I've heard a great deal about how young we are, and how we need time to grow. Yes, we are mostly sophmores and freshmen, and there is no doubting that youth is a factor in our performance potentials. But for my money, the losses at the Charleston Classic go on the coaching staff...particularly the loss to Baylor. In any man's intelligent approach to this game, assessing your opponents strengths and what he does best...and the attempt to limit that, are the keys to success. I have no idea what the coaching staff was thinking about on the defensive end last sunday.
Baylor was a fine basketball team. Admittedly, it is tough to find a weakness. However, it would be clear to anyone scouting that team that the speed of their guards, the outside shooting of Heslip, and their offensive rebounding were their primary assets. Someone will have to explain to me then, how this driveway shooting kid managed to be constantly open to the tune of 29 points (It reminded me of that game we lost against St. Mary's (was it last year?), where we permitted this kid to drain open looks for the entire game (much like last sunday...that guy didn't have a game like that for the rest of the year). It's as though the coaching staff doesn't believe a hot streak can continue.
What I also saw was Harrison, Pointer, and Greene, picking up Jackson and Walton well past the top of the key, in an obvious lose-lose situation. Our guards were far too slow, compared with the Baylor guards, to manage coverage that far from the basket. The result?.... we saw the Baylor backcourt racing past them for lay-ups, 2 on 1s, and kickouts that resulted in continuous open looks. Our defense was happening out at the top of the key...their offense was happening elsewhere. Coach Drew must have been licking his chops when he saw this. I thought our kids overall, played a terrific game...in spite of the poorly conceived strategy. You couldn't have asked for more from Greene, Sampson, or Harrison. They all shot lights out. We very clearly needed to pull the defense in...with an emphasis in preventing penetration from those guards. Heslip's fine game was easily preventable...he's not a kid who makes his own shot. He's a spot up kid who runs to positions. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. If you're playing Baylor, your defense simply needs to know where this kid is...at all times.
I would also add that when you have a shot blocker like Obepka, you need to funnel the opponent down the middle. Getting beat off either wing makes no sense whatsoever.
No doubt..Baylor was a tough opponent. But I think our kids had us in position to win. A litle tactical help from the coaching staff might have been much appreciated.
I also thought that the refing in this game also didn't help. Walton and Jackson were reaching in for the entire game. Nothing...I mean nothing.. was called. I respect their aggressive style of play, but when the officials leave them to operate without consequence, you're in trouble. Add to that, a number of silly touch fouls called on SJU, and you have the distinct potential to change the outcome of a close game.
Baylor was a fine basketball team. Admittedly, it is tough to find a weakness. However, it would be clear to anyone scouting that team that the speed of their guards, the outside shooting of Heslip, and their offensive rebounding were their primary assets. Someone will have to explain to me then, how this driveway shooting kid managed to be constantly open to the tune of 29 points (It reminded me of that game we lost against St. Mary's (was it last year?), where we permitted this kid to drain open looks for the entire game (much like last sunday...that guy didn't have a game like that for the rest of the year). It's as though the coaching staff doesn't believe a hot streak can continue.
What I also saw was Harrison, Pointer, and Greene, picking up Jackson and Walton well past the top of the key, in an obvious lose-lose situation. Our guards were far too slow, compared with the Baylor guards, to manage coverage that far from the basket. The result?.... we saw the Baylor backcourt racing past them for lay-ups, 2 on 1s, and kickouts that resulted in continuous open looks. Our defense was happening out at the top of the key...their offense was happening elsewhere. Coach Drew must have been licking his chops when he saw this. I thought our kids overall, played a terrific game...in spite of the poorly conceived strategy. You couldn't have asked for more from Greene, Sampson, or Harrison. They all shot lights out. We very clearly needed to pull the defense in...with an emphasis in preventing penetration from those guards. Heslip's fine game was easily preventable...he's not a kid who makes his own shot. He's a spot up kid who runs to positions. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. If you're playing Baylor, your defense simply needs to know where this kid is...at all times.
I would also add that when you have a shot blocker like Obepka, you need to funnel the opponent down the middle. Getting beat off either wing makes no sense whatsoever.
No doubt..Baylor was a tough opponent. But I think our kids had us in position to win. A litle tactical help from the coaching staff might have been much appreciated.
I also thought that the refing in this game also didn't help. Walton and Jackson were reaching in for the entire game. Nothing...I mean nothing.. was called. I respect their aggressive style of play, but when the officials leave them to operate without consequence, you're in trouble. Add to that, a number of silly touch fouls called on SJU, and you have the distinct potential to change the outcome of a close game.
