Not trying to start anything here, just a little concerned and wondering if one of the more "in the know" posters here have any info (injury, etc.) about why Burgess' play has fallen off so dramatically in the month of December.
Yes, he's still our second-leading scorer. But after reaching double figures in five of the first six games (the only one he didn't, he had 9 against Oklahoma), he's had subpar performances in three of the last four:
12/5 @ W&M: 30 minutes, 0-4 FG, 2 pts, 2 rebs
12/12 vs. UR: 29 minutes, 1-4 FG, 4 pts, 4 rebs
12/19 @ Tulane: 26 minutes, 5-5 FG, 11 pts, 4 rebs (NOTE: We probably lose this one without him)12/29 vs. ECU: 16 minutes, 1-4 FG, 4 pts, 1 reb
Here's my main concern -- and this is obviously from a fan's perspective, so take from it what you will: Four or five field-goal attempts per game is not enough for one of the best offensive players on our roster. Whether it's a product of an up-tempo offense that doesn't totally suit his game (IMHO, he's most valuable in halfcourt sets) or he's just getting lost in the shuffle because of the depth on this team, I think our PGs have to do a better job of finding Brad and getting him the ball where he can score.
Obviously, none of this is a big deal as long as we keep winning, but as the conference season gets going in earnest, it becomes that much more important to have the ball in the hands of your best players as often as possible. Burgess is one of those guys.
Yes, he's still our second-leading scorer. But after reaching double figures in five of the first six games (the only one he didn't, he had 9 against Oklahoma), he's had subpar performances in three of the last four:
12/5 @ W&M: 30 minutes, 0-4 FG, 2 pts, 2 rebs
12/12 vs. UR: 29 minutes, 1-4 FG, 4 pts, 4 rebs
12/19 @ Tulane: 26 minutes, 5-5 FG, 11 pts, 4 rebs (NOTE: We probably lose this one without him)12/29 vs. ECU: 16 minutes, 1-4 FG, 4 pts, 1 reb
Here's my main concern -- and this is obviously from a fan's perspective, so take from it what you will: Four or five field-goal attempts per game is not enough for one of the best offensive players on our roster. Whether it's a product of an up-tempo offense that doesn't totally suit his game (IMHO, he's most valuable in halfcourt sets) or he's just getting lost in the shuffle because of the depth on this team, I think our PGs have to do a better job of finding Brad and getting him the ball where he can score.
Obviously, none of this is a big deal as long as we keep winning, but as the conference season gets going in earnest, it becomes that much more important to have the ball in the hands of your best players as often as possible. Burgess is one of those guys.
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