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Message: [QUOTE="EastCoast2, post: 3914618, member: 1935"] I think you're partially right. Having a player like Buddy shoot ~50% from 3P over several games obviously helps the offense. Some of those shots were desperation, end of shot-clock tosses that went in. This team is playing much better now than they were the first 1-2 months of the season, but Buddy's streak is only one reason. I mentioned Buddy had COVID-19 earlier in the season. Apparently Girard did too. He looked sluggish for a couple months. Aside from virus, quarantines, and missed time, Kadary Richmond (our consolation for missing out on Andre Jackson) continues to improve, and is getting more and more playing time. He's hands down our best handler and facilitator. He's taking minutes away from Girard which allows Girard to be a role player/spot shooter instead of full time PG playing 35+ mpg and getting gassed and then taking bad shots. Girard is healthier now and playing less minutes = better productivity and efficiency from him. If Girard is taking the most shots on the team, something went very wrong. He's much better taking 5-6 shots, not 10-12. Robert Braswell is also playing more, and stepping up to make big plays on both ends of the court. He's a 6'8 athletic shooter who hasn't played a ton all season, but is getting more confident with each game. His increased PT comes at the expense of 6'5 Alan Griffin who is streaky as well, but if you asked me 4 weeks ago I would've said he's our best total player. Guerrier has also been injured on and off, and appears mostly healthy now. He played most of last season with an injured groin. Our starting center, Bourama Sidibe, has effectively been out the entire season since an injury in game 1, but Dolezaj has stepped up and played well rotating over from the 4 to the 5. Add in Jesse Edwards, a 6'11 sophomore who is also playing better and more minutes each game. To sum up: [LIST=1] [*]Buddy is shooting lights out, and he is finally healthy [*]Kadary Richmond playing more, improving [*]Girard finally healthy, playing less, allowing him to play a role more suitable for him (not lead PG) [*]Robert Braswell and Jesse Edwards playing more and improving [*]Guerrier healthier, improving [/LIST] EDIT: to add on, the reason Cuse's offense looked horrible most of the season was the lack of a facilitator. You're right that it's a bunch of nice role players, but no "stud" or go-to guy. If SU had a guy like Bouknight, they probably win 3-4 more games during the regular season and are looking at a 4-5 seed. Kadary Richmond has started to fill that void of playmaker. [/QUOTE]

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