pressurecooker wrote:

Coulter was moved to the two guard position because he took too many shots, failed to make shots and failed to get assists. When Stevens is on the court, he plays the same way. The result is no change in the guard position when Stevens is playing. This is due in part to the fact that Mason does not penetrate and does not create his own shots. He takes the open shot, but is too slow to initiate plays.

Ironically, Colter has been much more efficient this year.
 

Phoenix I have to disagree with you about DC. It was more than the eyeball test, although the eyeball test said a lot. How many games did he start last season putting us in a 10-0 deficit or worse because he was chucking long threes that were turning into fast break opportunities for the other team? This year, DC has not only played under control more, but you can see his shot selection improving AND his shooting percentages reflect that. He doesn't have a big-time "J," and when he goes to the hoop at 5-10 he's always in danger of getting a shot blocked, but when he does a better job of picking his spots he should be good for 8-10 points and a couple assists per game. Stevens is a chucker. He reminds me a little of some of our past chuckers, guys like Buzzy Forney and Kojo Mensah. When thise guys get rolling they can pile up some big points, but they can also have awful days. DC his first two seasons was also in that category. Big difference in his game this year, IMHO.

I was always dubious about Mason at the point. I just didn't see him as having the full skill set needed at the position. He's a shooter who has to get open and then set to take his shot. He's pretty good when that happens, but I don't think he has the quickness, driving and and passing skills or the spontaneity to be effective at the point. Don't know if I'm right - just my thoughts. I don't know why coach thought he might be the answer at the position.

How does Mason not have the passing ability? Let's not forget he was one assist away from leading the COUNTRY in assist to turnover ratio last year. Everyone on here complained for 2 years that DC wasn't the answer as point guard. Now DC is leading the country in three point shooting and Mason has had two bad games, and now all of a sudden they should switch?

Who else is the point guard? Ridenour doesn't play because he is a bad decision maker. And Stevens obviously needs to do a much better job sharing the ball.

ED, I don't disagree with what you said about DC.  Maybe it's not the eyeball test, but a memory test.  Because I too remember the missed 3's to start a game, the drives that ended up with no place to go, a forced shot when we needed to run the offense, etc.  But when those things stick in your mind, it easy to overlook, like I did at times, the pretty solid play he was giving us for 20 minutes or so.  Last year's stats seem to bear this out to a degree.  And this year's eyeball test and stats bear out the improved play of DC, better shot selection, efficiency, etc.

Stevens reminds me of my old friend Gunwood Brick.  Whenever Gunwood got the ball within 30 feet of the basket it was best to get yourself into rebounding position because the ball was going up.  Maybe after a drive, or maybe after a long jumper, but it wasn't being passed.