Tighter rotation

[BRob2Perryman3]

Anyone else notice the Tighest rotation of the year tonight? If it weren't for foul trouble Mikesell wouldn't have played. This is what i have been waiting for, this has the potential to be a Final Four season. The 8 man rotation gives us our best shot at it. The only thing that shocked me was how early Scooch got his first hook, especially with Crosby battling a bad wheel. Arch must have been quite displeased with Scooch early. IMO Crosby,Toddler D and Steve are the only guys that need to be removing their warmups from here on out. I think Mikesell and Williams will get there eventually and they've shown glimpses and i hope to see them all 4 years, but with Cunningham coming in next year i can't help but feel someone is going to transfer out. Needless to say i hope it is Sam Miller. Ryan Mikesell has more basketball IQ in his pinky then Sam, and X has WAY more athleticism and actually rebounds.


Nobody hopes Sam Miller turns it all around more then me. I don't root against current or former Flyers. unless your name is Trent or Juwan.

[CE80]

I wonder if part of the reasoning with inserting Crosby early was because of his bad wheel. He was warmed up and maybe there was a fear that it would tighten up if he sat too long.

[C-time]

8 man rotation is exactly what Archie is going to use unless there is foul trouble. Mikesell, Williams, and Miller will sub based on who is in foul trouble and matchups/size of the opponent. If there is somebody Mikesell can guard he will get to be the wing sub or Archie might just go small if the opponent is too quick for him to guard. If Archie needs a post sub it will basically depend on the size/athleticism of the opponents post and who is in foul trouble.
Slow/Big/Immobile & Big Steve is in foul trouble=Miller
Quick & Athletic & both Pollard&Pierre are in foul trouble=Williams

As for the comparing Mikesell and Miller I don't think it's fair to compare them to each other because they play completely different positions. Mikesell exclusively plays the 3/wing while Miller plays the 5/center spot. While Williams has only been playing the 4 spot. In future seasons Archie will expand their role to more than one spot but he seems to like to let freshmen learn one spot first.

[Smitty10]

This team is going to look very different in 2 years and Miller will be a big part of it. If we can get a big backup center then he will be used at the 4 position where from what I hear, is where he has had his most success. Otherwise, he's learning the 5 and I have no doubt it will be the difference between night and day by the time he's a junior, if not a sophomore.

[cobra8u]

Personally I hope Sam Miller stays, I think he will get stronger and more effective as time goes on. He shows that he has some moves around the basket and can shoot from beyond the arc. He just wasn't ready for prime time, redshirting would have benefitted him like big Steve.

[Cityengr]

Originally Posted by CE80 I wonder if part of the reasoning with inserting Crosby early was because of his bad wheel. He was warmed up and maybe there was a fear that it would tighten up if he sat too long.

Sounds reasonable. Or could be he wanted Crosby in there for a bit early in case he needed him later. Or maybe as simple as Crosbys old high school team from Baltimore was there behind the bench (here for Flyin to the Hoop) and he wanted to get him in? Doesnt soud like Archie but you never know.

[KYFlyer]

Originally Posted by BRob2Perryman3 Needless to say i hope it is Sam Miller.

"It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt." - Mark Twain

[Fudd]

I think I read Archie commenting on how he thinks Sam Miller will be a very different player once his body is in condition for this level of basketball. Having a big who can shoot it from 3 is a luxury. I think he will be a valuable player once he gets the body conditioning.

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by BRob2Perryman3 Anyone else notice the Tighest rotation of the year tonight? If it weren't for foul trouble Mikesell wouldn't have played. This is what i have been waiting for, this has the potential to be a Final Four season. The 8 man rotation gives us our best shot at it. The only thing that shocked me was how early Scooch got his first hook, especially with Crosby battling a bad wheel. Arch must have been quite displeased with Scooch early. IMO Crosby,Toddler D and Steve are the only guys that need to be removing their warmups from here on out. I think Mikesell and Williams will get there eventually and they've shown glimpses and i hope to see them all 4 years, but with Cunningham coming in next year i can't help but feel someone is going to transfer out. Needless to say i hope it is Sam Miller. Ryan Mikesell has more basketball IQ in his pinky then Sam, and X has WAY more athleticism and actually rebounds. Nobody hopes Sam Miller turns it all around more then me. I don't root against current or former Flyers. unless your name is Trent or Juwan.

Agree....

Looks like Arch is also finding his match up rotations for both against small or large teams. Looks like the rotation is a little longer in the first half vs. the second half.

[jack72]

Originally Posted by Cityengr Sounds reasonable. Or could be he wanted Crosby in there for a bit early in case he needed him later. Or maybe as simple as Crosbys old high school team from Baltimore was there behind the bench (here for Flyin to the Hoop) and he wanted to get him in? Doesnt soud like Archie but you never know.

Or he wanted to put Crosby in early in order to save Scoochie's legs and energy for the critical second half in what Archie knew would be a close game.

[frisco flyer]

Or he wanted Crosby to play early and often with his Lod Baltimore team sitting behind the bench

[frisco flyer]

Regarding Sam, anyone who is not impressed by his progress is not watching the same team I am. Yes he has a long way to go,and yes he needs more strength and stamina, but he has come a long way since the start of the season. It is no longer a liability when he comes in the game. If he is patient and does what the coaches ask him to do, he is going to be a great player for us for the next few years.

[T-Bone 84]

Originally Posted by jack72 Or he wanted to put Crosby in early in order to save Scoochie's legs and energy for the critical second half in what Archie knew would be a close game.

Saw this perspective in another thread, and agree completely. If last year's team had the depth of the 2013-14 squad, we might have made 2 Sweet Sixteens in a row. But 2 guys had a different perspective on how to increase their "steals" totals, 1 guy had taken too many shots to the noggin in his career, a fourth guy could never get his "feces aggregated", and a 5th wound-up being a "partial qualifier" as a frosh, so we wound-up with 6 scholly players and a very talented walk-on as our only frontcourt backup. Archie knows the value of depth and of fresh legs, and he was a successful D-I guard, so he knows how important it is to have a well-rested #1 PG down the stretch in a close game. I think giving Crosby minutes in the 1st half was Archie's way of having Scoochie at his best down the stretch in the 2nd half.
Posted via Mobile Device

[224]

It all depends on the mental make up of these kids in this 19' class in regards to transferring.

We will have 6 kids. They all can't start. But they all can be impactful players, play meaningful minutes and have the chance to be one of the best classes in UD history. Each brings something different and there is a role for each.

It's way too early to see how they will all devolop, but if these kids devolop like every other kid AM has brought in, this has the chance to be a very, very special class. They can be a senior lead team with a tight rotation.

[Gazoo]

Originally Posted by frisco flyer Regarding Sam, anyone who is not impressed by his progress is not watching the same team I am. Yes he has a long way to go,and yes he needs more strength and stamina, but he has come a long way since the start of the season. It is no longer a liability when he comes in the game. If he is patient and does what the coaches ask him to do, he is going to be a great player for us for the next few years.

I wonder what this person would have said if Steve had not sat out a year. "He's too fat and slow, will never amount to anything, hope he transfers."

I have no idea what Sam will do with his opportunity, but we may actually have 2 big men who can shoot by the time these guys are seniors. A 6'9" Sam Miller a threat from 3, and Steve a threat out to 15 feet. He and DP are our best foul shooters at this point in the season!!

Imagine what Archie would do with so many toys to play with.

[Smitty10]

Originally Posted by Gazoo I wonder what this person would have said if Steve had not sat out a year. "He's too fat and slow, will never amount to anything, hope he transfers." I have no idea what Sam will do with his opportunity, but we may actually have 2 big men who can shoot by the time these guys are seniors. A 6'9" Sam Miller a threat from 3, and Steve a threat out to 15 feet. He and DP are our best foul shooters at this point in the season!! Imagine what Archie would do with so many toys to play with.

I can't believe that people are still judging this freshman's future by his freshman play. Character aside, I'd point them to look at 2012-2013 season and Devon Scott. And then watch his improvement in 2013-2014 and the first 40 days or so of 2014-2015.

Of course if you look at his partner in crime, the opposite happened but my point is, Devon Scott looked no better than Sam Miller in his freshman season.

[CE80]

Originally Posted by Smitty10 I can't believe that people are still judging this freshman's future by his freshman play. Character aside, I'd point them to look at 2012-2013 season and Devon Scott. And then watch his improvement in 2013-2014 and the first 40 days or so of 2014-2015. Of course if you look at his partner in crime, the opposite happened but my point is, Devon Scott looked no better than Sam Miller in his freshman season.

Good analogy but not sure I agree. I think the results were the same but Scott showed a little more physical toughness. I am by no means giving up on Miller.

[priceg75]

I seriously doubt Miller was recruited to play the 5. Once he gets to his more natural spot on the floor as a stretch 4, I think you will see his shot settle down and his defense improve.

[CE80]

Originally Posted by priceg75 I seriously doubt Miller was recruited to play the 5. Once he gets to his more natural spot on the floor as a stretch 4, I think you will see his shot settle down and his defense improve.

So do we have another Devin Searcy or Josh Benson situation?

[priceg75]

Except Miller can actually shoot. Despite his game results this year.

[Smitty10]

Originally Posted by priceg75 I seriously doubt Miller was recruited to play the 5. Once he gets to his more natural spot on the floor as a stretch 4, I think you will see his shot settle down and his defense improve.

I disagree with this. He's only in the game when Steve is out. And I don't see any 5s coming in next season. AM is not going to stick with the smaller lineups after next season when we no longer have Pollard. Someone has to back up Big Steve in the future.

[Smitty10]

Originally Posted by CE80 Good analogy but not sure I agree. I think the results were the same but Scott showed a little more physical toughness. I am by no means giving up on Miller.

Be careful, I was almost ready to red pip you.

[CE80]

Originally Posted by Smitty10 Be careful, I was almost ready to red pip you.

Red? You owe me green from my call on Cooke playing Friday.

[Smitty10]

Originally Posted by CE80 Red? You owe me green from my call on Cooke playing Friday.

Didn't see you call him playing Friday, but you did say that it probably wasn't bad prior to the Davidson game. So you've got my forever green respect.

[jack72]

Don't we still have a scholly open for next year, so we can still get another center? With Pierre graduating we need one.

[Lifelong Flyer Fan]

Archie on A10 teleconference
“I think in the G.W. game we were able to have all hands on deck,” Miller explained. “The eight-man rotation we used, that’s the one I envision being the mainstay with Kendall, Steve, and Dyshawn being able to rotate.”

[CE80]

Originally Posted by Lifelong Flyer Fan Archie on A10 teleconference “I think in the G.W. game we were able to have all hands on deck,” Miller explained. “The eight-man rotation we used, that’s the one I envision being the mainstay with Kendall, Steve, and Dyshawn being able to rotate.”

...and Crosby subbing 10 minutes for Scoochie. D Davis subbing 10+/- for K Davis and 10+/- for Cooke.

Everyone else when fouls or score dictate.

[DallasFlyer]

Originally Posted by jack72 Don't we still have a scholly open for next year, so we can still get another center? With Pierre graduating we need one.

We have Josh Cunningham. He's roughly the same size as Pierre, and is a GREAT rebounder and interior defender. He's not a center, but neither is Dyshawn. He'll be able to do a lot of what Dyshawn does, and is as good of a replacement as one could possibly hope for. He's the Charles Cooke to Jordan Sibert.

[TommyGola]

Originally Posted by cobra8u Personally I hope Sam Miller stays, I think he will get stronger and more effective as time goes on. He shows that he has some moves around the basket and can shoot from beyond the arc. He just wasn't ready for prime time, redshirting would have benefitted him like big Steve.

I think one of the issues with Sam Miller early on was conditioning. When I saw him at the R&B game, the first thing I noticed was he was not in playing condition. I hope he comes in next year more prepared physically. I believe Sam has met all of my expectations. He's a freshman trying to acclimate himself to playing against bigger, stronger players. A year or two in the weight room will change Sam's capabilities immensely.

[CJ43]

Originally Posted by DallasFlyer We have Josh Cunningham. He's roughly the same size as Pierre, and is a GREAT rebounder and interior defender. He's not a center, but neither is Dyshawn. He'll be able to do a lot of what Dyshawn does, and is as good of a replacement as one could possibly hope for. He's the Charles Cooke to Jordan Sibert.

Did you see him play at Bradley? I have never seen him play but I envisioned him as an undersized physical rebounder. More interior defense than Pierre, but less offense.

[jack72]

Originally Posted by DallasFlyer We have Josh Cunningham. He's roughly the same size as Pierre, and is a GREAT rebounder and interior defender. He's not a center, but neither is Dyshawn. He'll be able to do a lot of what Dyshawn does, and is as good of a replacement as one could possibly hope for. He's the Charles Cooke to Jordan Sibert.

I think Steve has taught us there is a whole different world out there besides 6'7" guys who have to play center.

[DallasFlyer]

I have seen a bit. Not unreasonable to expect a double-double night in, night out.

http://www.bradleybraves.com/ViewArt...CLID=209484760

[DallasFlyer]

Originally Posted by jack72 I think Steve has taught us there is a whole different world out there besides 6'7" guys who have to play center.

True centers exist, but they are incredibly rare, and take some time to develop.

[Medford]

I never saw him at Bradley, at least not that I was conscientiously watching him with thoughts that he would be at UD at some point, I may have well caught a game or two in passing, however, I was surprised to read that he was a top 100 recruit out of HS on some services; how he ended up at Bradley I'm not sure.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2...rward-prospect

The attached is an article from bleacher report, stating he was rated 110(ish) by 247sports. There's also a highlight clip that blends a mix of high school and AAU ball. While obviously the highlight tape is only going to focus on the positives, it appears that he's a more explosive athlete than Pierre, he hits a handful of perimeter shots, and a couple of free throws. Defense in some of the clips is terrible at best (of the other team, they don't show many defensive highlights of his), but they do show some "old school" skills around the rim, similar to Pierre. I'd be shocked if he's anywhere close to the passer that Pierre is, few are. (Don't think I saw Kyle Davis in any of the Morgan Park highlights, perhaps he arrived at Morgan Park when Kyle was graduating, or all the highlights were after Kyle left)

As a frosh at Bradley, he shot 43.4% overall, 23.4% from long range (on roughly 2 attempts per game) and 57% from the charity stripe (on about 3 attempts per game) http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/...ningham-1.html

The key will be adapting to his skill set and what he brings to the team. Archie seems fairly adapt at this, but he's going to bring some different dimensions than Pierre next season, some better, some worse. Don't know how much practice/improvement he's seeing this season due to the surgery. Would like to see him improve his stroke from the perimeter. He's definitely got a nose for the rim, so he should be able to provide some scoring.