@kkott And then whatever is causing them to not even attempt to play Bailey and Alexis together. There are ways to "hide" them, that I think would actually help our team...if the primary concern is foul trouble... Play some sort of zone defense when they're both in the game. Bailey is definitely quick enough laterally, to play some sort of 1-3-1 with him at the top. He'd also be fine on the wing of a 2-3, or out top, or down low with Alexis in a 3-2.
The main problem is neither Bailey or Alexis appear willing or comfortable taking open shots from the perimeter. Both showed a comfort level doing that, at times, before arriving at IU. So I'm not sure what could be causing them to not even look at a shot outside the paint, this year. Logic tells me they're being directed not to. If that's true, I think the overall macro effect of that has been negative. Obviously Wilkerson and DeVries are the main, and at times sole focus of our offense. And its hard to argue with Wilkerson's results from that. But I'd say Tucker has been inefficient enough, that opening things up for some different wrinkles, urging more pick and pops with the bigs, etc... could have helped open up the offense even more.
In short, I agree with you. Bailey has likely been misused this year. Of course, none of us have the benefit of seeing them practice.
He can't shoot outside of 6 ft.
Shot 41% last year from 3, on 41 attempts. He also shot 21% the year prior, but 41% on 41 makes isn't 'can't shoot outside of 6 ft' ability.
@kkott And then whatever is causing them to not even attempt to play Bailey and Alexis together. There are ways to "hide" them, that I think would actually help our team...if the primary concern is foul trouble... Play some sort of zone defense when they're both in the game. Bailey is definitely quick enough laterally, to play some sort of 1-3-1 with him at the top. He'd also be fine on the wing of a 2-3, or out top, or down low with Alexis in a 3-2.
The main problem is neither Bailey or Alexis appear willing or comfortable taking open shots from the perimeter. Both showed a comfort level doing that, at times, before arriving at IU. So I'm not sure what could be causing them to not even look at a shot outside the paint, this year. Logic tells me they're being directed not to. If that's true, I think the overall macro effect of that has been negative. Obviously Wilkerson and DeVries are the main, and at times sole focus of our offense. And its hard to argue with Wilkerson's results from that. But I'd say Tucker has been inefficient enough, that opening things up for some different wrinkles, urging more pick and pops with the bigs, etc... could have helped open up the offense even more.
In short, I agree with you. Bailey has likely been misused this year. Of course, none of us have the benefit of seeing them practice.
Isn’t it obvious their lack of “willingness” to shoot from the perimeter is due to what DeVries wants them to do?
We're counting on Carr!... If this ragtag group is the best DD can do, I don't understand why anyone thinks he'll do a 180 and construct a strong roster for next season.
@openwheel I used to feel that way but they make a lot of money now. Better be able to take some criticism if they aren't performing. They want to be paid, and that just comes with it.
BS, in Bailey's case. The kid has been the sole target of the students booing for at least this calendar year. He's far from great, but he's done nothing to deserve being isolated and 'picked on' while others get a free pass. Maybe he screwed all of those burners' girlfriends or something, but that ish yesterday was ridiculous and I can only imagine how uncomfortable Wednesday night will be when seniors are introduced/recognized. Maybe Pam will have some snipers take out some of he worst offenders.
Is the booing going to make Reed play better? Like, what's the freaking point?
the kids are having fun , you sound like an old angry dude. Bailey had been terrible this season and he got paid a million bucks. Don't feel sorry for him at all...
no one called him trash.. he called out his game as trash. Get a hold of yourself. No one on here knows these kids. This forum is about the game not the person.
@iunorth Braden smith is the best PG in the league. And Bailey would what showcase his ability to no be able to do anything but dunk with no one guarding him? You touch him he airballs it. He has shot from out side 10 feet about 3 times all year. He an atrocious defender in the paint, can’t rebound to save his life. He has no skills. You are dead wrong on him. Stretch 4 my ass
Fears and Wagler are both better than Smith
Bailey is a tissue. He can't shoot outside of 6 ft. Give it up. "It's being dictated ". Na .. it's not.. he can't shoot, everyone knows it , he knows it so he doesn't. Your dictated comment might stand up for a game but not an entire season.
he can't rebound because he's weak , he can't finish with any amount of contact whatsoever, his free throw shooting has gotten worse as the year has gone on, he can't guard a big , hence is why Tucker does it. The guy is worthless. And Conor, nice kid love his hustle. ... that's all I got for you kid. He's like that kid that tries so hard to make the middle school team but you just have to cut him because hustle only works with suicides ..I'll add Dorn to this ... maybe he's misused maybe he's a role player with only short minutes. But that dude can't play d , he can't move well , can't rebound. I mean he's probably real good at HORSE, but so am I ,even at 54.
Early on I had the feeling that he was scared to shot. Like he knew he was in over his head. You'd think someone stepping up in class would be excited to play....he always looked worried. That convinced me early on that he wasn't much of a player.
Honestly, I think fans are booing the program more than anything else. And I interpret the mass groans as "not this shit again." Even the cheering seems tempered, like they're waiting for the other shoe to drop ... because it often does.
@mushroomgod Don't know what to tell you. He shot 3s at Davidson when he was wide open. He hasn't even looked at the rim at IU, not even a shot fake. Its being dictated to him. Ive never met a single basketball player that if given the green light, or encouraged to shoot the ball, when they've shown a willingness to do it in the past, that won't shoot the ball when open.
Again... CDD has his reasons. I think for most of the year, our offense was better when Reid was in the game. So offensively, Reid not looking at shooting and just operating as a screener and passer, was working just fine.
My continuous question... why not play him that way, with Alexis also in the game with him from time to time. Hell, run a 1-3-1 with Bailey at the top of the zone, or a 2-3 with Bailey on one of the wings. He's charmin levels of soft actually corralling rebounds, but he has been pretty active getting his hands on balls.
They're just questions. He's 6-10, he's athletic, he was a mid major all conference player, we invested 1 million bucks in to him... and its beyond obvious he isn't that level of big man. Why not try him in different ways? Why just accept what has become the recent fate of 10-15 minutes of very, very poor 5 man play?
I said early on they would not be able to play him the way he played at Davidson, which involved him handling the ball a lot at the top of the key.......because Conerway hung out there as well and they'd rather have Conerway with the ball than Baily. Also, because the D in the BT is so much more physical & quicker. So......that's pretty much when I knew Bailey handling the ball at the top of the key, then driving with it to the basket, or giving it up and setting himself up in the post......none of that was going to work at IU and/or in the BT. He was too slow to handle, drive, or make pivot moves. And, given that he only shot 41 on 3s the whole year....the fact that he shot 41% from 3 was not relevant either. And that's what happened. His assists and his TOs are both significantly lower, but he moves pretty well on O so he's been able to get a few bunnies right under the basket, and he can draw fouls against bigs who are not physical. Basically he's turned into a garbage man. So, offensively, thinks have worked out ok, because he doesn't handle the ball, not in spite of him not handling the ball. Interestingly, I don't think he's ever been good at finishing around the basket. He shot less than 50% from the field his last 2 years at Davidson. His value has always been about getting fouled and being a pretty good foul shooter and, at Davidson but not IU, being a good facilitator.
BTW, if you're going to champion the guy, you need to get his name right. It's Reed, as in 'thin as a reed', not Reid.
@iunorth Disagree MSU is second best, we'll see in the tourney. As for Tucker it's relative but he looks like a top MVC player or star for a typical Northwestern team. Enright? Come on. Where do you think he ranks in all the Big 10 starting guards? Every team is leaving him open, it's like a lesser Leal. If Bailey really wanted a career in basketball, he's been done a disservice. He needs another 30 lbs.
Izzo is an old hand at this. MSU may not be 2nd best over the season but he'll have them peaking right about now.
Bailey could be an asset if utilized correctly. I agree with North, he's got decent handles and quickness for as long as he is. He is affective in a pick and roll/alley-oop scenario, but we can all see what his weaknesses are. Enright is fun to watch just for his damned bulldog mentality. I used to love watching Freddie McSwain fight for rebounds. That is one of the only things that got me thru Miller's first year. Yes, CE is in over his head, just like the coach, which is disappointing b/c I thought he did a great job at WV last year before the injuries. He just has NOT been able to coach this team to be better than the sum of it's parts, which is what I think a good coach will do.