Louisville Gamethread

[tom in salem]

Just back from the game-

Without getting into an essay-long post, Dunlap seems completely lost out there to me.

 

St. John's Assistant Coach Mike Dunlap

On troubles against the zone:
"The ball movement was pretty good on the perimeter, but now we have to rip and take single dribbles into the gap to make two players guard one. We just have to add some dribble penetration to our ball movement game on the perimeter, and that's just development of a zone attack. I know that's another thing that the coach is responsible for, so, as I told them after the game, I've got to do a better job of implementing some drills to help us out in that piece; that's on me."

 

[fun]

That being said, what I do have a problem with, however, has been the coaching. Without getting into an essay-long post, Dunlap seems completely lost out there to me.

 

I'm sort of a fan of essay long posts - especially my own - so could you explain what leads you to believe that Dunlap look completely lost and what he could do to turn things around? Although I tend to agree that all of out losses can all be pinned on an assistant coach, I thought it was the one from Florida, not Dunlap.

Obviously the inability of our five freshmen to hang with top 20 teams is all about coaching. And adjustments, it goes with out saying. When Betelguse was coaching we lost nearly every game because of lack of half time adjustments and now we're losing again and it must be for the same reason. Personally I have a problem with Dunlap's subtitution patterns - for example when he puts Stith in the game I think it's a mistake and he should put one of our other fine bench players in instead, probably Garrett. And then when he puts Garrett in I think that Garrett has only been on campus a couple of weeks and he should put one of our other fine bench players in instead, probably Stith. Which becomes something of a sticky wicket but not one that could not be overcome by clever coaching adjustments and not looking completely lost out there. On offense Dunlap should be enough of a coach to design plays that allow five freshman, one of whom can make a jump shot, to pick apart the tenth ranked team in the country for easy dunks and lay ups - if our offense consisted of easy dunks and lay ups we would score many more points. I would use the pick and roll give and go high low twin stack triangle offense that Phil Jackon used with Michael and Kobe, except instead of Michael Jordan I'd use Malik Stith and for Scotty Pippin I'd substitute Jamal White. If Dunlap had had any foresight he'd have recruited a white kid I could use in the Steve Kerr role which is again an example of as you say looking lost out there. Then of course on defense he should also be pressing full court most of the time, switching between the triangle and one two one match up and then falling back into a octagon and minus three two one two and alternating that between man to man and the pentagram and none four corners. Also, I think that with TGAPL not on the bench Dunlap should pay more attention to his hair - you'll notice that although Pitino has stopped coloring the gray he still never has a hair out of place while on our bench we have Dunlap with that dopey military cut and then Keady with that ridiculous rug and I just think that the symmetry of Pitino's coif gives his players a huge sense of reassurance during time outs.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and hoping for constructive dialogue about how the assistant coaches aren't doing enough.

 

[usguard]

Just back from the game-

Without getting into an essay-long post, Dunlap seems completely lost out there to me.

 

St. John's Assistant Coach Mike Dunlap

On troubles against the zone:
"The ball movement was pretty good on the perimeter, but now we have to rip and take single dribbles into the gap to make two players guard one. We just have to add some dribble penetration to our ball movement game on the perimeter, and that's just development of a zone attack. I know that's another thing that the coach is responsible for, so, as I told them after the game, I've got to do a better job of implementing some drills to help us out in that piece; that's on me."

 

Pretty.much on target but you think this should. have come up by now

 

[queensbridge]

That being said, what I do have a problem with, however, has been the coaching. Without getting into an essay-long post, Dunlap seems completely lost out there to me.

 

I'm sort of a fan of essay long posts - especially my own - so could you explain what leads you to believe that Dunlap look completely lost and what he could do to turn things around? Although I tend to agree that all of out losses can all be pinned on an assistant coach, I thought it was the one from Florida, not Dunlap.

Obviously the inability of our five freshmen to hang with top 20 teams is all about coaching. And adjustments, it goes with out saying. When Betelguse was coaching we lost nearly every game because of lack of half time adjustments and now we're losing again and it must be for the same reason. Personally I have a problem with Dunlap's subtitution patterns - for example when he puts Stith in the game I think it's a mistake and he should put one of our other fine bench players in instead, probably Garrett. And then when he puts Garrett in I think that Garrett has only been on campus a couple of weeks and he should put one of our other fine bench players in instead, probably Stith. Which becomes something of a sticky wicket but not one that could not be overcome by clever coaching adjustments and not looking completely lost out there. On offense Dunlap should be enough of a coach to design plays that allow five freshman, one of whom can make a jump shot, to pick apart the tenth ranked team in the country for easy dunks and lay ups - if our offense consisted of easy dunks and lay ups we would score many more points. I would use the pick and roll give and go high low twin stack triangle offense that Phil Jackon used with Michael and Kobe, except instead of Michael Jordan I'd use Malik Stith and for Scotty Pippin I'd substitute Jamal White. If Dunlap had had any foresight he'd have recruited a white kid I could use in the Steve Kerr role which is again an example of as you say looking lost out there. Then of course on defense he should also be pressing full court most of the time, switching between the triangle and one two one match up and then falling back into a octagon and minus three two one two and alternating that between man to man and the pentagram and none four corners. Also, I think that with TGAPL not on the bench Dunlap should pay more attention to his hair - you'll notice that although Pitino has stopped coloring the gray he still never has a hair out of place while on our bench we have Dunlap with that dopey military cut and then Keady with that ridiculous rug and I just think that the symmetry of Pitino's coif gives his players a huge sense of reassurance during time outs.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and hoping for constructive dialogue about how the assistant coaches aren't doing enough.

 

Yea you’re right clown- since we can’t get open dunks and layups every time against our opponents let’s just pass the ball around 30 feet from the basket and then shoot a fade away three as the shot clock expires.

 

[jsk68/73]

Silver lining in a torn suit.......this Team is like Freddy Kreuger....they fight until the end and never lay down......with growing experience, more depth and some height this Team will be a great one! I love watching them work. 

 

[tino24]

I thought Keady had a combover not a rug 

 

[fun]

Yea you’re right clown- since we can’t get open dunks and layups every time against our opponents let’s just pass the ball around 30 feet from the basket and then shoot a fade away three as the shot clock expires.

 

No need for name calling squire. In fact I think viscous attacks (or is is vicious no matter) such as yours are quite frowned upon. And especially here as I was hoping to start a constructive dialogue about how the team is not playing well because the assistant coach looks lost out there and left the door open for you to provide an essay length post with some brilliant insight into what about him looked lost and what adjustments he could make so as not to look so lost. Because according to you the problem isn't that we have a team comprising basically five middling recruit freshmen and a bunch of walkons, few of whom can shoot, and instead the problem is former several time national coach of the year Mike Dunlap looking lost out there.

 

[fun]

I thought Keady had a combover not a rug 

 

Right. Rip Taylor has a comb over as well. And Liberace.

 

[queensbridge]

Yea you’re right clown- since we can’t get open dunks and layups every time against our opponents let’s just pass the ball around 30 feet from the basket and then shoot a fade away three as the shot clock expires.

 

No need for name calling squire. In fact I think viscous attacks (or is is vicious no matter) such as yours are quite frowned upon. And especially here as I was hoping to start a constructive dialogue about how the team is not playing well because the assistant coach looks lost out there and left the door open for you to provide an essay length post with some brilliant insight into what about him looked lost and what adjustments he could make so as not to look so lost. Because according to you the problem isn't that we have a team comprising basically five middling recruit freshmen and a bunch of walkons, few of whom can shoot, and instead the problem is former several time national coach of the year Mike Dunlap looking lost out there.

 

Wait you’re not a clown? That’s a very misleading avatar. Okay let’s engage in constructive dialogue, so long as you promise not to completely exaggerate everything I say and turn your response into a collection of witty metaphors that serve no purpose. In my original post on this, I acknowledged the lack of scoring ability on our team with the situation that we’ve been placed in. That being said, while 5 out of 7 of our players might not be capable of dropping 20 on a Big East opponent, that doesn’t mean they don’t possess the ability to run offensive plays. It’s pretty clear by now that the offense is pass the ball around the perimeter to kill time and then hope something comes up. That is unacceptable to me. The offense needs to run through Moe. Just as an example, I don’t recall one time this season where Moe popped to the FT line, caught the ball, faced up to drive and as the zone collapsed on him he passed out to D’Angelo for a three. Even Northeastern was able to run this against us several times. Your point seems to be well since we only have 7 players and not all of them can shoot/score effectively, it’s not even worth trying because they’re going to miss anyway.

 

[logen]

Yea you’re right clown- since we can’t get open dunks and layups every time against our opponents let’s just pass the ball around 30 feet from the basket and then shoot a fade away three as the shot clock expires.

 

No need for name calling squire. In fact I think viscous attacks (or is is vicious no matter) such as yours are quite frowned upon. And especially here as I was hoping to start a constructive dialogue about how the team is not playing well because the assistant coach looks lost out there and left the door open for you to provide an essay length post with some brilliant insight into what about him looked lost and what adjustments he could make so as not to look so lost. Because according to you the problem isn't that we have a team comprising basically five middling recruit freshmen and a bunch of walkons, few of whom can shoot, and instead the problem is former several time national coach of the year Mike Dunlap looking lost out there.

 

Wait you’re not a clown? That’s a very misleading avatar. Okay let’s engage in constructive dialogue, so long as you promise not to completely exaggerate everything I say and turn your response into a collection of witty metaphors that serve no purpose. In my original post on this, I acknowledged the lack of scoring ability on our team with the situation that we’ve been placed in. That being said, while 5 out of 7 of our players might not be capable of dropping 20 on a Big East opponent, that doesn’t mean they don’t possess the ability to run offensive plays. It’s pretty clear by now that the offense is pass the ball around the perimeter to kill time and then hope something comes up. That is unacceptable to me. The offense needs to run through Moe. Just as an example, I don’t recall one time this season where Moe popped to the FT line, caught the ball, faced up to drive and as the zone collapsed on him he passed out to D’Angelo for a three. Even Northeastern was able to run this against us several times. Your point seems to be well since we only have 7 players and not all of them can shoot/score effectively, it’s not even worth trying because they’re going to miss anyway.

 

So you believe Dunlap, who is a highly respected and experienced coach, and Gene Keady, multiple times national coach of the year, are NOT teaching an offense? That their strategy is to pass the ball around the perimeter and then hope? Please tell me you are kidding. The team is inexperienced, has no point guard, seriously lacking in certain aspects of the game like size and outside shooting not to mention depth, and playing against nationally ranked teams in the toughest congerence in the country. Their best player obviously is not comfortable playing any other way then waiting for the game to come to him and that is no knock on Harkless, it is what it is. He is a terrific talent who seems to have a passive, wait and see approach to the game right now but at the end of the day he is a freshman who will grow (or not) as a player at his own speed. He is by no means a dog he just does not seem to have a personality or playing style that is conducive to putting a team on his back, which by the way is a heck of a burden to put on a freshman.SJU will be fine, thhis team is fine, it is just going to take time.

 

[fun]

Wait you’re not a clown? That’s a very misleading avatar.

Exactly.

Okay let’s engage in constructive dialogue, so long as you promise not to completely exaggerate everything I say and turn your response into a collection of witty metaphors that serve no purpose. In my original post on this, I acknowledged the lack of scoring ability on our team with the situation that we’ve been placed in. That being said, while 5 out of 7 of our players might not be capable of dropping 20 on a Big East opponent, that doesn’t mean they don’t possess the ability to run offensive plays. It’s pretty clear by now that the offense is pass the ball around the perimeter to kill time and then hope something comes up. That is unacceptable to me. The offense needs to run through Moe. Just as an example, I don’t recall one time this season where Moe popped to the FT line, caught the ball, faced up to drive and as the zone collapsed on him he passed out to D’Angelo for a three. Even Northeastern was able to run this against us several times. Your point seems to be well since we only have 7 players and not all of them can shoot/score effectively, it’s not even worth trying because they’re going to miss anyway.

 

I agree with this: the offense is moribund, there's too much pointless passing around the perimeter, and so on. What I disagree with is your characterization of Dunlap.I don't think he created the system - he just implements it and as far as that goes I don't see where he can be blamed for the results and I doubt if TGAPL were to return tomorrow whether we'd see any great turnaround. I don't think the offensive woes are something that can be fixed in the short term - we're playing teams that are more talented, deeper, and more physically developed. So we are already behind the 8 ball. We can't run because we don't have the bodies. We can't dribble drive because no one can create and no one can shoot. They're not going to all of a sudden implement a Princeton offense, because that's not TGAPL's system. So this year at least any improvement is going to come at the margins - even if as you say Harkless flashes to the foul line, how many times is that going to work before one of the HOFers coaching the other team makes an adjustment? The bottom line is that team was not built to run half court offensive sets in the way that Louie built his teams to do that. Circumstances have dictated that this is the way we have to play.

This team is going nowhere this year and maybe even next. TGAPL is looking to win a NC in 2014, not to beat Louisville in 2012. I think every decision is made with that goal in mind. 

 

[queensbridge]

Wait you’re not a clown? That’s a very misleading avatar.

Exactly.

Okay let’s engage in constructive dialogue, so long as you promise not to completely exaggerate everything I say and turn your response into a collection of witty metaphors that serve no purpose. In my original post on this, I acknowledged the lack of scoring ability on our team with the situation that we’ve been placed in. That being said, while 5 out of 7 of our players might not be capable of dropping 20 on a Big East opponent, that doesn’t mean they don’t possess the ability to run offensive plays. It’s pretty clear by now that the offense is pass the ball around the perimeter to kill time and then hope something comes up. That is unacceptable to me. The offense needs to run through Moe. Just as an example, I don’t recall one time this season where Moe popped to the FT line, caught the ball, faced up to drive and as the zone collapsed on him he passed out to D’Angelo for a three. Even Northeastern was able to run this against us several times. Your point seems to be well since we only have 7 players and not all of them can shoot/score effectively, it’s not even worth trying because they’re going to miss anyway.

 

I agree with this: the offense is moribund, there's too much pointless passing around the perimeter, and so on. What I disagree with is your characterization of Dunlap.I don't think he created the system - he just implements it and as far as that goes I don't see where he can be blamed for the results and I doubt if TGAPL were to return tomorrow whether we'd see any great turnaround. I don't think the offensive woes are something that can be fixed in the short term - we're playing teams that are more talented, deeper, and more physically developed. So we are already behind the 8 ball. We can't run because we don't have the bodies. We can't dribble drive because no one can create and no one can shoot. They're not going to all of a sudden implement a Princeton offense, because that's not TGAPL's system. So this year at least any improvement is going to come at the margins - even if as you say Harkless flashes to the foul line, how many times is that going to work before one of the HOFers coaching the other team makes an adjustment? The bottom line is that team was not built to run half court offensive sets in the way that Louie built his teams to do that. Circumstances have dictated that this is the way we have to play.

This team is going nowhere this year and maybe even next. TGAPL is looking to win a NC in 2014, not to beat Louisville in 2012. I think every decision is made with that goal in mind. 

 

Fair point. I never had high expectations for this year either. I am not saying I am disgusted with the fact that we are losing to these top teams. I understand that this season is a wash and the future is bright. My point is, why not try to get something out of these kids so they can learn? It seems the coaches are not even trying to get them to execute actual plays.

 

[doodyny33]

I think the most frustrating part about this situation is unless the coaching staff is able to convince Sampson and Gathers to come to St. John's next year, I'm not sure how much better this team is going to get. As most people on this board have mentioned, there aren't a ton of unsigned players out there and it is probably too late to get heavily involved with them. And I don't think I'm that far off considering it seems Lavin is out there recruiting players for the 2013 and 2014 classes.

So again, I'm hoping we're able to get Sampson and Gathers back in the fold otherwise we're gonna go into next year with basically the exact same squad. And no offense to these players, but they are not going to be able to compete with the top echelon teams under those circumstances.

 

I think one of those two will end up at St. John's. Not to mention, the staff is doing their due diligence out on the 2012 trail.

I'm not sure how long you've been watching college hoops, but I've been watching it for over 30 years and players can and have gotten better from one year to the next. Some of you are forgetting these guys are playing teams who generally have talent, experience and depth. We're shorthanded and very young.

If folks aren't expecting a mediocre product then you're just not being truthful with yourself.

Our current players will get better, no question about it. Based on what I've seen so far, Harkless and Harrison have the potential to be stars at the collegiate level.

What I'm saying is it is going to be tremendously difficult to win with this group of players (even next year). They lack a true point guard and their depth upfront is pathetic. And what I'm nervous about is whether we are going to be able to land the type of impact recruits in 2012 that will help us finish in the top half of the Big East conference next season.

 

[ccnobz]

I think the most frustrating part about this situation is unless the coaching staff is able to convince Sampson and Gathers to come to St. John's next year, I'm not sure how much better this team is going to get. As most people on this board have mentioned, there aren't a ton of unsigned players out there and it is probably too late to get heavily involved with them. And I don't think I'm that far off considering it seems Lavin is out there recruiting players for the 2013 and 2014 classes.

So again, I'm hoping we're able to get Sampson and Gathers back in the fold otherwise we're gonna go into next year with basically the exact same squad. And no offense to these players, but they are not going to be able to compete with the top echelon teams under those circumstances.

 

I think one of those two will end up at St. John's. Not to mention, the staff is doing their due diligence out on the 2012 trail.

I'm not sure how long you've been watching college hoops, but I've been watching it for over 30 years and players can and have gotten better from one year to the next. Some of you are forgetting these guys are playing teams who generally have talent, experience and depth. We're shorthanded and very young.

If folks aren't expecting a mediocre product then you're just not being truthful with yourself.

Our current players will get better, no question about it. Based on what I've seen so far, Harkless and Harrison have the potential to be stars at the collegiate level.

What I'm saying is it is going to be tremendously difficult to win with this group of players (even next year). They lack a true point guard and their depth upfront is pathetic. And what I'm nervous about is whether we are going to be able to land the type of impact recruits in 2012 that will help us finish in the top half of the Big East conference next season.

 


Landing them is one thing-- getting them on the court seems to be a challenge also

 

[1and1sju]

Yea you’re right clown- since we can’t get open dunks and layups every time against our opponents let’s just pass the ball around 30 feet from the basket and then shoot a fade away three as the shot clock expires.

 

No need for name calling squire. In fact I think viscous attacks (or is is vicious no matter) such as yours are quite frowned upon. And especially here as I was hoping to start a constructive dialogue about how the team is not playing well because the assistant coach looks lost out there and left the door open for you to provide an essay length post with some brilliant insight into what about him looked lost and what adjustments he could make so as not to look so lost. Because according to you the problem isn't that we have a team comprising basically five middling recruit freshmen and a bunch of walkons, few of whom can shoot, and instead the problem is former several time national coach of the year Mike Dunlap looking lost out there.

 

Wait you’re not a clown? That’s a very misleading avatar. Okay let’s engage in constructive dialogue, so long as you promise not to completely exaggerate everything I say and turn your response into a collection of witty metaphors that serve no purpose. In my original post on this, I acknowledged the lack of scoring ability on our team with the situation that we’ve been placed in. That being said, while 5 out of 7 of our players might not be capable of dropping 20 on a Big East opponent, that doesn’t mean they don’t possess the ability to run offensive plays. It’s pretty clear by now that the offense is pass the ball around the perimeter to kill time and then hope something comes up. That is unacceptable to me. The offense needs to run through Moe. Just as an example, I don’t recall one time this season where Moe popped to the FT line, caught the ball, faced up to drive and as the zone collapsed on him he passed out to D’Angelo for a three. Even Northeastern was able to run this against us several times. Your point seems to be well since we only have 7 players and not all of them can shoot/score effectively, it’s not even worth trying because they’re going to miss anyway.

 

Queensbridge, I agree with everything you said. I just posted something similar on JJ.

My expectations aren't through the roof, but we NEVER score out of our set offense. Try to recall the last time we scored when it wasn't a broken play, off a turnover, or at the foul line? It barely ever happens.

What's most disappointing to me is that it's the same scenario even coming off of timeouts when, presumably, Dunlap has drawn up a play. Even then, settle for a terrible shot with 2 seconds on the clock.

Teams are going to throw zone at us all year, and you bring up a good point, why aren't we getting entrance passes to Moe at the foul line? Where are the passes from the wing to the guy in between zones on the baseline 10-15 feet from the basket? This isn't rocket science, there are ways you attack a zone, and yet we seem incapable of doing it.

I don't expect our offense to be consistent and efficient enough to beat a UCONN or a Lousiville, we're too young and missing some key parts. But why can't we get two productive half-court possessions in a row? That's not asking too much from an excellent coaching staff. This is January, not October, by now we should have some semblance of a half court offense. It's the lack of progress, not results, that's bothering me about our half court O.

Maybe Dunlap is a master of all things basketball. But I haven't seen it yet. Hopefully it starts to shine through.

Charlie Weis had a great quote when he was hired at ND claiming that his teams would always have a "decided tactical advantage" over other teams because of his experience and his brilliant coaching staff.
We were told the same thing about having Dunlap. And yet, where is there any evidence of that?

We look terrible coming out of timeouts, and to start the half. We don't break the press well, or inbound particularly well. These are the situations we're coaching is most evident. Hopefully by the time the team plays at MSG again, in two weeks, we see some improvement in these areas 

 

[Class of 72]

I think the most frustrating part about this situation is unless the coaching staff is able to convince Sampson and Gathers to come to St. John's next year, I'm not sure how much better this team is going to get. As most people on this board have mentioned, there aren't a ton of unsigned players out there and it is probably too late to get heavily involved with them. And I don't think I'm that far off considering it seems Lavin is out there recruiting players for the 2013 and 2014 classes.

So again, I'm hoping we're able to get Sampson and Gathers back in the fold otherwise we're gonna go into next year with basically the exact same squad. And no offense to these players, but they are not going to be able to compete with the top echelon teams under those circumstances.

 

I think one of those two will end up at St. John's. Not to mention, the staff is doing their due diligence out on the 2012 trail.

I'm not sure how long you've been watching college hoops, but I've been watching it for over 30 years and players can and have gotten better from one year to the next. Some of you are forgetting these guys are playing teams who generally have talent, experience and depth. We're shorthanded and very young.

If folks aren't expecting a mediocre product then you're just not being truthful with yourself.

Our current players will get better, no question about it. Based on what I've seen so far, Harkless and Harrison have the potential to be stars at the collegiate level.

What I'm saying is it is going to be tremendously difficult to win with this group of players (even next year). They lack a true point guard and their depth upfront is pathetic. And what I'm nervous about is whether we are going to be able to land the type of impact recruits in 2012 that will help us finish in the top half of the Big East conference next season.

 

No one can predict next year. But if you think Moe, Pointer, Harrison, Garrett and GG will be at the same level as they are now then you are nuts. These kids will be upperclassmen on a junior level with the playing time they are getting. Moe's problem is mental....not talent. Once he learns to assert himself, he and Harrison will be tough to handle as sophs. GG will give you 110% every game and at 6'8 and still learning, next year he can be a beast with a Sampson or Gathers to compliment him up front. Add Chris O and the depth up front will be incredible. I have no doubt we will see a guard recruited to give us depth at the 1 and this year will be a faded memory.

BTW, as a side note, Mizzou is undefeated at 14-0 with only 7 scholarship players. Sound familiar? Their Center is 6'8 and has no backup. Sound familiar? The difference is.......NO freshmen! They are all juniors and seniors......and still nationally ranked. 

 

[lawmanfan]

I agree with this: the offense is moribund, there's too much pointless passing around the perimeter, and so on. What I disagree with is your characterization of Dunlap.I don't think he created the system - he just implements it and as far as that goes I don't see where he can be blamed for the results and I doubt if TGAPL were to return tomorrow whether we'd see any great turnaround. I don't think the offensive woes are something that can be fixed in the short term - we're playing teams that are more talented, deeper, and more physically developed. So we are already behind the 8 ball. We can't run because we don't have the bodies. We can't dribble drive because no one can create and no one can shoot. They're not going to all of a sudden implement a Princeton offense, because that's not TGAPL's system. So this year at least any improvement is going to come at the margins - even if as you say Harkless flashes to the foul line, how many times is that going to work before one of the HOFers coaching the other team makes an adjustment? The bottom line is that team was not built to run half court offensive sets in the way that Louie built his teams to do that. Circumstances have dictated that this is the way we have to play.

This team is going nowhere this year and maybe even next. TGAPL is looking to win a NC in 2014, not to beat Louisville in 2012. I think every decision is made with that goal in mind. 

 

Here's my 2 cents, having seen most of the games this year in person including last night.

The team is hamstrung by (1) lack of depth (2) lack of a shotblocker (3) lack of a point guard. No newsflashes there.

I don't miss Nuri because he wasn't a point guard, and it's not a knock on Phil because he's not a point guard either, he just plays one on TV. As for a presence in the middle, the loss of Sampson and Pelle were a killer there. I'm sure that the staff will do their best to fill those two holes for next year, and then I think this team is going to be dangerous, and I think that may happen next year. Right now every player on the roster is better than they were at the start of the season (with the possible exception of Harrison, who I think may be a finished product right now), and I think that they are all going to get better still between now and the end of the year (again excepting Harrison).

It has been my observation that the team plays slowdown for 30 minutes every night, and then applies defensive pressure in the last 10. I think that the pointless passing around the perimeter is an intentional effort by the staff to shorten the game. I think that the idea is to preserve fouls and energy while staying within striking distance, and then to turn the dogs loose in the last 10 minutes. The team has been very effective when they play aggressively on defense, it opens up the transition game where Gift, Harkless, and Pointer excel. My early read is that Garrett will also thrive in that environment.

I suspect that what the staff wants to do is play that style for more of the game, and just doesn't have enough horses in the stable to do what they want.

There's no question that they need to work on the halfcourt game, because even when they get to where they want to go, there will still be halfcourt basketball to be played. OTOH a true PG and C will help a halfcourt offense immensely.

WRT to the Louisville game, the team was actually very competitive in all phases of the game with the exception of one - shooting percentage. At some point late in the first half they were shooting 13%, and you just can't win doing that. Plus, a lot of the missed shots were chippies. I would say I've never seen a poorer shooting performance, but then I again I sat through a whole bunch of Norm years. Hopefully it was just a bad shooting night and not a bad shooting team, but I agree the halfcourt offense is atrocious. I just think they are one year of experience and two players away from being really, really dangerous.

 

[MJDinkins]

I just think they are one year of experience and two players away from being really, really dangerous.

 

I concur, LMF. I really believe we're one season and a couple of players away from being a pretty, darn good team.