While Sha is still searching for the right formula, he has used 10 of his 12 scholarship players as starters at some point this year. Deep reserve GusBus and Scotty are the only players not to start despite Middleton being 4th on the team in Minutes Played at 19.6. Scotty has been performing better as the season progresses and is providing a lift to the team when he's on the floor. He's been used to start the 2nd half of games several times and has been a spark.
Over the last 6 games against P5 teams, the Pirates have not looked good playing their traditional lineups. They've looked like a different team playing a smaller lineup with energy, urgency and pressure defense mostly in the 2nd half of games after they've fallen behind by double-digits. Middleton has been the key lineup difference during these runs mostly playing as a small-ball 4 and providing a heavy dose of length and energy as the inbound defender on the press and a shooting threat on offense.
During those 6 games hes averaged 23 minutes, 8.7 points - 2.7 rebounds - 1.7 assists, shooting 57% on 2ptFG, 58.8% on 3ptFG & 75% on FTs. Not eye-catching numbers but his efficiency numbers pop out and support what we have seen with the eye test. He's been very instrumental on both ends, playing efficient on offense while being a pest on defense.
In a small sample size, Scotty has been even better in the 4 Big East games. He ranks among the Top 25 of all BE players in the following KenPom efficiency categories in BE games:
6th in Offensive Rating at 138.5
3rd in Effective FG% at 68.5%
2nd in True Shooting % at 69.4%
25th in Defensive Rebounding at 14.6%
22nd in Assist rate at 15.9
15th in FT Rate at 36.8
6th in 3ptFG% at 50% (5-10)
13th in 2ptFG% at 55.6%
This play is a marked improvement from what we saw in 9 uneven early season games. Has he turned a corner as he's gained comfort in Sha's system? Or is he thriving in the small-ball, attack-style lineup that he's been playing so much lately? Should Sha try to play this lineup and style from the opening jump or keep using Scotty and this lineup off the bench?
I think Scotty's detriments have been his tendency to commit fouls and his weakness rebounding as a 4. He's been playing good D without fouling lately and his rebounding has been better the last few games. I think he's understanding what's expected of him and gaining confidence playing with energy. He played 36 minutes vs DePaul and was one of 3 players getting post-game IVs for cramping. I believe he should continue to be given more minutes to see how much he can handle. Things will get tougher moving forward as games pile up and legs get heavy but hopefully he can handle starting minutes while still playing with great passion. After Coleman, Middleton's development is the biggest bright spot of the early BE season.
Over the last 6 games against P5 teams, the Pirates have not looked good playing their traditional lineups. They've looked like a different team playing a smaller lineup with energy, urgency and pressure defense mostly in the 2nd half of games after they've fallen behind by double-digits. Middleton has been the key lineup difference during these runs mostly playing as a small-ball 4 and providing a heavy dose of length and energy as the inbound defender on the press and a shooting threat on offense.
During those 6 games hes averaged 23 minutes, 8.7 points - 2.7 rebounds - 1.7 assists, shooting 57% on 2ptFG, 58.8% on 3ptFG & 75% on FTs. Not eye-catching numbers but his efficiency numbers pop out and support what we have seen with the eye test. He's been very instrumental on both ends, playing efficient on offense while being a pest on defense.
In a small sample size, Scotty has been even better in the 4 Big East games. He ranks among the Top 25 of all BE players in the following KenPom efficiency categories in BE games:
6th in Offensive Rating at 138.5
3rd in Effective FG% at 68.5%
2nd in True Shooting % at 69.4%
25th in Defensive Rebounding at 14.6%
22nd in Assist rate at 15.9
15th in FT Rate at 36.8
6th in 3ptFG% at 50% (5-10)
13th in 2ptFG% at 55.6%
This play is a marked improvement from what we saw in 9 uneven early season games. Has he turned a corner as he's gained comfort in Sha's system? Or is he thriving in the small-ball, attack-style lineup that he's been playing so much lately? Should Sha try to play this lineup and style from the opening jump or keep using Scotty and this lineup off the bench?
I think Scotty's detriments have been his tendency to commit fouls and his weakness rebounding as a 4. He's been playing good D without fouling lately and his rebounding has been better the last few games. I think he's understanding what's expected of him and gaining confidence playing with energy. He played 36 minutes vs DePaul and was one of 3 players getting post-game IVs for cramping. I believe he should continue to be given more minutes to see how much he can handle. Things will get tougher moving forward as games pile up and legs get heavy but hopefully he can handle starting minutes while still playing with great passion. After Coleman, Middleton's development is the biggest bright spot of the early BE season.
