Part of the problem

[CappyNU]

During the 5-game losing streak, which has coincided with Olah returning to the lineup, the play of the centers has been an easy area on which to focus.

Olah & JvZ combined: 59% of minutes, 7.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg
Pardon: 41% of minutes, 8.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg

Lineups with Olah/JvZ - 0.67 PPP(!), 1.10 oPPP
Lineups with Pardon - 1.14 PPP, 1.21 oPPP

Pardon may not be great on defense, but we literally cannot score when Olah and JvZ are in the game. We aren't going to win any games with that sort of production. Collins has at least recognized part of the problem, with JvZ only averaging ~4 minutes per game over the last 3. Unfortunately, the defensive problems may not disappear, as we'll be going up against 6'10"+ guys during each of the next 4 games.

It's really a shame that the foot injury has limited Olah so much compared to what he was doing earlier this season, as not having him at full strength has really hurt us.

 

[Medill90]

I agree. These two bigs seem like really great guys. Olah always impresses when interviewed. A great future for both.

But I feel for them because both are only able to do a fraction of what they would otherwise be doing.

 

[hdhntr1]

During the 5-game losing streak, which has coincided with Olah returning to the lineup, the play of the centers has been an easy area on which to focus.

Olah & JvZ combined: 59% of minutes, 7.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg
Pardon: 41% of minutes, 8.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg

Lineups with Olah/JvZ - 0.67 PPP(!), 1.10 oPPP
Lineups with Pardon - 1.14 PPP, 1.21 oPPP

Pardon may not be great on defense, but we literally cannot score when Olah and JvZ are in the game. We aren't going to win any games with that sort of production. Collins has at least recognized part of the problem, with JvZ only averaging ~4 minutes per game over the last 3. Unfortunately, the defensive problems may not disappear, as we'll be going up against 6'10"+ guys during each of the next 4 games.

It's really a shame that the foot injury has limited Olah so much compared to what he was doing earlier this season, as not having him at full strength has really hurt us.

Olah has been off since he came back. Against IA for example, many of those shots before injury he would have been able to put in. But with his limitations... That would likely improve PPP.

 

[NJCat83588]

Olah has been off since he came back.

Conveniently overlooking the IU game where he scored 19 on 9-12 shooting..........

 

[CappyNU]

Conveniently overlooking the IU game where he scored 19 on 9-12 shooting..........

Ok, sure, I'll give you that game. In the other 4 games he's played, he's averaged 31% of minutes, 3 ppg, 2 rpg and is -39, while lineups with him in it have scored 0.57 PPP and given up 1.04 PPP. The worst offense in the country scores 0.80 PPP, for comparison.

 

[JournCat]

This is a really good observation. I'd like to see Pardon start some games and/or get to 20-25 minutes this year. He can be a true Big Ten caliber center with some more experience and an off-season in the weight room.

 

[pawildcat]

Conveniently overlooking the IU game where he scored 19 on 9-12 shooting..........

The freshman Bryant has been getting a lot of accolades at Indiana, and he is a good young offensive player and rebounder, but he doesn't move his feet well on defense. Wisconsin's redshirt freshman Evan Happ lit him up for 25 when the Badgers beat IU up there.

 

[hdhntr1]

Conveniently overlooking the IU game where he scored 19 on 9-12 shooting..........

Because it was one game. That should be the norm (he was playing like that before he went down) and would love to see more of it. Unfortunately since he has come back, that has been the exception.

 

[hdhntr1]

This is a really good observation. I'd like to see Pardon start some games and/or get to 20-25 minutes this year. He can be a true Big Ten caliber center with some more experience and an off-season in the weight room.

Likely they hold him off starting because he is likely to be too excited. Trying to let things slow down a bit before bringing him in to take the pressure off and let the game come to him

 

[NJCat83588]

Because it was one game. That should be the norm (he was playing like that before he went down) and would love to see more of it. Unfortunately since he has come back, that has been the exception.

Agree. My only point was, saying he was "off" since he returned isn't accurate. He had one dynamic game against a very good team.

 

[ricko654321]

During the 5-game losing streak, which has coincided with Olah returning to the lineup, the play of the centers has been an easy area on which to focus.

Olah & JvZ combined: 59% of minutes, 7.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg
Pardon: 41% of minutes, 8.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg

Lineups with Olah/JvZ - 0.67 PPP(!), 1.10 oPPP
Lineups with Pardon - 1.14 PPP, 1.21 oPPP

Pardon may not be great on defense, but we literally cannot score when Olah and JvZ are in the game. We aren't going to win any games with that sort of production. Collins has at least recognized part of the problem, with JvZ only averaging ~4 minutes per game over the last 3. Unfortunately, the defensive problems may not disappear, as we'll be going up against 6'10"+ guys during each of the next 4 games.

It's really a shame that the foot injury has limited Olah so much compared to what he was doing earlier this season, as not having him at full strength has really hurt us.

Wow. Very interesting. I have been wanting to see more Pardon minutes but that level of ineptitude on offense with the others on court is surprising.

Olah has always been a bit slow and, shall we say, lacks explosive leaping ability. Those weaknesses have been magnified recently unfortunately. He used his size to be able to get shots. JVZ is athletic and quick but can't shoot and doesn't have great hands. Plus other teams know by now if he touches the ball near the basket just hack him. Pardon is unique in that he has fantastic hands and finishes well near the hoop. That has allowed us to run effective pick and rolls with him and BMac, a heretofore impossible feat from NU teams. Aside from that, he just punishes opposing bigs if they help off of him because he grabs O boards and gobbles up garbage points.

So I guess we inch Pardon's minutes higher, particular if the matchup is against a smaller, quicker big for the opponent? Hope he develops a midrange game over the course of his career, that would be quite helpful.

 

[hdhntr1]

Agree. My only point was, saying he was "off" since he returned isn't accurate. He had one dynamic game against a very good team.

? 1 out of 5 games sure doesn't mean he is back. Or take his combined stats in those games. Even including the 9-12 game that used to be his norm, he was 9-29 (31%)in those 5 games (His average for the season is 55% and was closer to 60% prior to the injury) Plus about 50% of FT vs about 70% prior to the injury. RBs down as well to about 2 per game. So for that period, he has been off despite one solid game. The game against MN was potentially a step in the right direction but we shall see. Hopefully he is back to his old self soon but until he can string together a few games (and there are not many left)...