Cal Basketball Ruminations: The Gary Franklin & Nigel Carter Debate

1. No. Franklin has more upside. Nigel has carved out a spot in the rotation, however.
2. Yes, especially since we have no better choice (even with Brandon Smith performing better than expected).
3. Defense other than transition D.
4. B+. Definitely exceed my expectation with a couple good road wins (@NM and @ Iowa St) plus that neutral court win vs. Temple. Only one somewhat questionable loss vs. Southern Miss. Would have like to see more offensive improvements, however.

Hopefully, we will have at least a moral victory vs. Kansas and a couple of blowout wins before the brutal Pac-10 start. I still think this team is capable of making the NIT although our margin for error is relatively thin and it would require further growing up of our freshmen plus healthy contribution from our very small rotation.

We all knew that this team was young and prone to some complete blackouts on the court, but also capable of showing flashes of just how good they can be. And so far, that’s exactly what we’ve got.

Watching them, while frustrating at times, is actually really fun because we get to see them develop and make progress – often within a game.

The only reason they don’t get an A is because there really is no excuse (youth, inexperience, or anything else) for scoring only 5 points in the first half against ND, or their other perplexing offensive disappearances.

But I expect those to diminsh as we move into conference play. At this point I wouldn’t be surprised if they go 6 – 12 or 12 – 6 in conference, though 8-10 or 10-8 is more likely. In any case, at least I know it will be worth watching.

Grade: C.
They get points for beating Iowa State and Temple, but they’ve looked horrid at times against other teams. We knew this was going to be a tough season.

No question Franklin should have to reign things in a good amount. Whether you start Carter in his place or not? Yeah, why not – give it a try and see how each does in that different position!

…Franklin already started to do a better job of calming down by the Southern Miss game, but I am surprised it too that long. He looked ridiculous in Orlando, both with the wild long range jacks and the out of control drives. I was really surprised Monty didn’t bench him right then. But, he doesn’t have much else to turn to, that’s the only explanation. If he were an older player on a deeper team, that would have been it for 5 games straight. Really tight leash! But here, now? Looser than all get out.
I’d definitely put Carter in there if only because it shows all the players that fundamentally sound basketball wins out over wild, flashy play. Unless you are one of those coaches who brings in Phi Slamma Jamma recruits every year and has little authority over them b/c they are going straight to the NBA in 1 yr anyways! Get Franklin to calm down, set his feet, get balanced, and pick his shots as a strategy and not an impulse and he’s going to be fine. But you gotta get him to STOP doing what he’s doing from a constant heat-check mentality.

Gut has a wild penchant that you don’t really like in a PG. He has been a ton of ridiculous turnovers so far this season. …One handed catch and fire (into the other player or out of bounds), passes into traffic – just trying to be too fancy (read – lazy or technically unsound)…. But, again, Monty doesn’t have anywhere to turn. We’ve all commented enough about how Smith is not a Pac10 level player. The one thing that Smith provides, however, is a level of steadiness and running the offense. Gut will provide some “wow” highlights here and there, and that will encourage enough fans to think he’s our PG or “star” player. But if you are building a team, you don’t start there. I’m just waiting for Cobbs to show what he can do. It’s going to be a long wait, and based upon his stats from MINN last year, I actually expected to continue to be dour this time next year.
That said, I like Gut and think he can improve a lot. This is only his first few games running the point after being a defensive role player the first two years. So, we’ll see.

Most impressive part of this season so far?
How about Kamp and MSF inside. I have considered them significantly undersized inside, but they are holding their own. Kamp has shown great body control and strength inside. And I knew that. But his lift is so much better that 2 yrs ago. And his level of assertion of will over the opponents. Hey – they call that maturity!! Kudos! He’ll never be a Pac10 level player, but he can hold his own and would be a good role player on most teams. Here, at this time, he’s a stud!
MSF is shorter than Kamp, and being heavier, get’s off the ground even less, despite pigmentation advantages. But he’s really cut down on a ton of the silly fouls he committed last year, and has really worked to get that left rook shot going in the lane. I used to have little confidence when it was thrown in the post. Now I’m saying, “Do your thing, Marquise!” AND HE DOES! I know why he flexed at Iowa State. It wasn’t for the Cyclones or their fans. It was for his inner confidence and his coaches who tinkered with subbing him out in favor of bouncy puppy dog Solomon. The more senior MSF is saying, “UUUh. GET OFF! This is MY house!”

The biggest thing for Monty is not so much teaching Gut, Crabbe, and Franklin the finer aspects of the game. It’s recruiting. I remain seriously concerned about this team next year with MSF gone and only 1 skinny dude from the middle of the country coming here to take his place. There’s got to be a recruit rabbit pulled out of Monty’s hat between now and then, b/c he appears to have missed on every other coveted character he would have gone after. Disturbing!
Sure, we expected to have Max and Amoke right now, and that would make a HUGE difference for this team right now. But that’s yesterday’s news. So, I’m waiting for the rabbit. Surely a man of Monty’s stature can manage the feat!

I repent!