Posted By: ColoUte - Bandwagon Minister of Propaganda...errrrr....Public
Affairs <everutes@hotmail.com>
Date: Friday, 30 November 2001, at 11:51 a.m.
I've seen a lot of posts bemoaning the fact that we lost Colbert. Yeah, Colbert is quicker than Spivey, but I think that's probably the only thing he has over Travis.
Seriously, if you look at it, PG isn't really our problem right now. Spivey is averaging 9.5 points, 3 boards, and 4.5 assists. His assist to turnover ratio is 2.25:1. That's not bad.
I think our biggest issue at PG is in the primary backup role. I think Osimani has some skills, but he's still REALLY young. It takes time to be a good PG in Majerus' system. How many people remember Andre Miller being booed off the court as a Sophomore? I can see how the loss of Colbert hurt us in this area, but to be honest, I'm not sure Colbert was heady enough or disciplined enough to accept the role. At the #3 PG spot, I think Osmundson is every bit as good as Marc Jackson was, and may be better.
I've also noticed a lot of people upset with the fact that we don't have a "go-to" guy. Well, at least we've narrowed it down. Last season, the team was led in individual game scoring by 9 different players. We had only 1 guy averaging in double figures. This season, we have 3 guys in double figures in scoring - with a team that's actually scoring fewer points per game than last year. I still think Jacobson should be the guy taking the clutch shots, but I think this team would be better off with Britton or Burgess leading the team in scoring.
There are two huge concerns I have with the team right now.
1. We are incredibly soft in the post. As I've said before, I don't understand this. Majerus said last year that Britton has the capability to average double digits in rebounding. Now, I'm guessing that part of this hinges on him being on the floor for more than two minutes in the first half. Burgess is our leading rebounder, but only at 5.25 per game. We really need to start pushing guys around a lot more. We're not quick, so we need to be physical. It seems as though Britton and Burgess don't want to touch anyone. Allred is the only one who shows any muscle around the hoop. Oh, an interesting stat on Allred - he hasn't missed a shot from the field or the line yet this year. Great, I just jinxed him. Sorry, Lance.
2. We're averaging taking 20 3 pointers a game. OK, this is mostly in reaction to the fact that every team who's seen us play knows to come out in a zone. The problem I have with taking 20 3's a game is the fact that only one guy is a consistent threat from that range. Yes, Jacobson has been off for the last two games, but he's still shooting over 45% (10-22) for this year, and nearly 40% for his career. However, outside of Jacobson, (OK, and Osmundson who is 1-2 for 50%) we don't have a single player who is better than 30.0% (Spivey 3-10). Britton and Jeff are both 4-14, (28.6%) Cullen is 2-9, (22.2%) and Caton is 1-7. (14.3%) Meanwhile, 3 of our 4 best FG shooters are centers. (Allred 100%, Burgess 62.3%, Koford 62.5% - Osmundson shoots 66.7%) Those 4 are also the only players shooting better than 45% from the field. Burgess has the most FG's on the team, but is only 3rd in attempts. If we can get the ball in down low, it typically goes in.
OK, so I'm the master of the obvious. But the nice thing about these concerns is that they're correctable. I'm sure Jacobson's shot will start falling again, and that will hopefully keep defenses honest. I'm actually glad he hasn't stopped shooting. As the season progresses, the motion offense will develop more opportunities to get the ball in to the bigs. As for the physical post play, I guess we'll just have to hope that the post players develop some pride, and get tired of being pushed around. I don't know about them, but it usually only takes so much of a guy getting his butt kicked, before he'll actually start fighting back. I hope their timeline is shorter than Althoff's was.
GO UTES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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