Kay's Sub Patterns
- By FlaTarHeel
- Tar Heel Radar
- 16 Replies
Ok, I'll bite knowing that I'll get criticized. I'll start by saying it was a hell of a season and they underachieved once again. From a talent perspective, how did they lose a game?
Ok, to the main point. The sub patterns from kay in the 2nd half were the worst since he's arrived at dook and that's saying something. I don't need to get too much into it but having a 30-21 lead late in the 1st half and to be down by 4 at the half is simple inexcusable. He sat there while Michigan St went on 13-0 run.
This is a significant problem IMO and the main reason why I may be a harsher critic of kay than most other dook brotherhood on this site. The things a coach has direct control over are who the 5 guys on the floor are, the X and O's. That's it. If you mess that up, that is critical.
I can't believe I have to qualify this, but I'm not saying to fire kay. He is the LOM after all and the perfect coach for dook, but it's strange how players are expected to improve year-by-year, but kay's awful substitution patterns gets accepted until it rears its head in another season like this.
Check the box scores and see how many games this season that RJ, Trae, Reddish played all 40 minutes, and the greatest player ever Zion played 38-40 minutes.
Do they win if kay handles the subs perfectly? Absolutely, dook was that good. We're talking about 3-peat talent since the '16/'17 season. But it doesn't excuse it. It's especially bad considering how Z, Reddish, RJ and Trae carried this team this season and during that significant run yesterday, kay did his usual act of not coaching when being outcoached. When he wasn't barking at the refs like a wounded dog, he just sat there stunned.
Did he learn anything from the Gonzaga loss? They need a game/season saving basket and the great Z doesn't touch the ball. Just wow!
Once again a very, very, poor showing by the greatest show on earth!
Ok, to the main point. The sub patterns from kay in the 2nd half were the worst since he's arrived at dook and that's saying something. I don't need to get too much into it but having a 30-21 lead late in the 1st half and to be down by 4 at the half is simple inexcusable. He sat there while Michigan St went on 13-0 run.
This is a significant problem IMO and the main reason why I may be a harsher critic of kay than most other dook brotherhood on this site. The things a coach has direct control over are who the 5 guys on the floor are, the X and O's. That's it. If you mess that up, that is critical.
I can't believe I have to qualify this, but I'm not saying to fire kay. He is the LOM after all and the perfect coach for dook, but it's strange how players are expected to improve year-by-year, but kay's awful substitution patterns gets accepted until it rears its head in another season like this.
Check the box scores and see how many games this season that RJ, Trae, Reddish played all 40 minutes, and the greatest player ever Zion played 38-40 minutes.
Do they win if kay handles the subs perfectly? Absolutely, dook was that good. We're talking about 3-peat talent since the '16/'17 season. But it doesn't excuse it. It's especially bad considering how Z, Reddish, RJ and Trae carried this team this season and during that significant run yesterday, kay did his usual act of not coaching when being outcoached. When he wasn't barking at the refs like a wounded dog, he just sat there stunned.
Did he learn anything from the Gonzaga loss? They need a game/season saving basket and the great Z doesn't touch the ball. Just wow!
Once again a very, very, poor showing by the greatest show on earth!
Advance stuff (Auburn scouting report).
- By gary-7
- Tar Heel Radar
- 25 Replies
PART I:
OK, for those who appreciate this sort of thing, and since I know this Auburn team very well, here FWIW is my scouting breakdown in much gorier detail than you'll get elsewhere. I'll throw out some basics, go thru the roster, and offer some takes on the match-up and Xs-and-Os.
- I'll start out by saying that in conversations last week within my circle (as well as with a few members here I talk with off the board), when asked about Auburn I said, "they are thoroughly capable of self-destructing in the 1st round in Salt Lake (they all but did), BUT if they get past that they might just boat-race Kansas (check)". This little weekend adventure personifies this team more than they would like to admit.
- This is a team that frankly underachieved for most of the season (for various reasons), but is now hitting their stride. Their psychological turning point was a half-assed effort that resulted in an embarrassing whuppin' up in Lexington in February that deservedly dropped them outta the top-25. Welp, they haven't lost since, including taking the SEC Tourney with 4 wins in 4 days, culminating with a downright scary 20-pt dismantling of Tennessee in the Finals (that wasn't even really that close).
- The practical turning point was a combination of Pearl finally fixing a broken starting lineup (one that made my head hurt), and working back in a couple of key pieces into the rotation. So let's look at the roster, one that now goes legit 10-deep, and has all the positional numbers covered:
Starters:
PG - #1 Jared Harper --- listed at 5'11 (more like 5'9) but don't be deceived, dude is (almost literally) all-arms-and-legs and plays bigger than he is. Former Peach Jam MVP. Leads the SEC in Assists but also has no conscience from 3, and will attack the rim and finish over bigger players. Harper is a blur who is a weapon in transition and pesky on defense.
Caveats. --- Likes to mooch steals and has a tendency to pick up foul trouble, and again, has no conscience from 3 so shot-selection can be an issue.
SG - #2 Bryce Brown --- his 6'3 listing is also a tad generous, but he's cat-quick w/ a strong handle and can fill it up from deep. Quick release and can stroke it off the bounce or the catch with good elevation. Also considered a "plus" defender (although not quite at KW's level). Particularly deadly on transition 3s. When he's hot, duck! --- 7/11 from 3 vs KU.
Caveats --- Has a tendency to dick around with fancy dribbles trying to create space. Also can be emotional and get into funks if his shot ain't falling (still plays hard on D though).
SF - #4 Malik Dunbar --- A role-player but his insertion into the starting lineup made a big difference. 6'6 and powerful w/ long arms, built like an NFL Tight End (think Nas). Don't be deceived, he can shoot the 3 and is not shy.
Caveats --- Spends too much time on the perimeter hunting the 3 instead of utilizing that body, and should be a better FT shooter with his stroke.
PF/SF - #5 Chuma Okeke --- Hoo-wee, I love this kid from down ATL way! Every coach I know salivates over him, and we've known he was underrated by the 'cruitin experts since HS. We're talking 6'8 of pure basketball-playing ability. Long and smoothly athletic --- prototype NBA 3-man --- with face-up and post-up game, and can defend, too. Was really hoping Roy would recruit him. NBA scouts have gotten the message and Auburn fans are hoping they keep their grubby hands off for at least another year.
Caveats --- Often defends best front-court player so has to be careful with foul trouble. Honestly, the biggest one is that he's just now in his Soph season figuring out just how good he is. Chuma's a nice, big, goofy kid at heart, but started to show some alpha late. Lordy, if someone could zap some Rashad McCants "dog" into him, yikes.
C/PF - #24 Anfernee McLemore --- Undersized for post play, but actually led the SEC in blocked shots last season at only 6'7 because he could flat jump outta the gym, and spring off the floor in a hurry. Also has Stretch ability with a spot-up set-shot 3 on P-n-Ps.
Caveats --- His season came to a tragic end last year with a catastrophic ankle blow-out, and frankly he still hasn't recovered that explosiveness, thus his shot-blocking and rebounding has suffered this season. And although he makes some, I'll take my chances with his 3-ball. Also weak as a FT shooter.
Bench:
PG - #12 J'von McCormick --- JUCO transfer has been a godsend for AU after Davion Mitchell's sudden off-season transfer. Took him a while but his minutes have recently increased as he has settled in as a starter-quality backup. When Harper had to sit out all but 2 minutes of the first half vs UT with foul trouble, J'von ran the ship like a pro. Listed at 6'0 (more like 5'10) he's also a blur. Not as much of a deep-threat as Harper (he has a conscience), but is over 50% from 3... will also take it to the rack and finish over and around bigger guys because of his ridiculous hops. He and Harper will sometimes share the floor in stretches in a small but double-quick backcourt.
Caveats --- Despite his improvements, he probably doesn't shoot enough (believe it or not) and he will still take the ball into no-man's land without a plan, and even his freaky athleticism can't always bail him out.
SG/SF - #10 Samir Doughty --- 6'4 (at most) transfer from VCU was starting most of the season out of position at the 3 due to temporary roster shortages, and Bruce stubbornly kept him there too long even though AU was getting killed in size match-ups. He has been much more valuable as a versatile sub and is deceptively athletic. He has an odd-looking set-shot from 3, but it's good for 42% and if he gets his feet set it's absolutely deadly.
Caveats --- Could do more as a slasher if he decided to, and sometimes gets loose with the rock.
PF/SF - #3 Danjel Purifoy --- ironically last season's NBA hot prospects are now coming off the bench, and here's one. Purifoy got caught up in Chuck Person's idiocy and was suspended for the first 1/3 of the season (as well as part of last season), thus he came in out of shape and rusty. He has only recently started regaining his mojo, and Danjel is a grown-ass man at 6'7 and prolly 240. Still not totally himself, he is now Okeke's backup and is also an NBA prototype 3 playing mostly as a Stretch-4 in college. And like Okeke, he has face-up and post-up game and an NBA body.
Caveats --- Again, he's still shaking off some rust and is working toward regaining his quickness and has been prone to getting too many foul calls
PF/C - #0 Horace Spencer --- a very athletic, long and rangy 6'8 Senior, Spencer has performed admirably out of position as a 5, and sometimes gets pushed around. Ideally a Stretch-4 he will nonetheless battle inside and can block shots. Doesn't do it often but will occasionally pop for a 3.
Caveats --- prone to foul trouble and is not a good FT shooter.
C - #50 Austin Wiley --- Speaking of prospects, Wiley was a 5* recruit who missed all of 10 (and big parts of more) games this season with nagging leg injuries. He's just recently gotten able to go longer stretches, and lemme tell ya, he's a pure Post and a load at a legit 6'11 and 260. Big fella has been a game-changer during Auburn's recent wins and could potentially be more so as they go.
Caveats --- still limited in stamina and is a sketchy FT shooter.
- (See Part II following right below for Xs-and-Os, etc)
OK, for those who appreciate this sort of thing, and since I know this Auburn team very well, here FWIW is my scouting breakdown in much gorier detail than you'll get elsewhere. I'll throw out some basics, go thru the roster, and offer some takes on the match-up and Xs-and-Os.
- I'll start out by saying that in conversations last week within my circle (as well as with a few members here I talk with off the board), when asked about Auburn I said, "they are thoroughly capable of self-destructing in the 1st round in Salt Lake (they all but did), BUT if they get past that they might just boat-race Kansas (check)". This little weekend adventure personifies this team more than they would like to admit.
- This is a team that frankly underachieved for most of the season (for various reasons), but is now hitting their stride. Their psychological turning point was a half-assed effort that resulted in an embarrassing whuppin' up in Lexington in February that deservedly dropped them outta the top-25. Welp, they haven't lost since, including taking the SEC Tourney with 4 wins in 4 days, culminating with a downright scary 20-pt dismantling of Tennessee in the Finals (that wasn't even really that close).
- The practical turning point was a combination of Pearl finally fixing a broken starting lineup (one that made my head hurt
), and working back in a couple of key pieces into the rotation. So let's look at the roster, one that now goes legit 10-deep, and has all the positional numbers covered:Starters:
PG - #1 Jared Harper --- listed at 5'11 (more like 5'9) but don't be deceived, dude is (almost literally) all-arms-and-legs and plays bigger than he is. Former Peach Jam MVP. Leads the SEC in Assists but also has no conscience from 3, and will attack the rim and finish over bigger players. Harper is a blur who is a weapon in transition and pesky on defense.
Caveats. --- Likes to mooch steals and has a tendency to pick up foul trouble, and again, has no conscience from 3 so shot-selection can be an issue.
SG - #2 Bryce Brown --- his 6'3 listing is also a tad generous, but he's cat-quick w/ a strong handle and can fill it up from deep. Quick release and can stroke it off the bounce or the catch with good elevation. Also considered a "plus" defender (although not quite at KW's level). Particularly deadly on transition 3s. When he's hot, duck! --- 7/11 from 3 vs KU.
Caveats --- Has a tendency to dick around with fancy dribbles trying to create space. Also can be emotional and get into funks if his shot ain't falling (still plays hard on D though).
SF - #4 Malik Dunbar --- A role-player but his insertion into the starting lineup made a big difference. 6'6 and powerful w/ long arms, built like an NFL Tight End (think Nas). Don't be deceived, he can shoot the 3 and is not shy.
Caveats --- Spends too much time on the perimeter hunting the 3 instead of utilizing that body, and should be a better FT shooter with his stroke.
PF/SF - #5 Chuma Okeke --- Hoo-wee, I love this kid from down ATL way! Every coach I know salivates over him, and we've known he was underrated by the 'cruitin experts since HS. We're talking 6'8 of pure basketball-playing ability. Long and smoothly athletic --- prototype NBA 3-man --- with face-up and post-up game, and can defend, too. Was really hoping Roy would recruit him. NBA scouts have gotten the message and Auburn fans are hoping they keep their grubby hands off for at least another year.
Caveats --- Often defends best front-court player so has to be careful with foul trouble. Honestly, the biggest one is that he's just now in his Soph season figuring out just how good he is. Chuma's a nice, big, goofy kid at heart, but started to show some alpha late. Lordy, if someone could zap some Rashad McCants "dog" into him, yikes.
C/PF - #24 Anfernee McLemore --- Undersized for post play, but actually led the SEC in blocked shots last season at only 6'7 because he could flat jump outta the gym, and spring off the floor in a hurry. Also has Stretch ability with a spot-up set-shot 3 on P-n-Ps.
Caveats --- His season came to a tragic end last year with a catastrophic ankle blow-out, and frankly he still hasn't recovered that explosiveness, thus his shot-blocking and rebounding has suffered this season. And although he makes some, I'll take my chances with his 3-ball. Also weak as a FT shooter.
Bench:
PG - #12 J'von McCormick --- JUCO transfer has been a godsend for AU after Davion Mitchell's sudden off-season transfer. Took him a while but his minutes have recently increased as he has settled in as a starter-quality backup. When Harper had to sit out all but 2 minutes of the first half vs UT with foul trouble, J'von ran the ship like a pro. Listed at 6'0 (more like 5'10) he's also a blur. Not as much of a deep-threat as Harper (he has a conscience), but is over 50% from 3... will also take it to the rack and finish over and around bigger guys because of his ridiculous hops. He and Harper will sometimes share the floor in stretches in a small but double-quick backcourt.
Caveats --- Despite his improvements, he probably doesn't shoot enough (believe it or not) and he will still take the ball into no-man's land without a plan, and even his freaky athleticism can't always bail him out.
SG/SF - #10 Samir Doughty --- 6'4 (at most) transfer from VCU was starting most of the season out of position at the 3 due to temporary roster shortages, and Bruce stubbornly kept him there too long even though AU was getting killed in size match-ups. He has been much more valuable as a versatile sub and is deceptively athletic. He has an odd-looking set-shot from 3, but it's good for 42% and if he gets his feet set it's absolutely deadly.
Caveats --- Could do more as a slasher if he decided to, and sometimes gets loose with the rock.
PF/SF - #3 Danjel Purifoy --- ironically last season's NBA hot prospects are now coming off the bench, and here's one. Purifoy got caught up in Chuck Person's idiocy and was suspended for the first 1/3 of the season (as well as part of last season), thus he came in out of shape and rusty. He has only recently started regaining his mojo, and Danjel is a grown-ass man at 6'7 and prolly 240. Still not totally himself, he is now Okeke's backup and is also an NBA prototype 3 playing mostly as a Stretch-4 in college. And like Okeke, he has face-up and post-up game and an NBA body.
Caveats --- Again, he's still shaking off some rust and is working toward regaining his quickness and has been prone to getting too many foul calls
PF/C - #0 Horace Spencer --- a very athletic, long and rangy 6'8 Senior, Spencer has performed admirably out of position as a 5, and sometimes gets pushed around. Ideally a Stretch-4 he will nonetheless battle inside and can block shots. Doesn't do it often but will occasionally pop for a 3.
Caveats --- prone to foul trouble and is not a good FT shooter.
C - #50 Austin Wiley --- Speaking of prospects, Wiley was a 5* recruit who missed all of 10 (and big parts of more) games this season with nagging leg injuries. He's just recently gotten able to go longer stretches, and lemme tell ya, he's a pure Post and a load at a legit 6'11 and 260. Big fella has been a game-changer during Auburn's recent wins and could potentially be more so as they go.
Caveats --- still limited in stamina and is a sketchy FT shooter.
- (See Part II following right below for Xs-and-Os, etc)
