Higher Ceiling - 2024-2025 or 2025-2026?

[clonehome]

I think TJ made a very positive change with his bigs by replacing the big bodies in Jackson and Chatfield with the longer and more mobile Buchanan and Pleta. They can run the floor and are better defenders, especially hedging ball screens and defending the pick and roll.

We’re also not so dependent on one guy to score like we became last year with Curtis Jones. I love the balance on this team.

 

[bozclone]

If everyone stayed healthy last year we were a final four quality team in my opinion. I really like our team, but we are a lot younger. At this point in the season, I would have said last years team had a higher ceiling mostly because of Curtis Jones, but let’s see how this team progresses and how Tamin comes back. It would be fun if we have a final four quality team this year.

 

[Frak]

I think TJ made a very positive change with his bigs by replacing the big bodies in Jackson and Chatfield with the longer and more mobile Buchanan and Pleta. They can run the floor and are better defenders, especially hedging ball screens and defending the pick and roll.

We’re also not so dependent on one guy to score like we became last year with Curtis Jones. I love the balance on this team.

I think that this is the key. Losing Curtis and keyshon is a small downgrade offensively from last year. Probably about the same defensively as Gilbert was a good on ball defender. Jackson was definitely a better offensive player than Buchanan. But, there’s a huge upgrade with Buchanan on defense. And that makes the whole thing go. They can switch on screens or they can ice them and he can get back to the roller. Jackson was too slow to do that and it resulted in open shots and easy drives.

I feel like this team has a higher ceiling. Not on offense, but defensively Jackson limited how well we could stop people.

 

[cyclonefan0705]

If only Mason Williams was healthy...

 

[SCISUFAN]

I think that this is the key. Losing Curtis and keyshon is a small downgrade offensively from last year. Probably about the same defensively as Gilbert was a good on ball defender. Jackson was definitely a better offensive player than Buchanan. But, there’s a huge upgrade with Buchanan on defense. And that makes the whole thing go. They can switch on screens or they can ice them and he can get back to the roller. Jackson was too slow to do that and it resulted in open shots and easy drives.

I feel like this team has a higher ceiling. Not on offense, but defensively Jackson limited how well we could stop people.

I agree with most of this. Where I would disagree is that Jackson is definitely better offensively than Blake. I think because of Blake's quickness and leaping ability he's gonna average close to double figures on just dunks and put-backs alone. Also when isolating Jefferson teams will have to double team him and Blake will be free to go to the rim. I think Blake is cerebral and early on was questioning what he was doing on O & D. The past 2 games it was like the scales were lifted from his eyes and he had his ah-ha moment. He gets it now and playing like it.

 

[NENick]

The FT issue will definitely come into play. This is one issue we need to fix pronto

I don't really believe teams "fix" FT shooting during a season. Good FT shooters will make them consistently, bad FT shooters won't. It comes down to who gets to the line. Also, this team (and last year's) were good at making sure the best shooters had the ball in their hands late in the game. Tamin and JJ seem to shoot a high % late in games.

 

[CySmurf]

I don't really believe teams "fix" FT shooting during a season. Good FT shooters will make them consistently, bad FT shooters won't. It comes down to who gets to the line. Also, this team (and last year's) were good at making sure the best shooters had the ball in their hands late in the game. Tamin and JJ seem to shoot a high % late in games.

This is one of the many reasons to get Tamin back.

 

[fsanford]

Yes because you can prove 100% that this happened last year.

Spoiler alert, you can’t, because it didn’t happen

I am 100% confident Jackson was shopping himself around latter part of Big 12 season.

And no I am not going to tell you who told me this but the person deals with staff based on what he does for a living

If you don't believe it that is your choice

 

[RagingCloner]

I am 100% confident Jackson was shopping himself around latter part of Big 12 season.

And no I am not going to tell you who told me this but the person deals with staff based on what he does for a living

If you don't believe it that is your choice

Got it. I absolutely believe you. I thought you were referring to the whole Gilbert debacle in March. My mistake

 

[fsanford]

Got it. I absolutely believe you. I thought you were referring to the whole Gilbert debacle in March. My mistake

No worries we cool

 

[Frak]

I agree with most of this. Where I would disagree is that Jackson is definitely better offensively than Blake. I think because of Blake's quickness and leaping ability he's gonna average close to double figures on just dunks and put-backs alone. Also when isolating Jefferson teams will have to double team him and Blake will be free to go to the rim. I think Blake is cerebral and early on was questioning what he was doing on O & D. The past 2 games it was like the scales were lifted from his eyes and he had his ah-ha moment. He gets it now and playing like it.

Probably splitting hairs here. I believe Jackson has more offensive skill than Buchanan. But, Buchanan is a better fit mostly because Jefferson is our post up threat and getting lobs and baskets off of cuts is more useful due to how Jefferson passes. Jackson posting up could clog the lane and actually make things more difficult. Defensively a huge upgrade, offensively not an upgrade in skill but probably an upgrade in fit.

 

[madguy30]

Probably splitting hairs here. I believe Jackson has more offensive skill than Buchanan. But, Buchanan is a better fit mostly because Jefferson is our post up threat and getting lobs and baskets off of cuts is more useful due to how Jefferson passes. Jackson posting up could clog the lane and actually make things more difficult. Defensively a huge upgrade, offensively not an upgrade in skill but probably an upgrade in fit.

Very well put.

Buchanan isn't going to get someone on the block but the way he plays may be harder to defend overall.

 

[Frak]

Very well put.

Buchanan isn't going to get someone on the block but the way he plays may be harder to defend overall.

You could see it clearly last year. Our bigs were too slow to play defense how we wanted. Other than injuries, that was the biggest downfall of the team.

I honestly feel like this team is better off with Buchanan than Cluff. Doesn’t hurt that Pleta has been really good. That’s what I was hoping for from Rock, but it was pretty clear that he didn’t have the mobility.

 

[NATEizKING]

This year, we didn't reach KP #4 last year. Our bench could have beat Syracuse and contended with Creighton.

 

[NATEizKING]

I agree with most of this. Where I would disagree is that Jackson is definitely better offensively than Blake. I think because of Blake's quickness and leaping ability he's gonna average close to double figures on just dunks and put-backs alone. Also when isolating Jefferson teams will have to double team him and Blake will be free to go to the rim. I think Blake is cerebral and early on was questioning what he was doing on O & D. The past 2 games it was like the scales were lifted from his eyes and he had his ah-ha moment. He gets it now and playing like it.

Blake also catches passes and finishes, Dishon had hands like FR Ejim.

 

[GoodOleDays]

Probably splitting hairs here. I believe Jackson has more offensive skill than Buchanan. But, Buchanan is a better fit mostly because Jefferson is our post up threat and getting lobs and baskets off of cuts is more useful due to how Jefferson passes. Jackson posting up could clog the lane and actually make things more difficult. Defensively a huge upgrade, offensively not an upgrade in skill but probably an upgrade in fit.

Jackson is a better 1v1 scorer but Buchanan raises team offense more.

The lob threat alone is dangerous alongside Jefferson and 2 point guards, especially in transition. +more putbacks.

But the real upside is his ability to make reads and pass. It’s part of why this team offense could be better. There’s just so many places actions can originate and so many variations for other defense to account for. It’d be a nightmare to scout

 

[MartyFine]