our fools gold season into a bronze one. Otherwise, the season is about to go down the toilet.
In order for RU to win a few games the rest of the season, Sanders must dominate the offense. Enough with the play-making effort --- never take an outside shot, pass to others, etc. It isn't working, because no one on this team can shoot on a consistent basis - not one player, not even Mike Williams. He only makes an outside shot if all goes perfectly -- his rhythm, his feet, his shoulders, etc. If any element of his stroke is affected, he misses. The supposed sharpshooter, Thiam shoots like he's 5'6" tall. In my view, he will never be a reliable shooter if he doesn't completely change his approach, not to mention his physique, if that is even possible. Nigel Johnson is in a major slump. He has the skills, so it would seem, but his shooting over the last few games is god awful. He fades away more than he goes straight up. He has failed to draw iron on what seems like 3 out 4 of his 3 point shot attempts.
As for our front court, Getty's must sit. He cannot match up against this level of competition. He hardly jumps -- ever--, he can barely run down the court. He has good hands and can post up, but he is playing way too many minutes. Sa must be the Center going forward. Once he develops more of a rhythm he will begin to hit his outside shot more consistently. Doorson and Diallo are projects. They have no offensive moves at all.
As I said before, as to Freeman, our most skilled "big" man, he is woefully undersized and unless he changes his approach on the offensive side of the ball -- by shooting 10-15' jumpers, moving without the ball, running, etc. -- he will get pounded underneath. Laurent is a nearly identical player. Although he shows flashes, he has to get more minutes and he has to take 15' jumpers more often.
To sum up, in my view, Sanders must look to score 3 out of the 4 times he has the ball in his hands. He must put this team on his back and start to take over the game. He cannot lower his head and drive every time. He must develop a left hand -- he has (to my recollection), never shot a left handed layup and start taking open shots from the 3 point line. Once the opposition begins to key on Sanders then his teammates will have step up and make a shot.
The starting 5 should be Sanders, Williams, Sa, Freeman and Laurent.
I would then rotate in Johnson (first guard), Eugene (2nd guard), Doorson (center) and use Thiam as either a guard or small forward.
I watched Nebraska beat Indiana at home the other night. They have a team of rookies and no names, but they won the game because they kept on knocking down shots when they were left open. We will never win a game like that if we can't make shots. It is as simple as that.
In order for RU to win a few games the rest of the season, Sanders must dominate the offense. Enough with the play-making effort --- never take an outside shot, pass to others, etc. It isn't working, because no one on this team can shoot on a consistent basis - not one player, not even Mike Williams. He only makes an outside shot if all goes perfectly -- his rhythm, his feet, his shoulders, etc. If any element of his stroke is affected, he misses. The supposed sharpshooter, Thiam shoots like he's 5'6" tall. In my view, he will never be a reliable shooter if he doesn't completely change his approach, not to mention his physique, if that is even possible. Nigel Johnson is in a major slump. He has the skills, so it would seem, but his shooting over the last few games is god awful. He fades away more than he goes straight up. He has failed to draw iron on what seems like 3 out 4 of his 3 point shot attempts.
As for our front court, Getty's must sit. He cannot match up against this level of competition. He hardly jumps -- ever--, he can barely run down the court. He has good hands and can post up, but he is playing way too many minutes. Sa must be the Center going forward. Once he develops more of a rhythm he will begin to hit his outside shot more consistently. Doorson and Diallo are projects. They have no offensive moves at all.
As I said before, as to Freeman, our most skilled "big" man, he is woefully undersized and unless he changes his approach on the offensive side of the ball -- by shooting 10-15' jumpers, moving without the ball, running, etc. -- he will get pounded underneath. Laurent is a nearly identical player. Although he shows flashes, he has to get more minutes and he has to take 15' jumpers more often.
To sum up, in my view, Sanders must look to score 3 out of the 4 times he has the ball in his hands. He must put this team on his back and start to take over the game. He cannot lower his head and drive every time. He must develop a left hand -- he has (to my recollection), never shot a left handed layup and start taking open shots from the 3 point line. Once the opposition begins to key on Sanders then his teammates will have step up and make a shot.
The starting 5 should be Sanders, Williams, Sa, Freeman and Laurent.
I would then rotate in Johnson (first guard), Eugene (2nd guard), Doorson (center) and use Thiam as either a guard or small forward.
I watched Nebraska beat Indiana at home the other night. They have a team of rookies and no names, but they won the game because they kept on knocking down shots when they were left open. We will never win a game like that if we can't make shots. It is as simple as that.
