Conner has the guards to handle a press. Liechty and Flesch are very capable. The return of Byrns will help with this also. Hodges and Robinson are far from soft. They need to utilize their strengths. Once this team figures it out, they will be back on top of the polls. Do not count them out.

 

All I know is they have lost 5 in a row and were ranked #1 in the Region by area coaches. What does that tell you?

That tells you that they are struggling right now and they need to figure things out. That also tells you that becasue they were ranked preseason number one that other coaches thought they had the potential as well.

All I know is they have lost 5 in a row and were ranked #1 in the Region by area coaches. What does that tell you?

 

This shows that you dont know everything. They beat Newport in the opening round of the Lloyd tournament and have only lost three since then.

This shows that you dont know everything. They beat Newport in the opening round of the Lloyd tournament and have only lost three since then.

 

Oh thats right they got by Newport my bad. I was looking at the KHSAA scoreboard and they didnt list that win. I am not saying they dont have the players but its obvious they read the newsclippings too much in November and early December.

What strengths are they not utilizing well?

 

Hodges and Flesch. Hodges is a not a back to the basket center. He is a 6'8" wing forward and needs to be played as such. He struggles to defend stronger opponents and would be better suited to use his 7'2" wingspan to deny the stronger players. He could easily be the biggest mismatch on the floor at any given time if he was able to play his game within their system. Flesch is one of the better point guards in the region and has the ability to create alot more than he does. I'm not sure if he has the green light to do so

Hodges and Flesch. Hodges is a not a back to the basket center. He is a 6'8" wing forward and needs to be played as such. He struggles to defend stronger opponents and would be better suited to use his 7'2" wingspan to deny the stronger players. He could easily be the biggest mismatch on the floor at any given time if he was able to play his game within their system. Flesch is one of the better point guards in the region and has the ability to create alot more than he does. I'm not sure if he has the green light to do so

 

I haven't watched Conner as much as you but my impression is that Hodges has trouble staying on the floor due to foul trouble and gets too many "silly" fouls.

Hodges and Flesch. Hodges is a not a back to the basket center. He is a 6'8" wing forward and needs to be played as such. He struggles to defend stronger opponents and would be better suited to use his 7'2" wingspan to deny the stronger players. He could easily be the biggest mismatch on the floor at any given time if he was able to play his game within their system. Flesch is one of the better point guards in the region and has the ability to create alot more than he does. I'm not sure if he has the green light to do so

 

So what your saying is you have seen these kids obviously a lot and likely on the AAU circuit which is much different then how they are being utilized on their HS team?

I haven't watched Conner as much as you but my impression is that Hodges has trouble staying on the floor due to foul trouble and gets too many "silly" fouls.

 

No arguement here. Hodges has to be able to stay on the floor. 1 or 2 silly fouls coupled with 2 or 3 that he will earn are not getting it done. He needs to cut out the silly fouls 50 feet from the basket and learn how to defend the stronger guys in the paint to avoid the others.

So what your saying is you have seen these kids obviously a lot and likely on the AAU circuit which is much different then how they are being utilized on their HS team?

 

Exactly. I have seen these kids win and now I see them loose. Why not play to a team's strength and win than force them to play another way and loose. I will take wins all day.

Question for you HM. How many of the Conner players have played high level summer AAU ball? Can you list the teams they played for as well?

Question for you HM. How many of the Conner players have played high level summer AAU ball? Can you list the teams they played for as well?

 

That I know of:

Hodges and Flesch played for the NKY Bulldogs

Robinson would have played, but was out most of the summer with a shoulder injury.

Carter Byrns and Cody Huff played for the NKY Rhinos, but I am not sure how high level that was.

That I know of:

Hodges and Flesch played for the NKY Bulldogs

Robinson would have played, but was out most of the summer with a shoulder injury.

Carter Byrns and Cody Huff played for the NKY Rhinos, but I am not sure how high level that was.

 

What about the other starters and top reserves? Have they ever played any high level competitive AAU summer ball?

Exactly. I have seen these kids win and now I see them loose. Why not play to a team's strength and win than force them to play another way and loose. I will take wins all day.

 

So you think the Cougars are playing too loose, and as a result it's hurting them? I'd think you wouldn't want the kids to be tight going into games. But, it sounds like you think they're loose and as a result it's causing them to lose?

As I have said 1000 times before, AAU and high school basketball are two different beasts. Just like college football and pro football are two different brands of the same game.

And yet talent and potential are always the same. I have never said that Conner needs to play an AAU style of ball. I have said that Conner needs to utilize the strengths of their players as they were in AAU.