Do we have that elite offensive player this year?

[swinesation]

I'm optimistic about the future of Razorbacks basketball. As we all know, recruiting has made a MAJOR turnaround. But...

I'm wondering if we have that elite guy who can score in multiple ways on this team. Pretty sure every great team has at least one of those "go to" guys. Qualls, Portis were two guys who fit that bill on the best team we've had this decade. Last year we didn't have a guy like that. Hannahs, Bell, and Kingsley were all very good at what they did offensively, but mostly one-dimensional.

Most of us seemed to think Barford would be that guy who could beat you offensively in multiple ways. I realize he still may turn out to be that guy, but obviously he didn't stand out in Spain. Hard to believe C.J. Jones could be that guy as a freshman, but I guess it's possible.

I'm not trying to be negative. Like I said, I'm optimistic about the future, just not sure the future is quite here yet.

[labb]

Offense will not be our problem. Was not last season either....What we need is the lock down defensive stoppers.

[HoundHog]

I think Hannahs has that potential to be the go-to guy. He was really stepping up as a "give me the ball" guy those last few games. He went on a tear against Florida in the SECT, and had really good games throughout the season.

I hope the beauty of this team is that we won't have to rely on a couple players to be "on" for us to win. From what we saw in Spain (granted it's not the SEC), we should have guys that can fill it up all over the court, first and second units. Last year really hurt us when we had to take Bell, Hannahs, and Kingsley out of the game. This year we should have options, Barford, Macon, Thomas, CJ, Beard, and I think Hazen and Cook have that potential to score too.

We've gotten a small sample of what we have, time will tell, but I like to be optimistic.

[hogwood]

We will have a solid offensive team. Multiple guys who can score. But I think who you are looking for will be Hannahs. He can light it up outside, was really coming on in his driving ability last year, and can use screens to get mid rangers. So he's got the outside shot down, can get inside and hit off the glass shots, pick and pop for mid range fade aways, and also drop a little tear shot when he's on the move and gets close to the rim. He should be a pretty big offensive threat. The thing this year is that there will be so many other threats that he may not get the double team and should be able to get more shots. I expect him to be the leading scorer.

[rzrbackramsfan]

I predict that there won't be one guy because Kingsley, Hannah's, barford, Macon and jones will all be able to score when they want.  I but I really would like to see ally those guys on the court at once except cj and let cj come off the bench with a really good defensive squad and have him be a volume shooter.  That would produce a lot of offense without compromising much defense.

[Pigasaurus]

Didn't Hannah average about 17-18 per game?  Isn't that up there with Scotty or Corliss?  How many is elite?

[rzrbackramsfan]

Didn't Hannah average about 17-18 per game?  Isn't that up there with Scotty or Corliss?  How many is elite?

I think the op wondered if we were going to have a guy that put up as many shots as Kobe

[swinesation]

No, I'm talking about guys who are way above average in scoring in multiple ways - like Qualls and Portis could. Hannahs is an elite spot-up shooter, but very average off the dribble. Elite spot-up shooters are no doubt a huge asset. I mean, Pat Bradley & Al Dillard anyone? But even those two greats were not the same as guys like Qualls and Portis and many of the all-time Razorback greats we could spend all day listing off.

More than any other sport, basketball is a game where one elite guy can make a HUGE difference in wins or losses. He can't do it alone, obviously, but when he is part of a team that has everything else they need to have, he can make the difference. It's hard to name Final Four teams without that elite player who can score in multiple ways.

[hobhog]

No, I'm talking about guys who are way above average in scoring in multiple ways - like Qualls and Portis could. Hannahs is an elite spot-up shooter, but very average off the dribble. Elite spot-up shooters are no doubt a huge asset. I mean, Pat Bradley & Al Dillard anyone? But even those two greats were not the same as guys like Qualls and Portis and many of the all-time Razorback greats we could spend all day listing off.

More than any other sport, basketball is a game where one elite guy can make a HUGE difference in wins or losses. He can't do it alone, obviously, but when he is part of a team that has everything else they need to have, he can make the difference. It's hard to name Final Four teams without that elite player who can score in multiple ways.

I have to disagree. Hannahs may not be the quickest guard but he can sure drive the lane and hit that floater when needed. And I saw some behind the back drives to basket last year that were pretty impressive.

I think if we can get another scorer or two to take over when Moses and Dusty are off we will be just fine.

[sickboy]

I think the op wondered if we were going to have a guy that put up as many shots as Kobe

I could put up more attempts than Kobe. I could do it every game. Doesn't even matter how good the defense is -- I can get off shots. I can't guarantee I'll make any... in fact, I can guarantee that I won't make any. But get me a jersey and some kicks and I can fill this role.

[redleg]

I think Hannahs and Kingsley both will average around 17-18 ppg, while Durham pours in around 12-13. Look for Kingsley to average a double-double, 17ppg and 11 rpg, with Thomas, Thompson, and Cook all chipping in as relief in the middle or decoys on the edge of the paint for Kingsley.
I won't be surprised to see Macon or Jones develop into a second 3 point threat, and Watkins as the defensive specialist.
:razorback:

[rzrbackramsfan]

I think Hannahs and Kingsley both will average around 17-18 ppg, while Durham pours in around 12-13. Look for Kingsley to average a double-double, 17ppg and 11 rpg, with Thomas, Thompson, and Cook all chipping in as relief in the middle or decoys on the edge of the paint for Kingsley.
I won't be surprised to see Macon or Jones develop into a second 3 point threat, and Watkins as the defensive specialist.
:razorback:

Durhams gone, he already wrote a public letter about how much he loved playing here and everything.

[rzrbackramsfan]

No, I'm talking about guys who are way above average in scoring in multiple ways - like Qualls and Portis could. Hannahs is an elite spot-up shooter, but very average off the dribble. Elite spot-up shooters are no doubt a huge asset. I mean, Pat Bradley & Al Dillard anyone? But even those two greats were not the same as guys like Qualls and Portis and many of the all-time Razorback greats we could spend all day listing off.

More than any other sport, basketball is a game where one elite guy can make a HUGE difference in wins or losses. He can't do it alone, obviously, but when he is part of a team that has everything else they need to have, he can make the difference. It's hard to name Final Four teams without that elite player who can score in multiple ways.

Alright, I'm gonna respond barford and cj jones then.  Macon is tempting but I think he's going to be more of a facilitator and shooter which isn't what you're looking for

[Biggus Piggus]

I'm optimistic about the future of Razorbacks basketball. As we all know, recruiting has made a MAJOR turnaround. But...

I'm wondering if we have that elite guy who can score in multiple ways on this team. Pretty sure every great team has at least one of those "go to" guys. Qualls, Portis were two guys who fit that bill on the best team we've had this decade. Last year we didn't have a guy like that. Hannahs, Bell, and Kingsley were all very good at what they did offensively, but mostly one-dimensional.

Most of us seemed to think Barford would be that guy who could beat you offensively in multiple ways. I realize he still may turn out to be that guy, but obviously he didn't stand out in Spain. Hard to believe C.J. Jones could be that guy as a freshman, but I guess it's possible.

I'm not trying to be negative. Like I said, I'm optimistic about the future, just not sure the future is quite here yet.

You are confused. Drink something strong.

[rude1]

Wrong question IMO. Offense wasn't the problem last year and I don't think it will be this year either. The real question is do we have any elite defenders on this team? I think we will a few guys on this team who pride themselves in locking down defensively, that to me is more valuable because no matter the player, offense will always be a thing that comes and goes while defense can be consistently good every trip down the court.

[poloprince]

Dusty should be in the running for the 50/40/90 club. That's pretty elite right there.  :razorback:

[The_Iceman]

Well, our 2017 class is ranked #7 and our 2018 class is ranked #1.

[JIHawg]

I'm wondering if Jones is the second coming of Scotty Thurmon?  Scotty came in and was a scoring machine from the moment he got here.  He didn't have a slump in three years.  Jones reminds me of that.  Some people are just born to score.

[FineAsSwine]

I'm wondering if Jones is the second coming of Scotty Thurmon?  Scotty came in and was a scoring machine from the moment he got here.  He didn't have a slump in three years.  Jones reminds me of that.  Some people are just born to score.

Waiting to see him in a few games first but he does look promising.

[Rawker]

Durhams gone, he already wrote a public letter about how much he loved playing here and everything.

Oh don't mind Grandpa....just give him meds at 3pm and he'll be fine.

[swinesation]

Well, our 2017 class is ranked #7 and our 2018 class is ranked #1.

Yeah, I'm pumped!