Just want to get a gauge of what people here think about the current situation with the cowboys. I keep hearing talk about the talent the cowboys have, but i think what i see on the floor is some good athletes, with not a lot of basketball talent or skill. there is something to be said for having a team loaded with athletes, but where are the basketball players, the fundamentally sound guys that have a feel for the game. it's one thing if a guy can jump out of the gym, its another if they can't handle the ball or shoot or move their feet on defense or just have a baskeball sense. if byu and wyoming were to walk out on the floor side by side with out warming up or doing anything, which team would people point to and say man they must be pretty good, but when the ball goes up it's byu who has the basketball players. this coaching staff is recruiting long and lean guys, but are they really good basketball players. adam waddell in my opion is about the only guy with fundamental basketball skills, the rest rely on jumping ability and speed, but when push comes to shove just aren't really good fundamental basketball guys......what's your thoughts.
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talent vs athletes
- Thread starter klathrop
- Start date
McPeachy
Well-known member
I am mixed on this. I think UW is one true team-player away from +20 wins...team-player as in leader more than anything (leader with skills). Luster is the captain...the leader...huh? That is a huge eye-opener right there.
That being said, we do have the athletes. Athletes as in, can run, jump, etc., no doubt. And I would say, that some coaches, can take athletes and expand them into a huge success (the example that comes to my mind is Jerry Tarkanian). So far, Heath hasn't been able to make that happen...or even close. It is almost like he, himself, is having an identity crisis.
If I were the HC at UW, given the current roster, I would run my opponents to death. The shot clock wouldn't get to 25. I would practice FT's until fingers bled, and Buedo, Luster, Harrison, Jackson, Derm, AJ, M'Baye, Thiam (and used to be Afam and Manzano) would be launching so many 3's in practice they would be having nightmares about them.
That being said, we do have the athletes. Athletes as in, can run, jump, etc., no doubt. And I would say, that some coaches, can take athletes and expand them into a huge success (the example that comes to my mind is Jerry Tarkanian). So far, Heath hasn't been able to make that happen...or even close. It is almost like he, himself, is having an identity crisis.
If I were the HC at UW, given the current roster, I would run my opponents to death. The shot clock wouldn't get to 25. I would practice FT's until fingers bled, and Buedo, Luster, Harrison, Jackson, Derm, AJ, M'Baye, Thiam (and used to be Afam and Manzano) would be launching so many 3's in practice they would be having nightmares about them.
bladerunnr
Well-known member
Remember when McClain first came here? How we ran a good Utah team (Majerus was there) off the floor by running that run and gun offense?
I just don't think this team is capable of that. Are we really that athletic? Why is it that we get so many charging fouls? Could it be people are beating us to the spot? All these players that went to prep school and are now 22-23 years old - are they going to get any better? I really question this approach. We have the oldest team in the conference and I would argue we have the lowest basketball IQ in the conference. These guys just don't have the instincts or skills to compete at this level. The guys that show the most promise - Jackson and Waddell, came here as true freshman. Waddell could hardly catch the ball last year. He's now developing a low post game. Jackson shows flashes of brilliance from time to time. Now that the year is over, I'd play him 30 minutes a game and let's see if he improves.
McPeachy, I disagree with your thought that we are a team guy away. I think we need one true "superstar". We need a Brandon Ewing or a Reggie Slater. Someone that requires a double team to free up other players. We don't have a player like that now. Muojeke was the closest we had to that. But because he wasn't really a very good passer, he didn't make others around him better. You look at every other team in this league, they have a "go to" guy. We used to have that in Mark Bailey or Ewing or even Justin Williams. Hopefully, Heath can recruit one.
I just don't think this team is capable of that. Are we really that athletic? Why is it that we get so many charging fouls? Could it be people are beating us to the spot? All these players that went to prep school and are now 22-23 years old - are they going to get any better? I really question this approach. We have the oldest team in the conference and I would argue we have the lowest basketball IQ in the conference. These guys just don't have the instincts or skills to compete at this level. The guys that show the most promise - Jackson and Waddell, came here as true freshman. Waddell could hardly catch the ball last year. He's now developing a low post game. Jackson shows flashes of brilliance from time to time. Now that the year is over, I'd play him 30 minutes a game and let's see if he improves.
McPeachy, I disagree with your thought that we are a team guy away. I think we need one true "superstar". We need a Brandon Ewing or a Reggie Slater. Someone that requires a double team to free up other players. We don't have a player like that now. Muojeke was the closest we had to that. But because he wasn't really a very good passer, he didn't make others around him better. You look at every other team in this league, they have a "go to" guy. We used to have that in Mark Bailey or Ewing or even Justin Williams. Hopefully, Heath can recruit one.
I am truly dissappointed in this team and coach. When Mcclain left I though that a good coach could turn brandon and brad jones into a superstar back court and lead us to a conf title. I was hopefull that heath could do it but I have little faith in him now.
I do believe that he has recruited well and a few players could become a superstar caliber (Desmar for one) but heath seems to lack skills.
I do believe that he has recruited well and a few players could become a superstar caliber (Desmar for one) but heath seems to lack skills.
McPeachy
Well-known member
bladerunnr said:
I think we actually agree...quoting myself...
"I think UW is one true team-player away from +20 wins...team-player as in leader more than anything (leader with skills). Luster is the captain...the leader...huh?"
Somebody that can lead by example (skills)...yes a Ewing, or Slater, or Bailey, or Williams, or dating myself...Sean Dent, Mike Jackson, etc.
klathrop said:
I completely agree, and this is one of my biggest gripes with Wyoming basketball. It has been for the last ten years or so. McClain began this "let's recruit athletes who can't necessarily shoot" crap, with what I think were fairly honest intentions of using a "run-and-gun" style that never really materialized. He just happened to get enough basketball players mixed in there as well (Bailey, Davis, Uche, etc) that he could be reasonably successful.
That's all gone now. And while I agree with Peachy that running oponents to death might be one way to go, if you're playing a team that can shoot 50% consistently (like say BYU), that style of play isn't often going to work.
I'm tired of watching street-ball in the AA. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I'd rather have ten guys who aren't quite the "athletes" but have a high basketball IQ and can shoot, box out, and get back on defense, than ten guys who are great athletes but can't score the damn ball.
GO POKES!
