Bench Beginning to Worry Me

These past few games have been worrying me a bit. I am happy that we are winning, but we are playing our starters way too much. Even the Utah game where we beat up on them Magnusson played 15 minutes and Big James played 13 while Charles played 9...and they scored 0 points between them. I am ok with Rose's 8 man rotation with Rogers, Magnusson and Abouo but come on, they need to play a bit more so our starters can rest up for upcoming events (aka the tournament, both Mountain West and NCAA). Losing Chris Collinsworth was huge, not having that big body coming off the bench will hurt, but it isn't the end of the world. I just hope that Coach Rose figures out how to insert our subs while maintaining comfortable leads in order to rest the stars of our team.

I go back and forth on this. I have been very disappointed in Abouo and Anderson on offense. It is fun to see Rogers get going like he did against Hawaii and TCU. I haven't seen a true 6th man show up like we have had in the past but it seems that different players step up at different times.



I guess I am not as concerned this year since we seem to have the weapons on most nights to win but i have concerns going into the tournament and next year after the losses of Jimmer and Jackson.

This will become more and more of an issue as the season goes on . I think you are right on.

Additionaly, we need to be careful not to become a "live by the three, die by the three team. We will end up losing some of those because one or more will just go cold. Good news is Jimmer can take it to the hole. Jax cna as well at least to clear the defender and then pull up for a short j.

But as for bench, not alot of strength, true, but Zylstra needs to be better at D. He has some shots, but is dissappointing to not be relied upon more.

Craig was right early on in that we need our back-up point--sad I cant recall his name right now. its nice to have Kyle do some ball handling, but he still shows some frosh mistakes, but shows great promise to break a perimeter D down and distribute realy well.

Anderson--an argument against slow tall oafy guys--we get to excited sometimes about some of the recruits that knock on 7' (harward comes to mind)

We have as good a shot at the Vegas Tourney as we have in some time. but if starters are tired by then, we will fade in the final.

Jimmer, Davies, and Hartsock are solid offensive threats well inside the 3. Jimmer can drive and finish. Davies can play inside the paint. And Hartsock and hit the 10 ft jumper. These kids are young and in great shape. They only play 2 games a week and only play 30-35 mins a game. It may be an 8 man rotation, but there still are another 2-3 guys who are serviceable if needed.



Also, as for Abouo, please remember that he is playing with a foot injury. Even with the injury, he's a solid player.

dmcougar wrote:
--we get to excited sometimes

Just where is "Excited", and how do we get there? I would like to get to Excited, but maybe I'm just too excited about the possibility :whistle:



Actually, I think everyone on the team has the ability to contribute. Even Anderson would be a much bigger force if he could make a free throw every once in a while. Abouo, even on his poor offensive nights, contributes well defensively. I'm hoping the Cougars will have a few games where the bench can get more minutes, and get more into the flow. But if that couldn't happen vs. TCU, when does it?

CougarPeasant wrote:
Also, as for Abouo, please remember that he is playing with a foot injury. Even with the injury, he's a solid player.

I wouldn't be surprised if Abouo is concerned with the civil unrest in the Ivory Coast right now. His country is basically on the brink of civil war.

I think this is much ado about nothing. The biggest reason that they're playing less from the bench, is that the starters are in shape now and playing more minutes; not to mention that Davies and Emery have done a better job staying out of foul trouble the last few games.



I don't think Magnusson, Anderson and others are any less important (I'll let you decide how important they are) than they were when the season started, they just aren't needed or getting less minutes.



The question should be, are Zylstra, Martineau, and Anderson improving? Because all 3 will be needed next season if we're going to make it back to the dance.



I personally feel that Rose would be justified to ask Zylstra to pay his way next year so that they can recruit a JUCO big to help next on the glass; just one banger with 2 to play 2 so that we can redshirt Harward and Austin.

craigoscarson wrote:
I think this is much ado about nothing. The biggest reason that they're playing less from the bench, is that the starters are in shape now and playing more minutes; not to mention that Davies and Emery have done a better job staying out of foul trouble the last few games.



I don't think Magnusson, Anderson and others are any less important (I'll let you decide how important they are) than they were when the season started, they just aren't needed or getting less minutes.



The question should be, are Zylstra, Martineau, and Anderson improving? Because all 3 will be needed next season if we're going to make it back to the dance.



I personally feel that Rose would be justified to ask Zylstra to pay his way next year so that they can recruit a JUCO big to help next on the glass; just one banger with 2 to play 2 so that we can redshirt Harward and Austin.

I concur. Especially if C coll isn't back to primo gameday form for next year.

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Not as much as this bench worries me.

Rogers is improving. Dude still needs 50 more pounds.

Anderson has had a few good games, just needs to have more.

Davies did NOT have foul trouble for the first time in a LONG time on Tuesday

Abouo can't make a shot to save his life, but he may be our best defender



and we have other guys on the team? Wow! when do they get to play?