Something has to change. What is it?

[King of Allapattah]

Did you mean Johnson when you said Kidd and vice versa?

Kidd has been pretty terrible. Johnson needs to do better but has at least had stretches where he competed.

Kidd hasn’t gotten more than 3 rebounds in either game this tournament. Brandon has 17 rebounds in the two games.

Brandon is averaging 10pts & 8rebs while getting 30 minutes of game action. Kidd on the other hand is averaging close to 11pts & 5rebs while being limited to only 22 minutes a game.

I do agree that Kidd needs to do a better job on the boards, but he needs to play more. I know he was in foul trouble vs Okie St., but not sure what happened against Drake. When he's on the floor he's been productive for the most part. Our only interior threat on offense right now. Not sure if it's a conditioning issue but playing 20 minutes a game isn't going to cut it. Would like to see what kind of numbers he'd put up if he were averaging closer to 30 minutes a game. He's been one of our most efficient players offensively. Arguably the best one up to this point.

That's not to say Brandon Johnson hasn't played well thus far. Has done a good job on the glass and plays hard, but I think he's limited in what he can do offensively. No question in my mind who the top 2 players for this team have been over the first few games of the season.

 

[AmherstCane]

Brandon is averaging 10pts & 8rebs while getting 30 minutes of game action. Kidd on the other hand is averaging close to 11pts & 5rebs while being limited to only 22 minutes a game.

I do agree that Kidd needs to do a better job on the boards, but he needs to play more. I know he was in foul trouble vs Okie St., but not sure what happened against Drake. When he's on the floor he's been productive for the most part. Our only interior threat on offense right now. Not sure if it's a conditioning issue but playing 20 minutes a game isn't going to cut it. Would like to see what kind of numbers he'd put up if he were averaging closer to 30 minutes a game. He's been one of our most efficient players offensively. Arguably the best one up to this point.

That's not to say Brandon Johnson hasn't played well thus far. Has done a good job on the glass and plays hard, but I think he's limited in what he can do offensively. No question in my mind who the top 2 players for this team have been over the first few games of the season.

Kidd hasn’t been just bad, he’s been awful in the only two games we’ve played against decent comp. Not 5 rebounds a game. Three. And he’s been a massive defensive liability.

He hasn’t been one of our five best let alone 2 best players.

 

[King of Allapattah]

Kidd hasn’t been just bad, he’s been awful in the only two games we’ve played against decent comp. Not 5 rebounds a game. Three. And he’s been a massive defensive liability.

He hasn’t been one of our five best let alone 2 best players.

Maybe I'm looking at it from the wrong lens, but Kidd is shooting 75% from the field and has been perfect from the FT line. Like if that ain't efficiency at the highest order than I don't know what is. Again, needs to do a better job on the boards. And yes, defense is certainly not one of his strengths. But to say he's not one of our 5 best is wild. if he can stay out of foul trouble and extend his minutes closer to the 30 min mark instead of the 20 minutes he's currently averaging I think his numbers will only increase. GO CANES!!!

 

[hotshot]

Did you mean Johnson when you said Kidd and vice versa?

Kidd has been pretty terrible. Johnson needs to do better but has at least had stretches where he competed.

Kidd hasn’t gotten more than 3 rebounds in either game this tournament. Brandon has 17 rebounds in the two games.

I agree but ... if these last two games had comprised the film on Johnson last season at ECU, I'd like to think we would not have been interested in him.

Pretty pedestrian stuff for a player who L penciled in as an immediate impact, front court starter. He and Kidd are easily pushed around underneath, seem to be a step slow reacting on defense.

 

[AmherstCane]

Maybe I'm looking at it from the wrong lens, but Kidd is shooting 75% from the field and has been perfect from the FT line. Like if that ain't efficiency at the highest order than I don't know what is. Again, needs to do a better job on the boards. And yes, defense is certainly not one of his strengths. But to say he's not one of our 5 best is wild. if he can stay out of foul trouble and extend his minutes closer to the 30 min mark instead of the 20 minutes he's currently averaging I think his numbers will only increase. GO CANES!!!

Sounds like you weren’t able to watch the Drake game. Kidd was never in foul trouble. He was simply atrocious… like shockingly bad.

I was only able to watch portions of the Ok State game… he was still a defensive liability in stretches and only managed 3 rebounds in 22 minutes. That’s just plain awful for the 5 spot.

While it doesn’t mean much considering how bad Kidd has been, Brandon has vastly outplayed Kidd in the 2 games we’ve played against real comp.

I will say, I think your preseason player assessments were pretty spot on… especially Blackmon.

 

[King of Allapattah]

Sounds like you weren’t able to watch the Drake game. Kidd was never in foul trouble. He was simply atrocious… like shockingly bad.

I was only able to watch portions of the Ok State game… he was still a defensive liability in stretches and only managed 3 rebounds in 22 minutes. That’s just plain awful for the 5 spot.

While it doesn’t mean much considering how bad Kidd has been, Brandon has vastly outplayed Kidd in the 2 games we’ve played against real comp.

I will say, I think your preseason player assessments were pretty spot on… especially Blackmon.

I didn't catch the Drake game. Honestly, I've only seen a few, but I caught some of the past 2 games including the end of today's loss to VCU. Kidd was a standout today. Looked like the best player on the floor when I was watching. Unfortunately, it was all for naught.

 

[King of Allapattah]

I haven't been to a practice this year so I don't know what's going on behind closed doors. However, based off games I've seen, particularly the last 2 there's no question some changes need to take place with starting lineup. Pack was bad today, but he's clearly been our best player to start the season. Guard play has been atrocious. Bigs are solid and have been serviceable for the most part. Not sure what's going on with Cleveland. Not sure if it's an injury or he's in his feelings. Either way he needs to start helping this team or get out of the way. Need our guards to step up. Blackmon, Bethea and/or Divine have the potential to be catalyst for this team, but up to now they've been bad or inconsistent to say the least. Stanton-McCray and Djobet are limited offensively, but they're good glue guys and could also play an integral part in this team's turnaround.

From what I've seen thus far and having somewhat of an understanding of how the politics play, my starters in the next game would be:

Starters:
Bethae - probably our most talented player. High upside. Need to see what he can do.
Pack - Currently our best player. Could take turns running the point with Bethea.
Stanton-McCray - One of our best defenders. Needs to focus on being a 3 & D guy.
Cleveland - Versatile scorer from all 3 phases when he has it going. His offense >>>>> Johnson's D
Kidd - Has been serviceable and efficient. Needs to play more like he did today. Active and assertive!

Bench:
Divine - Would be my first ball-handler off the bench.
Blackmon - Would be my first scorer off the bench.
Djobet - Would be my first defender off the bench.
Johnson - Would be my first big off the bench.

 

[DMoney]

I'd like us to run more offense through Kidd. If he's out there, that's the best way to use him. He's not the type to get himself going on the boards or on defense. He's a good passer, and he can set up some of our shooters if he's engaged and threatening down low.

 

[casualcane]

Brandon Johnson just isn't a complementary player when Kidd is on the floor. To me, he's shown little ability to do much other than jump shoot when he's fed

I'd say Matt looks like a lost cause. Was he benched?

We're probably better off running a lot of small ball. Pack and Bethea being fed by Divine seems light years better than the current Pack Jalen backcourt. Those two are basically the same player to me

-Divine
-Pack
-Bethea
-Staton-McCray
-Johnson/Kidd rotation

Bring Jalen in as a 6th man scorer

Not throwing in the towel on Djobet but I'm close

 

[Cane18]

Good analysis. Appreciate your thoughts, esp the ones I excerpted.

L might wanna rethink that "white out" thing for Arkansas. Might not be the time or game to go that route.

There are 5 star HS recruits built on potential, and 5 star recruits who get that rating for their readiness to become a star from the get-go (far more rare). Bethea, like Walker, looks like the former. He's shaky on the court at this point -- in his confidence, and pretty much all aspects of his floor game.

As for defense, we've never been known for that, even with our best teams. Mediocre outside shooting teams have always feasted when they played us. We countered with great offense to win as we have. Right now, we all are asking, where is that offense? Even a semblance of it.

Calipari loves to run up the score on Larranaga, might be a watershed moment.

 

[CaneinBroward]

Hopefully Coach L is pondering whether he still has the energy and motivation for the job and if not, does the right thing at the end of the season. IMO, no way should they fire the guy after all he's done here (ACC title, Final Four), but last year looks like it was not an anomaly.

I hate to be ageist, but traditional recruiting, practices, and games would take up anyone's time. Add to that recruiting from the portal and the workload is even worse for a 75 year old.

 

[AtlAtty]

Hopefully Coach L is pondering whether he still has the energy and motivation for the job and if not, does the right thing at the end of the season. IMO, no way should they fire the guy after all he's done here (ACC title, Final Four), but last year looks like it was not an anomaly.

I hate to be ageist, but traditional recruiting, practices, and games would take up anyone's time. Add to that recruiting from the portal and the workload is even worse for a 75 year old.

I really hate to agree but there is a very serious problem within the program. There is a specific player whose attitude is a cancer to the team and there does not appear to be the necessary leadership at the very top to make changes.

Preparation is lacking at the highest level. During games no adjustments are being made. And there is no chemistry as too many players are playing. Most teams have a core of 7-8, we play 10-12.

I’m afraid things may get worse as the season progresses.

 

[Gables Canes]

I really hate to agree but there is a very serious problem within the program. There is a specific player whose attitude is a cancer to the team and there does not appear to be the necessary leadership at the very top to make changes.

Preparation is lacking at the highest level. During games no adjustments are being made. And there is no chemistry as too many players are playing. Most teams have a core of 7-8, we play 10-12.

I’m afraid things may get worse as the season progresses.

Not asking for you to name the player who is a cancer, but could you at least say if it's one of the returnees or one of the incoming guys?

Also, never thought I'd see the day where an L team has too deep of a rotation. I don't think it's necessarily the # of players that is the problem, it's been finding the right combination. There's been zero rhyme or reason to the rotations so far.

 

[Allabouttheu95]

I really hate to agree but there is a very serious problem within the program. There is a specific player whose attitude is a cancer to the team and there does not appear to be the necessary leadership at the very top to make changes.

Preparation is lacking at the highest level. During games no adjustments are being made. And there is no chemistry as too many players are playing. Most teams have a core of 7-8, we play 10-12.

I’m afraid things may get worse as the season progresses.

“Preparation is lacking at the highest level”

That is tough to read. Not that I didn’t think it wasn’t the case. But to have someone with basically first hand knowledge speaking like that is beyond infuriating

 

[caneworld]

I really hate to agree but there is a very serious problem within the program. There is a specific player whose attitude is a cancer to the team and there does not appear to be the necessary leadership at the very top to make changes.

Preparation is lacking at the highest level. During games no adjustments are being made. And there is no chemistry as too many players are playing. Most teams have a core of 7-8, we play 10-12.

I’m afraid things may get worse as the season progresses.

Is he the wannabe PG..?

 

[AtlAtty]

Not asking for you to name the player who is a cancer, but could you at least say if it's one of the returnees or one of the incoming guys?

Also, never thought I'd see the day where an L team has too deep of a rotation. I don't think it's necessarily the # of players that is the problem, it's been finding the right combination. There's been zero rhyme or reason to the rotations so far.

It’s a returning player.

And you're correct, the number of players he is using isn’t the problem per se except that it is challenging to find a flow or rhythm. But frankly, when a team is down by 10 points 5 minutes into every game I’m not sure that flow or rhythm matters.

Is he the wannabe PG..?

No but I can’t keep going down this road because you will figure it out pretty soon.

 

[CanesHoopsman]

It’s a returning player.

And you're correct, the number of players he is using isn’t the problem per se except that it is challenging to find a flow or rhythm. But frankly, when a team is down by 10 points 5 minutes into every game I’m not sure that flow or rhythm matters.

No but I can’t keep going down this road because you will figure it out pretty soon.

It is quite clear that it's Matt Cleveland. I was in person for 2 of the 3 games.

Matt is dejected, does not play within the offense, does not try very hard on defense, and seems to have lost all confidence/inspiration. He needs to be removed from the team.

Bethea is also a pouty, immature player. Looks incredibly sad every time he comes off the court and looks up in the stands at his mom. Meanwhile, he's good for an airball, 3 turnovers and 3 fouls every 10 mins he's on the court.

There are 3 players that seem like they care: Johnson, Mccray, Divine. I would add Huie, who seemed to desperately try to get teammates going during breaks. The rest are going through the motions.

No one pays any attention during team huddles. Johnson-Arigu actually laughs and goofs off.

This team doesn't care about winning. When one of your senior returning starters is a cancer, you have a serious problem.

 

[caneworld]

It is quite clear that it's Matt Cleveland. I was in person for 2 of the 3 games.

Matt is dejected, does not play within the offense, does not try very hard on defense, and seems to have lost all confidence/inspiration. He needs to be removed from the team.

Bethea is also a pouty, immature player. Looks incredibly sad every time he comes off the court and looks up in the stands at his mom. Meanwhile, he's good for an airball, 3 turnovers and 3 fouls every 10 mins he's on the court.

There are 3 players that seem like they care: Johnson, Mccray, Divine. I would add Huie, who seemed to desperately try to get teammates going during breaks. The rest are going through the motions.

No one pays any attention during team huddles. Johnson-Arigu actually laughs and goofs off.

This team doesn't care about winning. When one of your senior returning starters is a cancer, you have a serious problem.

Is Coach L able to fix this? I wonder if his grandpa demeanor is the best for this bunch..

 

[AtlAtty]

Is Coach L able to fix this? I wonder if his grandpa demeanor is the best for this bunch..

The question is really whether he has it left in him to take this on. I have loved Coach L’s career even before UM. He loves basketball and is a true lifer. But time is undefeated.

 

[TwentySix]

I am genuinely lost by anyone saying we need to play Kidd more, or run offense through him. He’s awful. It was so clear to anyone that actually watched his games at VT and didn’t just look at per 40 numbers, literally all he can do is catch in the post make a quick move and score. The problem is he’s too weak to get consistent positioning, so even that isn’t reliable (on top of being a severely outdated way of playing basketball). He’s not good enough to be an offensive hub, yes he makes a nice skip pass out of the post every now and then but it’s not consistent. He gets bodied in the post defensively (if you think it’s been bad so far this year go toss on some tape against ACC teams with size). He’s tall so he gets some rebounds but he’s not a strong rebounder, it’s not surprising to anyone that took the time to watch his games and watched Johnson at ECU that Johnson is our leading rebounder, he gets solid position and actually attacks boards.

The eye test has shown it and the numbers back it up, our offense tanks when he’s on the floor. Our ORTG and TS% both drop off a cliff, and the number of mid-range jumpers we take spikes. It’s clear the latter is because he’s not an outside threat so teams are able to sag off high ball screens and clog the paint, that’s a MASSIVE issue when you have a bunch of small guards. He’s the only guy in the top 6 of the rotation with a negative net rating.

We have to play small. There’s no way around it. We are going to have to out score teams and the only way we do that is playing 5 out. Johnson needs to be more of a focal point, he’s a better shooter than he’s shown in the past 3 games, he was a good shooter on pretty high volume the past two years and has the kind of range to space a defense. I’d personally like to see more 3 guard lineups with Cleveland (if he can pull his head out of his ***, he’s a solid enough rebounder and has the length to play the college 4) or Djobet at the 4.

But I know. SIZE. Whatever.