@Grand Canyon, Tues. Dec. 5, 11:30p, ESPNU 970AM

When our offensive efficiency is consistent we will look like a legitimate top 25 team. We've seen flashes of this in most games with good ball movement leading to good shots but it has been very inconsistent for most of the games. I'd say we're at about 25% overall for the season on getting the ball up the court moving the ball well and taking a good shot. I've only seen Nova twice but they look like they are more around 80% by contrast with a similar defensive style.
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Good way to look at it Paul, and think that % is probably right there or maybe around 1/3 so far in terms of really quality offensive possessions. Have to move that north of 50% and as you note upper echelon teams are well higher than that in terms of consistency of approach and efficiency in execution.

On the bright side I did not expect to be 9 games in and feel like the defense was way ahead of the offense. Not after last year. Given the choice, I'd much rather be feeling decent about this team defensively and looking for offensive improvement than the inverse.

Think a lot of the offensive lag right now is decision-making and that there is a contagious effect. One guy takes a bad shot and next think you know someone else is going 1 on 1. Think coaching staff needs to mandate more here. Ahmed not the only one, Ponds and Simon despite strong games took their share as well, but when GCU was making late first half run, think it was like 8-0, BA took a first pass step-back 17 footer about 5 seconds into the possession. One of the worst shots in basketball that didn't seem to have any consideration for time, score, circumstance. Think staff has to require better in this regard and maybe try to influence contagious good decision-making and shot-selection.
 
It was a sloppy game for both teams. Disturbed me that we were so awful inbounding against the press. They out-stole us and we're hungry scampering for those orebs. That impressed me and concerned me about our awareness and discipline. But this team is on a learning curve; all the pieces still morphing together. Lots to be happy about. Let's go Redmen.
 
It was a sloppy game for both teams. Disturbed me that we were so awful inbounding against the press. They out-stole us and we're hungry scampering for those orebs. That impressed me and concerned me about our awareness and discipline. But this team is on a learning curve; all the pieces still morphing together. Lots to be happy about. Let's go Redmen.
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Lovett can be careless as well but when he is locked in he can really help us there. Ponds just randomly lost his dribble several times. Travel, late start time (full moon) I think played into it as well. Gotta be way sharper against high octane AZ St. and hope fouls don't play a factor in the outcome unless it is AZ St's short bench.

 
The ASU game will be a major test. Probably play like Duke--light a little talent--but are great 3-point shooters and quick, and aggressive on Defense. We must bring our 'A' game against the Sun Devils.
 
Ponds played all 40 minutes last night. Had to have been a little tired at the end.
 

COACH HAS TO WORK ON INBOUNDING after the other team makes a basket and is pressing Looked very weak and unprepared for that at the end
Also working on set plays inbounding under our basket But enjoyed the win We keep learning hope when we play Duke we bring our best game and we are our best both offensively and defensively Duke is a great team they could go undefeated during the regal season winning is a pipe dream but just play them tough and not getting blown out by 20-30 pts would be a victory
 

Great game for Ponds did a lot of thing earning 28pts still has yet to get his 3pt stroke back 2-5 amed 1-5 Just pointing out a stat image if he to shooting the 3 he could score 35 HAVE to keep playing team ball if we only had a big body we would be really dangerous Offensively Owens could be better hope his games continue to progress
 
I stayed up way past my bedtime and watched this ugly game. At times I thought GC was going to make a come back, they had a good crowd there. If we play against a ranked team like we did last night we will lose by double digits. Notwithstanding this I was impressed with Trimble, he may not of had stats show up on the board and still needs to find his shot but his defensive acumen is on point and don't mind him out there to close down a scorer. I have to think the jet lag and time difference at some affect on the team, it sure did on me and my couch!
 
Wasn't easy getting up at 6:15 this morning to take my son to school, but it was worth it. Sloppy game, but we got the result we needed. We are in position to be no worse than 10-2 going into the BE season and most of us would have taken that before the games started.
Way more positives than negatives so far including:
Team defense 100% better than last year
Simon a real stat stuffer and every bit as good as we could have hoped
Lovett & Ponds as good or better than last year & Ponds 3 point shooting can only get better
Yakwe & Trimble have both shown they can give us solid minutes off the bench.
On the other hand, Ahmed has yet to show improved consistency and decision making many had hoped for - hoping that changes.
To me, difference between a really successful season and a bubble team hinges on Owens and Clark being able to avoid silly fouls and stay on court for at least 25 minutes a game. Hoping for the best there too.
 
I thought that the commentators last night were very good . adrian Branch pointed out several times how mullin had set up plays for Ponds and simon in the low post area .
 
I read an article the other day that this game was the biggest in their history. So combine that with traveling across time zones and being short a player, the outcome was good.
 
I think a good part of our defense turnaround is directly attributed to Simon. Defense can be contagious and he adds another dimension. Our guards are doing a much better job staying in front of their guys and even though he didnt play last night I've noticed that especially with Lovett. It's almost like he tries inflicting his will on the guy he is guarding

On a separate note Ponds is probably the craftiest player I've seen at this stage in his SJU career since I've been rooting for SJU. He has such a feel for where he needs to be on the court especially for rebounds it's uncanny. It's truly a pleasure watching him move around the court

And Yakwe takes charges like Dom used to. Taking charges isn't easy. Really requires discipline. It's good to see also
 
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