mountainred
Masters Student
Posts: 514
Age: 57
Loc: Charleston, WV
Reg: 04-11-10
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11-22-15 01:41 PM - Post#195740
2 and 2 isn't a bad start. The two losses were to be expected and the Big Red have won the one "toss-up" game they've played.
On the bright side, the offense has been better than I expected/feared, largely because Freshman Matt Morgan is decent a second scoring option (albeit a high volume shooter like Hatter). The "system" is what I've come to expect under Courtney: pass the ball around the perimeter until someone drives the lane or takes a three. Hatter and Morgan, and to a lesser extent Bathurst and Daryl Smith, are effective at dribble penetration, so the overall success of the offense is going to a function of our three point shooting. Maybe the current percentage (39.4%) is sustainable, but it bears noting Cornell hasn't been above the national percentage in three point shooting since 2011.
The attack is going to have to come from the backcourt. Only three forwards have seen any meaningful time. Onuorah is a useful rim protector and rebounder, but shooting isn't a skill he possesses. Jordan Abdur-Ra'oof and Stone Gettings have shown no inclination to be post scorers; so far they are a combined 10 for 22 behind the arc and 1 for 8 inside it.
Defense has been a disappointment; last year really seems to have been just a Shonn Miller production. Only Bingo has been held to less than a point per possession, and they had trouble scoring in the lay-up drill. Basically, the Big Red want to annoy opponents with lots of traps and doubles, but teams that maintain their composure will get good, high percentage shots when the D breaks down. Onourah will get his blocks, but he'll get his fouls too and there is no one to support him right now. Onourah will get his rebounds as well, especially against bad teams, but the team really needs Jordan, Stone or Will to step up on a regular basis.
There are enough youngsters to think growth during the season is possible. Bathurst and JAR are sophomores, as is Pat Smith who hasn't played since the opener. Morgan is the early star of the freshman class, though Gettings should get better with more time. Joel Davis and Troy Whiteside are getting some run and look like classic Courtney recruits: athletic but inefficient.
If you toss out the 2-26 disaster, Cornell basketball under Courtney has been a KenPom 200-250 kind of team. With a little growth from the kids, that's a reasonable range for this team. Who knows if that enough to keep Bill around for year 7?
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