Mikesell

[Larry67]

Has anyone else noticed that whenever Mikesell gets a pass in the paint, he almost always give a very effective pump fake before shooting the ball? And, on the other side of the coin, that same skill seems to be missing from many of our other front court players?

[Medford]

Don't know if its missing, it depends on your skill set.

Mikesell isn't going to explode to the rim so he needs to get his defender off balance to get a good angle.

Pollard is going to use his strength, best to attack right away when you have the brute force that kendall has.

X-man is the most athletic of the bunch and the "longest" so he will attempt to get over you. similar to Kendall, I think it works best on that approach to go right away before another body can get there to double.

Different approaches for 3 young men with 3 differing skill sets, each works to their strengths.

[hessbz12]

I actually just really started noticing this last night as he did it a couple times in the 2nd half on the end where I was sitting. It's a nice look for Ryan. I think the other posts made a good point. It's kind of a lost move in this day and age, but it depends on the player. But I like that he does it under control without rushing and shuffling his feet or getting too anxious. Correct me if I'm wrong, but he gets a decent amount of And1's or just gets fouled off of this move. I think he's got a darn good basketball IQ and will only get better.

[Radar]

Originally Posted by Larry67 Has anyone else noticed that whenever Mikesell gets a pass in the paint, he almost always give a very effective pump fake before shooting the ball? And, on the other side of the coin, that same skill seems to be missing from many of our other front court players?

What Archie needs to do is give him some reps on the scout team at practice, because too many of our guys fall for the pump fake (CC, KP, XW, SM)!

[224]

I actually made a comment on this to my wife last night. He seems to do a great job of drawing fouls; a skill that wasn't necessarily there a year ago. His growth this year has been fun to watch and his potential is through the roof. When projecting the future, I think of him as a Doug McDermott type player for this team. Not saying he will be as good as him, but that inside outside game with a high basketball IQ

[steve]

This kid lets the game come to him like none we've seen in a long time. Probably too unselfish but I have a feeling he'll turn it up when he needs to in more games this year and, imho, could easily be a 16-17 ppg scorer next year..

[San Diego Flyer]

I agree it depends on your individual skill set. But it also depends on the skill set of your attacker. If you give Mo Alie-Cox an extra half second, you will most likely eat it.

One of my all time favorite sports names. Right up there with Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.

[shocka43]

Ryan is fundamentally sound. Does the little basics that you learn as a kid and he does them well. Moves really well without the ball compared to some others that just loaf around and don't move with a purpose.

[66flyer]

Ryan has almost patented that fake, waiting for his man to go up and out of his way and laying it in--easy peasy! He 's doing it more and more and I love to see it.

[Jeff]

Nothing wrong attempting to get an "and one".

[THirt]

Fun anecdote from the Duquesne game (actually two). We could hear the coaches pretty well from our seats. Early in the first half, we inbounded it to Ryan under the hoop. You could hear the Dukes' coaches screaming: "stay down! Stay down!" as the Dukes' player leapt past Ryan. He smartly waits the tick then calmly laid it in. The opposing staff knew but the team didn't execute.

Another play, in the second half, we were on defense for a Duquesne inbounds play. Ryan recognized what they were running and yelled out "I'm gonna need help, gonna need help." Sure enough, he got help and they didn't score off the inbounds. That's good stuff.
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	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.

[TommyGola]

Ryan will get much better in the next 2.5 years as he adds strength to his game. He is a truly "heady" player.

[moville]

What I love about the kid is . . . he's a local that dreamed of being a Flyer since he started playing hoops . . . and is doing well and living his dream.

[TommyGola]

Originally Posted by moville What I love about the kid is . . . he's a local that dreamed of being a Flyer since he started playing hoops . . . and is doing well and living his dream.

There are few things in life that are more satisfying than living out a lifelong dream. You can see his zeal for being a Flyer on the court. The young man plays his heart out every second he is on the court. Added strength will help him live out his full dream.

[John C.]

You just wonder just how much Ryan can improve over the next couple years. This team will be so different next year. It will likely start 3 fowards and 2 guards. There will be no go to guy established at the beginning of the year. Ryan will have more starts in a Flyer uniform than anyone on the team. If he does everything Archie tells him to over the summer he could be our star. There will be other good players on the team, but he could be the leader of the team on the floor.

Enjoying this year but next year could be very interesting.

[Flyer2]

I really like Ryan but he needs to figure out the mouth guard goes in the mouth and not behind the right ear.

Is there a Technical Foul if he doesn't have it in his mouth when play starts??

[frisco flyer]

Originally Posted by Flyer2 I really like Ryan but he needs to figure out the mouth guard goes in the mouth and not behind the right ear. Is there a Technical Foul if he doesn't have it in his mouth when play starts??

Ever watched Steph Curry play?

[KYFlyer]

Originally Posted by John C. You just wonder just how much Ryan can improve over the next couple years. This team will be so different next year. It will likely start 3 fowards and 2 guards. There will be no go to guy established at the beginning of the year. Ryan will have more starts in a Flyer uniform than anyone on the team. If he does everything Archie tells him to over the summer he could be our star. There will be other good players on the team, but he could be the leader of the team on the floor. Enjoying this year but next year could be very interesting.

Umm, Josh?

[BRob2Perryman3]

Originally Posted by Flyer2 I really like Ryan but he needs to figure out the mouth guard goes in the mouth and not behind the right ear. Is there a Technical Foul if he doesn't have it in his mouth when play starts??

You know the program is in a good place when a chief complaint is about mouth guard placement!

[BRob2Perryman3]

Ryan Mikesell- Keith Waleskowski 2.0

[224]

Originally Posted by John C. You just wonder just how much Ryan can improve over the next couple years. This team will be so different next year. It will likely start 3 fowards and 2 guards. There will be no go to guy established at the beginning of the year. Ryan will have more starts in a Flyer uniform than anyone on the team. If he does everything Archie tells him to over the summer he could be our star. There will be other good players on the team, but he could be the leader of the team on the floor. Enjoying this year but next year could be very interesting.

Because of the growth of Mikesell and X, the lineup in the next few years will get very interesting. We will have a surplus of really good SF/PF.

Next year you can lock in DD and JCunn to start...but after that...
Crosby is the leader out the gate to start at point, but there is always the possibility we add a graduate transfer. But let's assume he is the starter at PG. So that leaves RM, X, Kostas and SM for 2 spots. My money is on X and RM initially starting, but that could change as the season goes on and KA adjusts. Or does KA start day 1 and RM or X come off bench along with Sam?

In 2 years, that's when things get really interesting. Let's say you have JCros at the point and JCunn as a forward. Do you start X/RM/KA with them? That lineup is crazy scary to think about when you think about their athleticism, height advantage and ability to spread the floor. How can another team possibly guard that lineup? At 6'7'' Cunningham would be our 'shortest' forward, but plays the biggest. And KA at 6'11'' is our tallest F, but plays the smallest. Throw in the inside/outside games of 6'8'' Mikesell and X....wow. I think X can guard most teams SG (and he has room to grow into a better defender) so it wouldn't be a liability on D with RM/KA/JC guarding their F. And you could use/start TL in situations where teams go really small.

Other option is you start JC/TL in the backcourt with Jcunn up front, while rotating in X, Kostas, Miller and Mikesell for 2 spots. I don't like that as much because I think you have to put the best players on the court at once and make it work. The versatility of our guys allows us to do this.

This doesn't even take into account what we get out of next years frosh. But we can have this conversation bc of RM (and X) and his growth/versatility on both sides of the ball.

[Smitty10]

Originally Posted by 224 Because of the growth of Mikesell and X, the lineup in the next few years will get very interesting. We will have a surplus of really good SF/PF. Next year you can lock in DD and JCunn to start...but after that... Crosby is the leader out the gate to start at point, but there is always the possibility we add a graduate transfer. But let's assume he is the starter at PG. So that leaves RM, X, Kostas and SM for 2 spots. My money is on X and RM initially starting, but that could change as the season goes on and KA adjusts. Or does KA start day 1 and RM or X come off bench along with Sam? In 2 years, that's when things get really interesting. Let's say you have JCros at the point and JCunn as a forward. Do you start X/RM/KA with them? That lineup is crazy scary to think about when you think about their athleticism, height advantage and ability to spread the floor. How can another team possibly guard that lineup? At 6'7'' Cunningham would be our 'shortest' forward, but plays the biggest. And KA at 6'11'' is our tallest F, but plays the smallest. Throw in the inside/outside games of 6'8'' Mikesell and X....wow. I think X can guard most teams SG (and he has room to grow into a better defender) so it wouldn't be a liability on D with RM/KA/JC guarding their F. And you could use/start TL in situations where teams go really small. Other option is you start JC/TL in the backcourt with Jcunn up front, while rotating in X, Kostas, Miller and Mikesell for 2 spots. I don't like that as much because I think you have to put the best players on the court at once and make it work. The versatility of our guys allows us to do this. This doesn't even take into account what we get out of next years frosh. But we can have this conversation bc of RM (and X) and his growth/versatility on both sides of the ball.

All I know is if Crosby doesn't improve exponentially, next year's team is NIT bound at best. We will have no 3 point game because DD and RM will never get an open set 3.

Next year is very scary. But also very interesting in that we will get to see how AM's strategy will change. I'm going to guess that the key to winning will be our bigs on defense and offensive rebounding. We will have maybe our greatest rebounding team yet. But our success rests on Crosby's ability and that's very scary.

[C-time]

Originally Posted by Smitty10 All I know is if Crosby doesn't improve exponentially, next year's team is NIT bound at best. But our success rests on Crosby's ability and that's very scary.

As great as everyone on here says Mikesell is why don't we just let him play the point!

[CvilleFlyer]

Originally Posted by C-time As great as everyone on here says Mikesell is why don't we just let him play the point!

Because Archie wouldn't let it happen! Is that a good enough reason for you! I don't know why many of you don't think freshman can't play! Have you seen all the good freshman around the country this year? Why can't we have one McKinley Wright be the starting pt.guard and surprise everyone like Scoochie did his freshman year!

Don't say because Archie wouldn't let it happen because he would! He rewards players by what he sees from them in practice. Get used to the initials MW because I am predicting him to be the starter, if not from game one, at least from game 3 or 4 the same way Scoochie was eased in with Khari Price his freshman year.

I know there is a huge jump from high school to college with regard to competition but I've watched tape after tape on MW and he already has a high basketball IQ the same way Ryan Mikesell displayed in high school and now for UD.

[C-time]

Originally Posted by CvilleFlyer Because Archie wouldn't let it happen! Is that a good enough reason for you! I don't know why many of you don't think freshman can't play! Have you seen all the good freshman around the country this year? Why can't we have one McKinley Wright be the starting pt.guard and surprise everyone like Scoochie did his freshman year! Don't say because Archie wouldn't let it happen because he would! He rewards players by what he sees from them in practice. Get used to the initials MW because I am predicting him to be the starter, if not from game one, at least from game 3 or 4 the same way Scoochie was eased in with Khari Price his freshman year. I know there is a huge jump from high school to college with regard to competition but I've watched tape after tape on MW and he already has a high basketball IQ the same way Ryan Mikesell displayed in high school and now for UD.

I was joking btw. I guess I should have used the sarcasm font or the winking emoji instead of just an exclamation point.

As for who plays point next year I just hope somebody is able to step up do it. Maybe Crosby improves but to this point I have seen nothing to give me confidence that he will. Maybe Mckinley comes in and is ready to play right away. Maybe Archie goes out and finds a grad transfer PG. All I do know is that I am concerned about the point guard position next year.

[UDBrian]

Originally Posted by TommyGola There are few things in life that are more satisfying than living out a lifelong dream. You can see his zeal for being a Flyer on the court. The young man plays his heart out every second he is on the court. Added strength will help him live out his full dream.

The full dream Two years from now, Larry on the call:

MIKESELL WITH THE RUNNER. That's it, that's it, that's it. The Flyers are going to the final four

[224]

Originally Posted by C-time I was joking btw. I guess I should have used the sarcasm font or the winking emoji instead of just an exclamation point. As for who plays point next year I just hope somebody is able to step up do it. Maybe Crosby improves but to this point I have seen nothing to give me confidence that he will. Maybe Mckinley comes in and is ready to play right away. Maybe Archie goes out and finds a grad transfer PG. All I do know is that I am concerned about the point guard position next year.

One interesting thought is putting KA at point. Not saying we would do it or he is good enough to do it, but that is basically what Jason Kidd did with his brother in Milwaukee and look at the success.

[DallasFlyer]

Originally Posted by 224 One interesting thought is putting KA at point. Not saying we would do it or he is good enough to do it, but that is basically what Jason Kidd did with his brother in Milwaukee and look at the success.

Kostas, Mikesell, and Xeyrius all should be able to grab the rebound and run point in transition. In the half court set, it's about command of the offense as much as anything. I think McKinley Wright is going to be a stud from day one, but IMO Mikesell as a point forward could be worth exploring as a change up look to create mismatches on offense in the next couple of years.

[Gazoo]

Originally Posted by Medford Don't know if its missing, it depends on your skill set. Mikesell isn't going to explode to the rim so he needs to get his defender off balance to get a good angle. Pollard is going to use his strength, best to attack right away when you have the brute force that kendall has. X-man is the most athletic of the bunch and the "longest" so he will attempt to get over you. similar to Kendall, I think it works best on that approach to go right away before another body can get there to double. Different approaches for 3 young men with 3 differing skill sets, each works to their strengths.

This makes no sense.

Some of the greatest post players of all time were masters of the pump fake, regardless of double teams or outmatched defenders. There is no one, of any height or level of explosiveness, who should not make use of the pump fake at the appropriate time.

No one has doubled teamed our post players all season. Or last season. Or the season before that. Being cautious of the double team is not a reason to skip the pump fake--otherwise Mikesell would not pump fake either because he could not overcome a weak side defender like KP can!

There is one explanation for this and the Dukes coaching staff nailed it: it's simply because he's more fundamentally sound than the rest of the team. He doesn't do it just because he has no other choice, he does it because he can. He's cool under pressure so he has the court presence to know when to use it.

	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.

[jack72]

Velvet Chapman was one of the greatest I have seen at the pump fake.

[CvilleFlyer]

Originally Posted by jack72 Velvet Chapman was one of the greatest I have seen at the pump fake.

Don May was the master of the pump fake! He would get the defender to leave his feet then go up for the base line jump shot, draw contact and get 3 points the old fashioned way!

[UDBaby]

Originally Posted by jack72 Velvet Chapman was one of the greatest I have seen at the pump fake.

You said it...

Clyde was also a master at the pump fake..and one helluva dresser too.

[Jeff]

In A-10 play only, RM plays 21.4 mpg, XW plays 22.5 mpg. SM plays about 9 mpg. (excluded Bonny, as I believe he was sick). This may be an indicator how the forward position is resolved. With RM, XW, JC, (3 guys for 80 mins)....SM transfers, before KA is anointed any minutes.

[shocka43]

Originally Posted by Gazoo This makes no sense. Some of the greatest post players of all time were masters of the pump fake, regardless of double teams or outmatched defenders. There is no one, of any height or level of explosiveness, who should not make use of the pump fake at the appropriate time. No one has doubled teamed our post players all season. Or last season. Or the season before that. Being cautious of the double team is not a reason to skip the pump fake--otherwise Mikesell would not pump fake either because he could not overcome a weak side defender like KP can! There is one explanation for this and the Dukes coaching staff nailed it: it's simply because he's more fundamentally sound than the rest of the team. He doesn't do it just because he has no other choice, he does it because he can. He's cool under pressure so he has the court presence to know when to use it.

Shaq used to rock the pump fake.

I played with an undersized 5 in college. He had a nasty pump fake and step through that would catch the best big guys we played against. Nothing says you should try and power through guys all day long. It is effective and underutilized.

Regarding Medford's comments....on the surface the individual player comments are on par as there are reasons KP and XW play how they play. KP has power, but not much finesse. XW is long, but hasn't quite refined post play. XW is going to be an over the top guy as he has the length to elevate and use a drop step. KP does a lot of Charles Little type 10 foot jumpers and explosive attacks at the rim.

With that said, KP uses a pump fake and X really doesn't. It is a skill that they can both use against chippy post players that are quick to get on their feet. Get a guy off balance and out of space and draw a foul.

Out of the players we have, Ryan is probably the most fundamentally sound in terms of offensive movement, moving without the ball, etc. Many times other players see to go through the motions and aren't moving with purpose unless they are about to attack the rim or get a jumper. Ryan is always working on offense. That is what you want.

[shocka43]

Originally Posted by Jeff In A-10 play only, RM plays 21.4 mpg, XW plays 22.5 mpg. SM plays about 9 mpg. (excluded Bonny, as I believe he was sick). This may be an indicator how the forward position is resolved. With RM, XW, JC, (3 guys for 80 mins)....SM transfers, before KA is anointed any minutes.

SM isn't going anywhere. Has family around here. He will get roughly the same amount of minutes as time goes on and will get them strictly for matchups.

[CE80]

Originally Posted by Jeff In A-10 play only, RM plays 21.4 mpg, XW plays 22.5 mpg. SM plays about 9 mpg. (excluded Bonny, as I believe he was sick). This may be an indicator how the forward position is resolved. With RM, XW, JC, (3 guys for 80 mins)....SM transfers, before KA is anointed any minutes.

Totally agree. You never want to be stuck with too many bigs.
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[longtimefan67]

Originally Posted by shocka43 Shaq used to rock the pump fake. I played with an undersized 5 in college. He had a nasty pump fake and step through that would catch the best big guys we played against. Nothing says you should try and power through guys all day long. It is effective and underutilized. Regarding Medford's comments....on the surface the individual player comments are on par as there are reasons KP and XW play how they play. KP has power, but not much finesse. XW is long, but hasn't quite refined post play. XW is going to be an over the top guy as he has the length to elevate and use a drop step. KP does a lot of Charles Little type 10 foot jumpers and explosive attacks at the rim. With that said, KP uses a pump fake and X really doesn't. It is a skill that they can both use against chippy post players that are quick to get on their feet. Get a guy off balance and out of space and draw a foul. Out of the players we have, Ryan is probably the most fundamentally sound in terms of offensive movement, moving without the ball, etc. Many times other players see to go through the motions and aren't moving with purpose unless they are about to attack the rim or get a jumper. Ryan is always working on offense. That is what you want.

Almost like he's attended the Jim Paxson Jr. school of movement without the ball. Increasingly seeing him lose his man for literally wide open layups. That was the hallmark of Paxson. By games end you'd see his defender bent over clutching his knees. Love the development of RM and XW. 2 stars in the making...
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[BRob2Perryman3]

Brian Roberts,Chris Johnson,Ryan Perryman and the list goes on of Flyers who were 2 or 3's that performed as 4's if not better

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by CE80 Totally agree. You never want to be stuck with too many bigs. Posted via Mobile Device

I did a poor job wording it. What I was inferring is the SM will leave for more time somewhere else, not at that teams choice.

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by shocka43 SM isn't going anywhere. Has family around here. He will get roughly the same amount of minutes as time goes on and will get them strictly for matchups.

I also agree with how SM will be used. The point was that perhaps SM will not.