Here's a good piece from Whitelaw Reid from The Daily Progress:
Some thoughts generated from this Q&A with Coach Bennett:
- I like the idea of a faster KT Harrell. He looked like more of a 3 to me at times last season. Granted, that was partly due to some nagging minor injuries. But we need him to be a true 2 this season, and that includes being able to move and guard opposing shooting guards. Harrell is one of the potential big-time breakout candidates for this upcoming season, and if he really does experience a breakthrough, the team has a chance to be scary good.
- I also like the idea of a taller Akil Mitchell. To me, he's a 4 all the way, so he needs the size/length to be able to compete in the paint.
- I'm expecting James Johnson and Assane Sene to split time nearly right down the middle at the center position. This is an important year for JJ, as he'll be asked to be the man in the frontcourt as early as the 2012-13 season.
- With JJ behind him and Mike Scott beside him, I'm expecting Assane Sene to be much more aggressive defensively. He'll pick up some ticky-tack fouls, but he'll also be able to block a TON of shots, going full-throttle.
- We have to land a point guard in the 2012 class. We just have to. Whiffing at this position could short-circuit the progress of the entire team.
- I think top six in the ACC is a lock for next season.
- Sammy Zeglinski should be our starting point guard this season.
- Will Regan leaving opened up a scholarship for a better player. Cold and heartless to say, but true.
- We need to step up our scheduling. We should get into a couple of marquee regional home-and-home series. I'd like to see us play Georgetown, Vanderbilt, and/or Memphis in upcoming seasons.
Don't think JJ will make a big impact this year. In TB's interview with Whitey it seems TB is taking a longer view on JJ and encouraging JJ to do the same. Agree completely on the scheduling. Unless we win 11 0r more ACC games can see where we will pull a Greenberg and be left out of the dance. Akil needs to step up his offensive production big time. Without counting dunks his shooting percentage was likely in the high 20s. If he doesn't he's not likely to be anything more than a defensive role player, which is of course valuable in TB's system. As for Regan think he would have provided some much needed offense had he stayed. Think his intangibles could have been used with the current roster.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading, and thanks for the comments, Jim!
ReplyDeleteI think we'll see a little bit more of JJ than Bennett is letting on here. It's been a long time since we've had a physical presence like him... Travis Watson, I guess?
I agree that Akil Mitchell needs work on his offense. I think getting this 3/4 hybrid stuff out of his head and have him focused on playing in the post will only help with that shooting percentage.
Agree to disagree on Regan. He showed some flashes, but I think his upside was probably similar to that of Will Sherrill's. Nice role player, but not really the kind of guy who can give you much if you have a properly-stocked roster. Besides, Evan Nolte was going to snatch that spot-up role from him in 2012-13, anyway.