Have to disagree with Guy, in reference to positions in the Cleuss system. Going back to Watergate and the expression, "Follow the money", I say, follow the ball. I'm talking about the guy who brings up the ball, or ends up with the ball and 'triggers' the offense in the half court. DL performed that job part of the time, and he's no longer on the team. But most of the time it was KA. Probably, like most of you I'm hoping that Cedric could do that job, but he didn't do it last year. Having CC, AJ and IW shooting from the perimeter opens up the middle of the court for the guy running the offense. KA's decision making left something to be desired, but with a year under his belt, I feel he'll be more comfortable in the role, and my guess is that Ricky will be called upon to run the offense, also. But with TC, you never know, as he's way ahead of us when it comes to putting an offense into place.
I expect this team to be a little different from our past teams. We will still run but when teams are able to force their pace on us we will be much better prepared to run a traditional half court offense with our added size and depth in the paint. In games where our 3 balls are not falling due to tough defensive schemes we will be able to bang the ball in down low with Washington, Bessick and Rountree and let them attack the basket. This will open up the outside game again as the perimeter D will be forced to slid back and help with defending the paint.
I also think the team will be better defensively. I believe we will see an evolutionary jump in the Cluess system.
Agree with both Guy and I86. For the most part Cluess recruits basketball players who are athletic and who can shoot, regardless of position or trying to play a "traditional" lineup of PG,SG,SF,PF and C. At times this philosophy left the team lacking depth in the frontcourt and limited the team to one offensive scheme, shooting from the perimeter. What makes the upcoming season so exciting that I think TC finally has the type of roster he envisioned. For the first time the roster is divided into 2 groups. Bessick, Hines, Rountree and Washington will play the PF/C positions and give the team other options on the offensive when the perimeter shots are not falling. IW, AJ, Casimir, and Amayo will not have any defined positions, but will do what they are good at which is running the floor and putting the ball in the basket. Still have Ibn, Bebis, Much, McGill and Proctor on the bench. By far, on paper, TC'S deepest team. Really looking forward to this season
Agree with both Guy and I86. For the most part Cluess recruits basketball players who are athletic and who can shoot, regardless of position or trying to play a "traditional" lineup of PG,SG,SF,PF and C. At times this philosophy left the team lacking depth in the frontcourt and limited the team to one offensive scheme, shooting from the perimeter. What makes the upcoming season so exciting that I think TC finally has the type of roster he envisioned. For the first time the roster is divided into 2 groups. Bessick, Hines, Rountree and Washington will play the PF/C positions and give the team other options on the offensive when the perimeter shots are not falling. IW, AJ, Casimir, and Amayo will not have any defined positions, but will do what they are good at which is running the floor and putting the ball in the basket. Still have Ibn, Bebis, Much, McGill and Proctor on the bench. By far, on paper, TC'S deepest team. Really looking forward to this season
Well we still don't know who's leaving. Until we do I'll have to reserve judgment on how good this team can be.
1970......To say that Casimir did not play point guard last year is misleading...True with DL bringing up the ball he was more of a scoring guard as the season processed...With this, he matched up with players several inches taller, and he visably tired and this part of his game lessoned as the season wound down....
Not being privy to Cluess plans, but I would like to see a more traditional point guard use where Casimir abilities can be better utilized and height matchups are more even...
He will be with us for 3 more years...I fear that experiments with his natural considerable talents will be misused....I met and talked with this young man, and observed a confident fire in his eyes that if properly used and guided will produce star results......
Have to disagree with Guy, in reference to positions in the Cleuss system. Going back to Watergate and the expression, "Follow the money", I say, follow the ball. I'm talking about the guy who brings up the ball, or ends up with the ball and 'triggers' the offense in the half court. DL performed that job part of the time, and he's no longer on the team. But most of the time it was KA. Probably, like most of you I'm hoping that Cedric could do that job, but he didn't do it last year. Having CC, AJ and IW shooting from the perimeter opens up the middle of the court for the guy running the offense. KA's decision making left something to be desired, but with a year under his belt, I feel he'll be more comfortable in the role, and my guess is that Ricky will be called upon to run the offense, also. But with TC, you never know, as he's way ahead of us when it comes to putting an offense into place.
There are no positions in the Cluess system.
The greatest poster in the history of the MAAC as determined by THREE separate polls.
I don't see Amayo starting--rather relieving AJ, IW & Casimir for 4 minutes each per half, reducing their pt. McGill gets added to the mix as games dictate. See Rountree relieving Bessick and Washington 6-8 minutes each per half. Much and Proctor fill the gaps.
OT, one day you will admit when you are 100% wrong, I agree with others that there are no positions on this team. Casimir in no way played the point, he averaged less than 2 assists a game, didn't bring the ball up and did not create for others, but you probably have a different definition of a point guard than everybody else and then will think you are right.
A lot of us have different opinions and only TC can answer whose right and whose wrong. One thing we do know is that someone will be designated to bring the ball up when we don't have the fast break. And I don't think anyone, including you, 1970, know who will be doing that most of the time.