Bowling Green, Fri. Nov. 9, 6:30p, FS2 / 570 WMCA

Just returned from the Arena a little while ago. Started to glance at the thread and caught a vibe that people were not pleased with tonight's performance.

That was not my experience. I thought Bowling Green was a good test for us and we passed it in my opinion. It is true we did not play well and went down 11 points early in the second half. With our only big Keita out for the game with an injury and Ponds hobbled, limping and having an off game the crowd was restless and the fear of defeat was in the arena. Then St. John's stopped launching threes (FYI we launched 17 threes in the first half and only six in the second half), started taking the ball to the hoop and locked down on defense. The result was a 38 to 18 run that happened over about a 14 minute period. During that run Clark, Ponds, Heron, Figueroa, Simon and Trimble all made some great contributions and played really well.

In the end, despite a shaky closeout over the final minute that made the score much too close, St. John's simply wore out a decent and much bigger Bowling Green team.

Early on we did not defend the three and settled way too often for our own threes. The fact that we made adjustments, adapted to no Keita in the game and many players raised their level of play when we were in trouble speaks well for us.

I know some would have preferred a 40 point blowout but I think that this type of game might serve us better in the long run.
 
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[quote="Marillac" post=301305]
Why would you "hold onto" it? I didn't say the kid would get drafted. He's preseason first team All-MAC over a projected second round pick center (James Thompson from Eastern Michigan) and he declared for the NBA draft last year. Does that not qualify for NBA prospect to you?[/quote]

at the beginning of the telecast they said he was possibly an NBA prospect.
 
This was a tale of two halves as far as I could see. I have problems sometimes with SJU "settling" for quick shots. When this team slows down and moves the ball they are effective. Way too many times Ponds or Simon especially would take quick off balance shots. Almost forced attempts. This was prevalent late 1st and early 2nd half.
The 2nd half Ponds pulled a 180 and seemed to slow it down, took better shots and took it to the basket on multiple occasions. Much more effective.
Finally, the end of the game was a disaster for game Management. I think the score was 80-71 and game looked over. Then the fun began. I think it was a silly rushed turnover, BGSU then scores and fouled by Simon (WHY?), then another quick rushed trip. Before you knew it they were one possession away. Missed foul shots. Should never have gotten that close. Thankfully, the intercept by Heron and last two FT's to ice it. That ending was damn near a disaster and for a veteran BE squad was unacceptable.
 
[quote="ghostzapper" post=301307]Just returned from the Arena a little while ago. Started to glance at the thread and caught a vibe that people were not pleased with tonight's performance.

That was not my experience. I thought Bowling Green was a good test for us and we passed it in my opinion. It is true we did not play well and went down 11 points early in the second half. With our only big Keita out for the game with an injury and Ponds hobbled, limping and having an off game the crowd was restless and the fear of defeat was in the arena. Then St. John's stopped launching threes (FYI we launched 17 threes in the first half and only six in the second half), started taking the ball to the hoop and locked down on defense. The result was a 38 to 18 run that happened over about a 14 minute period. During that run Clark, Ponds, Heron, Figueroa, Simon and Trimble all made some great contributions and played really well.

In the end, despite a shaky closeout over the final minute that made the score much too close, St. John's simply wore out a decent and much bigger Bowling Green team.

Early on we did not defend the three and settled way too often for our own threes. The fact that we made adjustments, adapted to no Keita in the game and many players raised their level of play when we were in trouble speaks well for us.

I know some would have preferred a 40 point blowout but I think that this tyoe of game might serve us better in the long run.[/quote] definitely fair points
 
[quote="Paul Massell" post=301308][quote="Marillac" post=301305]
Why would you "hold onto" it? I didn't say the kid would get drafted. He's preseason first team All-MAC over a projected second round pick center (James Thompson from Eastern Michigan) and he declared for the NBA draft last year. Does that not qualify for NBA prospect to you?[/quote]

at the beginning of the telecast they said he was possibly an NBA prospect.[/quote]


I never said you said he would get drafted. Why would you assume I said you said that?

And my guess is the announcers never heard of the guy before they watched some quick tape of him to get ready for the game.
 
[quote="sjc88" post=301309]This was a tale of two halves as far as I could see. I have problems sometimes with SJU "settling" for quick shots. When this team slows down and moves the ball they are effective. Way too many times Ponds or Simon especially would take quick off balance shots. Almost forced attempts. This was prevalent late 1st and early 2nd half.
The 2nd half Ponds pulled a 180 and seemed to slow it down, took better shots and took it to the basket on multiple occasions. Much more effective.
Finally, the end of the game was a disaster for game Management. I think the score was 80-71 and game looked over. Then the fun began. I think it was a silly rushed turnover, BGSU then scores and fouled by Simon (WHY?), then another quick rushed trip. Before you knew it they were one possession away. Missed foul shots. Should never have gotten that close. Thankfully, the intercept by Heron and last two FT's to ice it. That ending was damn near a disaster and for a veteran BE squad was unacceptable.[/quote]

first 7 minutes or so of first half we passed the ball real well. I think we had 6 assists or something like that ( they put up a stat on the tv ) then we had something like 1 assist the next 10 minutes or the rest of the half

We can pass the ball. Just have to commit to it and like you said stop settling for that one on one stuff and quick 3's
 
[quote="sjc88" post=301309]
Finally, the end of the game was a disaster for game Management. I think the score was 80-71 and game looked over. Then the fun began. I think it was a silly rushed turnover, BGSU then scores and fouled by Simon (WHY?), then another quick rushed trip. Before you knew it they were one possession away. Missed foul shots. Should never have gotten that close. Thankfully, the intercept by Heron and last two FT's to ice it. That ending was damn near a disaster and for a veteran BE squad was unacceptable.[/quote]

The unnecessary and useless foul was by Fig. Ponds rushed his first FT and missed. Then the foul by LJ then Heron choked on 3 out of 4 FT. It was a train wreck. We escaped.
 
Yeah, they got off to a nice start and I'm thinking we are gonna pull away. All of a sudden, nothing is going in and they are hitting 3s. Defensive intensity picked up in 2nd half as well. I guess they realized this was going to be a struggle.
 
[quote="Paul Massell" post=301313][quote="sjc88" post=301309]
Finally, the end of the game was a disaster for game Management. I think the score was 80-71 and game looked over. Then the fun began. I think it was a silly rushed turnover, BGSU then scores and fouled by Simon (WHY?), then another quick rushed trip. Before you knew it they were one possession away. Missed foul shots. Should never have gotten that close. Thankfully, the intercept by Heron and last two FT's to ice it. That ending was damn near a disaster and for a veteran BE squad was unacceptable.[/quote]

The unnecessary and useless foul was by Fig. Ponds rushed his first FT and missed. Then the foul by LJ then Heron choked on 3 out of 4 FT. It was a train wreck. We escaped.[/quote]
I'm sure your right. The mistakes piled up quickly. I was feeling pretty good at 80-71 and then their was (in my opinion) some poor game management. I worry that SP is not really a true point. In my mind, he is a scorer. He wants to keep going when all we need is to take a knee. I even think the announcer said something about the 80-71 point. I surely had visions of a 3 at the buzzer to lose. Thank god for Heron.
 
Mullin sitting Ponds early second half for Trimble was necessary ,Ponds was getting torched on the peremiter (or dogging it). Turned the game around. Ponds came back in and looked like a different player....... 2-0.
 
[quote="mjmaherjr" post=301312][quote="sjc88" post=301309]This was a tale of two halves as far as I could see. I have problems sometimes with SJU "settling" for quick shots. When this team slows down and moves the ball they are effective. Way too many times Ponds or Simon especially would take quick off balance shots. Almost forced attempts. This was prevalent late 1st and early 2nd half.
The 2nd half Ponds pulled a 180 and seemed to slow it down, took better shots and took it to the basket on multiple occasions. Much more effective.
Finally, the end of the game was a disaster for game Management. I think the score was 80-71 and game looked over. Then the fun began. I think it was a silly rushed turnover, BGSU then scores and fouled by Simon (WHY?), then another quick rushed trip. Before you knew it they were one possession away. Missed foul shots. Should never have gotten that close. Thankfully, the intercept by Heron and last two FT's to ice it. That ending was damn near a disaster and for a veteran BE squad was unacceptable.[/quote]

first 7 minutes or so of first half we passed the ball real well. I think we had 6 assists or something like that ( they put up a stat on the tv ) then we had something like 1 assist the next 10 minutes or the rest of the half

We can pass the ball. Just have to commit to it and like you said stop settling for that one on one stuff and quick 3's[/quote]

Bottom line their first two games this year have been very unimpressive. They need to get better. Style points matter. Especially when your non-conference schedule is not exactly great on paper.

Obviously it is better to win than lose. But no way should a team with high expectations be struggling to put away Bowling Green. Rutgers will be motivated at home and by playing a team that on paper is better. But again SJU should have plenty of motivation, they should still be angry about not getting a more high profile B10 opponent for this matchup.
 
[quote="Phillip casinelli" post=301300]I am one the biggest Mullin fans, as are almost everyone on this site, growing up watching him play. I also, have been a high school basketball coach for over 20 yrs. I just dont understand the stagnant 1on 1 offense. No flow, no screens, 1on 1 while 4 guys stand around. Lack of al ow scoring threat is a major issue.[/quote]

Simon had back to back impressive post ups for layups in the second half. Heron had a few first half as well. That is sadly more than we've had in years. I believe Simon will become that guy for us. It's pretty obvious to me that he belongs in or near the paint.
 
[quote="MarkRedman" post=301276]Upset of the day
Stony Brook 83 South Carolina 81
Game played in Columbia, S.C.
Great win for the Seawolves[/quote]

They beat George Washington the other day by three in OT. Clearly not afraid of bigger programs.
 
[quote="Paul Massell" post=301313][quote="sjc88" post=301309]
Finally, the end of the game was a disaster for game Management. I think the score was 80-71 and game looked over. Then the fun began. I think it was a silly rushed turnover, BGSU then scores and fouled by Simon (WHY?), then another quick rushed trip. Before you knew it they were one possession away. Missed foul shots. Should never have gotten that close. Thankfully, the intercept by Heron and last two FT's to ice it. That ending was damn near a disaster and for a veteran BE squad was unacceptable.[/quote]

The unnecessary and useless foul was by Fig. Ponds rushed his first FT and missed. Then the foul by LJ then Heron choked on 3 out of 4 FT. It was a train wreck. We escaped.[/quote]

I've gotta give Heron credit. Missed 3 out of 4 from the line, but didn't hang his head, stayed with the play, and came up with the big steal. Yes, it was a telegraphed pass, but I credit Heron for not losing his concentration there. That's where that winning experience from Auburn paid dividends, IMO.
 
[quote="L J S A" post=301320][quote="MarkRedman" post=301276]Upset of the day
Stony Brook 83 South Carolina 81
Game played in Columbia, S.C.
Great win for the Seawolves[/quote]

They beat George Washington the other day by three in OT. Clearly not afraid of bigger programs.[/quote]

GW was beating them 22-0 about midway through the first half in that game, too. Not many schools have had a much better first week then the Seawolves.
 
Not sure why so many people had a problem with the offense and shot selection. 84 points is 84 points. I’ve seen great teams go on 5-6 minute droughts with no fg’s made. It happens.

The perimeter D and non existent offensive rebounding are 2 main issues that need to be resolved though. Seems like perimeter defense is always a massive issue smh
 
[quote="41ndone" post=301125]four years of the same crap, heads need to roll.[/quote]

N/M
 
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