I’m curious to see what Juzang adds to the offense, particularly from 3. Missing Hill is a huge. We haven’t looked good, but having Mick Cronin rather than Steve Alford keeps me calmer!
On a side note, it was nice to see George Zidek’s son playing for the Waves and reuniting the son of a Bruin champion with Lorenzo Romar. I wish them well.
On paper, having Juzang in the rotation (and with Bernard currently starting I would assume Juzang was going to be in the starting lineup) would give the team a more consistent outside threat to utilize. That said, the Bruins seem to have trouble utilizing the other consistent outside threat they have on the team in Kyman, and they don't seem to be running any action for anyone on offense.
Right now I'm thinking the offensive issues are more systemic rather than personnel-based.
We will see. In the 2nd half, we fed Riley fairly effectively. If we get it inside to Hill or Riley and have some guys knocking down 3s when they kick it back out, it should open up the court and help spacing. It’s early and I look forward to being at full strength and hopefully avoid COVID.
The inside out with Riley is really effective because Riley is such a good offensive threat, but the guys outside are gonna have to be more consistent when the ball comes back to them and knock down 3s or at least take a couple steps in and hit some midrange shots to keep teams from doubling Riley or denying the entry in the first place. I can also see Riley distributing to Smith or Bernard for immediate drives to the rim. There's too much listless ball movement around the perimeter right now.
Hill isn't great in the post, so I don't know that you can do the same thing with him that they are with Riley. Where Hill excels is on the boards, as he's an excellent rebounder and got so many of his points last year cleaning up on shot attempts and making free throws (he was surprisingly good at the line last year).
Honestly, we had so many open looks from deep in this game that just regressing back to the mean would be a huge boon to the offense. I'd expect shooting to get better as the season progresses.
Dmitri, I don’t think either Hill or Riley are consistent in the post. Both have had some good games there. Riley has better footwork, but can struggle against taller players. Hill has shown a decent jump hook with either hand, but sometimes gets called for traveling. But having both available gives us more of a chance along with 10 fouls. Hill is a better rebounder and defender with more athleticism.
Yeah, I think that's fair. I think Riley is good enough in the post that you can run a legitimate inside-out game, while with Hill he works better getting dirty points, for lack of a better descriptor. But I'm a big proponent of what Hill brings on the defensive end being a major factor in the team's success.
Seems like a disappointing start given that these players are now in season two with cronin. It’s strange and frustrating to see they have regressed from how they finished last season...
I’m obviously going to give him more time then I did last season, but I’m mostly just confused why it seems like a similar start to last season with almost the same exact set of players.
I’m confident that things will get better, but very annoyed that UCLA hasn’t picked up from where they left off at the end of last season
First, we miss Prince Ali! 😂 Without Jalen Hill, it’s not the same players and it’s early. That being said, we have always has holes in our roster and this team will not succeed without maximum effort. The line between victory and defeat is a thin one. We won numerous close games last year which is a testament to Cronin. Definitely work to do.
Kingslook also pointed out in the game thread how much a guy like Daishen Nix would have helped. Losing one of the top incoming players in the country is a big blow. But I agree with baskets that it's weird that we're behind where we finished last year.
Relax a little, Baskets. This is bound to be a strange year. While I understand that many of us thought that we would just pick up where last season ended, a lot has happened. We really have no idea how COVID has affected the players individually and the team collectively. Yesterday, USF beat Virginia, and Virginia has a lot or pieces returning. We were also missing 2 key players. I don’t know that we can assume anything these days.
I think we all need to be prepared for a roller coaster year, all things considered. If, and when, Cronin has all players available to the team, then I do expect a different style of play. Juzang should be expected to add a great deal to the offense, and Hill will add more defense with rebounds and blocks, and absorb fouls.
Unfortunately, just when things turn good, we should all expect the worst, such as a Covid outbreak. Games may get cancelled. Significant players may be absent. This will be one hell of a test of a coach.
I’m curious to see what Juzang adds to the offense, particularly from 3. Missing Hill is a huge. We haven’t looked good, but having Mick Cronin rather than Steve Alford keeps me calmer!
On a side note, it was nice to see George Zidek’s son playing for the Waves and reuniting the son of a Bruin champion with Lorenzo Romar. I wish them well.
On paper, having Juzang in the rotation (and with Bernard currently starting I would assume Juzang was going to be in the starting lineup) would give the team a more consistent outside threat to utilize. That said, the Bruins seem to have trouble utilizing the other consistent outside threat they have on the team in Kyman, and they don't seem to be running any action for anyone on offense.
Right now I'm thinking the offensive issues are more systemic rather than personnel-based.
We will see. In the 2nd half, we fed Riley fairly effectively. If we get it inside to Hill or Riley and have some guys knocking down 3s when they kick it back out, it should open up the court and help spacing. It’s early and I look forward to being at full strength and hopefully avoid COVID.
The inside out with Riley is really effective because Riley is such a good offensive threat, but the guys outside are gonna have to be more consistent when the ball comes back to them and knock down 3s or at least take a couple steps in and hit some midrange shots to keep teams from doubling Riley or denying the entry in the first place. I can also see Riley distributing to Smith or Bernard for immediate drives to the rim. There's too much listless ball movement around the perimeter right now.
Hill isn't great in the post, so I don't know that you can do the same thing with him that they are with Riley. Where Hill excels is on the boards, as he's an excellent rebounder and got so many of his points last year cleaning up on shot attempts and making free throws (he was surprisingly good at the line last year).
Honestly, we had so many open looks from deep in this game that just regressing back to the mean would be a huge boon to the offense. I'd expect shooting to get better as the season progresses.
Dmitri, I don’t think either Hill or Riley are consistent in the post. Both have had some good games there. Riley has better footwork, but can struggle against taller players. Hill has shown a decent jump hook with either hand, but sometimes gets called for traveling. But having both available gives us more of a chance along with 10 fouls. Hill is a better rebounder and defender with more athleticism.
Yeah, I think that's fair. I think Riley is good enough in the post that you can run a legitimate inside-out game, while with Hill he works better getting dirty points, for lack of a better descriptor. But I'm a big proponent of what Hill brings on the defensive end being a major factor in the team's success.
Cool that Don gave Big George a shout out today. I think Jan hit more 3s today than George did in his entire career.
Steve Alfraud would have lost this game and made excuses such as he can't play for the players.
Seems like a disappointing start given that these players are now in season two with cronin. It’s strange and frustrating to see they have regressed from how they finished last season...
I’m obviously going to give him more time then I did last season, but I’m mostly just confused why it seems like a similar start to last season with almost the same exact set of players.
I’m confident that things will get better, but very annoyed that UCLA hasn’t picked up from where they left off at the end of last season
First, we miss Prince Ali! 😂 Without Jalen Hill, it’s not the same players and it’s early. That being said, we have always has holes in our roster and this team will not succeed without maximum effort. The line between victory and defeat is a thin one. We won numerous close games last year which is a testament to Cronin. Definitely work to do.
Army, we miss Ali? LMAO!
Kingslook also pointed out in the game thread how much a guy like Daishen Nix would have helped. Losing one of the top incoming players in the country is a big blow. But I agree with baskets that it's weird that we're behind where we finished last year.
Baskets! How's it going?
I’m back with my usual negativity... 😂
How you doing these days...
Relax a little, Baskets. This is bound to be a strange year. While I understand that many of us thought that we would just pick up where last season ended, a lot has happened. We really have no idea how COVID has affected the players individually and the team collectively. Yesterday, USF beat Virginia, and Virginia has a lot or pieces returning. We were also missing 2 key players. I don’t know that we can assume anything these days.
I am relaxed... what gave you the impression I wasn’t? Maybe the crying smiley face 😂
Negativity is just the realization that things can be better and not being satisfied with less than the best. It's the new positivity.
LOL, doing great. Glad basketball is back. At least you have confidence that things will improve.
*groan MBB was supposed to be my escape from a below average FB team.
Bruin Bro, yes.....mediocre football play sucks. Basketball should improve.
I think we all need to be prepared for a roller coaster year, all things considered. If, and when, Cronin has all players available to the team, then I do expect a different style of play. Juzang should be expected to add a great deal to the offense, and Hill will add more defense with rebounds and blocks, and absorb fouls.
Unfortunately, just when things turn good, we should all expect the worst, such as a Covid outbreak. Games may get cancelled. Significant players may be absent. This will be one hell of a test of a coach.