Biggest Fears Heading Into Next Season

[UDBrian]

I thought it would be interesting to ask this question prior to the Red/Blue game. I often form some strong opinions after having a chance to watch the players.

My top four concerns

1) Point guard play. We need one or more players to run the offense and also to push the ball on the fast break. We also need one or more point guards to knock down some jump shots if the other team dares him to shoot.

2) Running the offense. This team is made up of slashers who are made for this offense. They must take the opportunity to go to the basket or put the ball on the floor and create opportunities for others when the openings occur. I thought Marcus and Chris both did a good job of this toward the end of last season and this area needs to continue to improve.

3) Killer Instinct. I cannot remember the last time UD had a team that could grab a game by the throat (to use an OP term) whenever it needed to. This team will not make the tournament unless they play consistently game to game and put the pressure on teams they are supposed to beat.

4) Outside Shooting. We have lots of unknowns here. There is Mickey who is supposed to be a deadly shooter and didn't prove it last season. There are three freshmen with good strokes who should really help out but they are also unproven. There is a juco transfer who is supposed to be a very good three point shooter. If two of those five provide good outside shooting numbers we are in good shape, if more than two we should do well.

[ud69]

Key Injuries.

[smitch425]

The flu.

[bosoxrule]

Road games

[rollo]

Roberts and Wright were our only player last season with any guts. Any game that was close exposed the cowardness of Binnie, Little etc... as all they wanted to do was (a) avoid getting the ball or (b) upon reluctantly receiving the ball, trying to get it back to Roberts ASAP. I'm not sure this is going to change except in '08-09 it'll be Johnson and Wright watching everyone else running for the hills.

What I would most like to see is the development of a low post game for Huelsman, Searcy and Benson. It would be nice to be able to get the ball down low for a high percentage shot in order to pad a lead, keep the score close or stop a run by our opponents. Finn, Nate Green, Waleskowski etc... were great at getting points when we absolutely needed them. Last year it was all Roberts, all the time. The lack of an inside game combined with unproven outside shooters, gutless upperclassmen and poor FT shooting spells trouble.

[Flyer'95]

I don't think we've had a decent low post threat since BG's first year. The development of our big men has left much to be desired. KH has become a good defender, but he needs to make that jump to becoming a solid low post threat on offense. And once he does, our team needs to recognize it and get him the ball more. He showed flashes of it last year. Let's hope he grows even more this year.

But with that comes the problem of foul shooting. If KH gets better down low on offense, you can bet he'll be fouled more. And he has been less than stellar from the line too.

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by Flyer'95 I don't think we've had a decent low post threat since BG's first year. The development of our big men has left much to be desired. KH has become a good defender, but he needs to make that jump to becoming a solid low post threat on offense. And once he does, our team needs to recognize it and get him the ball more. He showed flashes of it last year. Let's hope he grows even more this year. But with that comes the problem of foul shooting. If KH gets better down low on offense, you can bet he'll be fouled more. And he has been less than stellar from the line too.

Yeah, and maybe he should dunk the basketball once in awhile, for a high percentage shot. Or maybe take it to the basket with authority. He looks more like a school girl delivering girl scout cookies. Take it to the hole young fella! He is like 6'11 and can't dunk, that's pathetic! Even BR could dunk. But going back to the topic of discussion, my main concerns is "who is going to be BR?" Who is going to be the leader, the "floor-general?" Free-throw shooting was atrocious last year, outside shooting, and preventing costly turnovers. If we can work on "fundamentails" this summer, we should be just fine!!!!!

GO FLYERS!!!!!!!!

[lilrudy4787]

its gotta be pg play followed by injuries. we need a good solid point to have a good season. i dont care whether its LW or ST or RL. Second, we need to keep our players healthy and in shape.

[udstevied_D87]

Originally Posted by lilrudy4787 its gotta be pg play followed by injuries. we need a good solid point to have a good season. i dont care whether its LW or ST or RL. Second, we need to keep our players healthy and in shape.

u should be their trainer

[Fudd]

Originally Posted by Flyer'95 I don't think we've had a decent low post threat since BG's first year. The development of our big men has left much to be desired. KH has become a good defender, but he needs to make that jump to becoming a solid low post threat on offense. And once he does, our team needs to recognize it and get him the ball more. He showed flashes of it last year. Let's hope he grows even more this year. But with that comes the problem of foul shooting. If KH gets better down low on offense, you can bet he'll be fouled more. And he has been less than stellar from the line too.

I watched the Rhode Island home game free rerun on the CSTV website a few days ago. The announcers kept reiterating what a good season KH had up that game. (Something like 5 or 6 10+ pt games) He scored 10 in that one also. They went as far as to call him the unsung hero of the season up until that point. I still think he is the unsung hero. That is also the game where CW broke his ankle. He played a good minute after he did that which is amazing to me. When CW was out, followed quickly by Little's broke foot bone, our offense suffered dramatically, and it became harder for everyone on the floor to score, IMO. I think that clouds the vision of what KH can do. How many times can you recall KH missing that baby hook shot? We need to go to that often this year. He has a shooters touch from that range, and that shot allows him to hide his poor jumping ability and use his shoulders to clear space so he won't get blocked. Don't ask KH to dunk. Ask him to shield the defender using his big body and make the lay-up.

	Rhode Island RHODE ISLAND The University of Rhode Island was chartered as the state's agricultural school in 1888. The school became the Rhode Island College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts in 1892. Located in southern Rhode Island, URI is a quintessential New England campus - rural in feeling yet close to the city of Providence, the state's capital. Linked to the city, the beaches, and nearly every corner of the state by both rail and public transit, the campus is easily accessible from Boston and New York URI currently offers 100 majors in seven degree-granting colleges. There are more than 12,000 students on the Kingston campus, about 3,000 in Providence, and a complement of about 700 faculty. Fellow members of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Rams.

[shocka43]

1. PG play, consistency...talent is there some of the time
2. Post play, consistency...talent is there some of the time
3. Intestinal fortitude and nads on the road
4. schedule...the schedule leaves no room for error. You win when you are supposed to, it looks like a genius move....you blow any cupcakes or fumble the "for sure" conference wins, we will be complaining about the schedule this time next year.

This team and program are on the cusp of good things. When we are in the position we are in, you can't afford to give anything away. Guys need to show up consistently, not a few games here and there. If the key positions can bring consistency, it enables the other consistent players that we tend to get at 3 and 4 spots to really tear things up. Without consistency at the 1 and 5, and without someone that steps up from the perimeter, it is tough for our most talented spots, the 3 and 4, to kick it in high gear and make the entire package come together.

[Fudd]

We will miss that big-time shot making ability of BRob when we are down by 3 with 20 seconds left. It's a little harder for a forward like CW to create on a drive when the other team is expecting the star to take the shot. BRob was a threat from everywhere, and that puts crazy pressure on the defense.

I hope that we actually have the offensive balance that I am expecting this year.

[udstevied_D87]

Originally Posted by Fudd We will miss that big-time shot making ability of BRob when we are down by 3 with 20 seconds left. It's a little harder for a forward like CW to create on a drive when the other team is expecting the star to take the shot. BRob was a threat from everywhere, and that puts crazy pressure on the defense. I hope that we actually have the offensive balance that I am expecting this year.

no doubt that is true...but as b-rob had the ball for the last shot the rest of the team stood around, the offense should have more flow this season and hopefully more team basketball.

im mainly worried about injuries. cw and cl hopefully will stay healthy, if they go out, its not gonna be good

[Flyer2]

Originally Posted by rollo cowardness of Binnie, Little etc gutless upperclassmen

They are kids xxxxx. If you are ever a father (not counting livestock) you wouldn't want your kids called names.
They didn't want to screw up so people wouldn't bash them. BRob was the man.

[Canonball]

If the powder blue uni's will come back for another round .... I keeeeed of course.

Just an opinion but I truly believe every season depends on the quality of the play at point. We're going to need a 3rd and 4th scoring option to make an appearance as well. If we can do that I think we can make some noise.

[rollo]

Originally Posted by Flyer2 They are kids xxxxx. If you are ever a father (not counting livestock) you wouldn't want your kids called names. They didn't want to screw up so people wouldn't bash them. BRob was the man.

They're D1 athletes...at this point I doubt their egos are as fragile as yours or they would have quit back in 6th grade like most others....maybe even you. A little bashing or booing doesn't hurt their little feelings nearly as much as a parent might think.

If you can come up with a word that better described their last minute, on-court efforts, I'm listening. If not, maybe you need to read more.

[Flyer2]

Originally Posted by rollo They're D1 athletes...at this point I doubt their egos are as fragile as yours or they would have quit back in 6th grade like most others....maybe even you. A little bashing or booing doesn't hurt their little feelings nearly as much as a parent might think. If you can come up with a word that better described their last minute, on-court efforts, I'm listening. If not, maybe you need to read more.

choke

[Gilchrist's Autograph 2]

Biggest Concerns:

1. Chris Wright being healthy the whole year
2. General flow of offense - this one is on the coaching staff
3. Consistent 3-pt threat
4. A post-presence that can draw a double-team
5. Low margin of error with only 1-2 chances at quality wins in non-conference, and possibility of losses that can look bad in conference play.

	Chris Wright CHRIS WRIGHT 6-8 225lb | Trotwood Madison, HS (OH) A10 All Rookie Team. Preseason 2008 2nd Team All A10. Member of the UD Flight Club with a 40+ inch vertical leap. Consensus Top-75 national recruit. Uncle is former Flyer J.D. Grigsby. Nickname is Top Flyght. CAREER STATS 2007-08 10.4ppg 5.7rpg

[skip69]

Some full court pressure on defense and use the speed and athleticism on offense by pushing the ball up court whenever the opportunity arises. LESS slow down half court offense.

[Jack D]

any stupid sh1t, like players getting in trouble

[Dirty Sanchez]

playing to the level of the competition at home non-conference

[DickB 309]

1. How quickly the new players can learn the system and get quality minutes.

2. How the NCAA selection committee perceives us and our schedule.

[FlyerYouBetcha]

The return of the towel guy, Chris Wright's health, London's decisions, and beating GW, Richmond, Duquesne, St. Bonnie, and Fordham.

	Chris Wright CHRIS WRIGHT 6-8 225lb | Trotwood Madison, HS (OH) A10 All Rookie Team. Preseason 2008 2nd Team All A10. Member of the UD Flight Club with a 40+ inch vertical leap. Consensus Top-75 national recruit. Uncle is former Flyer J.D. Grigsby. Nickname is Top Flyght. CAREER STATS 2007-08 10.4ppg 5.7rpg

	Richmond UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND Founded in 1830, the private liberal arts university in the Commonwealth boasts 2,800 students in 57 majors within its picturesque 350-acre campus. The Robins School of Business is one of the Top-20 business schools in the country. Nickname is the Spiders and are fellow A10 Conference members.

	Fordham FORDHAM Fordham University is an independent Jesuit university established in 1841 as St. John's College on old Rose Hill Manor in the village of Fordham, then part of Westchester County in the Bronx, NY. The name Fordham is derived from the Anglo-Saxon words "ford" and "ham," meaning a wading place or ford by a settlement. Rose Hill is the name given to the site in 1787 by Robert Watts, a wealthy New York merchant, in honor of his family's ancestral home of the same name in Scotland. The College was originally staffed by diocesan clergy. The name was officially changed to Fordham University in 1907. Fordham's 10 schools enroll 14,448 students. There are 7,652 undergraduates, of whom 3,842 live in University-managed housing either on-campus or in the local community. Fellow members of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Rams. Athletic claim to fame is consistent mediocrity in nearly all sports and few A10 title winning programs.

	Duquesne DUQUESNE Duquesne University is a private, coeducational university, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania located on 48 secluded acres, on a bluff above downtown. Founded in 1878 as a Catholic college by the Order of the Holy Spirit. It is the only Spiritan institution of higher education in the world. Duquesne offers 10 schools of study and 100 degree programs to 6,000 undergraduates and 3,800 graduate students. Fellow members of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Dukes.

[steve]

One thing and one thing only: consistent point guard play......That is it.

[bobber]

Steve nailed it. Get solid point play and the other things will take care of themselves. If we don't get solid point play....Oh Well.