This Year's Offensive Potential

[BamaMoon]

CNO recently said he thought this year's team could be the best offensive team he's had.

I've copied and pasted from the FSU preseason post a comment I made about this. I've edited some of the info and I'll add a little more in the comments:

Philon, as good as he was last year, looks better. If his 3 ball % is improved, he's worth 15-20 a game. Averaged 10 a game last year.

Holloway is a proven sharp shooter. Last night he tried to force it in the first half. To his credit, he got to the FT line, but I don't think that is his game. In the second half, he played more within himself and let the game come to him Made some big 3's toward the end! He's probably worth 12-15 a game. Maybe more? Averaged 11 a game last year.

The Swiss Army player this year may be Mallette. Plays bigger than his size. Could be an 8-10 points a game player. Love his shot. Quick release. Wouldn't surprise me if he has a few 20 point games. He scored 31 points in a game against Indiana State. He averaged 15 points per game in 2024 at Pepperdine.

Wrightsell? If he stays healthy, we know his worth. If he provides 12 a game (11.5 last year before injury), that's gravy for this offense!

Sherrill's improvement is imminent. He could easily provide 8-10 points a game.

So who among the new guys become contributing scorers?

Jalil, Bowen, Allen and Hannah are the most obvious candidates. IMO.

Jalil scored 7 at Miami as a freshman. I expect that to be alot more. At least 12-15 a game?

Bowen scored 5 a game at FSU last year. I expect that to go up, too! Maybe 8-10 a game?

So, Allen and Hannah are really the unknown. But they could possibly be the most dynamic.

Outside of Philon and Holloway, one of them could be our highest scorer.

Gut says it'll be Allen. I think he could possibly remind us of Brandon Miller as the year goes on. There's a shot he could post 15-20 a game!

And look for Hannah to get alot of minutes because he plays defense and because he'll become a human highlight reel. He'll have some dunks that will be SportsCenter worthy!!! I really reminds me of a young MJ!

 

[BamaMoon]

Looking a little more into the roster:

Williamson (didn't play against FSU) but at Bucknell he averaged almost 18 a game last year. Had 10 double doubles last year!!! Probably won't do that in the SEC, but there's a reason CNO brought the 7 footer in. He can score and we'll obviously add to our offensive potential!

Bristow: I thought he was a freshman, but he transferred from Tarleton St. He was the WAC freshman of the year last year. He averaged 11 points a game. Averaged 4 boards a game too! Doesn't look 6'10" but he's a strong player to only weigh 205!

 

[BamaMoon]

Collins Onyejiaka: biggest (no pun intended) sleeper in this class??? He averaged 9.5 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game during his junior season at The Newman School.

Just some cursory reading it sounds like an up and coming B-ball factory.

At 6'11" and 265 he's a physical specimen and he reclassified so he's just the age of a HS senior.

Whatever production we get from his this year will be more gravy!

 

[BamaMoon]

London Jemison is a player. He was the No. 1 player from the state of Connecticut. He was also a 2025 McDonald's All-American nominee along with fellow UA Signee, Davion Hannah. They don't just hand those out!

Scored 14 with his travel team. At 6'8" and 205, I was impressed with his quickness!

 

[BamaMoon]

Amari Allen! True freshman! Listed as a forward but he plays more like a guard! He's 6'8" and weighs over 200.

He averaged 34.1 points, 11.5 rebounds and 8.5 assists during his senior season at Ashwaubenon.

I don't care where you play, if you average 34 a game you're pretty good.

Against FSU you could tell he was getting his feet under him. But this is the guy, along with Hannah, I'm giddy about.

I looked at his senior year scoring stats, I suspected he'd have a bunch of 50 point games, but NO, his highest scoring game was 44 two times. This guy scored more than 30 points a game in 21 out of 25 games!!!

Wouldn't be shocked if he's not a top 3 scorer this year for us!

 

[BamaMoon]

Davion Hannah - Amari Allen was the #2 player in Wisconsin last year. Hannah was the 1st!!!

Scored 18.7 points a game his Sr. year. He's a freak athlete. Can jump out of the gym!

 

[BAMARICH]

I think the offense is going to be rough in the early going simply because guys are figuring out how to play in the system as well as meshing together. Not necessarily from overall points, but stretches where we won't score for 2-3 minutes. Once we get into a routine, however, I think this group does have more offensive potential than most of Oat's teams at UA.

From an offensive standpoint, here's what I saw in Thursday's game:
* Philon improved from last year; needs to grow in passing when driving to the rim to be unstoppable.
* Holloway has improved on going to the basket, though that's not really his "a game".
* Mallete has a really good shot, but I wonder how much he'll play when Latrell returns.
* Sherrill didn't look improved on the offensive end, which was disappointing.
* Hannah is a slasher that we haven't really had since Brandon Miller; very aggressive player.
* Allen is sorting things out; can do a lot of things well and probably will score in multiple ways.
* Jemison seems third behind Hannah/Allen in terms of development; has upside, but how much PT?
* Bristow is an effort guy who is "in the right place at the right time"; will score on a lot of put backs.
* Bol Bowen is going to score in multiple ways; eager to see his dribble/drive progression.

The big guy... not much from him on the offensive end. And whatever Bethea brings to the table once he returns will be gravy. As poorly as we played on defense Thursday, I think we have better potential this year simply because we have fewer liabilities that have to be overcome. Last year we often had both Sears and Holloway on the court at times... and that created size mismatches for opponents. It may take some time to get a rotation sorted out, but I like the upside of this team.

 

[BamaMoon]

I think the offense is going to be rough in the early going simply because guys are figuring out how to play in the system as well as meshing together. Not necessarily from overall points, but stretches where we won't score for 2-3 minutes. Once we get into a routine, however, I think this group does have more offensive potential than most of Oat's teams at UA.

From an offensive standpoint, here's what I saw in Thursday's game:
* Philon improved from last year; needs to grow in passing when driving to the rim to be unstoppable.
* Holloway has improved on going to the basket, though that's not really his "a game".
* Mallete has a really good shot, but I wonder how much he'll play when Latrell returns.
* Sherrill didn't look improved on the offensive end, which was disappointing.
* Hannah is a slasher that we haven't really had since Brandon Miller; very aggressive player.
* Allen is sorting things out; can do a lot of things well and probably will score in multiple ways.
* Jemison seems third behind Hannah/Allen in terms of development; has upside, but how much PT?
* Bristow is an effort guy who is "in the right place at the right time"; will score on a lot of put backs.
* Bol Bowen is going to score in multiple ways; eager to see his dribble/drive progression.

The big guy... not much from him on the offensive end. And whatever Bethea brings to the table once he returns will be gravy. As poorly as we played on defense Thursday, I think we have better potential this year simply because we have fewer liabilities that have to be overcome. Last year we often had both Sears and Holloway on the court at times... and that created size mismatches for opponents. It may take some time to get a rotation sorted out, but I like the upside of this team.

It took Sherrill a little time last year to get going too. I think the rotations didn't allow him to get in a groove, but if he'll get more aggressive, which is what happened last year, he'll get alot of minutes. And remember, he's got the ability to shoot the 3 too, which is what CNO wants from his bigs.

Agree on Hannah's skills. Again, he reminds me of a young MJ the way he moves, glides and hangs.

I think you may be underselling Allen. When it clicks for him, he's going to be a player. If it happens early enough, he's probably a "one and done" player. Imagine a guy with more meat on his bones than Brandon Miller.

 

[Coach D]

I hope Shrrill can take a step forward. He was somewhat awkward and seemed like getting used to his body last year to be a reliable player especially to compete down low. If he is still the same this year I have to think his minutes will be limited even with decent shooting.

 

[oskie]

I think the offense is going to be rough in the early going simply because guys are figuring out how to play in the system as well as meshing together. Not necessarily from overall points, but stretches where we won't score for 2-3 minutes. Once we get into a routine, however, I think this group does have more offensive potential than most of Oat's teams at UA.

From an offensive standpoint, here's what I saw in Thursday's game:
* Philon improved from last year; needs to grow in passing when driving to the rim to be unstoppable.
* Holloway has improved on going to the basket, though that's not really his "a game".
* Mallete has a really good shot, but I wonder how much he'll play when Latrell returns.
* Sherrill didn't look improved on the offensive end, which was disappointing.
* Hannah is a slasher that we haven't really had since Brandon Miller; very aggressive player.
* Allen is sorting things out; can do a lot of things well and probably will score in multiple ways.
* Jemison seems third behind Hannah/Allen in terms of development; has upside, but how much PT?
* Bristow is an effort guy who is "in the right place at the right time"; will score on a lot of put backs.
* Bol Bowen is going to score in multiple ways; eager to see his dribble/drive progression.

The big guy... not much from him on the offensive end. And whatever Bethea brings to the table once he returns will be gravy. As poorly as we played on defense Thursday, I think we have better potential this year simply because we have fewer liabilities that have to be overcome. Last year we often had both Sears and Holloway on the court at times... and that created size mismatches for opponents. It may take some time to get a rotation sorted out, but I like the upside of this team.

Good post, @BAMARICH.

I will respond to this one point: "And whatever Bethea brings to the table once he returns will be gravy."

My gut tells me Bethea will be more meat and potatoes, than gravy. IF he can regain his form, my guess is he could play a big role in our backcourt.