Thru 2 games......guesstimated minutes breakdown (editing out garbage time)

[Greene Rice FIG]

1) Baker 36 McConnell 4
2) Kiss 26 Mathis 14
3) Issa 25 Mathis 6 Harper 9
4) Eugene 32 Harper 8
5) Doorson 18 Johnson 22

Baker 36
Eugene 32
Kiss 26
Issa 25
Johnson 22
Mathis 20
Doorson 18
Harper 17
McConnell 4

This is not prediction for the rest of the season. It is a prediction of what we probably would have seen in the 1st 2 games if there wasnt garbage time.

I realize matchups have a role in the minutes the 1st 2 games. From a personnel standpoint I am worried that Pikiell hasnt used McConnell more to back up Baker.

I have been keeping a close eye on the amount of time we had 1 big in the game (basically Harper at the 4)

FDU 6 minutes
Drexel 7 minutes

Harper Jr. willing I expect those numbers to grow. Issa has 3 DREBs in 46 minutes (I know small sample size) Harper Jr 5 DREBs in 38 minutes. Both need to rebound when they are in together as the 3 and 4.

 

[RickB113]

Our biggest issue right now is backup PG obviously. We can't play Geo 36 minutes a game. McConnel though is not the answer. I think we have to see what Kiss can do there. We are going to get pressed like crazy with Geo out. It's why St Johns is a bad matchup for us. We are going to struggle against teams with lightning quick guards.

 

[RU-ROCS]

Our biggest issue right now is backup PG obviously. We can't play Geo 36 minutes a game. McConnel though is not the answer. I think we have to see what Kiss can do there. We are going to get pressed like crazy with Geo out. It's why St Johns is a bad matchup for us. We are going to struggle against teams with lightning quick guards.

I agree that PG depth is a glaring problem. But, it's too soon to write off McConnell. He looked terrible the first game, but better (not good) last night. Having to run the offense as a true freshman is a daunting task. It may take him a bit to break in.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

I agree that PG depth is a glaring problem. But, it's too soon to write off McConnell. He looked terrible the first game, but better (not good) last night. Having to run the offense as a true freshman is a daunting task. It may take him a bit to break in.

No one is writing off McConnell. In the short term it is crystal clear that Pikiell only trusts Baker. That was clear as day early in the 2nd half when he was about to send mcConnell to the scoring table after baker got torched and then quickly sent him back to the bench.

 

[RU-ROCS]

No one is writing off McConnell. In the short term it is crystal clear that Pikiell only trusts Baker. That was clear as day early in the 2nd half when he was about to send mcConnell to the scoring table after baker got torched and then quickly sent him back to the bench.

I agree.

 

[PaKnight]

No one is writing off McConnell. In the short term it is crystal clear that Pikiell only trusts Baker. That was clear as day early in the 2nd half when he was about to send mcConnell to the scoring table after baker got torched and then quickly sent him back to the bench.

Rick pretty much wrote him off.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Rick pretty much wrote him off.

Needs an edit. Something like.....right now McConnell doesn't appear to be ready for meaningful minutes as the team's point guard.

Pikiell had the choice of force feeding McConnell 10 minutes as the backup PG and he didn't. I can't blame as we need Ws.

 

[YoucancallmeRay]

Our biggest issue right now is backup PG obviously. We can't play Geo 36 minutes a game. McConnel though is not the answer. I think we have to see what Kiss can do there. We are going to get pressed like crazy with Geo out. It's why St Johns is a bad matchup for us. We are going to struggle against teams with lightning quick guards.

I actually think that St. John's is a good matchup for RU. First, they are not going to be able to press because I think we'll break it easily with long passes. Second, we have length on them in the frontcourt and I think Shaq and Myles will be dominant. Also, I'm not sure they can matchup with Eugene and Issa. If we can keep their backcourt scoring within reason, we are in good shape. RU wins by 10 or more.

 

[MV9000]

Would be nice to have young this year.

I think Caleb will be fine. Like someone said tall order for a frosh. Think Harper and Mathis can help busy a press. I am also certain press break will be a focal point of this weeks practices along with defensive schemes.

 

[RickB113]

Needs an edit. Something like.....right now McConnell doesn't appear to be ready for meaningful minutes as the team's point guard.

Pikiell had the choice of force feeding McConnell 10 minutes as the backup PG and he didn't. I can't blame as we need Ws.

Agreed. Should have said right now he is not the answer. I would be less concerned if his issues were missing shots or even throwing the ball around a little. His issue right now is his handle. ThTs going to be tough to improve upon this year but I guess it is possible.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

I am keeping a 60-65 game window on the minutes right now and not looking at the workload like we did last year.

3 factors....

A) The B1G had a condensed schedule last year with a lot of scenarios with 3 games in 6 days or 1 day between games with travel mixed in...while Baker is playing a lot of minutes, it's 2 games in less than 48 hours.....later in the season, the gaps between games is much better....we have 4 games in 3 weeks in December....there's time to get players rest.

B) McConnell is a player that just has to play more minutes....i can't see Baker being up to 35 minutes. I see McConnell being developed slowly and it's just 2 games. Doesn't mean he's going to play more than 4 to 6 minutes but if he can stay in front of his man and knocks down a shot or two, i think his confidence and swagger changes.

C) sometimes players get the impression that they're going to be pulled out of a game and they press to do something instead of the game coming to them.

It would be dangerous to just assume McConnell and Mathis to a lesser extent can't help out Baker....or Kiss for that matter....we actually see Eugene paired with Baker on the press break....not Kiss, not Mathis, not Harper or Issa...

We played year 1 with Thiam as the starting 2G at times.....at a time when we had Nigel Johnson and Mike Williams at our disposal.

I definitely see McConnell being up to 10 to 12 good minutes...and I think the way to get him comfortable is to play half of those 12 minutes with Geo on the court with him. I think McConnell is more of a CG than PG and has some range. He hasn't hit yet from 3, but I think Baker drawing attention has a chance to get McConnell going, more than only assuming McConnell is only here to play when Baker is out of the game.