Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Re-examining the point situation

Given the fact that we have seen hardly any of the current crop of possible point guards play at the point position, it is almost impossible to assess our situation at that critical position. However, never daunted by the illogical, we shall launch forth.

Anthony Black
Brandon Brady
Ryan Pippins
Jaizec Lottie
Deondre Burns'
Camron Reedus

That is a good-sized sample from which to piece together the position. Surely we can come up with a workable combination of players. My best guess is that Lottie was brought in with the expectation that he will be the Point of the Future. The "coachspeak" language that was used and the situation surrounding his recruitment seem to indicate that, as well as the fact that he was rated a 3-star. If indeed this kid is what we hope he is, then to a significant extent he represents the future of the program.

However, should he not pan out immediately (and, after all, he will be a true freshman and maturity does count for something), then Burns and/or Reedus seems the next likely candidate, probably Reedus. This is not because either of them appears to be a true point, but because they have some miles behind them and because both have played point earlier in their careers.

Anything we get from the other three players will be gravy at this point. Black comes from the cream of the crop in Arkansas high school basketball, so who knows? He definitely has been a winner so far in his career, and that counts for something. I have pretty much written off Pippins as too lazy and/or undisciplined to play college ball, but the fact remains that when we had the opportunity to "gracefully" reduce the roster to 13 and cut him in the process, we did not. So, there must be some reason that the coaches have kept him around. Maybe they can light a fire under him.

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