Player Evaluation through 4 games...

[Section_316]

We got a lot to work on obviousely but the upside is there. Are we going to be able to stop anybody in the B1G?

 

Below I made some comments on players performance so far. Feel free to add yours:

 

Webster- Definetly a freshman, when he is under control, he is really good! Clutch at the line down the stretch today

 

Biggs- About how Miles descried him. Gonna make great plays, gonna turn it over. His 3 pt shot has been better than expected

 

Parker- Can't complain. Giving us more than I thought he would

 

Gallegos- Major disapointment today for me. Hope his injury is ok as we could really use his shooting/athleticsm

 

Petteway- Crazy to complain about 28 points but like some of you have said, forces bad shots at times. I really don't think he should be taking 2X as many shots as Ray, Shavon, or Walt but he is bringing positives to the table as well

 

Shavon- Didn't get untracked today. Needs to stay aggressive offensively. Can he defend the post for us? We may need him too.

 

Rivers- Can't complain. Big miss at the end today but giving us good minutes

 

Pitchford- We as fans are asking Walt to be something he is not. The problem is, unless he turns into what we want, we are going to really struggle. Kid is an incredible offensive weapon but picks up so many quick fouls in the post he can't get into any sort of offensive rhythm

 

Smith- What a suprise for me! Better than expected athletiscm, touch, and ball skills. I hope he can stay healthy. Could easily be playing 24+ minutes a night if he is 100%

 

[Concrete]

Like you said, it's hard to complain about Petteway after a 28 point performance......but he has filled the role that Talley and Gallegos assumed last year, but this year's team doesn't need someone to take that role.  We have enough offensive weapons, no need to force shots.  I really hope he can learn to be more efficient because he's incredibly talented.

[FredsSlacks]

Not sure how parker is giving us more than you thought he would. He had the game of his life against gulf coast but has been exactly the same as last year in every other game. He is barely an upgrade over peltz. I am still hoping that he and vucetic transfer after this year.

[Section_316]

He has graded out as our best defender in each of the first 3 games. His jump shot has looked much improved. Peltz is a liability on both ends of the floor, I would hardly compare the two. And this is coming from someone, like you, who would love to have Benny's scholly back

[hskr4life]

Not sure how parker is giving us more than you thought he would. He had the game of his life against gulf coast but has been exactly the same as last year in every other game. He is barely an upgrade over peltz. I am still hoping that he and vucetic transfer after this year.

 

I disagree... Benny is a body that helps on D.  He is a role player yes... but a valuable one at that!

[roscoe]

I too felt Benny may be a liability on this team but after first few games he does have a role. NU is gonna need plenty of depth when conference play starts. In the games I've seen he seems to be playing hard knowing that if he doesn't bring energy and effort he will get no playing time. If he can somehow hold his own on the defensive end he is smart enough to know that with other offensive weapons he just has to get them the ball and that will also open up lanes for him to drive and either score or dish the ball.

[Silverbacked1]

Gee Tim you need to be really more open how you feel about Benny and The Vooch.

[tbowman]

Pettaway took 19 shots today.  He has demonstrated already in just a few games that he is going to be "the guy who takes all the shots."  With all the scoring talent on this team is Pettaway really the guy that NU is going to build around offensively?  At best he is the fourth offensive option and could even be the sixth or seventh best option in my book.   

 

I get that he played well today, while some other guys were off.  But over the long term I do not see this going well.  I envision chemistry problems in the future. 

[TomEadesSucks]

Pettaway took 19 shots today.  He has demonstrated already in just a few games that he is going to be "the guy who takes all the shots."  With all the scoring talent on this team is Pettaway really the guy that NU is going to build around offensively?  At best he is the fourth offensive option and could even be the sixth or seventh best option in my book.   

 

I get that he played well today, while some other guys were off.  But over the long term I do not see this going well.  I envision chemistry problems in the future. 

 

Other teams are going to try and take away Shields and Gallegos. If we are going to be succesful, Terran's going to have to be aggressive if they are playing off him.

[ajb5856]

Pettaway took 19 shots today. He has demonstrated already in just a few games that he is going to be "the guy who takes all the shots." With all the scoring talent on this team is Pettaway really the guy that NU is going to build around offensively? At best he is the fourth offensive option and could even be the sixth or seventh best option in my book.

I get that he played well today, while some other guys were off. But over the long term I do not see this going well. I envision chemistry problems in the future.

If Miles was upset about Petteway's shot selection he could always pull him, but I'm guessing Miles told him to be aggressive toward the latter part of the second half when he took several of those shots driving to the basket. I don't understand why everyone is so caught up on the number of shots Petteway took. It's not like we had a whole lot else going for offense today. Only makes sense to have your most aggressive offensive player try and create offense when you need it.

And sixth or seventh best offensive option? Really? At best the fourth best option? I guarantee Coach Miles would have a different opinion.

[Husker4theSpurs]

Gallegos seemed disengaged today ... He was distant from his teammates today as well it seemed.

Biggs's influence on this team reminds me of Bo Spencer ... Could score a lot but not sure how much he helped you. Attitude issues and leadership problems IMHO. Some never learn ... Hope it's not true in his case.

Webster is having a tough time deciding his overall role. He is experiencing some difficulties (likely more than he expected). He probably needed a little ego shrinking ... Now let's see how he responds. Hopefully he grows into a leadership role as well.

I agree with assessments on Petteway. He forced a lot early and it hurt us ... Picked it up later though.

Benny had a nice game against FGCU (made fast break lay ups) but is the same player and quite limited except for on ball D. I too see transfers for he and Vucetic.

Pitchford is very frustrating. We need him to play some post D but it's not in him. Need some mental toughness as well.

Leslee Smith is a nice surprise for me as well. Sneaky athletic for his size and has a good mentality. Needs a bit of work using his body and angles to get shots off down low.

Rivers - steady Eddie.

[royalfan]

I know some are in disagreement with Petteway being the man.  But I trust Miles to define what is a good shot for him and what is not.  All good teams need a "go to guy."  If he is it for us then so be it.  He needs to be an adequate passer when he draws the defense and I think he has that capability.  

[tbowman]

 

Pettaway took 19 shots today. He has demonstrated already in just a few games that he is going to be "the guy who takes all the shots." With all the scoring talent on this team is Pettaway really the guy that NU is going to build around offensively? At best he is the fourth offensive option and could even be the sixth or seventh best option in my book.

I get that he played well today, while some other guys were off. But over the long term I do not see this going well. I envision chemistry problems in the future.

If Miles was upset about Petteway's shot selection he could always pull him, but I'm guessing Miles told him to be aggressive toward the latter part of the second half when he took several of those shots driving to the basket. I don't understand why everyone is so caught up on the number of shots Petteway took. It's not like we had a whole lot else going for offense today. Only makes sense to have your most aggressive offensive player try and create offense when you need it.

And sixth or seventh best offensive option? Really? At best the fourth best option? I guarantee Coach Miles would have a different opinion.

 

 

Shields should always be the first option.  The team should be looking for ways to get him the ball.  This has not happened the last three games.  Tai can get in the lane whenever he wants.  He should be encouraged to score.  Gallegos and Pitchford can drain it all night from downtown.  Can't Petteway use his ability to drive to get these guys open looks?  Biggs can get in the lane whenever he wants. 

 

To be clear, I like Petteways game, but only when he plays within the offense.  He is not good enough to dominate the game every night.  But there are other players on the team and can and should be looking to play that role on a regular basis.   

[MandRHusker]

I too love Bennie's on the ball defense and ability to create in transition but until he can hit an open jumper, he doesn't bring enough to the team. We can find someone who can do everything Bennie does and can hit the open jumpers.

[bobcat402]

I too love Bennie's on the ball defense and ability to create in transition but until he can hit an open jumper, he doesn't bring enough to the team. We can find someone who can do everything Bennie does and can hit the open jumpers.

except we havent...yet...

[bobcat402]

A) love what benny does, and he needs to be on this team, he and biggs provide a spark, and with Rey being hurt, or unwilling to drive to the rim, we need those two players to get some PT

 

i have no issue with pitchford doing what he does, he is not a physical players and im ok with that, if smith stays out of foul trouble we can utilize him down low, let pitch spread the floor. count me into the column that thinks vooch needs to get min, just to be a body, and get some rest for smith, i love rivers, but he isnt that guy. no sense in wasting a 7 footer. Fahro or The jumping fridge could have been of use this season.

 

C) Tai will get this under raps, and if his struggles so far appear to be normal of freshman, i think his overseas experience will arrive shortly, i feel like Big Ten play will help him.

 

D) the officiating needs to get solved prior to big ten play

[Miles ahead of the rest]

He has graded out as our best defender in each of the first 3 games. His jump shot has looked much improved. Peltz is a liability on both ends of the floor, I would hardly compare the two. And this is coming from someone, like you, who would love to have Benny's scholly back

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Parker hasn't even knocked a jump shot down yet this year...  How can you honestly say it looks much improved.  His mechanics have little to no change from last year..

[hskr4life]

 

He has graded out as our best defender in each of the first 3 games. His jump shot has looked much improved. Peltz is a liability on both ends of the floor, I would hardly compare the two. And this is coming from someone, like you, who would love to have Benny's scholly back

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Parker hasn't even knocked a jump shot down yet this year...  How can you honestly say it looks much improved.  His mechanics have little to no change from last year..

 

 

I actually believe he did hit a jumper in the FGCU game.  We have enough firepower on the offensive end this year that he is actually not that big of a liability if he can dish. 

[49r]

 

 

He has graded out as our best defender in each of the first 3 games. His jump shot has looked much improved. Peltz is a liability on both ends of the floor, I would hardly compare the two. And this is coming from someone, like you, who would love to have Benny's scholly back

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Parker hasn't even knocked a jump shot down yet this year...  How can you honestly say it looks much improved.  His mechanics have little to no change from last year..

 

 

I actually believe he did hit a jumper in the FGCU game.  We have enough firepower on the offensive end this year that he is actually not that big of a liability if he can dish. 

 

 

A layup.  Yep.

[hskr4life]

 

 

 

He has graded out as our best defender in each of the first 3 games. His jump shot has looked much improved. Peltz is a liability on both ends of the floor, I would hardly compare the two. And this is coming from someone, like you, who would love to have Benny's scholly back

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Parker hasn't even knocked a jump shot down yet this year...  How can you honestly say it looks much improved.  His mechanics have little to no change from last year..

 

 

I actually believe he did hit a jumper in the FGCU game.  We have enough firepower on the offensive end this year that he is actually not that big of a liability if he can dish. 

 

 

A layup.  Yep.

 

 

He still jumped on that layup right??

[Silverbacked1]

Benny is here to drive and dish, and play hard nose d.

If we are need him to be making jump shots we ain't going to do it well.

[Section_316]

Benny's jumpshot is far from our biggest problem. We got dudes JACKING 1 on 3 and playing no D yet you want to call out Benny, the one guy who has brought it defensively 4 strait games. We can't get a defensive rebound vs UMASS & UAB, imagine what the B1G is gonna be like.