@Georgetown, Tue., Jan. 28 , 6:30p, FS-1

The void in our outside shooting is obvious, but on other end, the commitment to defend collectively compensates for a lot of ills. Pitino obviously realized this bunch would have to raise the bar defensively and sustain that. So far, mission accomplished and our disruptive, help D really breaks the rhythm of opponents. GT was on its heels constantly and many times forced to take bad shots late in the clock.

So lucky to have Rick and for most part a really unselfish, confident (not cocky) group reflective of the whole being greater than sum of parts or whatever that is.

Lastly, as we celebrate having Rick, recognize we presented the best “last hurrah” situation he could have gotten w a great league, $ support, history, MSG, close to home and font of publicity when winning. That beats checking the MAAC brackets in woeful Atlantic City.
 
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LMF Rapid Reaction

1. Credit Pitino for having an airtight plan on both ends of the floor AND getting the team to execute it flawlessly (at least for a half). GT for the rematch after 6 days to prepare was like watching Bill Belichick with 2 weeks to prepare for a rookie QB. Could not have executed better against the 2-3 zone: wings pull the corner bigs up, ball to the FT line, hit the cutter to the rim. Gorgeous. Defensively the passes to the post were eliminated, shooters were closed out, just suffocating.

2. I'm not going to spend a lot of time killing Glover and Ayo but until they got into the game I thought we had a chance to hold GT to single digits in the first half. I don't think Ayo reappeared after he mistakenly thought he was a player, took a shot and got benched. Glover did reappear but may have to change his name to Jai_en because his freshman D may be even worse than Wilcher's freshman D was.

3. Speaking of Wilcher, I love the kid and think people are overly down on his game BUT the late second half bonehead plays have got to stop. Becoming a pattern and not a good one.

4. SJU v Marquette is an interesting matchup. Marquette can shoot but is very vulnerable inside. I think we defend the perimeter well enough for our paint dominance to carry the day. I hesitate to say they're a good matchup for us, but it does feel that way - the X-factor is that Kam Jones is the best player in the league (different from the MVP, I'd give that to Kalkbrenner), and if he goes off it is what it is. Hopefully we have Smith back for that game because he may be our best bet to keep up with Jones.

5. After Providence we will find out who this team is. Thus far they are are a team that thus far has (1) lost close games to better teams (or better teams at the time); (2) won close games against good-but-unranked teams; and (3) stomped less-good teams. To me that makes you a borderline top-25 team; what has set them apart is that they have not lost ANY of the latter two type of games, and that is unusual. But taking at least 2 from Marquette and UConn would really solidify their place as a top-15 team (and NCAA seeding would presumably follow).
 
I’m still kind of in shock that we were up 30 **in the first half** to a team that played us close a couple of weeks ago. Elite defense at work.

By the way, how sad is it that the crowds at G’Town games now look like DePaul? Patrick Ewing took a wrecking ball to that program.
 
Sim's defense has drastically improved over the course of this month. He's also getting a little more physical out there to match the energy of the rest of our guys.

Lefty seems like a sleeping giant to me for next year if he gets the chance. Big fan. I really like this freshman class and that they've been afforded the luxury of not having to play right away.

I think we smack Providence and Marquette in the mouth.
 
lawmanfan said:
If only you hadn't wasted your credibility on "Ayo is a stud." :ROFLMAO:
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I don't think I ever wrote those words. I appreciate him for the value he brings as a 10th guy, his poor shot choice last night notwithstanding.
If he gets his redshirt from last year and plays out his career here, I could see him moving up to 7th or 8th man on a top 10 team.
 
paultzman said:
The void in our outside shooting is obvious, but on other end, the commitment to defend collectively compensates for a lot of ills. Pitino obviously realized this bunch would have to raise the bar defensively and sustain that. So far, mission accomplished and our disruptive, help D really breaks the rhythm of opponents. GT was on its heels constantly and many times forced to take bad shots late in the clock.

So lucky to have Rick and for most part a really unselfish, confident (not cocky) group reflective of the whole being greater than sum of parts or whatever that is.

Lastly, as we celebrate having Rick, recognize we presented the best “last hurrah” situation he could have gotten w a great league, $ support, history, MSG, close to home and font of publicity when winning. That beats checking the MAAC brackets in woeful Atlantic City.
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I have never seen two players like Zuby and Scott who can switch so effectively on defense and cover the 1-5. It is pure beauty watching those 2 play defense
 
MainMan said:
Life is about simple pleasures. A good cup of coffee. Catching up with old friends. Beating the snot out of an Ed Cooley-coached team.
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I watched parts of the Ed Cooley presser, he gave all the credit in the world to us and our defensive clinic, but of course, Cooley being Cooley, had to whine about them playing very recently and us have a week's bye. Said the BE admin has to change that. Huge disadvantage for them.
 
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