Jillett Matchup Series

Once (or twice) a month, we will look at potential matchups for PCTI III.  This segment is brought to you by Jillett.  It's a competing dick-cheese against DDC: Donley Dick Cheese (sorry, they beat you to the advertising arms race).

Michael Orr’s Defense vs. Brent Carney’s Offense

In our first segment of the Jillett Match-Up series, we start out with a bang.  What easily could be the most anticipated matchup of the weekend, Carney  v. Orr could very well be the tipping point for both squads.  Once childhood friends, now bitter enemies, there will be no love lost once these two square off. 

Neither possesses a distinct advantage, although one could make the case for an advantage for either competitor.  Traditionally, Brent’s inside/out game usually gives power forwards and centers alike fits with his ability to stretch the floor, knife through the lane, and finish with his left hand only.  Addtionally, Brent’s added rebounding regimen provided him with another tool for defenses to worry about. 

However, this would-be advantage can be negated by Michael’s length (6’7) and excellent defensive basketball IQ.  “Smo’s” ability to clean up misses, and alter numerous shots provides LFTK with a viable defensive threat.  Additionally, his long, storied history of playing with and against Brent gives him more than enough defensive knowledge to slow down or shut down Brent’s high powered and well-rounded offensive game.

Anthony Hopkins’s Length/Brian Eskildsen’s Tenacity vs. LFTK’s Guards

In the explosive and hard-hitting podcast last week, Anthony Hopkin’s defensive length became a very hot topic.  As he may have lost a step, his defensive IQ and length are the highest rated attributes he has in PCTI (both 94s—which are also the highest ratings for any player in any category in PCTI).  Brian Eskilden’s ability to get opponent’s heads with his high-motor (read: dirty) defensive tactics was a highly debated topic post PCTI II.  He proved in both PCTI’s that his defensive energy has been enough to will teams to victory.  Their work will be cut out for them as he will be called upon to slow down Ben Wilson, Danny Krow, Wes-Fil-A, Bryan McKinney, and Michael Beasley. 

Every one of LFTK’s guards can fill it up in a variety of ways.  Whether it’s a barrage of scoring (Ben Wilson) or Killing you slowly (Wes Murray, Bryan McKinney, DK), each can spell trouble for most defensively challenged players in PCTI (see Josh Pitto, Joe Thompson).  The multitude and balance of scoring by LFTK will force AHop and B-Easy to study each and every player’s offensive moves in hopes of slowing down the variety of ways in which they can score. 

The kicker for all of this is the lack of a scouting report and tape on Michael Beasley.  His background as an explosive athlete with a tremendous ability to get to the basket could be trouble for Hops and B-Easy.  That may be the most interesting storyline not talked about this PCTI Offseason that will surely rev up as PCTI III approaches.

Next week will be some additional Tier 1 and more Tier 2 Matchups.