Post by bigcat on Dec 2, 2024 5:38:03 GMT -5
New thread to discuss reserve players and what they do or can contribute.
Noah Bolanga and Jaxon Edwards have been two missing pieces thus far for different reasons. IMO these players are talented keys to the Bonnies’ bench play and continued improvement this season. Some posters wish that Miles would get more opportunities. I thought Duane had his best all-around game vs UNI and has great upside.
We now have two bigs battling for minutes behind Noel. And Hinton is a jewel of a 6th man who has been solid in every way.
Here is a closer look at Noah. I will add comments on Jaxon tomorrow.
NOAH BOLANGA, 6-8 wing from France. There is no denying his length, athleticism and talent. It has not surfaced yet for the Bonnies. At times Noah seems uncomfortable or confused on defense — not abnormal for a foreign player who arrived late on campus. Schmidt is not going to stick with him or any reserve until he can add a skill or spark on either end of the court. Or until he elevates his game in practice and learns the system.
Noah has a quick trigger …3/16 overall and 1/11 from deep on the season. He hit one three in the opener vs CSUN. Also scored 4 pts vs Mansfield. No news flash here, he undoubtedly is feeling pressure to perform, find his role, and earn more PT when he enters the game.
Most of his misses hit the back iron which is not the norm for good shooters who are relaxed. Noah’s arc (pun intended) seems quite high for someone his size — just my perception… no actual evidence. Adrenaline is not necessarily a shooter’s friend.
Noah played 21 mpg as a reserve last season on his professional club team in France. Currently he is averaging 8 mpg. The competition last season was not great … possibly similar to the A10 … but Noah performed relatively well with averages of 6 pts, 2 boards and 38% shooting from deep. He made 48 threes in 33 games, including 7 games with 3 or more. That type of production would give this lineup a huge jolt in league play.
The FIBA 3-point line is the same 22 ft distance as the NCAA line. Most players are more relaxed when they are getting regular minutes off the bench. They play through their mistakes and misses.
Right now many of us have questions about this talented Euro. Should Noah be attacking the basket more when he enters the game before firing from deep?
Will our staff be patient and allow him to grow his role this season?
Does Noah need to be stronger mentally and more confident that he is a talented, valuable piece for this season?
Is Noah able to bridge the culture gap successfully at SBU and survive on Hickey food?
What a great luxury it would be to have Noah playing consistently well off the bench to support our solid 6 … getting to the rim and foul line … using his vision and passing to make others better … knocking down a big shot or two vs zones … being a defensive menace with his athleticism and wing span. I can see Noah being a fan favorite and bringing the RC to a frenzy with a thunderous alley-oop dunk in a big A10 game!
Maybe all he needs is a catchy nickname?
Noah Bolanga and Jaxon Edwards have been two missing pieces thus far for different reasons. IMO these players are talented keys to the Bonnies’ bench play and continued improvement this season. Some posters wish that Miles would get more opportunities. I thought Duane had his best all-around game vs UNI and has great upside.
We now have two bigs battling for minutes behind Noel. And Hinton is a jewel of a 6th man who has been solid in every way.
Here is a closer look at Noah. I will add comments on Jaxon tomorrow.
NOAH BOLANGA, 6-8 wing from France. There is no denying his length, athleticism and talent. It has not surfaced yet for the Bonnies. At times Noah seems uncomfortable or confused on defense — not abnormal for a foreign player who arrived late on campus. Schmidt is not going to stick with him or any reserve until he can add a skill or spark on either end of the court. Or until he elevates his game in practice and learns the system.
Noah has a quick trigger …3/16 overall and 1/11 from deep on the season. He hit one three in the opener vs CSUN. Also scored 4 pts vs Mansfield. No news flash here, he undoubtedly is feeling pressure to perform, find his role, and earn more PT when he enters the game.
Most of his misses hit the back iron which is not the norm for good shooters who are relaxed. Noah’s arc (pun intended) seems quite high for someone his size — just my perception… no actual evidence. Adrenaline is not necessarily a shooter’s friend.
Noah played 21 mpg as a reserve last season on his professional club team in France. Currently he is averaging 8 mpg. The competition last season was not great … possibly similar to the A10 … but Noah performed relatively well with averages of 6 pts, 2 boards and 38% shooting from deep. He made 48 threes in 33 games, including 7 games with 3 or more. That type of production would give this lineup a huge jolt in league play.
The FIBA 3-point line is the same 22 ft distance as the NCAA line. Most players are more relaxed when they are getting regular minutes off the bench. They play through their mistakes and misses.
Right now many of us have questions about this talented Euro. Should Noah be attacking the basket more when he enters the game before firing from deep?
Will our staff be patient and allow him to grow his role this season?
Does Noah need to be stronger mentally and more confident that he is a talented, valuable piece for this season?
Is Noah able to bridge the culture gap successfully at SBU and survive on Hickey food?
What a great luxury it would be to have Noah playing consistently well off the bench to support our solid 6 … getting to the rim and foul line … using his vision and passing to make others better … knocking down a big shot or two vs zones … being a defensive menace with his athleticism and wing span. I can see Noah being a fan favorite and bringing the RC to a frenzy with a thunderous alley-oop dunk in a big A10 game!
Maybe all he needs is a catchy nickname?