BG 73 Central State 60

[hammb]

I especially don't see the value in a "feisty" defensive specialist when you play 99% 2-3 Zone.

Moreover if you're a supposed defensive specialist HC you should be able to teach any guard on your roster to PLAY that role in the 2-3 Zone.

It's not like we're asking Kraus to go out and man up the other teams' best ball handler night in/night out. We're asking him to play the perimeter in a zone which is something that any Division 1 guard should be able to handle capably after a year in the system.

The reasons my expectations for this team are so low are largely the track record Orr has compiled. I would be inclined to agree that this team could be good if: A) Crawford improves as a floor leading PG...must drastically reduce turnovers, B) Calhoun steps up and finally shows the ability to consistently take over games, and C) Kraus & Erger play limited roles in the 10 mpg range (at most) while the vastly more athletic Clark/Henderson/Sealey show improved play with the bulk of the minutes.

My problem is that Orr's track record makes me feel as though any of those things are very unlikely to happen, let alone all 3 coming together at once. I'm pessimistic about A & B because I have yet to see Orr ever really develop a player. Both of those guys are largely the same as they were when they first began playing, and the same has held true for most of Orr's recruits...we see promise early, but it's never really blossomed for any of them. And I don't have much hope for C either since his rotations/sub patterns have never made since on a game to game basis and he always seems to find way too much PT for the Dee Browns, James Ergers, and Marc Larsons of the world rather than letting the more athletic but raw players get playing time.

I agree with all of this. I think its just going to be too obvious this year and he will be forced to play Sealey and Clarke.

I hope you're right man...nothing would make me happier than watching a good team at the Stroh Center. That place is gonna be rocking when we get good again.

[guest44]

My guess is the pattern is similar to last year. A defined player replaces the starter at 1 position, with the starter playing the majority of the minutes. If Erger and Kraus play significant minutes, they have to make open shots. They haven't for 3 years. Clarke is the 3rd best scorer on this roster, and if his only role on this team is backup pg, it will be a long long year. Teams will double Calhoun all year, and Crawford will be chased all over the court. Where will points come from when teams get Calhoun in foul trouble?

[Globetrotter]

I agree with everybody. If we rely on Kraus and Erger for scoring we are toast. I just can't fathom a scenario where Clarke and Sealey don't rise to the top. Talent wise they are clearly in our top 4-6 (Black and Holmes I don't know).

If minutes shake down like this we are a competitive team...

1 Crawford 30 - Clarke 10
2 Clarke 20 - Kraus 15 - Henderson 5
3 Sealey 20 - Orr 15 - Henderson 5
4 Calhoun 30 - Holmes 5 - Sealey 5
5 Holmes 20 - Black 20

That doesn't include Parker-Rorie or Erger. IMO Parker is the only wild card who might see the floor.
In that rotation Clarke sees more time at the 1 when Crawford is inconsistent. Every game we start with Craw and see what we have and then disperse time accordingly.
At the 2 Clarke plays unless tired or playing the 1. Kraus plays in his stead. Then Henderson plays sparingly at the 2 and 3.
At the 3 Sealey and Orr mainly play here. If I remember correctly Parker can shoot. Having a 3 who can hit threes will be important, because no one else can so he might see a role. I like Orr more then most because I think he is smart and quick. There is nothing special to his game but no glarin holes.
At 4 it's Calhoun all the way unless he is tired then Sealey can slide down or Holmes up. Holmes and Black together would dominant they paint.
At 5 we have Holmes starting because he is more athletic and agressive and healthy then Black who is a capable starter but might just benefit from less minutes.

I am not sure we will ever get anything out of Gomes or Rorie.

[HoopsFan]

I must have watched a different game.

1. Kraus. I was happy to see him on the floor. Didn't he get most of last year off?

2. As Crawford goes, so goes the team. What a sad commentary. He makes poor choices but the ball goes in the hole mostly.

3. Orr got into foul trouble early, else he might have had more minutes.

4. Erger. He probably performed better than Luke. Since Luke didn't do well, guess where that leaves Erger?

5. Sealy tricked us with #10. He looks much stronger than last year.

6. Holmes is going to be a player of the second half of the season. I like him.

I'm thinking about 12 wins, tops. If our illustrious AD keeps Orr after that performance, then I don't have to pony up $280+ bucks per ticket next year.

HoopsFan

[BGSU33]

Once your best attribute is fiesty, you know the player is limited.

LMAO! Very true. I have heard for years how great of a defender Kraus is, but to tell you the truth, I just don't recall seeing it against teams we play. I'm starting to believe this reputation was developed in practice, which in return, means he was defending guys who struggle to score anyway. But what I do see him do over and over in a game is pump fake the ball - as if he's actually going to rise up and drain it. When you are a guard who is shooting 30% from the field, teams will let you shoot! Guys defending him have gotta be laughing to themselves when he does that.

Then there's Erger......don't even get me started on Erger. This is simply a wasted scholarship that could/should be going to a guy who can actually play D-I ball! Thank God he is finally a senior and this will be the last season I pay good money for season tickets to see him actually log playing time.

I'm not as anti-Crawford as some on here, and in fact, I come away pretty impressed with a lot that he can do and does. But as for whether or not he's too much of a shoot-first PG for us, especially right now, I ask this. If he's not taking his share of shots, who do we want to? I mean for years we have struggled offensively as a team. The guy was 12-19 from the field for 30 points. I will take that no matter what position you play. Aside from Calhoun, who else on this team could get us 30 points? Kraus? Erger? Black? Orr? If the kid can get us some points and run the offense, keep shooting kid. If he doesn't have the game he did Sunday we might have lost to Central State.