Byers may be an asset on the offensive end when and if he plays under control, but he is a liability on the defensive end of the floor. It seems that he is all consumed with an occasional spectacular play instead of being a steady contributor. He throws up long range 3s when he can take a couple steps closer and still have an open 3. The crazy tosses toward the basket that have no chance of going in are beyond ridiculous. He seems less under control than a freshman.
We all agree about defense.
Let's look at the season stats..........facts don't care about feelings.
https://herdzone.com/sports/mens-basketball/stats/2021-22"those long range threes".......well he's 3rd on the team in 3-pt percentage for season at 38% (good) with only the two Euros being higher than him. Marko may stay higher. Goran...I look for it to drop along with his minutes. Are we expecting him to step in closer and get the percentage up to 45%? 50%?
"those crazy no chance tosses"......well he's 5th on the team in FG % at 43%. The first three are primarily interior scorers (Toussaint, Obinna, George) with only Marko having a slightly higher FG % at 44%.
other notes.
5th on team in minutes played
5th on team in scoring
3rd on team in assists
3rd on team in block shots
6th on team in steals
3rd in turnovers behind the two guards (expected) and only two TOs ahead of Obinna for season and I've never heard a comment about turnovers related to him. I know, I get it, it's from his history.
3rd on fouls.
again....no doubt he needs to be smarter and more consistent. take care of the ball and be a better defender. but objectively, he's not that bad right now. I am probably just guarantying he has a 6 turnover game in Akron lol.
I'm more concerned about our starting guards shooting 17% and 23% from three. And if we bench Byers....I guess Marko gets more minutes as we need shooters. Bench him for Toussaint or another and we may get marginally better defensively but I'm guessing our offense (even without Byers mistakes) gets really gummed up.