cc66
Postdoc
Posts: 2267
Reg: 10-09-09
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12-06-24 09:45 AM - Post#375263
In response to TheLine
I read that he's on some kind of personal leave of unknown duration. They were very vague about the reasons.
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TheLine
Professor
Posts: 5678
Age: 61
Reg: 07-07-09
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12-06-24 09:52 AM - Post#375264
In response to cc66
I hope he’s back before league play. He has been a solid contributor.
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Columbia 37P6
Postdoc
Posts: 2267
Reg: 02-14-06
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12-06-24 10:29 AM - Post#375268
In response to TheLine
I share your concerns about the cupcake games and it is noteworthy that many of the cupcakes themselves treat the "games" as "exhibitions. Another problem, of course, is that Columbia has had trouble in the past in winning closely played Ivy League basketball games. Most of the cupcake games turn into routs where neither the players nor the coaches benefit from competing against players and coaches with lesser skills.
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TheLine
Professor
Posts: 5678
Age: 61
Reg: 07-07-09
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12-06-24 01:33 PM - Post#375284
In response to Columbia 37P6
I'm going to tomorrow's game and expect to see extended time for the Sophs and Frosh.
I'm already sold on Ritter and wouldn't be surprised if he earns the most minutes at center by the end of the year.
Two questions for the next games:
Who is the primary backup at guard, not know Cooper's status? Seems like it's up for grabs with Cunningham or Cobb being the most likely candidates. I would like Engels to try Robledo - if he's available - as a backup 3 alongside Thompson at 4.
But if Robledo is out for an extended period then who is Thompson's backup?
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Columbia 37P6
Postdoc
Posts: 2267
Reg: 02-14-06
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12-06-24 05:55 PM - Post#375289
In response to TheLine
I am also sold on Ritter. Indeed it is likely that he earns the most minutes at center by the end of the year. Now here's my question for you. Do you mean the current calendar year ending December 31, 2024 or the end of the basketball year in March, 2025? I hope you mean the former because it's crucial for Columbia to strengthen its front court prior to the start of the Ivy League season. During the 2023-24 season the Lions' backcourt played very well, but the front court was not as strong as its competition. I can see that all changing for the better if the coaching staff uses a starting line-up up front of Ritter at center alongside Thompson and Bedri. Tavroff will be a fine back-up for Ritter at center. Robledo, Clarkson and Arop can back up Thompson and Bedri at forward, Incidentally, I would not be surprised if you told me that Columbia has already used that line-up aa I have not watched every minute of every game.
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TheLine
Professor
Posts: 5678
Age: 61
Reg: 07-07-09
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12-06-24 07:47 PM - Post#375290
In response to Columbia 37P6
As far as Ritter - yes to both. As much as I like Bedri and Tavroff, Ritter is a different level of talent. Let's find out what we got.
Bedri, Tavroff and Ritter all like occupying the same spaces on the court. While not opposed to trying things out over the next 3 games, I'm doubting that putting two of them on the court at the same time is going to work on defense or offense. I've been checking the box scores to see if Engels has tried it, and I don't believe he has.
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cc66
Postdoc
Posts: 2267
Reg: 10-09-09
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Men
12-06-24 08:18 PM - Post#375292
In response to Columbia 37P6
We can't play 6. If you start Ritter, Thompson, and Bedri, which one of Brown, DLR, and Noland are you sitting down???
Edited by cc66 on 12-06-24 08:18 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Columbia 37P6
Postdoc
Posts: 2267
Reg: 02-14-06
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12-07-24 09:33 AM - Post#375295
In response to cc66
Understood and agreed--we will leave that to the coaching staff--the point is that we need to improve dramatically in the front court if we are going compete for the Ivy League Championship this year. Our backcourt players are very talented and experienced, but our opponents have been killing us in the paint since Engles took charge of the program. Incidentally, whatever happened to Arop and Nweke? I thought Arop was supposed to be a pro
prospect and Nweke a major talent.
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