qlklege041
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hollister france Syracuse Orange Basketball - Posi |
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Last year, the lack of production from the center position was masked by Rick Jackson spending so much time there. The bottom line is, Fab Melo was a big disappointment, and while Baye Mousa Keita showed his promise, he was limited offensively and struggled in conference play with his slim frame. This season, the Orange do not have Jackson to be a safety valve if the other two falter.
Fab Melo
Yes these were only exhibition games, company they were against vastly inferior competition. But there are things you can take from those performances. Fab Melo [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] looks like a completely different player than the one who could [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] barely get up and down the court this past year. He looks diverse from the player [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] that appeared to commit three fouls in the first five minutes of each and every game, on his way to a stat type of 8 minutes, 2 points, 1 rebound, 4 fouls (or something similar to that). Coach Boeheim stated numerous times that Melo just wasn't in the proper condition to obtain up and down the court. However, Fab has come into this year thirty pounds lighter, and with renewed confidence. He just looks the part now. Down and up the court he goes without so much as an extra breath. He rotates in the zone, stands his ground, is physical without committing fouls, and dare I only say it, is actually getting in decent rebounding position. His mid-range jumper is something Orange fans haven't seen from the center [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] position because the days Elvir Ovcina. If he can be a consistent threat offensively, rebound well, stay out of foul trouble, and be a force inside within the zone, it takes [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] this team to a completely different level. Yes he'll have games where he struggles. Everyone does. But I just love the look he has in his [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] eye this season. It's one of determination, confidence, and data of the system. Totally different from last [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] year. Based on what I've seen so far, I expect a HUGE leap forward. That's not to say he's going to be an All-American or Big East 1st team. But an above average player who makes plays. He needs to be able to play 25 minutes approximately per game. That will permit Keita and Christmas to split another 15 minutes. If Fab doesn't play well or reverts to being an enigma like last season, Syracuse can still be a good team. However, if he is able to be what we have seen in the exhibition games, Syracuse could be a championship team.
Baye Mousa Keita
We all know the book on Keita. He's tall, long, and athletic. [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] He's good around the glass, and has a knack for block shots. Offensively he's limited. There were a few signs of improvement, like when he hit a baby hook in the first preseason game. That certainly raised some eyebrows. But given that he's the backup center, and likely won't be counted on to play 25-30 minutes most nights, the Orange don't need a ton of offensive production from him. [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] They need him to come in, play well within the zone, hustle, block shots, and control the defensive boards. That would be huge for a team which has a plethora of offensive talent. Hopefully, he'll be superior equipped to take the pounding the large East season undoubtedly will bring, as he appeared to wear out some towards the end of last year. His slender frame [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] is cause of some concern, but so long as he isn't needed for 30+ minutes per game, he should be fine for his role. And will it appear he's done a little bulking up, although not a massive amount. He's just a slim guy, and that is OK as long as he's ready for the beating.
Rakeem Christmas
When Boeheim decides to go small, Christmas will probably see [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] some time in the centre. We saw that within the last preseason game against St. Rose. That lineup features him at center, with Joseph and Fair in the forward spots. That lineup is quicker [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] and more athletic. It's a great asset to have when facing some smaller teams that the Orange normally face during the season. In this role, Christmas will be counted on to play a similar role as described with Keita above. Play defense, block shots, create turnovers, and control the glass. Allow the quicker, more athletic Orange to get out on the break and create easy transition opportunities. That's the name of the game here. Christmas' abilities suggest he could fill that role very nicely.
The Orange have depth at center, but it is very young and raw. Fab and Keita are the most experienced players there, which can be scary. But the talent and potential can there be. The leap from freshman year to sophomore year for giant men can be gigantic when it comes to development. It will need to be if they are to live up to the preseason hype.
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