Phelps shooting and outlook

3,350 Views | 47 Replies | Last: 15 days ago by TombstoneTex
Redfishag93
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:42a, 5/1/24
Very happy with the Zuric Phelps pick up. We desperately needed it.

The 21% 3 pt shooting is a concern but compare to Boots last year who shot 35/125 for 28 %. This is not great, but Boots was definitely not a liability to the team...far from it.

Phelps shot 29/139 for 21%. If he shoots a few less to get to Boots' number of attempts at 21% that would be 26/125. That's would be 9 less 3s than Boots for a total of 27 points...stretched over an entire year this is less than 1 point per game difference.

When you consider he can handle the ball against pressure, defend (lots of steals), rebound, and get to the rim this looks to be a huge pick up. And it is very likely his shooting percentage will improve with another year of development and two guys playing next to him who can create good looks.

My lineup would be:
Wade
Manny
Phelps
Solo
Payne (also a huge pick up...maybe Buzz can recruit)

I love Andy, he can definitely start, but he seemed very comfortable coming off the bench largely this year.

Bench
Andy
Coleman
Wilcher
Carter

Having the luxury of a guy the caliber of Andy off the bench makes this a very deep, talented, and dangerous team next year.
Reply Quote
11
Fanatic15...Drs2B!
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Redfishag93 • 8:53a, 5/1/24
Excellent analysis. Agree completely.

Next year could be really good if Buzz and his coaching staff (and the veteran players) can help make the new guys feel welcome and get the chemistry of the team to blend well - perhaps by the Charleston Classic (or during that tournament,) in late November.

Of course, the other issue will be the year after next - as Phelps and almost everyone else will be playing their final season of eligibility this year.

The 2025-2026 season will definitely qualify as a major rebuild- though, with the transfer portal these days, it appears that this may be norm for most teams going forward. But, for now, I agree that we should focus and this coming year and perhaps our most talented roster yet in the Buzz era!

BTHO everyone!!!
Reply Quote
1
Detmersdislocatedshoulder
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:58a, 5/1/24
we are legitimately 9 deep now. 5 quality guard type players and four bigs. look forward to enhancing the up tempo offense we saw late last year. this team has the potential to be Buzz best team yet.
Reply Quote
bobinator
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Redfishag93 • 8:59a, 5/1/24
AG
Our front court rotation is going to be interesting next year. Andy needs to come back ready to score the basketball.
Reply Quote
9
The Marksman
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:13a, 5/1/24
AG
I agree our roster outlook is very good for next season. Besides the obvious players everyone is talking about, I'm excited to see Mills and Dockery hopefully get playing time.
Reply Quote
1
bobinator
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:14a, 5/1/24
AG
When I look at this roster I see a lot of potential to expand our defense out. We couldn't do that last year because you can't hide both Taylor and Boots (and Hefner and Carter) if you're pressing out beyond halfcourt, but Phelps and Mills look like high level athletes, with Solo and Manny out there you might have something.

Now whether that group can score or not, I dunno, but being able to expand our defense out would be huge. When we've been at our best defensively under Buzz it's been when we've been able to push out on offenses and get them off their timing.
Reply Quote
4
ds00
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Redfishag93 • 9:50a, 5/1/24
Redfishag93 said:
Very happy with the Zuric Phelps pick up. We desperately needed it.

The 21% 3 pt shooting is a concern but compare to Boots last year who shot 35/125 for 28 %. This is not great, but Boots was definitely not a liability to the team...far from it.

Phelps shot 29/139 for 21%. If he shoots a few less to get to Boots' number of attempts at 21% that would be 26/125. That's would be 9 less 3s than Boots for a total of 27 points...stretched over an entire year this is less than 1 point per game difference.

When you consider he can handle the ball against pressure, defend (lots of steals), rebound, and get to the rim this looks to be a huge pick up. And it is very likely his shooting percentage will improve with another year of development and two guys playing next to him who can create good looks.

My lineup would be:
Wade
Manny
Phelps
Solo
Payne (also a huge pick up...maybe Buzz can recruit)

I love Andy, he can definitely start, but he seemed very comfortable coming off the bench largely this year.

Bench
Andy
Coleman
Wilcher
Carter

Having the luxury of a guy the caliber of Andy off the bench makes this a very deep, talented, and dangerous team next year.
Bench rotation will be interesting and will probably evolve through the season. I'm not convinced Coleman, Carter, Wilcher ultimately get more minutes than Lee, Mills, Dockery.
Reply Quote
bg92
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:56a, 5/1/24
AG
Which Manny we get will be key. If we get the Manny of the last month of the season for all of next season, then we have a nice group.

Hoping a consistent Manny and the added ball handling from Phelps will improve the efficiency of Taylor. A more efficient Taylor is a crazy offensive weapon.

I'm not expecting anything from Dockery, but he was a top 100 recruit who spent an entire year in the program. I'm interested to see if he adds anything to the team. If nothing else, he should challenge the rotation players during practice.

Reply Quote
1
Ag_EE_88
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:56a, 5/1/24
AG
Hefner and Coleman will start a few games at the beginning of the season and look like they've turned the corner. People will rave about the progress they've made. Then conference will hit and they will disappear and Buzz will spend 10 games trying to figure out the new rotation. Finally, about 2 games before the tournament, something will click in one of the guys and they will come alive and take over for the rest of the games.
Reply Quote
5
GrayMatter
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to bobinator • 9:56a, 5/1/24
AG
bobinator said:
When I look at this roster I see a lot of potential to expand our defense out. We couldn't do that last year because you can't hide both Taylor and Boots (and Hefner and Carter) if you're pressing out beyond halfcourt, but Phelps and Mills look like high level athletes, with Solo and Manny out there you might have something.

Now whether that group can score or not, I dunno, but being able to expand our defense out would be huge. When we've been at our best defensively under Buzz it's been when we've been able to push out on offenses and get them off their timing.
The next evolution of this team is getting guys who normally are counted for defense, to pick up their scoring. Namely, Solo and Andy. Andy can hit those straight on 3's. Solo has shown flashes on the offensive end, he'll need to continue to evolve.
Reply Quote
bg92
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Ag_EE_88 • 9:58a, 5/1/24
AG
Probably my biggest complaint about Buzz is how long it takes to figure out the right rotation and offensive/defensive approach. Really needs to figure out how to settle on the right approach earlier in the season.
Reply Quote
5
jaxisback
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
10:01a, 5/1/24
I thought Carter was an above average defender. He's got good length and good enough quickness.

Now, Wade and Boots on the other hand are tough to tuck away and hide.

I agree, next season we could be special defensively with the ability to guard perimeter at all 5 spots.
Reply Quote
2
Redfishag93
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
10:35a, 5/1/24
Defense has GOT to improve. Offense wasn't the problem this year, defense was poor in my opinion.

Stop creating offense for the other team by giving up the baseline would be a start. If we are gonna give up the baseline then do it right, trap it with some aggression... not this soft let them skip it and do whatever they want with a numbers advantage on the backside.
Reply Quote
1
bobinator
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Ag_EE_88 • 10:41a, 5/1/24
AG
Coleman is better than people think he is. He was very obviously hurt (or sick, or something) for a chunk of this season, and even then he averaged 9 points and 6 boards a game.

He doesn't just feast on scrubs in non-conference, he put up double digit points and at least 5 boards against Ohio State, Penn State, Virginia, Auburn, Mizzou, Vandy, Bama, Arkansas and our tournament win over Nebraska.

The year before he had double digit games in eight of our conference games.

Where he's not good is creating his own offense. He needs someone else to create some space and then he can do his thing. That's why he was significantly better with Marble than without him. Hopefully Payne can be that kind of player.

Lumping him in with Hefner as some kind of paper tiger that vanishes in big games is ridiculous.
Reply Quote
17
BuzzFan24
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to bg92 • 10:44a, 5/1/24
Unless you have supreme talent (which aggies do not) figuring out your rotations early in the year is extremely tough, especially if you have tough non-conference schedule. Buzz has admitted multiple times when trying to figure out the rotations, they are likely to drop a few games early that they should win and then win some in conference they are "supposed to lose" as they figure out rotations.
Reply Quote
bobinator
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Redfishag93 • 10:44a, 5/1/24
AG
Our offense was also a problem this year, and I think it made our defense worse because of the effort and personnel we had to commit to offensive rebounding. If you're in the 300's at both 2pt and 3pt shooting, your offense is a problem.
Reply Quote
3
Know Your Enemy
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
10:45a, 5/1/24
AG
I really think (hope?) Andy can be a bigger part of the offense. His biggest issue right now seems to be that he looks to pass first. He needs to be more aggressive with the ball. Solo has no issues there but he needs to work on his ball handling and also improve his shot.
Reply Quote
bobinator
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to bg92 • 10:47a, 5/1/24
AG
bg92 said:
Probably my biggest complaint about Buzz is how long it takes to figure out the right rotation and offensive/defensive approach. Really needs to figure out how to settle on the right approach earlier in the season.
At least this year there was some valid reasons. Missing Boots for several weeks really threw us off.

And it's not like Manny didn't get chances earlier on. It's not like he was a backup QB sitting on the bench, he played a lot and he was mostly bad. At best he showed some flashes but he wasn't reliable at all.

Suddenly he was, and all of a sudden we look a lot different.

But another thing that a deeper roster gives you is a better idea of what you have in practice. You can work on things better if you have the depth to really challenge your starters in practice. We absolutely didn't have that last year at all.
Reply Quote
1
Fanatic15...Drs2B!
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to ds00 • 10:53a, 5/1/24
ds00 said:
Redfishag93 said:
Very happy with the Zuric Phelps pick up. We desperately needed it.

The 21% 3 pt shooting is a concern but compare to Boots last year who shot 35/125 for 28 %. This is not great, but Boots was definitely not a liability to the team...far from it.

Phelps shot 29/139 for 21%. If he shoots a few less to get to Boots' number of attempts at 21% that would be 26/125. That's would be 9 less 3s than Boots for a total of 27 points...stretched over an entire year this is less than 1 point per game difference.

When you consider he can handle the ball against pressure, defend (lots of steals), rebound, and get to the rim this looks to be a huge pick up. And it is very likely his shooting percentage will improve with another year of development and two guys playing next to him who can create good looks.

My lineup would be:
Wade
Manny
Phelps
Solo
Payne (also a huge pick up...maybe Buzz can recruit)

I love Andy, he can definitely start, but he seemed very comfortable coming off the bench largely this year.

Bench
Andy
Coleman
Wilcher
Carter

Having the luxury of a guy the caliber of Andy off the bench makes this a very deep, talented, and dangerous team next year.
Bench rotation will be interesting and will probably evolve through the season. I'm not convinced Coleman, Carter, Wilcher ultimately get more minutes than Lee, Mills, Dockery.


Don't forget McDermott!
Reply Quote
bobinator
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to GrayMatter • 10:55a, 5/1/24
AG
Solo better be spending all offseason working on his shot and some basic ballhandling. It's the difference between him being a fun high energy college player and an NBA prospect.
Reply Quote
6
Redfishag93
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
11:53a, 5/1/24
I agree on Coleman being a good player.
We have 4 legit guys with size for next year considering Payne, Solo, Andy and Coleman.
For much of this year with Coleman out we had 2 legit players with size.
Reply Quote
cs69ag
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
12:15p, 5/1/24
AG
I like Buzz.

I like the character of the players he recruits with a few exceptions.

I like Buzz spending time re life skills and team building.

I would like Buzz to get to the basketball O and D and player combos and rotations
a few weeks earlier before the season starts! I do realize you have to have some real games to
fine too all that, but I think the reason his teams improve late in the season vs good earlier is his time table
to address the actual basketball stuff! I do want the team to peak at the right time and get the best seed for the
tournament. But part of that is being more consistent all season and avoiding some losses to lowly ranked teams with less talent.

I know they work on it a lot. but our poor free throw shooting in some games we lost was the reason we lost.
That has to get more consistent.
Reply Quote
aggiez03
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
12:46p, 5/1/24
AG
Manny should go work this summer with some sort of 'finishing at the hole' specialist, like Footwork King for WRs, if that exists.

He is super athletic, and is pretty good now, but if he could get to elite status, that would make Wilcher, Wade, & Carter way more efficient at the 3 point line.

Buzz also needs to figure out the double teams and rotations now that the charge is gone from college basketball. I think that was one of the biggest factors in losses this year. We used to get 3-5 stops per game on charges, which was a triple whammy as it was a turnover, a removed bucket, and got the off player a foul.
Reply Quote
1
Topher17
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to aggiez03 • 1:35p, 5/1/24
AG
It only works if Manny can get the ball to them when the defense crashes. He hasn't been a very good passer at all, so hopefully the 'finishing at the hole' specialist has a passing academy too.

If Manny starts next year at the level he finished this season, but adds the ability to pass to his game, he'll be a nightmare for opposing teams.
Reply Quote
1
1 edit
bobinator
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
2:04p, 5/1/24
AG
I kinda like Manny as a slasher three with this roster right now because of the passing issues you mentioned. I still think his core shortcoming is that he doesn't process the movement around him on the court fast enough, so I don't really expect him to suddenly develop passing skills.

But he can beat guys one-on-one and hopefully keep the shooting up that we saw later in the year.

He'll also be helped out if we other threats around the basket. Last year bigs could just come help on our penetrating players and rarely could we make them pay.
Reply Quote
2
MarcAg
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
2:06p, 5/1/24
AG
I actually think Manny is a decent passer, his issue is he isn't looking to pass once he decides to get downhill. And that's a pretty big issue.
Reply Quote
3
bobinator
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to MarcAg • 2:18p, 5/1/24
AG
Yeah, I mean his season high in assists was four, he had one game with four, one game with three, and didn't have any other games with more than two.

I think the Manny we saw later in the year is a sustainable player, but I don't think he's suddenly going to add whole new dimensions to his game.

Again though, it all just goes back to space. Last year we could not create it on the offensive end the majority of the time, but this roster looks better equipped to.
Reply Quote
1 edit
MarcAg
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to bobinator • 2:21p, 5/1/24
AG
I would like to see us play up-tempo and get it to Wade, Phelps or Manny and whoever gets it get it up the court quickly. No set primary ball handler.
Reply Quote
2
bobinator
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to MarcAg • 2:28p, 5/1/24
AG
That's sort of where I was going earlier with my comment about expanding out the defense more also. I could definitely see us being a faster tempo team next year.
Reply Quote
MarcAg
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to bobinator • 2:30p, 5/1/24
AG
I wonder how our pace numbers from the last 6 or so games of the season compared with the start of SEC play. Was it faster or were we just more efficient
Reply Quote
1 edit
bobinator
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to MarcAg • 2:38p, 5/1/24
AG
Kentucky, Florida and Nebraska were 1, 2, and tied for 3 on our fastest games of the season (with the away Arkansas game and the Alabama game.) The Ole Miss SECT game and the Houston game were also in the top 11 fastest games of the year. The Ole Miss game at the end of the regular season might have been faster if we didn't absolutely blow their doors off also.
Reply Quote
frenchtoast
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
3:08p, 5/1/24
Word. He seems less like a finesse guard and more like a power point. I could honestly see him scoring on more than one drive. I think he'll excel here. Glad we beat out the other teams for his services.
Reply Quote
2 edits
EliteZags
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Redfishag93 • 3:40p, 5/1/24
AG
Redfishag93 said:

The 21% 3 pt shooting is a concern but compare to Boots last year who shot 35/125 for 28 %. This is not great, but Boots was definitely not a liability to the team...far from it.

Phelps shot 29/139 for 21%. If he shoots a few less to get to Boots' number of attempts at 21% that would be 26/125. That's would be 9 less 3s than Boots for a total of 27 points...stretched over an entire year this is less than 1 point per game difference.

the prior season he shot 31% on higher volume, so in the right offense he could be a true high 20s or better avg shooter which would a help to this roster
Reply Quote
zgolfz85
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
3:43p, 5/1/24
AG
Love that starting 5 with proper depth that can come in to start due to injury or poor performance. I still hold out hope that mills can be a real contributor next year. He looks every bit the real deal
Reply Quote
1
zgolfz85
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to bobinator • 3:45p, 5/1/24
AG
bobinator said:
Coleman is better than people think he is. He was very obviously hurt (or sick, or something) for a chunk of this season, and even then he averaged 9 points and 6 boards a game.

He doesn't just feast on scrubs in non-conference, he put up double digit points and at least 5 boards against Ohio State, Penn State, Virginia, Auburn, Mizzou, Vandy, Bama, Arkansas and our tournament win over Nebraska.

The year before he had double digit games in eight of our conference games.

Where he's not good is creating his own offense. He needs someone else to create some space and then he can do his thing. That's why he was significantly better with Marble than without him. Hopefully Payne can be that kind of player.

Lumping him in with Hefner as some kind of paper tiger that vanishes in big games is ridiculous.


Agreed. People forget how many games he put up insane numbers when he had a legit big man to work alongside in marble. He was clearly not close to himself this year
Reply Quote
Page 1 of 2 ▼
 
×
subscribe Verify your student status
See Subscription Benefits
Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial.