Mel

[BSpringsteen]

Mel's probs start and end
with the lack of another
big man in the post.

If Sir Woodbury
Can be an impact player
next year, so will Mel

 

[HawkeyeHypnosis]

I agree. He was much better with Cole and will be much better with more size down low.

 

[TChawk]

If he stops being lazy i would agree, but he looks extremely lazy alot on the floor.

 

[ssckelley]

If he stops being lazy i would agree, but he looks extremely lazy alot on the floor.

I disagree, it looks like to me he is trying to do to much.

I agree with the OP having a true center on the floor that is a scoring threat will take a lot of attention off Mel.

 

[hawkIhoops]

He is not confident on the block and you can almost see the wheels turning as he tries to process everything. I would rather see the Basabe that said screw it and threw down that reverse dunk against OSU (even if he gets a charge here and there) than the Basabe that holds the ball, draws a double or triple team, then tries to plow through heavy traffic. Flash to the lane, catch it and go up with a jump hook, head fake and drive or kick it out.

 

[CPHAWK82]

Another big man would help Basabe, but he's capable of contributing much more than he is. Last night he was playing at a slower pace than the rest of the team on offense and defense. It seemed like he spent most of his energy just keeping up. Last year he played with a lot more confidence down low.

 

[EddyP]

Mel, see Zach McCabe. Stop being a pu$$y and start contributing or you will see less pt.

Thanks

 

[atomicblue224]

​

i think he`s more like streetballer than actual basketball player. he rather play casual.

 

[Section136]

He is not confident on the block and you can almost see the wheels turning as he tries to process everything. I would rather see the Basabe that said screw it and threw down that reverse dunk against OSU (even if he gets a charge here and there) than the Basabe that holds the ball, draws a double or triple team, then tries to plow through heavy traffic. Flash to the lane, catch it and go up with a jump hook, head fake and drive or kick it out.

The bolded part is not a part of Mel's game. When he gets the ball on the block chances are the ball is going towards the rim. Mel has a total of 8 assists this year and I think 2 of them were in the first 4-5 minutes of the Michigan game.

 

[FML]

I just don't think Mel is that good. There is a reason Iowa was the only non mid major to offer him.
Sure he looked good at times last year, but we sucked hard last year. Now that Fran's team has more talent, Mel is lost in the shuffle. He is not big enough to be a good post player and not a good enough shooter to be a solid wing player.

 

[smoot27]

I just don't think Mel is that good. There is a reason Iowa was the only non mid major to offer him.
Sure he looked good at times last year, but we sucked hard last year. Now that Fran's team has more talent, Mel is lost in the shuffle. He is not big enough to be a good post player and not a good enough shooter to be a solid wing player.

He really baffles me. Last year I thought he played very well for a freshman. He put up 22 points, 13 rebs and 6 blocks against Sullinger last season. He scored 20/10 against Ohio St., Minnesota and and Indiana and had a double-double against Wisconsin. I expected his numbers to drop a little as our team adds depth, but he looks like a completely different player. He went from being our 1-2 option on offense to being our 5-6 option this season.

 

[urohawk]

The play that made the most mad with Mel was the play when there was a a battle for the board and it got tipped off the glass. Mel started running towards the other end before the ball was secured by Iowa. Byrd jumped right into the spot Mel vacated and got an easy put back when it was batted back to him. Plays like that show his head isn't in the game. Even if he doesn't score he could still be very beneficial because he is a good rebounder when he wants it.

The bottom line is with White, McCabe, Woodbury, Meyer and Olesani next year he better compete or he won't be playing at all.

 

[hawkIhoops]

The bolded part is not a part of Mel's game. When he gets the ball on the block chances are the ball is going towards the rim. Mel has a total of 8 assists this year and I think 2 of them were in the first 4-5 minutes of the Michigan game.

Kicking it out isn't part of a D1 basketball player's game? Let me help me define "kick it out" for you. If you post up and guys swarm you, throw it back to a guard so the ball can be reversed. An "assist" is what you are refrerring to which is when someone passes the ball to another player who then scores.

 

[EddyP]

The play that made the most mad with Mel was the play when there was a a battle for the board and it got tipped off the glass. Mel started running towards the other end before the ball was secured by Iowa. Byrd jumped right into the spot Mel vacated and got an easy put back when it was batted back to him. Plays like that show his head isn't in the game. Even if he doesn't score he could still be very beneficial because he is a good rebounder when he wants it.

The bottom line is with White, McCabe, Woodbury, Meyer and Olesani next year he better compete or he won't be playing at all.

Absolutely. There is no reason he shouldn't be crashing the boards on every possession. It isn't about just scoring. Look at McCabe and White, they do a lot of other things that impact the game. His problem is between his ears.

 

[Section136]

Kicking it out isn't part of a D1 basketball player's game? Let me help me define "kick it out" for you. If you post up and guys swarm you, throw it back to a guard so the ball can be reversed. An "assist" is what you are refrerring to which is when someone passes the ball to another player who then scores.

And how often does Mel "kick it out" when being swarmed by the defense? Most of the time he waits far too long after the double team comes and either turns it over or forces an ugly shot that doesnt go in or gets blocked.

Sure he has the ability to "kick it out", all basketball players know how to pass the ball. It isnt a strong aspect of his game because he doesnt do it often enough or effective enough.

Im sure Andrew Brommer can make a 3 pointer, but that doesnt mean that it is a part of his game.

 

[twinhawkfans]

I'm not sure Mel will ever be 1st all b1G, but he's easy to scout and easy to guard right now without a true big man to take the heat off, as OP stated. But I do think he lacks motivation at times. He's a tweener, and still lacks a little polish away from the basket, and a little strength. Look at some of the good tweeners, Mcdermott comes to mind, he has an outside game, so defenders have to guard him if he steps out. If Mel can develop a consistent 15-17 foot jumper by next year, and Woodbury can handle the middle, he will be productive. JMO