Slightly dated news, but I'm still struggling a bit to find solid news stories before the season officially starts. Rob Kurz, the Cavaliers' final cut of the summer, will start his second professional season trying out for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, an NBDL squad that has also invited Kyle McAlarney and Rob Kurz to training camp. The final roster should be ten men out of the seventeen in camp. Good luck to all three making the squad.
Chris Quinn is still in the NBA, but has yet to play a game this year for the Heat following a sprained ankle in the preseason.
Showing posts with label Kurz. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kurz. Show all posts
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Differences From Last Season
When one compares the current squad to last year's team, the immediate reaction is to say that Rob Kurz's departure hurt more than we thought it would. That is absolutely true. However, I would draw different conclusions from the loss of Kurz than many.
First of all, there is (as always) a desire to place some kind of subjective label to this season. Are we "better" than last year? Certainly not, as neither the record nor the statistics bear that out. Of course the immediate assumption, therefore, is that we most be worse. I don't necessarily agree with that sentiment. Stay with me for a second as I try to explain.
Last year's team would not have finished third in the current Big East structure. The league is vastly improved from top to bottom. Last season, we only faced five ranked teams a total of six times in conference play and just one was in the top ten (a 19 point loss to Georgetown). This year, we have already played four top ten opponents (at the time of the game), with three on the way. It's fair to guess that a lineup with Kurz would have had similar trouble.
With a additional year of development, Luke Harangody has added 4.6 points and 2.7 rebounds a game. He has forced more shots this season, but the jumper seems much more polished. No longer is he getting shut down to 15 or fewer points (as he was five times last year). While he snuck up on some teams last year, Harangody has developed into such a fine player that he can find ways to succeed even with a target on his back (as the reigning Big East Player of the Year).
If we're not worse (due to Harangody playing above the level of last season) and we're not better (due to Kurz's departure), what are we? Far more inconsistent. Without Kurz's steady 7 rebound a game production, our second chances are almost all gone, putting an emphasis on steady outside shooting. As seen the past two games, a hot night by Ryan Ayers would have made the difference between beating a top 10 team at home and snapping your winning streak.
Kurz brought a steady dose of double digit scoring as our third option on offense and a rock in the middle with a guaranteed few rebounds per game. While our upside is higher this season, it has become apparent that we are destined to wildly vary from a top ten offense capable of beating anyone to the kind of squad that struggles against St. John's on a nightly basis.
To win in basketball, you can have an All-American to lead your team (Harangody), a deadeye shooter to help out with the offensive balance (McAlarney), and a flashy point guard to run the show (Jackson), but the role players end up determining the fate of the season. Kurz was our rock last year and went unappreciated. Zeller and Ayers have shown the inability to provide a similar kind of security with consistent scoring and rebounding. To get the season back on track, we need to find that guy who can hold us in check, whether it is Luke Zeller becoming a decent post player in the waning moments of his career or the emergence of a guy like Ty Nash. Someone has to step up and be a consistent force.
First of all, there is (as always) a desire to place some kind of subjective label to this season. Are we "better" than last year? Certainly not, as neither the record nor the statistics bear that out. Of course the immediate assumption, therefore, is that we most be worse. I don't necessarily agree with that sentiment. Stay with me for a second as I try to explain.
Last year's team would not have finished third in the current Big East structure. The league is vastly improved from top to bottom. Last season, we only faced five ranked teams a total of six times in conference play and just one was in the top ten (a 19 point loss to Georgetown). This year, we have already played four top ten opponents (at the time of the game), with three on the way. It's fair to guess that a lineup with Kurz would have had similar trouble.
With a additional year of development, Luke Harangody has added 4.6 points and 2.7 rebounds a game. He has forced more shots this season, but the jumper seems much more polished. No longer is he getting shut down to 15 or fewer points (as he was five times last year). While he snuck up on some teams last year, Harangody has developed into such a fine player that he can find ways to succeed even with a target on his back (as the reigning Big East Player of the Year).
If we're not worse (due to Harangody playing above the level of last season) and we're not better (due to Kurz's departure), what are we? Far more inconsistent. Without Kurz's steady 7 rebound a game production, our second chances are almost all gone, putting an emphasis on steady outside shooting. As seen the past two games, a hot night by Ryan Ayers would have made the difference between beating a top 10 team at home and snapping your winning streak.
Kurz brought a steady dose of double digit scoring as our third option on offense and a rock in the middle with a guaranteed few rebounds per game. While our upside is higher this season, it has become apparent that we are destined to wildly vary from a top ten offense capable of beating anyone to the kind of squad that struggles against St. John's on a nightly basis.
To win in basketball, you can have an All-American to lead your team (Harangody), a deadeye shooter to help out with the offensive balance (McAlarney), and a flashy point guard to run the show (Jackson), but the role players end up determining the fate of the season. Kurz was our rock last year and went unappreciated. Zeller and Ayers have shown the inability to provide a similar kind of security with consistent scoring and rebounding. To get the season back on track, we need to find that guy who can hold us in check, whether it is Luke Zeller becoming a decent post player in the waning moments of his career or the emergence of a guy like Ty Nash. Someone has to step up and be a consistent force.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Free Press
Rob Kurz and Sean Kearney were talked up a bit on ESPN tonight for the Warriors/Rockets game. Good for Kurz, a guy who worked his way onto an NBA roster and faced down Yao Ming for a bit tonight (and blocked the 7'3" all-star). The commentator spoke about receiving a text from his "good friend" ND associate head coach Sean Kearney. Kearney has been a fantastic part of Mike Brey's teams over the years and could have had his own head gig a long time ago. Props to both of those guys who were little-known but still very integral parts of our team last year.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Rob Kurz
#31 Rob Kurz- 6-9 / 232, Lower Gwynedd, PA-
Tom Noie stole my idea for an article, so I'll just have to wing this one.
The Irish have one returning senior this year, two-time captain Kurz. Rob went from talented, but little known forward to one of the best players in the Big East with a quality season last year. Kurz averaged 12.6 points and 8.0 rebounds in 28 minutes per game in 06-07.
Kurz's main contribution this year will be his presence in the paint. He must work with Luke Harangody to create scoring opportunities inside and spread the defense. In addition, his rebounding ability will end scoring opportunities on defense and help create second chances on offense. As the tallest starter, even undersized at 6'9", Kurz must be physical enough to deal with must taller opponents such as 7'2" Georgetown center Roy Hibbert. Coach Brey will have to drop into zone defense to make up for the overall lack of height in some instances, but the emphasis will be on Kurz in man-to-man.
In addition to his inside game, Kurz is an accomplished shooter from outside. Last season he made 21 of his 49 attempts from beyond the arc. While he may not get lots of opportunities, Kurz has shown the ability to make the big three when asked. His overall game is the most polished on the team, fitting for the lone senior, and he will be required to play to the best of his ability in order for the Irish to win some big games this season.
Tomorrow I'll preview the season as a whole. Friday the Irish open with an exhibition game against St. Ambrose. It's not top-notch competition and it doesn't count, but it will certainly be exciting to see the guys in a game for the first time this year. Until then, have a happy Halloween.
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