(@Bar) California, Mon. Nov. 19, 7pm, ESPN-2 / 970 WNYM

usgaurd wrote: So cal out score us in the 2nd half not good

We won the game - that is good. Hit our fouls hots down the stretch and Shamorie came up huge. Dixon can't play if he won't guard; we need defense as our offense is just fine. Really would like to see Roberts get 4-5 minutes in these games.
 
Fig seemed almost subdued and didn't have that angry look that he has been playing with. He did make an important momentum shift bucket though.
 
Agree with Rothstein;

“Shamorie Ponds drags St. John's to a five-point win over Cal. A win's a win, but Red Storm have much to remedy defensively. Will face winner of Temple/VCU on Tuesday”
 
Loved our speed and passing in the first half after a defensive rebound.
Loved Ponds unselfishness while he shows the NBA scouts he can be a shooting point guard
Didn't love our defense at all, too many easy drives to the basket by Cal, resulting in foul trouble for the Johnnies.
Wonder how long Williams and Roberts won't see any prime time playing time.
Thought the crowd was in comatose form.
Franschilla really knows his basketball, excellent analyst..
 
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[quote="Ray Morgan" post=303339][quote="ron s m" post=303333]Trimble has a reputation of being a good 3 point shooter. Seems like he misses whenever I watch him![/quote]
Trimble shot low 30s last year, which isn't very good. However, a lot of optimists on the board.[/quote]

Defense is killing this team. And not our interior defense but on the perimeter. Kid defends and plays hard. He took and missed two shots. I am fine with Trimble.
 
[quote="Paul Massell" post=303344]Fig seemed almost subdued and didn't have that angry look that he has been playing with. He did make an important momentum shift bucket though.[/quote]

He should shoot more. Clark needs to shoot less threes. Mix things up a bit. Make a layup or two.
 
Thought Dix played well offensively other than 1 bad shot. His defense will improve. He has the foot speed and quick hands which keeps him fine on the ball, He needs to improve his off the ball defense and closeouts. This will come as he continues to play as well as being emphasized in practice. Additionally, best cure will be when he learns from being taken out.
 
[quote="Mean Gene" post=303342]I think Trimble we find his shot. He did last year.[/quote]
You thought we would lose tonight, so do we write off Trimble?
 
[quote="Ralph Joseph Giordano" post=303350]Thought Dix played well offensively other than 1 bad shot. His defense will improve. He has the foot speed and quick hands which keeps him fine on the ball, He needs to improve his off the ball defense and closeouts. This will come as he continues to play as well as being emphasized in practice. Additionally, best cure will be when he learns from being taken out.[/quote]

And he keeps being taken out for it.
 
I don't know how anyone can feel good about this win. This is a young and overmatched Cal team that flew across the country and if it wasn't for the Shamorie show late we are a loser. Not enough intensity on defense and too much standing around on offense waiting for someone to attack the basket. I guess a win is a win but if we plan on playing like this we will under achieve all season. Oh well, I am going to the game tomorrow night and I hope we give a better showing.
 
[quote="NCJohnnie" post=303343]usgaurd wrote: So cal out score us in the 2nd half not good

We won the game - that is good. Hit our fouls hots down the stretch and Shamorie came up huge. Dixon can't play if he won't guard; we need defense as our offense is just fine. Really would like to see Roberts get 4-5 minutes in these games.[/quote]


Agree about Dixon. For example, after Austin stopped his dribble in the corner Dixon fell off him instead of charging him allowing a three pointer.
 
[quote="we are sju" post=303347][quote="Ray Morgan" post=303339][quote="ron s m" post=303333]Trimble has a reputation of being a good 3 point shooter. Seems like he misses whenever I watch him![/quote]
Trimble shot low 30s last year, which isn't very good. However, a lot of optimists on the board.[/quote]

Defense is killing this team. And not our interior defense but on the perimeter. Kid defends and plays hard. He took and missed two shots. I am fine with Trimble.[/quote]

I have been singing his praises. He had an important steal late and a nice dish to Dixon on a breakaway off of a rebound. With a team with a lot of guys looking to score, I have been impressed with Trimble understanding and accepting his role.
 
Ponds, Simon and when he plays Dixon simply have to give a better effort on D. Clark can shoot and I am fine with him shooting threes but he also has to do some dirty work underneath from time to time ESPECIALLY when 3 is not falling. I am going to join the fun and say Roberts should be given some time.
 
[quote="Knight" post=303313]We've got to learn to mix up our defensive sets.[/quote]
We were mixed up.
 
Box score confirms what I say. Clark had a really off game. I don't know what it is, but last 2 games he was zero for the first half. 2 for 11 and 5 turnovers tonight? Cal, like BG, had a plan. We don't throw a lot of looks at teams, so their coaches know how to prepare. We have way too much talent to be in close games with teams that will not win a lot of games this season.
 
Anyone else watching on TV hear Seth Greenberg take a shot at our non-conference schedule? I can't say I disagree but you can see how we will be "framed" the rest of the season. Makes it even more important to not only win these games but how we look doing it.
Long way to go but this will be the "narrative" come tourney selection time.
 
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[quote="sjc88" post=303363]Anyone else watching on TV hear Seth Greenberg take a shot at our non-conference schedule? I can't say I disagree but you can see how we will "framed" the rest of the season. Makes it even more important to not only win these games but how we look doing it.
Long way to go but this will be the "narrative" come tourney selection time.[/quote]

Not if we come up huge in conference play.
 
A win is a win and Ponds was terrific. Team defense was lethargic.

It is early yet but VCU burst out of the gate and is up 19 to 2 against Temple 7 minutes into the game. They might present some challenges if we play them tomorrow.
 
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Very stressful game. I think there will be a lot of these this season. A couple of nice alley oop dunks by Simon that went unmentioned. If this is how we are going to play defense then we might as well look for steals like we did last season.
 
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