Points this year...

[forensicbuzz]

Okay, this comes out of some of the thread discussions...I know everything will depend on what type of offense we run, but for the sake of discussion...

1. How many points are we going to average as a team this year: (last year we averaged 73.2 (156 of 351))

Tadric Jackson:
Quinton Stephens:
Josh Heath:
Ben Lammers:
Justin Moore:
Jordan Price:
Kellen McCormick:
Josh Okogie:
Christian Matthews:
Sy Ogbonda:
Corey Heyward:
Abdoulaye Gueye:

It's not about how these guys compare to the other scorers in the league, it's about who's going to be taking the shots on this team. It'll also depend on who steps up, probably unexpectantly.

 

[forensicbuzz]

Okay, this comes out of some of the thread discussions...I know everything will depend on what type of offense we run, but for the sake of discussion...

1. How many points are we going to average as a team this year: 65 (this would put us 321 of 351 in scoring in 2015)

Tadric Jackson: 15
Quinton Stephens: 14
Josh Heath: 8
Ben Lammers: 10
Justin Moore: 5
Jordan Price: 3
Kellen McCormick: 3
Josh Okogie: 5
Christian Matthews: 3
Sy Ogbonda: 3
Corey Heyward: 3
Abdoulaye Gueye: 3

It's not about how these guys compare to the other scorers in the league, it's about who's going to be taking the shots on this team. It'll also depend on who steps up, probably unexpectantly.

 

[Peacone36]

Tadric Jackson: 12
Quinton Stephens: 14
Josh Heath: 7
Ben Lammers: 9
Justin Moore: 4
Jordan Price: 2
Kellen McCormick: 3
Josh Okogie: 6
Christian Matthews: 5
Sy Ogbonda: 3
Corey Heyward: <1
Abdoulaye Gueye: <1

67 ppg

.

 

[YlJacket]

So much of the answer to this has to do with pace of play. If we do play at a significantly faster tempo than last year then we could easily replicate our nominal scoring numbers from last year but IMHO our defensive numbers are going through the roof at a faster tempo. If we play at last year's tempo or something akin to "normal" I think our scoring is going to be in the mid to low 60's unless there is a surprise from one of the freshman.

 

[McCamish Maniacs]

Tadric Jackson: 9
Quinton Stephens: 11
Josh Heath: 7
Ben Lammers: 11
Justin Moore: 3
Jordan Price: 2
Kellen McCormick: 4
Josh Okogie: 7
Christian Matthews: 5
Sy Ogbonda: 6
Corey Heyward: 1
Abdoulaye Gueye: 1

Total: 67

 

[mstranahan]

Individual ppg is so hard to project. Depends on playing time, roles, etc. I would expect Tadric & Q to be the primary offensive focal points. Think Lammers and Heath will get points opportunistically. As for the rest of the team, I think they will contribute some scoring, but no one stands out as a likely regular contributor. Believe we will see lots of variability across games as guys get hot and/or have favorable matchups.
If we play a Loyola style, we could average 75 - 80 ppg and give up > 100. Think we're more likely to pay patient half court to limit opposition possessions and average in mid-60s Not dissimilar from BC last year.

 

[forensicbuzz]

Individual ppg is so hard to project. Depends on playing time, roles, etc. I would expect Tadric & Q to be the primary offensive focal points. Think Lammers and Heath will get points opportunistically. As for the rest of the team, I think they will contribute some scoring, but no one stands out as a likely regular contributor. Believe we will see lots of variability across games as guys get hot and/or have favorable matchups.
If we play a Loyola style, we could average 75 - 80 ppg and give up > 100. Think we're more likely to pay patient half court to limit opposition possessions and average in mid-60s Not dissimilar from BC last year.

Okay. But this thread was mostly for you and @coolhaji33. You've got to at least project the first 4-5 top players. We all realize the rest is a crap shoot.

 

[mstranahan]

Okay. But this thread was mostly for you and @coolhaji33. You've got to at least project the first 4-5 top players. We all realize the rest is a crap shoot.

I think I've been pretty consistent that I think projecting individual stats before seeing the team (esp with a new coach) is folly. That being said, this is an internet board, not a doctoral thesis.

Tadric 13
Q 11
Heath 6
Lammers 9
The rest of the crew: 28
Total : 67

 

[Ramblingon]

I think I've been pretty consistent that I think projecting individual stats before seeing the team (esp with a new coach) is folly. That being said, this is an internet board, not a doctoral thesis.

Tadric 13
Q 11
Lammers 9
The rest of the crew: 28
Total : 67

I'm with you on three of those. Beyond that:
Josh Heath: 5
Justin Moore: 4
Jordan Price: 3
Kellen McCormick: 5
Josh Okogie: 8
Christian Matthews: 6
Sy Ogbonda: 4
Corey Heyward: 1
Abdoulaye Gueye: 1

 

[coolhaji33]

Individual ppg is so hard to project. Depends on playing time, roles, etc. I would expect Tadric & Q to be the primary offensive focal points. Think Lammers and Heath will get points opportunistically. As for the rest of the team, I think they will contribute some scoring, but no one stands out as a likely regular contributor. Believe we will see lots of variability across games as guys get hot and/or have favorable matchups.
If we play a Loyola style, we could average 75 - 80 ppg and give up > 100. Think we're more likely to pay patient half court to limit opposition possessions and average in mid-60s Not dissimilar from BC last year.

Tad 16
Q 15
Heath 10
Lammers 12
Okogie 5
Matthews 3.5
Price 5
Obongba 3.5
AD 3
Kellen 3.5
Jmunna 1.5
Heyward 2
Total:80...relatively high ppg avg. with there PA avg. somewhere between 83-86...we'll have a hard time stopping teams with talented wing players,our ability to defend big guards and capable small forwards will be our ultimate demise...however I think we'll be able to score it with just about any team as long as we get qualify minutes behind Heath.I wouldn't be surprised if Tad gets a lot of time at the point...something that would allow more minutes for Okogie,Matthews,Price and Kellen...guys I'd rather have on the floor over Heyward and at this stage Moore.

 

[coolhaji33]

Individual ppg is so hard to project. Depends on playing time, roles, etc. I would expect Tadric & Q to be the primary offensive focal points. Think Lammers and Heath will get points opportunistically. As for the rest of the team, I think they will contribute some scoring, but no one stands out as a likely regular contributor. Believe we will see lots of variability across games as guys get hot and/or have favorable matchups.
If we play a Loyola style, we could average 75 - 80 ppg and give up > 100. Think we're more likely to pay patient half court to limit opposition possessions and average in mid-60s Not dissimilar from BC last year.

There's no way there going to play half court...I say they push tempo,substitute early and often maximizing on the talents and skill sets of the personel.To be effective in the half court you need an interior post threat to space the floor properly or have the ability to play pick and roll versus the man...this team isn't comprised of pro's...through out the pick and roll notion...and though Lammers will get his,offensive rebounding,finishing around the cup,lobs and facing up he's never really been a post up threat...yet.Not to mention the other true bigs,AD and Obongba are more geared to rebound and run.We don't have players who can take there defender off the dribble outside Tad...we do have a fast,heady,pass first point guard with a relatively high assist to turnover ratio and an acumen for attacking the hoop with the ball in the open court.We do have shooters,Tad,Kellen,Q,Price...both Matthews and Okogie can shoot it...we don't have enough experience or offensive one on one talent to succeed in the half court...we do have a pg who takes care of the ball and could orchestrate an up tempo attack.If we slow it down we'll be getting beat 70-45 every night.I'd rather give us a shooters chance,make things exciting and attractive about Tech in a probable down year.

 

[AE 87]

Last year, UNC averaged 82.8 ppg and Duke 81.1. 80 ppg would've been top 25 in that stat.

Memphis averaged 76.6 ppg, not playing in the ACC.

We'll see.

 

[franklinjacket]

I think we average 65-70 and average giving up 70-75. We've got guys who can score 20 in a game but there's just not enough evidence to make me think they score anywhere near that consistently, especially once we hit the ACC schedule. I'd expect to see Q and Tadric around 12 each with everyone else in single digits.

 

[coolhaji33]

http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/080916aaa.html "I want to play fast,with great speed,..." "short quick,intense bursts,too the point.In order to do that were going to have to be in great shape." - Pastner...interesting on Heath having injury since high school.A return injury free will be good for us

 

[mstranahan]

should be interesting to see how CJP approaches the season. Go up tempo and get blown out with opponents routinely scoring 100+, but hope to entertain the crowd with style. Or slow it down and bore the crowd but keep the margin to 10 - 15 and maybe steal a game here and there. Neither is wildly appealing, but should be an interesting decision.

 

[mstranahan]

also from ramblinwreck.com (courtesy Matt Winkeljohn)
"Pastner has an up-tempo offensive system in mind, but before he and his staff install anything coaches want to understand the strengths and weaknesses of returning players with two goals. They want to see how they're going to need to adjust schemes to fit players' skill set, and get an idea how to target recruits."

I read this as consistent with what I expect. CJP wants to go up tempo but realizes he inherited a roster that cannot effectively play that style. Over time, he recruits his style of player and we see more up tempo as the roster turns over. Again, will be interesting to see what he does this year

 

[YlJacket]

There's no way there going to play half court...I say they push tempo,substitute early and often maximizing on the talents and skill sets of the personel.To be effective in the half court you need an interior post threat to space the floor properly or have the ability to play pick and roll versus the man...this team isn't comprised of pro's...through out the pick and roll notion...and though Lammers will get his,offensive rebounding,finishing around the cup,lobs and facing up he's never really been a post up threat...yet.Not to mention the other true bigs,AD and Obongba are more geared to rebound and run.We don't have players who can take there defender off the dribble outside Tad...we do have a fast,heady,pass first point guard with a relatively high assist to turnover ratio and an acumen for attacking the hoop with the ball in the open court.We do have shooters,Tad,Kellen,Q,Price...both Matthews and Okogie can shoot it...we don't have enough experience or offensive one on one talent to succeed in the half court...we do have a pg who takes care of the ball and could orchestrate an up tempo attack.If we slow it down we'll be getting beat 70-45 every night.I'd rather give us a shooters chance,make things exciting and attractive about Tech in a probable down year.

Question- do you really think Heath is a fast PG at the ACC level? I will admit I don't see that one. I like Lammers but I don't see him as an uptempo 5. Q isn't out running/athleting many 3's in the ACC. So unless we are moving Q to the 4 and find a diamond in one of the freshman who can step in at the wing with Tadrick and run, I don't see the uptempo with this team versus ACC level competition.

I do understand if CJP simply wants to establish a style of play for recruiting, or if the freshman are more athletic and he wants to feature them. And that may well be more exciting than a controlled approach. But I expect we will give up triple digits a bunch if we try to play in the open court with most of the ACC.

 

[coolhaji33]

I do see him as a fast point guard,Ill admit I'm real high on this kid.He plays under such control,never picks up his dribble,knows how to run an offense and be an extension of the coach...low turnover guy...and after knowing he's been "slowed" with the hip for years cements my belief his poised for a breakout year.He gets in the lane,pulls up...hits the floater...and can take it all the way.He's three ball needs consistency but I like his mechanics and with his health at 100% and some senior confidence don't be surprised if his 3point game becomes a strength.A healthy Josh Heath is a fast point guard with or without the basketball.

 

[coolhaji33]

I'd describe a healthy Heath as a less dynamic,slightly smaller Jarrett Jack.Jack was a little longer and played with a little more competitive fire but very similar styles of game IMO...disciplined,heady floor generals,good in the open court,can get into the lane and excel in transition.Neither was known for being three pointbmarksman but shot it well enough to keep defenses honest.

 

[coolhaji33]

What I found interesting in the link was the fact that he said they want to play fast without taking bad shots.He also stated he wants to play with short quick intense bursts.What he means is they will try to decisively push tempo but not be the reckless stereotype extreme.Rather be decisive and aggressive pushing the ball off the rebound,deliberately try to push tempo by pressure defense,utilize are apparent 11player depth.When you really breakdown the roster I believe we can really run the ball effectively.The first thing or things you have to do is stop the other guy from scoring and rebound the basketball,I feel we can do those things well enough to think about implementing a run and gun approach.Lammers and Obongba will be able to compete with most frontlines physically on the glass and in front of the rim.Our Achilles heal being our inability to defend the big guard or talented athletic offensively gifted small forward...a guy like TJ Warren couldve put 50 up on this team but having said that about our interior rebounding and rim protection with the thought that they could run out of some zone defenses makes you think that all they need to do is get a stop get it to Heath and go.If they can't get a quick three or lay up,early offense with Tad off the catch.Both Ben and SO can run as can AD...Pastner knows Price and Kellen have experience getting there shot off..Both proven 3pts specialist.Price is underrated athletically and has some length to him at 6'7...another up tempo type guy.Both Okogie and Matthews are more suited to an up tempo game at this point taking advantage of there athleticism and ability to use it getting to the rim on the fast break.Both can shoot it from beyond the arc but both can be labeled more scorers than shooters.In the half court slower pace game they'd be asked to play more fundamentally and disciplined,areas where there maybe not as strong yet.I think Pastner wants the grandeur of a fun style but doesn't want to compromise his brand or integrity.If they can execute a few basic principles...rebounding,defense and taking care of the basketball I feel they have the pieces to score it big time if they can get the pace going.The question will be can they get stops.