What's the point in getting Cunliffe???

If he's going to play 2 minutes a game of course he won't get comfortable. So what's the point in having him? I like Garrett and Newman but why not give a guy a chance? I am not a head coach, I get that, but seems stupid to even waste a scholarship on a kid ranked that high and who also did well last year at ASU if he's just going to ride the bench. We don't really even seem to have a rhythm anyway as a team so why not just jack it all up and try something different!?

I do not have any idea why it went the way it did. As far as why you get guys, even if they are not playing in games you need to raise the level of competition in practice. That is an important part of having a strong team.

I just logged on to start the same discussion, but saw this one. I'm intrigued by both Newman and Cunliffe. Both have had a full year to learn Self's system and to work into a rhythm (albeit not in game situations), and yet Newman is regressing horribly (his starting point wasn't even that high) and Cunliffe gets two minutes.

I think most prognostications had Newman leading the team in scoring. That's not going to happen absent a miraculous turnaround. My only conjecture is that he gave Newman one more chance to play against a team where he should be able to have success, but he produced zilch. Maybe Cunliffe rockets up the rotation very soon.

I'm also am befuddled by the complete lack of comments from Self about Newman and Cunliffe. I almost forgot Sam was about to join the team.

I'd have to go back an watch Cunliffe's 2 minutes (actually it was less than 2 minutes), but I can only imagine that whatever HCBS saw was bad enough that he got the hook immediately. I'm not shocked. It's one thing practicing well, but when you go out in the game against an actual opponent (as opposed to guys who you play against every day) things aren't always as you'd predict.

I don't think I have the game on my DVR, but I would hypothesize that in those 2 minutes he blew his defensive assignments (probably more than once). Since I'm not certain he even touched the ball, that's my guess.

I'd also predict that we're going to see more of him (and the rest of the bench) tonight vs. Omaha.

It's no mystery how to earn PT on a Self-coached team. 110% effort on defense and you've got a chance, and do what you're told to do on offense.

Agreed. I did watch him for the two minutes he was in and have the game DVR'd. I didn't see anything that I thought he royally screwed up. Either way, I don't see Newman producing at all unless it's on the defensive end but we were scorched by guards against ASU. I'd just like to see him get some minutes but who knows. I'm sure he's not our savior. We one or two of the bigs to become available. Lightfoot is awful in my opinion (harsh I know)...

Agree 100% on Lightfoot. He's a terrible 5 just as Dok would be a terrible jockey at the Kentucky Derby. At 6'8" and 126 pounds (looks like it at times) he's simply not physically capable of playing the 5 in D-1 ball. At 6'8" (which might only be 6'7" barefoot) he'd have to be a serious wide body to have a legitimate shot at being a 5 in a competitive D-1 program.

That being said, I agree that he works his tail off and could be decent 4 at some point. The problem, of course, is that Self literally has NOBODY to come off the bench behind Dok.

I am tending to disagree more and more about LIghtfoot. The first 4 games I really thought he was clueless and I was very disappointed at his seemingly complete lack of progress. But In my opinion, he has shown more game to game improvement than anyone not named Azubuike. Azubuike has been on a great trajectory. Everyone else has been up and down. I thought Lightfoot played quite well against Nebraska. Now, having said that I think he is playing better and better, I agree he is out of position. He is simply not physically equipped to guard a 6’10” to 7’ big man with girth. But I love his attitude and want-to.

OK I guess I should cut Lightfoot some slack. He has helped us out where no one else can. I do agree that he's playing out of position. I sure hope we get at least one of these bigs active. Dok needs some solid backup.

I think the criticism of Lightfoot is valid to some extent. He does work hard and from all indications is a great teammate. I do not think anyone is trying to denigrate his effort or enthusiasm but as others have pointed out we need a 5 and physically he is not a 5 on a top D1 team. He is not quick enough to be a dominant 4 either IMO. I think as he gets more experience and learns more tricks hopefully he can become an even more effective player but at this time he is not going to be able to make the other team game plan to stop him.

I did however like seeing Cunliffe get some minutes and produce. That dude is an athlete and personally I think he could be an elite defender and he has an excellent shot!

Re: Lightfoot.

Anybody remember TJ Pugh? Loved that kid. Played with a ton of heart, I don't think he ever started a game. He was a guy who came off the bench, set screens, chased down rebounds, and played defense. Without looking, I'd guess he averaged about 4 points per game for his career.

I see Lightfoot having that kind of role. Still needs to get some muscle added to him, but I have no issue with a kid who plays 4 years, learns the system and knows how to execute his role within it. I do think he's still a work in progress, but I see him as an updated version of TJ. When the starting 4 comes out of the game (next year and beyond) he'll come in off the bench and do no harm.

Good call Not O. Ole' Roy told me that TJ was one of his favorites -- and he had a lot to choose from!


RC

If he can be our TJ Pugh or Kevin Johnson I will be very happy. As others have noted he needs a few pounds to be effective in the pushing battles under the boards. I think he will be a very good asset before he graduates but for this team right now in desperate need of a 5 he struggles.

D'oh! Yes Kevin Young is who I meant.