Confession: I am a 50 y.o. hack pick up player.
I am very impressed by Omuruyi and Carter's ability to get inside position for the up and under. They have improved tremendously from game 1. This is a true fine point of the Big Man game and RU is a Big Man team in many respects. Both Eugene and Carter can get off the up and under. For many players at this level if you can get up and under (If you have the ball in your free off hand and have the defender sealed away with your body) that is a 75% shot. But for RU that is about a 50% shot. They are fine when they get their bodies 45deg square to the basket. That is easy. You have your man pinned with your shoulder and get a great angle to the basket. Where they don't do as well is the 90deg or more angle. 180 in particular. They rush up their arms but don't quiet their shot. For both Eugene and Carter, the ability to go up fast, but grip the ball so it goes up soft would have a huge impact on their effectiveness.
This team with a more effective inside presence would be amazing. Never-the-less I am encouraged by the 3-4-5 defense and offensive play in the paint. If you asked me what was necessary for the next stem I would say completion of the up and under.
In other news, I did not attend the game today. I watched it on TV and it was an EXCELLENT fan experience. I very much wish I made the the journey to the rack.
I am very impressed by Omuruyi and Carter's ability to get inside position for the up and under. They have improved tremendously from game 1. This is a true fine point of the Big Man game and RU is a Big Man team in many respects. Both Eugene and Carter can get off the up and under. For many players at this level if you can get up and under (If you have the ball in your free off hand and have the defender sealed away with your body) that is a 75% shot. But for RU that is about a 50% shot. They are fine when they get their bodies 45deg square to the basket. That is easy. You have your man pinned with your shoulder and get a great angle to the basket. Where they don't do as well is the 90deg or more angle. 180 in particular. They rush up their arms but don't quiet their shot. For both Eugene and Carter, the ability to go up fast, but grip the ball so it goes up soft would have a huge impact on their effectiveness.
This team with a more effective inside presence would be amazing. Never-the-less I am encouraged by the 3-4-5 defense and offensive play in the paint. If you asked me what was necessary for the next stem I would say completion of the up and under.
In other news, I did not attend the game today. I watched it on TV and it was an EXCELLENT fan experience. I very much wish I made the the journey to the rack.
