Rhody83 wrote: ↑4 years ago
ramster wrote: ↑4 years ago
bigappleram wrote: ↑4 years ago
I see it somewhere between our 6th man and a warm body.
Outside of a couple minute stretch of Bama game Dana had not played particularly well this year. If Walker and Sheppard were on board day 1 he would have been at best our 8th man. He bumped up to 6th due to that. Walker will have in short order bounced him to 7th/8th/9th amongst him, Toppin, Long. Sure if he played much better than he had he may have been 7th, but his play was trending more towards 8th/9th man IMO.
I would agree.
Things changed from the summer. Many were very high on Tate, quoting I believe 4% body fat, etc.
Page 2 of Harris Improvement thread had some calling for Tate to start in place of Harris
But Tate went only 2-15 on 3Ps, 3-6 on FTs, did rebound particularly well, defense had to be compared to Toppin, Long and now Walker.
While Tate appeared destined to be the 6th man, and some argued for Harris’ replacement, and at times Martin got criticism, he seems to have slid to:
-Langevine
-Dowtin
-Russell
-Martin
-Harris
1-Toppin
2-Walker
3-Long
4-Tate
Explain 19.5 minutes per game (6th) and 18+ minutes in every game but Manhattan.
Ok, to explain my view.......
Tate was the 6th man going into the season, 1st off bench
He still has the minutes to be called the 6th man, agreed...but since the West Virginia game.....
1) Harris has improved
2) Russell and Dowtin are getting more assists, low turnovers, clicking and Harris and others are benefiting from the ball movement
Combined Assists for Dowtin and Russell for games 1 to 11;
10
5
7
9
3
9
5
9
10
16
15
3) Walker has become eligible and looked great defensively, good outside shot, poise, leadership, ball handling.
4) Toppin has continued to show very good potential. Enthusiastic, good passing, signs of good shooting, a crowd favorite, flair for excitement.
5) Long was first off bench vs PC and played very well. Good ability to steal the ball. Cox started Long for Langevine last game.
Looking at the play of Harris, Walker and Toppin my opinion is Tate plays behind those 3 guys going forward. To me it’s close between Long and Tate but appears Cox has significant faith in Long
First 9 games I’d agree Tate was the 6th man
Looking forward towards the next 9 games Tate was likely 9th man, arguably 8th. Part of that drop from 6th to 9th is Tate’s okay play but more related to Walker eligibility (and performance) plus the play of Toppin and Long. Competition and performance related that he dropped from 6th to 8th or 9th.