For the IJ Ready haters....

[Political Hack]

Struck me during the Akransas game how undervalued he is. He's really grown into a very mature, smart player that is a huge need for this team. His leadership and how he runs the floor can't be measured in stats, and that's where he helps us the most.

[Dawg61]

Not trying to hijack your post but thought I would add something that irritated me the other night. First off, I love Kegler and think he will be a very good player so this is not said to put Kegler down. I love the toughness he brings to the team. This could apply to anyone but I saw Kegler do both of these the other night so I'm using him as an example. Towards the end of the Arkansas game Kegler receives the inbounds pass, Arkansas is looking to foul, He holds the ball til they foul him so he can shoot free throws with IJ calling for the ball wide open 10 feet away. IJ is an 84% free throw shooter, Kegler is 62%. Don't be that guy, pass it to the better shooter.
There were also a couple of 3's he put up late in the game that didn't end up hurting us but do we really want him shooting 3's in that situation. He was probably the 4th best 3 shooter in the game at that time. Again, not trying to bash Kegler but these little things could come back to hurt us in close games. I do think his desire to shoot 3's rather than play down low is probably going to be an issue at some point. Hope I'm wrong though. Anyway, off my soapbox, just trying to point out a few small things that separate good teams from average or bad teams.

Kegler is selfish?! No way

[KentuckyDawg13]

Ready has improved quite a bit from last year. Howland has given him the role of a leader and he is thriving with it. His box outs are actually pretty good.

Nobody has mentioned Ready's injury, any updates? His right knee has been bothersome as he was obviously favoring it during the Ark game and was one of the reasons Howland didn't start him @ LSU.
It seems we have a few guys that are not 100% physically, hope they can get rehab and keep this momentum going.

[Dawg61]

If we're talking bad defense it has to begin with Q. His effort on defense is horrible. We all love Q but his defense has to improve.

Maybe that's cause the last time he stuck his hand out to poke the ball out he wanted to cut his wrist off it hurt so bad. He's probably hesitant to try that again anytime soon.

[HoopsDawg]

Ready has become a pass first PG this year which has really improved his game and helped the team. Also, I like his new role of coming off the bench b/c I think most will agree Peters is a more talented player and needs to be starting. Ready's size is a liability on the defensive end. Nothing he can do about that. But he's leadership and ball-handling have been valuable. It's good that he and Peters can play together b/c that's how it will be next year except you replace ready with Nick Spoon.

[HoopsDawg]

If we're talking bad defense it has to begin with Q. His effort on defense is horrible. We all love Q but his defense has to improve.

For sure and it's easy to forget that as good as Q is, he is still just a sophomore.

[Ifyouonlyknew]

Maybe that's cause the last time he stuck his hand out to poke the ball out he wanted to cut his wrist off it hurt so bad. He's probably hesitant to try that again anytime soon.

I'm not asking him to average 5 steals a game. I'm just saying hustle back on d, move your feet, & don't be so easy to beat off the dribble or get a clean shot off a screen.

[PMDawg]

Just watch him.

so somebody can play terrible defense AND be 5th in the SEC in steals?

[Dawg61]

I'm not asking him to average 5 steals a game. I'm just saying hustle back on d, move your feet, & don't be so easy to beat off the dribble or get a clean shot off a screen.

He's just setting up his boy Holman for some easy blocks**

[sorrydog]

The more Lamar plays, the better IJ will be. IJ is an excellent backup. Our ceiling is low if he is required to start.

As for stats, about 2 weeks ago, there was a 16 second sequence when IJ made 3 steals interspersed with 2 turnovers.
Stats can lie.

[Tailgate Superstar]

Kegler is selfish?! No way

Well, yeah, I guess that's an easier way to say it.

[BayouDawg]

Well, yeah, I guess that's an easier way to say it.

Keglar has so much potential if he could ever get out of AAU mode. There are flashes where it looks like the switch has flipped for him and the. He reverts back to camping out behind the 3 point line and wanting to launch lazy 3s

[Dawg-gone-dawgs]

Great point..**^^^^

[Dawg61]

Keglar has so much potential if he could ever get out of AAU mode. There are flashes where it looks like the switch has flipped for him and the. He reverts back to camping out behind the 3 point line and wanting to launch lazy 3s

Guess that's what Kegler is challenged to work on the most this year. To get out of the selfish AAU mindset. Carter needs to add weight and strength. Herard needs to improve coordination and basketball I.Q.. every one of them has something they need to work on a little more than the rest of their game.

[Ifyouonlyknew]

Keglar has so much potential if he could ever get out of AAU mode. There are flashes where it looks like the switch has flipped for him and the. He reverts back to camping out behind the 3 point line and wanting to launch lazy 3s

He did have 5 assists against Arkansas. It was 1 of the 1st things Howland brought up.

[Political Hack]

Kegler is starting to play within himself and not force the issue as much as he did early on. I agree with the earlier post about him not giving it up to IJ when we needed free throws at the end of the game, but he has improved a lot quickly. Most of them have.

[Liverpooldawg]

so somebody can play terrible defense AND be 5th in the SEC in steals?

Easily

[DeviousDawg]

Easily

When you're Ready's size you have to have cat like quickness to be a good defender, which he doesn't have. Imagine trying to guard a guy that's 5-6 inches taller than you and quicker than you, that's what IJ has to deal with. He will always be a liability guarding the perimeter, but he will get his fair share of steals in transition that lead to easy points. He's not a complete waste as a defender.

As a senior, it must be a humbling experience to admit to yourself that a bunch of freshmen are better shooters than you. He does what he has to do for the team, and that's give the ball to the shooters. He has the SEVENTH most shots per game on our team, that's my favorite stat on him. Defensive liability or not, IJ is averaging over 2 steals per game and over 5 assists per game, that's atleast 15-20 points per game that he accounts for without shooting the ball. Couple that with the fact that he is 85% from the line and you have to keep him on the court.

[Liverpooldawg]

When you're Ready's size you have to have cat like quickness to be a good defender, which he doesn't have. Imagine trying to guard a guy that's 5-6 inches taller than you and quicker than you, that's what IJ has to deal with. He will always be a liability guarding the perimeter, but he will get his fair share of steals in transition that lead to easy points. He's not a complete waste as a defender.

As a senior, it must be a humbling experience to admit to yourself that a bunch of freshmen are better shooters than you. He does what he has to do for the team, and that's give the ball to the shooters. He has the SEVENTH most shots per game on our team, that's my favorite stat on him. Defensive liability or not, IJ is averaging over 2 steals per game and over 5 assists per game, that's atleast 15-20 points per game that he accounts for without shooting the ball. Couple that with the fact that he is 85% from the line and you have to keep him on the court.

Exactly.

[Dawg61]

so somebody can play terrible defense AND be 5th in the SEC in steals?

Easily

James Harden leads the NBA in assists at 11.8 a game and he is atrocious on defense