HARP

[hoopmanx]

One thing I think yesterday showed is that regardless of the situation, the critical thing is to just keep running our system. Work the o for 40 min, same with the d. Most of cusa , if not all, is not an elite team, so sooner or later chances are they'll wear down and either allow us to close the gap on a deficit or extend a lead.

All you can do is keep grinding. There are a few areas that I hop get tweaked w/the system next year, though. One, I'd like to see more kids that can create on the floor. Yesterday had elements of last year happening, but w/better movement. we moved the ball, but they defended well, and we were left w/no shot clock, and no one to bail us out. At some point, you have to have some kids that can get theirs on their own. Also, unless we have a clear run out, we back off any break opportunities. I get that w/this roster, but next year you have to take some of those. Also, I hope to see us press more when we get athletes/length on the floor.

[ponyscott]

I understand the system rules all, but you have to throw some changeups as well. Putting a big on a big in the last 23 seconds of the half doesn't make a break from system. Just giving them an easy 2 points wasn't the answer either. The coaches around the league watch the film and know when there is a match up issue and will take advantage of it when its presented.
Agree we don't have guys that can create in space in an ISO situation and hope that Cunningham, Jones, Cotton and Ryan Manuel will be more of an answer to that next year.
The guys played tough and have no problem with the effort of the kids as they are undersized, etc. but i just think if you have some changeups available....use them a few times in the game. It also would help with some needed rest for the guys as well, as the bench is not deep and the first 6 guys have to exert alot of energy, especially in the last 3 minutes when they are full court pressing.

[hoopmanx]

I didn't mean to imply it would have messed w/the system, just that they're going to dance w/who brought them. For whatever reason, when this team created it's identity, Milo/TK and Losh really weren't part of the plan. I'm not against situationally getting size in there, I just wouldn't start giving guys that don't play, potentially extended minutes, due to foul trouble.

Can't wait to have options on the bench.

[GiddyUp]

I tend to agree with PonyScott - get them some junk minutes and junk fouls just for 5 minutes a game for defense. Frustrating we waste a schoolie on these guys that can't even see the floor. Harp can't guard a guy a foot taller than he is. They have the twin towers in there and all the guy has to do is turn and shoot off the glass. Too easy. #32 is from Arlington, nice height but not all that athletic and kinda soft.

[Bergermeister]

He isn't ask to score, he is asked to play a fill in roll for others. To that affect, he has done a great job.

Great? GREAT? we're obviously not watching the same game. My analysis: Very, very mediocre, non-athletic, nice white kid. That's all we get out of someone who has been in this program for 4 years.

[2ndandlong]

I agree. Who did he shut down defensively to warrant a great job?

[RGV Pony]

I agree. Who did he shut down defensively to warrant a great job?

No one in particular; he also missed a layup. Anyway next year we'll switch out horses and hopefully see some improvement. Interesting-look up how harp was rated and how he scored coming out of h.s.

[2ndandlong]

Couldn't find anything on his days at Cooper. What site do you recommend using?

[MidlandMustang]

Averaged over 20 pts. a game his junior and senior years. Started his soph. more year but don't know his stats. Was an excellent rebounder as well. Was district MVP his senior year and may have been his junior year - also think he garnered some all state honors. I've heard that the coaches started screwing with his shooting form and he simply lost confidence in his shot. Go to the mustang website and pull up the basketball roster and you can find out about his high school career. I think many on this board are too harsh on him. He may not be a good college player but I can tell you he was an excellent high school player

[mavsrage311]

Harp was an outstanding high school player. Just look at his offer list per rivals: SMU, Arizona State, Iowa State, Northwester, Stanford, TCU, Texas Tech, Wake Forest, and William & Mary. Out of all of our 7 recruits that year, he had the most and best offers. I believe Papa had SMU, Louisville, and OU.

Clearly, this is just a case of a kid with limited athleticism dominating high school competition that struggles in the college game against better athletes. It happens.

[RGV Pony]

as pointed out to me by another poster on this board, Harp was the #14 recruit in Texas...I'm assuming that means at his position...then again, maybe not w/ that offer list...maybe over all

[mrydel]

A few years ago I started ranting about the inability of Jon Killen to play basketball. Most of this was due to him being forced into the role of point guard for which he was not suited. Shortly after my displeasure was released, he began to average about 90* points a game and gave our team whatever possibility to win there was. What I learned from that was to not criticize our young athletes for trying their best. I do not think that Ryan Harp enters any game not wanting to contribute to the fullest. Has he achieved what he or we would have liked? Of course not. But coaches paid more than most of us who coach for a living do feel it is in the best interest of the team to insert Ryan as certain times. Yes, he missed a dunk. So did Dia. So did Mangrum. Why not hate on them if that is the reason to express your displeasure? Because everyone misses a shot sometimes.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I am not pushing Harp for comeback player of the year. But from lessons I have learned, I want to thank him and all of the other seniors that have contributed to this team and taken part in what appears to be a turn around of the program. A turn around that possibly could not have taken place without any one of them playing the role for which they were selected.

But for the reasons stated above, I would suggest that we all step back and realize we are talking about young adults that are just beginning their "real" lives and are trying their best to help out our team. I would not expect Ryan to refuse to go out on the court when asked, just as I expect him to do he best he is able when he does go out on the court. If that is not good enough for we as spectators, I for one will not criticize but rather grit my teeth and hope for improvement in the future.

*exaggerated amount

[Kiper]

If you look at Harp as a major offensive threat, you're going to be disappointed. However, he's a very smart player who defends well (surprisingly well when he's giving Dia a rest in the post) and is an excellent interior passer. Also, when the ball gets punched loose in the paint, Harp is quicker than most bigs and obviously is willing to dive on loose balls and do the dirty work, making the so-called "hustle plays." Until we have a lot more depth in the post, I'm fine with Harp getting his minutes there. He has done a nice job recently.

[2ndandlong]

I agree Mangrum and Dia did not shoot 100% from the field and each missed crucial shots down the stretch, but they also weren't 0% either. That's a bad comparison.

People are rabidly defending him, even saying he did a "great job" at his role, but I don't see that either. If that is the case, what's his role, and how is it measured for greatness?

[mrydel]

I just do not see the good and criticizing a young man that tries his best after being told what to do. Does it make any of us feel a little bit better of a man to berate him? If you have a problem with his play, put it on Doherty. He is the one that puts him on the court, and he is being paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to make that decision.

By the way. Harp only missed one shot the entire game. Stats can be used many different ways.