Basketball - I went to the Junction Jam and Practice

[somebodyshotmypaw]

yeah he was literally told that. If you want to ball and play hard- stay here. If you cant do that- need to go somewhere else.

Sometimes he's just going through the motions or standing around. But when he is hustling, he is a decent rebounder, he can use his length to be disruptive on defense, and he's a gifted offensive player. When Keyshawn is giving good effort he makes us a ton better.

[NCMSTFAN]

Thanks for this thread, Im really looking forward to basketball this year!!

In one of Jans recent interviews he said we could see Keyshawn Murphy play some at the 5 this season. Us having a guy like Cam Matthews who can literally guard every position will allow us to do that because he can gaurd some Centers so don't be surprised to see Keyshawn playing some at the 5, Cam can slide over and help him on defense or they can switch. A very intriguing lineup would be:

PG: Josh Hubbard
SG: Claudell Harris (Jans himself said Harris had been good and been a surprise on defense)
SF: Riley Kugel
PF: Cam Matthews
C: Keyshawn Murphy

I'm not saying this will be the starting lineup but this would be hard to stop. Like one of the earlier posters said, Murphy has legit NBA potential if he focuses, he is that skilled. Riley Kugel was considered an early to mid 1st round pick at one point, and we all know what Hubbard and Cam brings. We have a really good team with good depth.

[StarkVegasSteve]

Thanks for this thread, Im really looking forward to basketball this year!!

In one of Jans recent interviews he said we could see Keyshawn Murphy play some at the 5 this season. Us having a guy like Cam Matthews who can literally guard every position will allow us to do that because he can gaurd some Centers so don't be surprised to see Keyshawn playing some at the 5, Cam can slide over and help him on defense or they can switch. A very intriguing lineup would be:

PG: Josh Hubbard
SG: Claudell Harris (Jans himself said Harris had been good and been a surprise on defense)
SF: Riley Kugel
PF: Cam Matthews
C: Keyshawn Murphy

I'm not saying this will be the starting lineup but this would be hard to stop. Like one of the earlier posters said, Murphy has legit NBA potential if he focuses, he is that skilled. Riley Kugel was considered an early to mid 1st round pick at one point, and we all know what Hubbard and Cam brings. We have a really good team with good depth.

That's probably pretty close to what we will roll out there this year. We may see one of the transfer centers start the first few games but I could see Murphy starting there after the first few games. We are going to play smaller this year and faster. Jans has told a lot of people that.

[NCMSTFAN]

That's probably pretty close to what we will roll out there this year. We may see one of the transfer centers start the first few games but I could see Murphy starting there after the first few games. We are going to play smaller this year and faster. Jans has told a lot of people that.

I agree and like this lineup. Murphy is 6'10" 230 himself and I've heard he has put on a few pounds so he can at least hold his own alongside Cam in the paint, but he will be more of a stretch 5 which can be very beneficial for us. I'm not familiar with Nwoko or Foumena just yet other than seeing videos but I'm sure one or both of them will help, I like Nwoko's athletic abilities. Can't forget Chol either who contributed in the first part of the season last year behind Jimmy Bell when Tolu was out. We have depth and options

[somebodyshotmypaw]

Keyshawn Murphy is very important. If we get the focused, hustling, big effort version of Keyshawn we will be tough. If we get the lackadaisical, going through the motions, lethargic version of Keyshawn we will have some holes. Keyshawn can be a matchup problem with his length and skills. Which version will we get?

[gtowndawg]

FYI, we are an 8 seed in Lunardi's latest bracket projection that came out yesterday (yes, yesterday). That would be 3 years in a row to make the tournament.

[Coach34]

I'll be disappointed if we arent a 6 or better come March provided we dont have any crazy injuries or anything

[cheewgumm]

I'll be disappointed if we arent a 6 or better come March provided we dont have any crazy injuries or anything

Agree.

I think we will be really good.

[Rawdawg]

Melendez is going to be a much bigger pick up than he?s getting credit for. Very similar metrics to DJ Jefferies but a better scorer.

[gtowndawg]

Melendez is going to be a much bigger pick up than he?s getting credit for. Very similar metrics to DJ Jefferies but a better scorer.

That is interesting because I really focused alot on his shooting (I mean he was one of 3 players in the 3 point contest) but his highlights from Georgis show a lot of slashing to the goal. I do think he can help for sure.

[NCMSTFAN]

I'll be disappointed if we arent a 6 or better come March provided we dont have any crazy injuries or anything

I agree. This is Jans best team he's had on paper and we bring back enough production from last year to at least be a 6 seed or better. In my opinion from top to bottom this is one of our most complete rosters we have had in a long time. Our only concern is the Center position but at worse if all we get is defense, rebounding and shot blocking out of Nwoko, Chol and Foumena that's a win because we have so much offensive power at all of the other positions.

[msstate7]

I can't help but worry some about this team. I feel like Jans has gone a different philosophy with this team, and I'm a little worried. We know Jans can coach a defense first team, but this team seems to be offense first.

[Coach34]

I can't help but worry some about this team. I feel like Jans has gone a different philosophy with this team, and I'm a little worried. We know Jans can't coach a defense first team, but this team seems to be offense first.

Nahhhhhhhh. Team will still be very defensive minded. He hasnt stopped preaching defense. But we no longer want to grind on offense and attack thru the block. More dribble drive- faster paced offense.

Think of it in terms of what Mullen did in 2014/2015 due to the teams he had. We ran the ball more in 2014 because of the OL we had plus JRob and crew. 2015? Had a young OL with a bunch of new starters with a vet QB and 3 pretty damn good WR's.

[msstate7]

Nahhhhhhhh. Team will still be very defensive minded. He hasnt stopped preaching defense. But we no longer want to grind on offense and attack thru the block. More dribble drive- faster paced offense.

Think of it in terms of what Mullen did in 2014/2015 due to the teams he had. We ran the ball more in 2014 because of the OL we had plus JRob and crew. 2015? Had a young OL with a bunch of new starters with a vet QB and 3 pretty damn good WR's.

I hope so. I love the talent we've got.

[NCMSTFAN]

I can't help but worry some about this team. I feel like Jans has gone a different philosophy with this team, and I'm a little worried. We know Jans can coach a defense first team, but this team seems to be offense first.

Go listen to all of the players recent interviews and they all speak on how much Jans preaches defense and when they were being recruited he told every one of them they had to play defense to play for him... trust me, defense is and will always be his strength and main philosophy but he knows to compete in a league like the SEC he has to expand the offense more...

Im telling you now, I honestly think this team has the pieces to make a huge run this year, we are very talented.

[NCMSTFAN]

I know we have 2 closed scrimmages soon. Does anyone know when?