy who was said no to by the NBA to come back and play for the team and not even remotely "try to get his."

Lots of good things to talk about with RU basketball...this one is near the top.

Good post FIG.

 

[brucelaw8]

Having said that...I mean he's probably going to be here for 4 years, right (sweeeeeet). I mean he's not really impressing any NBA scouts so far. Maybe in time...

Wrong.Four years is not gonna happen.Too skilled and Q factor.Lucky to get three.

 

[higgins3]

Great point, it's not like he just increased the weight lifting, he just started....he has to adjust to his current level of strength. He is probably missing short or long.

I also mentioned this in another thread....his best shot is the "Step Back" jumper and I have not seen him shot one this entire year so far.....that is strange.

I mean, in a Jordan offense(which he gave the keys to Sanders), that was his "best shot".

Was it the best shot available? Probably not. Sanders will come a long a little bit offensively, but it is better the team has more people involved. It seems that they are getting decent looks, but shots arent falling. I do not see a lot of "WTF" kind of shots where you laugh when they go in, but criticize when they do not.

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

I mean, in a Jordan offense(which he gave the keys to Sanders), that was his "best shot".

Was it the best shot available? Probably not. Sanders will come a long a little bit offensively, but it is better the team has more people involved. It seems that they are getting decent looks, but shots arent falling. I do not see a lot of "WTF" kind of shots where you laugh when they go in, but criticize when they do not.

You and FIG made great points on this. The offense is flowing very well, lots of ball movement. Sanders game has evolved with the current offense.

 

[RUChoppin]

Loving Sanders so far this year. Right now his shot isn't falling, but I have a feeling that will fall into place, too.

 

[higgins3]

You and FIG made great points on this. The offense is flowing very well, lots of ball movement. Sanders game has evolved with the current offense.

Thanks. This offense is based on space and passes. Any good offense is. You also have to earn your "good" shot by running.

Would you call it a basic 3 out, 2 in offense? Over time, I am sure they will get creative. As mentioned, I'd like to see Gettys in some more pnrs,etc.