Game 3: Binghamton University, Thursday, November 16th, 7 PM, NO TV

[Patriot8]

No. Let the game come to him. He’s not the one we want with the ball in his hands 20+ feet from the basket.

You absolutely want him to have the ball in his hands for a spot up 3.

 

[Falco]

AJ - just needs to get acclimated. He'll be fine. I was one of the people on the AJ hype train and I'm not worried.

Kier - can we talk about what this kid is doing?! Leading the team in scoring, super consistent, getting lots of steals - as solid as he was last year, he is dramatically improved this year.

Kier doesn't even look like the same player. I like hearing what ByGeorge has to say generally but I was getting frustrated how much they hyped up Kier. I thought he was a decent role player, but I didn't not expect what we are seeing. I have to give it to the guys of ByGeorge, they saw something before me (shocker)

 

[FreeGunston12]

You absolutely want him to have the ball in his hands for a spot up 3.

If he takes an open one, fine. But how's he going to get that shot? By screening and popping, or someone else driving and kicking, not ball handling.

You're still going to have to explain to me why would we draw any play up for him 20+ feet from the basket. Look at the other options we have. There are 6 better scoring options in front of him from that range. His role is to screen, pass, rebound, play defense, and take the open shots that come to him. And that's fine. Every team needs those guys. Championship teams need those guys.

 

[Patriot8]

If he takes an open one, fine. But how's he going to get that shot? By screening and popping, or someone else driving and kicking, not ball handling.

You're still going to have to explain to me why would we draw any play up for him 20+ feet from the basket. Look at the other options we have. There are 6 better scoring options in front of him from that range. His role is to screen, pass, rebound, play defense, and take the open shots that come to him. And that's fine. Every team needs those guys. Championship teams need those guys.

Never said anything about ball handling, I said “spot up 3”. After tonight: Point=Proven

 

[FreeGunston12]

Never said anything about ball handling, I said “spot up 3”. After tonight: Point=Proven

He got going last night, no doubt. I still contend that we have 6 better 3-point shooters on the roster, and that any of his attempts should come in the natural flow of our offense and not be forced.

 

[GMUgemini]

He got going last night, no doubt. I still contend that we have 6 better 3-point shooters on the roster, and that any of his attempts should come in the natural flow of our offense and not be forced.

I disagree that Boyd or Greene are better 3-point shooters right now. Greene might become more effective as he gets minutes, but AJ's shots were silky smooth and not forced at all.

But I'll also say that no 3-point shot should be forced unless it's an end of the shot clock or end of game scenario.

 

[Patriotsince81]

AJ's shots were silky smooth

AJ's shots were silky smooth

 

[GMUgemini]

Yes!

Perhaps I need to find a better, more accurate description of his shot. When he gets square with the basket his mechanics are sound, he shoots in rhythm, and he releases his shot at the highest point.

 

[gmutom]

So are we all in agreement that forced shots are not good?

I love that our freshmen are getting a lot of playing time, but I also have to keep reminding myself that there will be a bigger learning curve for some than others. Based on the offseason hype, I never would have guessed that Mar would adapt this quickly — seriously, he's averaging 14 points and 5 boards a game! — or that Greene and Wilson would be so slow out of the gate.

One thing I will say about Greene is that he's not that far off from clicking like Wilson did last night. I've been watching him on offense, and he looks like he belongs out there. He keeps the ball rotating, he cuts without the ball, sets screens and crashes the boards.

Like Kier last year, it will just take a little calming of the nerves for Greene's shots to start falling more consistently. I was also comforted to hear Dave mention that in his post-game comments, because we will be an entirely different team once he finds his sea legs. Trust me, this kid is a scorer, and his 0-10 start from behind the arc and 7 turnovers are not indicative of his talent.