New bellarmine thread

[Knightmoves]

Re: New bellarmine thread

George Suggs is on the staff at McKendree: https://mckbearcats.com/news/2018/6/...assistant.aspx

[KnightsHoop1]

[BellarmineGrad]

Re: New bellarmine thread

Interesting. Cobe Penny, in high school, was listed at 5'11", and Dylan Penn is supposedly 6'2". Justin Betz is 6'2", and I haven't heard that he's not coming back (nice double negative there).

[DJ Knight]

Re: New bellarmine thread

Anything other news from the show? Anything about the schedule ?

[KnightsHoop1]

Re: New bellarmine thread

Anything other news from the show? Anything about the schedule ?

No, Doug discussed the atmosphere in Knights Hall and asked about how it can be filled to the brim every game, not just the conference games (he has a high standard for attendance, which I feel should be met too!), but no other news on the team

[#1KnightFan]

First exhibition game will be vs UL in the YUM Center on Sunday October 28

[Knightmoves]

Re: New bellarmine thread

First exhibition game will be vs UL in the YUM Center on Sunday October 28

Chris Mack is 1-1 v. Bellarmine. This might be an interesting game. You wonder if Scotty will be a little more motivated than he has been in the past versus UofL. Despite the upheaval at UofL, they still have plenty of talent. It will be a great test for Parker Chitty. We will get to see right away whether he is going to take care of the ball.

[Knightmoves]

Re: New bellarmine thread

Getting a little antsy to see a roster and schedule, so I went back to last season to see when the were released. The roster was announced on Aug 31, with the acknowledgment that C.C. had transfered in and that Cook was out for the semester. The schedule did not come out until Sept. 19. With the exception of 1 or 2 games, I think we know what the schedule is going to be. I am a little less concerned about roster defections than I was earlier in the summer, but would still like to see an anouncement on the roster.

Regardless of the exact roster, this is going to be a very good team. The real question is whether this team will be dominant. Frankly, anything short of the #1 seed in the region will be a disappointment and this is a reasonable expectation for this team. I do not think that there will be another team as good as either Ferris or Findlay was last season, so a 2 loss regular season is likely to earn a number #1 seed. (BTW, despite their personnel losses, I think UF and Ferris will be very good and may still be the favorites to win their respective conferences)

What issues are the biggest concern for this team? Here are my concerns, I would like to hear other opinions.

1. Take care of the basketball. I love me some Chitty, but he has to take better care of the ball. I am sure that he will, or he will not play. C.J. Fleming showed himself to be one of the smartest freshman I have seen on the basketball floor, the guy simply does not make stupid plays, period. If Chitty wants to turn the ball over, he will loose lots of minutes to C.J. Eberhard also needs to reduce his turnovers. Live ball turnovers are the biggest concern.

2. Ability to score as the clock runs out. Got overly dependent on Bach last season to do this. Not sure its a big issue because if they execute the offense, they will get plenty of good shots prior to expiration of the shot clock. I do think that Eberhard can fill the roll if needed, it just is not consistent with his pass first mentality.

3. Injuries/health of Jenkins and Corbett. This team could win the region without these two, but they are going to be a whole lot better if both of them are at full strength. Neither needs to play 30 minutes a game, but what I wonder is whether they can play 100% for 20 minutes per game. If there is any doubt about how good CC is, just look at the game at USI. It was the best game, statistically speaking, by a BU player in many a moon.

4. 3 point shooting. This team may not be as good a three point shooting team as some of BU's best, but I think it may matter very little. Last year, BU shot the same effective percentage (if that is the right term) for 3 point and 2 point shots. In other words, it made absolutely no difference if they shot a 3 or a 2. They netted the same amount of points per attempt. This may be one of the underappreciated aspects of Scotty's offensive philosophy. There is, however, something to be said for having mutiple great three point shooters in the clutch during a close game. When it comes to shooting three's, I think most people are concerned with Ben Weyer's consistency, let's hope he gets hot and stays hot.

What do y'all think?

[Looking For 9]

Re: New bellarmine thread

I think much of Bellarmine's success is due to how coachable the players are reacting to a very tough coach. I think this year's team will be one that gives him more challenges than others. Road victories will be key determining NCAA hosting.

[KnightsHoop1]

Re: New bellarmine thread

Getting a little antsy to see a roster and schedule, so I went back to last season to see when the were released. The roster was announced on Aug 31, with the acknowledgment that C.C. had transfered in and that Cook was out for the semester. The schedule did not come out until Sept. 19. With the exception of 1 or 2 games, I think we know what the schedule is going to be. I am a little less concerned about roster defections than I was earlier in the summer, but would still like to see an anouncement on the roster.

Regardless of the exact roster, this is going to be a very good team. The real question is whether this team will be dominant. Frankly, anything short of the #1 seed in the region will be a disappointment and this is a reasonable expectation for this team. I do not think that there will be another team as good as either Ferris or Findlay was last season, so a 2 loss regular season is likely to earn a number #1 seed. (BTW, despite their personnel losses, I think UF and Ferris will be very good and may still be the favorites to win their respective conferences)

What issues are the biggest concern for this team? Here are my concerns, I would like to hear other opinions.

1. Take care of the basketball. I love me some Chitty, but he has to take better care of the ball. I am sure that he will, or he will not play. C.J. Fleming showed himself to be one of the smartest freshman I have seen on the basketball floor, the guy simply does not make stupid plays, period. If Chitty wants to turn the ball over, he will loose lots of minutes to C.J. Eberhard also needs to reduce his turnovers. Live ball turnovers are the biggest concern.

2. Ability to score as the clock runs out. Got overly dependent on Bach last season to do this. Not sure its a big issue because if they execute the offense, they will get plenty of good shots prior to expiration of the shot clock. I do think that Eberhard can fill the roll if needed, it just is not consistent with his pass first mentality.

3. Injuries/health of Jenkins and Corbett. This team could win the region without these two, but they are going to be a whole lot better if both of them are at full strength. Neither needs to play 30 minutes a game, but what I wonder is whether they can play 100% for 20 minutes per game. If there is any doubt about how good CC is, just look at the game at USI. It was the best game, statistically speaking, by a BU player in many a moon.

4. 3 point shooting. This team may not be as good a three point shooting team as some of BU's best, but I think it may matter very little. Last year, BU shot the same effective percentage (if that is the right term) for 3 point and 2 point shots. In other words, it made absolutely no difference if they shot a 3 or a 2. They netted the same amount of points per attempt. This may be one of the underappreciated aspects of Scotty's offensive philosophy. There is, however, something to be said for having mutiple great three point shooters in the clutch during a close game. When it comes to shooting three's, I think most people are concerned with Ben Weyer's consistency, let's hope he gets hot and stays hot.

What do y'all think?

I'll be very interested to see the newcomers on the team and how they transfer their skills into the system. I certainly agree on the health topic - that is something out of control that can derail any team. I'm not too concerned yet with the departure of Bach. I had talked myself the prior year into the fact that without Rusty or Al to go to late clock, the Knights would be in trouble. Bach certainly surprised me and filled that role above my wildest expectations, so I will contain that doubt this year until I can see some play.

My biggest fear with a roster this talented is complacency. I do worry about dropping "bad" losses on the road when heavily favored; I think this has happened before but I'm hoping the upper class leadership and Chitty's intensity will help with that.

[KnightStalker]

Re: New bellarmine thread

Me thinks:

1. Probably the most legitimate issue of the 4. I too can not get enough of some Chitty but the turnovers are an issue. As I said in the past I think he needs to look to score more often than pass. Once he lights up the other team with several drives to the basket, the passing lanes will be there.

2. No real issue because they will be beating the crud out of these teams.

3. Again the only depth issue is whether the scrubs will be able to finish off the game and gets us some chicken!

4. No prob, see #2

As with Hoops1 issue of complacency, I'm not too worried about it, although it could happen, I just don't see it with this group. So to sum it up, this maybe the most confident I have been in any BU squad since the '12 team. Now of course they lost in the semis so maybe I shouldn't be so cocky. But I agree with Moves that the rest of the region does not look as tough as last year so winning the region is almost expected.

[BGrad1971]

Re: New bellarmine thread

I agree that #1 may be the biggest issue, but also worried about CC and Jenkins health. To that however I would add that I'd like to see a healthier Ebby. Its a long hard season and nagging small injuries take their toll. I thought Eberhard looked tired quite often in the latter stages of last season. Chitty should get more minutes this season, but with the aggressive whirlwind style of defense he plays, you would expect he might find himself in foul trouble more frequently. If Jenkins isn't 100% and Chitty finds himself in foul trouble we may need one of the freshman to step up and get some minutes.

[Knightmoves]

Re: New bellarmine thread

You are right about Eberhard's health. He was clearly struggling with injuries in the post season.

Bad road losses have to be avoided. The loss to Parkside last season may have cost us a national championship.

[KnightStalker]

Re: New bellarmine thread

You are right about Eberhard's health. He was clearly struggling with injuries in the post season.

Bad road losses have to be avoided. The loss to Parkside last season may have cost us a national championship.

I do think Eberhard is the one indispensable player on this team. In that regard there is no depth to be had, period. But even a slightly hobbled Eberhard as he was at the end of last season will be good enough.

The loss to Parkside and hence the national championship is the reason I do not see this season's team becoming complacent. I don't think that is their mentality in the first place, but now that they saw one somewhat-off game by them can cost the championship, they will not let that happen again. I am sure there will a game or two where their shooting is off or the other team just plays out of their minds, but it won't be due to lack of effort.

[BellarmineGrad]

Re: New bellarmine thread

Don't overlook the positive impact of a full season with my man Cook.

Also very curious to see guys like Palombizio and Claycomb in action and how they'll fit into the rotations.