Roster Changeups

[WichitaSooner]

Two teams face off against each other and after the game the stats indicate team A had 5 turnovers while team B had 10 turnovers. Which team scored the most?

According to most on this board, the only correct answer is whichever team Lon isn't coaching.

 

[steverocks35]

Some people have really short memories. When Big 12 play started Calixte was wildly inconsistent. He was a turnover machine who took horrible shots. JB is better right now and Calixte is decent at coming in and hitting a few shots, but if he isn't making shots then he might as well sit. Like I said during the game thread last night, our seniors have hit the freshman wall and our freshman is playing like a senior.

Also, can we talk about Matt Freeman? Why, for the love of all that is holy, is he playing major minutes? What does he give us? Even if he makes a shot or two, his defense, weakness with the ball, and horrible decision making make him a ridiculous liability.

 

[sheepdogs1]

According to most on this board, the only correct answer is whichever team Lon isn't coaching.

The question was specifically directed to you and not to the board. I think there's more to turnovers when comparing the two players. I could pass the ball all day and not turn the ball over, but, of course those passes would have to be very low risk passes. The thing is do low risk passes lead to greater scoring than high risk passes? One would likely think the high risk passes would inevitably lead to more wasted possessions, but that doesn't mean the offense scores less than the team dishing out one low risk pass after the other.

 

[CMSOONER]

Also, can we talk about Matt Freeman? Why, for the love of all that is holy, is he playing major minutes? What does he give us? Even if he makes a shot or two, his defense, weakness with the ball, and horrible decision making make him a ridiculous liability.

This could be said about our top performers as well, not just Freeman. Which is the bigger issue.

 

[opsooner]

Doesn’t matter who we start or bring in off the bench. Results will be the same. Not enough talent, not enough toughness, not enough development, and not enough winners.

JB can be a nice player over time if he keeps improving but he is not going to be a big time scorer.

I believe you need 3 really good players to be a very good team under Lon’s system. We had one great one last year but no other really good ones. We had two really good ones in Cousins and Spangler. Throw in a great one like Hield with those guys and you can get to the final 4. That is how you win under Lon’s system. It is designed for really good players. Sometimes I wonder whether Lon’s coaching is a victim of his own talent (because he was a really good player).


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[steverocks35]

This could be said about our top performers as well, not just Freeman. Which is the bigger issue.

Great point actually...

 

[WichitaSooner]

The question was specifically directed to you and not to the board. I think there's more to turnovers when comparing the two players. I could pass the ball all day and not turn the ball over, but, of course those passes would have to be very low risk passes. The thing is do low risk passes lead to greater scoring than high risk passes? One would likely think the high risk passes would inevitably lead to more wasted possessions, but that doesn't mean the offense scores less than the team dishing out one low risk pass after the other.

Ok, you want my answer? Look at the assist numbers. JB isn't just passing the ball around the perimeter to minimize turnovers. He consistently puts people in position to score. Just because his assists aren't flashy doesn't mean they aren't quality decisions and plays. It's like a hockey goalie who doesn't have to make a ton of highlight saves because he is always in good enough position to make the save look routine. JB regularly makes the play that not only is safe, but leads to scoring chances. And I think you are severely downplaying the significance of turnovers. Stats show that the team with the most shot attempts will win the vast majority of games. Turnovers and offensive rebounds are the two things that dictate who takes more shots. When you consistently throw the ball to the other team, you will generally lose that battle, especially if the turnovers lead to fast break buckets. Look back to the KU game -- we defended great in the halfcourt that night and lost the game primarily because of a 10-minute segment in the first half when we kept throwing the ball to the team in white and they kept getting transition baskets. That rarely, if ever, happens when JB is running the offense. I like Calixte, but his minutes should come off the ball other than when JB is getting a rest. And from what I have heard the staff say, I think Calixte himself prefers playing off the ball. He is a scorer more than a point guard.

 

[thebigabd]

This lineup would put our two most consistent players on the bench and would have a starting PG who doesn't take care of the ball, a SG who can't shoot, and a center who is best when he can come in and play defense, rebound, and foul as needed in short bursts. This (unlike the decision to start JB) would truly be a panic move. I'm fine with giving Polla a longer look to see if he can help, but I think starting him would be a bit much.

Nothing is a bit much when you are 3-10.

 

[Ghost of Gar Heard]

What, specifically, is Calixte better at than JB at the point? Far worse ball handler and decision maker, which are the two primary jobs of a lead guard. Calixte is good defensively and a better scorer at this stage, but those are things that don't depend on him playing the point. Calixte is an off guard and I think even he might consider that his better position.

He's a better shooter and that's about it. As you suggest, he's much better off the ball. It's interesting that no one has noted how the team's turnovers have decreased substantially since Bieniemy entered the starting lineup.

And more Odomes and less Bieniemy is an odd take, to say the least. Bieniemy could definitely stand to be more aggressive on the offensive end & I'd like to see more of him and Calixte together, if for no other reason than the team needs more shooters, but to attribute the losing streak to Bieniemy is questionable, to say the least.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

It's interesting that no one has noted how the team's turnovers have decreased substantially since Bieniemy entered the starting lineup.

maybe b/c we are losing? I don't care about less turnovers if we are losing games.

And more Odomes and less Bieniemy is an odd take, to say the least. Bieniemy could definitely stand to be more aggressive on the offensive end & I'd like to see more of him and Calixte together, if for no other reason than the team needs more shooters, but to attribute the losing streak to Bieniemy is questionable, to say the least.

I don't think anyone is blaming Bieniemy. Just questioning the decision to change up the starting lineup and stop playing out more experienced guards many minutes.

 

[vbdad]

The reason Bienemy is playing the point is because Calixte wouldn’t or couldn’t run the offense. Kruger had enough of him not running the plays. The defense is much tougher in conference play than non conference games. We have been terrible with either of them at the point in conference. It is a killer that Christian has lost the ability to shoot. We have absolutely no interior offense which hurts everybody. Doolittle has done his best but playing the 5 isn’t fair to him. Jamuni getting hurt and then losing interest has had a terrible domino effect on the offense. He wasn’t a great scorer but he had to be covered down low.
This team’s biggest problem is a lack of toughness. Baylor’s rebound with forty seconds in the game Manek and James just got pushed out of the way and lost inside position.
Ro does provide some scoring but once he touches the ball all flow to the offense is gone. Although I wouldn’t disagree if you said what flow.

Unfortunately the season is lost and it is time for the seniors to be gone. They have done almost nothing for three years. Hopefully the new guys will change the attitude of the team. Brady and Doo have to be leaders next year!

 

[WichitaSooner]

The reason Bienemy is playing the point is because Calixte wouldn’t or couldn’t run the offense. Kruger had enough of him not running the plays. The defense is much tougher in conference play than non conference games. We have been terrible with either of them at the point in conference. It is a killer that Christian has lost the ability to shoot. We have absolutely no interior offense which hurts everybody. Doolittle has done his best but playing the 5 isn’t fair to him. Jamuni getting hurt and then losing interest has had a terrible domino effect on the offense. He wasn’t a great scorer but he had to be covered down low.
This team’s biggest problem is a lack of toughness. Baylor’s rebound with forty seconds in the game Manek and James just got pushed out of the way and lost inside position.
Ro does provide some scoring but once he touches the ball all flow to the offense is gone. Although I wouldn’t disagree if you said what flow.

Unfortunately the season is lost and it is time for the seniors to be gone. They have done almost nothing for three years. Hopefully the new guys will change the attitude of the team. Brady and Doo have to be leaders next year!

Well said, I don't agree with everything, but think the vast majority is accurate. I would add JB and possibly Reaves as leaders -- don't know if Reaves has the personality to be a vocal leader, but he will be as experienced and likely as good as anyone on the team. That rebound you describe is absolutely the perfect one-play representation of what the team is lacking and needs to find. James and Manek looked exasperated after it happened, but neither did the hard work needed to prevent it from happening in the first place.

 

[Big Old Booger]

The reason Bienemy is playing the point is because Calixte wouldn’t or couldn’t run the offense. Kruger had enough of him not running the plays. The defense is much tougher in conference play than non conference games. We have been terrible with either of them at the point in conference. It is a killer that Christian has lost the ability to shoot. We have absolutely no interior offense which hurts everybody. Doolittle has done his best but playing the 5 isn’t fair to him. Jamuni getting hurt and then losing interest has had a terrible domino effect on the offense. He wasn’t a great scorer but he had to be covered down low.
This team’s biggest problem is a lack of toughness. Baylor’s rebound with forty seconds in the game Manek and James just got pushed out of the way and lost inside position.
Ro does provide some scoring but once he touches the ball all flow to the offense is gone. Although I wouldn’t disagree if you said what flow.

Unfortunately the season is lost and it is time for the seniors to be gone. They have done almost nothing for three years. Hopefully the new guys will change the attitude of the team. Brady and Doo have to be leaders next year!

This is the 3rd season in a row this has happened. At some point you have to think he never had the ability in the first place. He is what he is and what he is not is a shooter.

 

[hoopsaustin]

According to most on this board, the only correct answer is whichever team Lon isn't coaching.

That answer might be right tho. Bc whether its team A or B kruger is coaching, there would just be terrible shots, or missed rebounds to even any disparity, born out of lack of toughness..

 

[AdaSooner]

The reason Bienemy is playing the point is because Calixte wouldn’t or couldn’t run the offense. Kruger had enough of him not running the plays. The defense is much tougher in conference play than non conference games. We have been terrible with either of them at the point in conference. It is a killer that Christian has lost the ability to shoot. We have absolutely no interior offense which hurts everybody. Doolittle has done his best but playing the 5 isn’t fair to him. Jamuni getting hurt and then losing interest has had a terrible domino effect on the offense. He wasn’t a great scorer but he had to be covered down low.
This team’s biggest problem is a lack of toughness. Baylor’s rebound with forty seconds in the game Manek and James just got pushed out of the way and lost inside position.
Ro does provide some scoring but once he touches the ball all flow to the offense is gone. Although I wouldn’t disagree if you said what flow.

Unfortunately the season is lost and it is time for the seniors to be gone. They have done almost nothing for three years. Hopefully the new guys will change the attitude of the team. Brady and Doo have to be leaders next year!

The more Calixte less Bieniemy crowd may not be able to see the big picture. Jamal is playing exactly 4.8 minutes per game in conference than Aaron. If fewer turnovers have value, Calixte has 24 in conference games and Bieniemy has 10. That has to be worth something.

For those who keep saying Calixte is a better shooter, he’s averaging 33% from three point range. Bieniemy leads the ream with just under 41% (13 of 32). I definitely agree he needs to take more shots.

Now, if the real issue is pace of play, I would give Calixte a slight edge. That’s also one of the reasons he has more turnovers.

 

[WTSooner]

The reason Bienemy is playing the point is because Calixte wouldn’t or couldn’t run the offense. Kruger had enough of him not running the plays.

We run plays?!?

 

[thebigabd]

We run plays?!?

Could have fooled me.

That reminds me of "Robin Hood: Men in Tights" when Richard Lewis says, "I have a mole?"

https://youtu.be/ypDqH7kPQpI?t=48

 

[Soonerinkc]

We run plays?!?

Lol...nice one.

And...yeah...

 

[vbdad]

Wichita- great point bringing up Reaves. I haven't heard anything about his leadership skills. I have heard in practice he is our best player. It is sometimes easier playing in practice than in games but he would help us a bunch this year. He is a very good shooter and as I've been told he is a basketball player. A basketball player seems silly but if you watch some of our seniors you really wonder about them knowing how to play the game.

 

[hoopsaustin]

Wichita- great point bringing up Reaves. I haven't heard anything about his leadership skills. I have heard in practice he is our best player. It is sometimes easier playing in practice than in games but he would help us a bunch this year. He is a very good shooter and as I've been told he is a basketball player. A basketball player seems silly but if you watch some of our seniors you really wonder about them knowing how to play the game.

Id rather have a mid-major type of team with 5 true basketball players that can shoot.. than a team with greater athleticism that doesnt know basic basketball.. like when to foul and stuff AND no one can shoot.. like mcnease/odomes