Louisville

[JackofVirginia]

Anybody suggesting that Sampson is a first round pick really needs to watch this game. He played horrific basketball all game long. Along with Pointer, he was completely sloppy with the basketball and repeatedly made bad decisions. But more concerning is his continued usage of the off balance jump shot. I don't know what he thinks he's doing, but taking a fadeaway jump shot from 15 to 18 feet when you're not even that great of a shooter is not the best decision. Set your feet and shoot. I think he's under the belief that he can knock down that shot consistently and I don't think he has made one all season long.

As far as Sampson is concerned I rather not judge his chances for the NBA with his poor game. And I really don't remember Karr taking fade away jumpers prior to last night. He does appear to have his troubles with his back to the basket, especially when he is assigned to the foul line against the zone. I'd still prefer to have him float under the basket.
Pointer has been a little shaky lately, especially handling the ball and passing erratically.

 

[simplyred]

That was a rough night. I talked a little to much smack when we took the lead.. think it was 33-32. Was all downhill from there. Ugh.

Gotta talk smack when you get the opportunity. You certainly can't do it when we're trailing. Don't apologize for it.

 

[jrhoops1949]

Sampson is so sloppy that you can get the idea he doesn't care about winning. I don't believe this to be true, but at some point the coaching has got to take hold. Until it does he can't be a winning ball player on ant consistent level. I'm not knocking the player, but can't figure how NBA talk is out there. If he does good I figure 3 more years. If you disagree fine, but please don't think I don't like the player, because I do.

 

[Moose]

Sampson is so sloppy that you can get the idea he doesn't care about winning. I don't believe this to be true, but at some point the coaching has got to take hold. Until it does he can't be a winning ball player on ant consistent level. I'm not knocking the player, but can't figure how NBA talk is out there. If he does good I figure 3 more years. If you disagree fine, but please don't think I don't like the player, because I do.

He doesn't care about winning????

Wow

Posts are getting better and better.

 

[Mean Gene]

We have a point guard in Branch for next year. We NEED bulk. On one sequence L'ville grabbed 5 rebounds before they made a basket. This team was built to have Branch and Sanchez. It had neither the last four games against some of the top teams in the Big East. We are patching it together for a second year in a row. It is tough to win like that. We need some bulk next year. I do not know where it is coming from, but we need size not so much height but size!

I expect Christian Jones to improve his game in the offseason and we will get Gift back, but, I would still like to see Lavin land another big body from somewhere. Even it's just someone who can score garbage baskets and excel at rebounding and interior defense.

 

[beast of the east]

You can't say this team will not be a top 25 next year. No one expected anything from the team Lavin inherited from Roberts. We were just waiting to play the year out until all the high level recruits would come in. We thought they were just a bunch of solid recruits who were never coached up, and would end their careers in anonymity. Making matters worse, after a couple of early season lossed in their senior years, we thought it was a matter of fact that is how it would end.

Those kids couldn't pass, rebound, and were slow on defense. Under Roberts, Hardy was a sixth man and played the two guard. Burrell was soft, and didn't rebound anywhere nearly as much as he should have. We complined here for three years he often strayed too far away from the basket. Sound familiar? Those are just two examples.

Instead, that group went on one of the most remarkable February runs we have ever seen. They stamped themselves in SJU lore. If it wasn't for that season ending injury to DJ, they could have made another run in March.

You are absolutely right about that team, they were painful to watch prior to that last season and they did mature and it was an astonishing thing to see them come together.... I didn't say this team would never be top 25; I said they will never be top 25 UNLESS they start playing more like a team.... it could happen next year, but I think it is going to take a lot to get some of these kids out of the "Me First" mentality that they have... I am specifically talking about Phil and D... Its almost like at times D says to himself, "I haven't shot the ball in a while.... no matter what the Defense gives me I am definitely going to shoot now." Then chucks up a difficult pull up three from the NBA line...

Soup can be pretty bad if you don't have all the ingredients.

 

[Class of 72]

If you would have told me coming in that L'Ville would shoot 38% FG and 25% for the entire game, I would assume the game was either within 5 points, or that we won. How do we get blown out by a team shooting that terribly?

It was men against boys out there. They were beasts and we were bitties. They crashed the boards, we fell on our swords. They came to win, our effort was a sin.

I agree, this team just doesn't play hard every play. Guys jog back on D, stand around and reach rather then stick their nose in for loose balls, the lack of rebounding speaks for itself. Frankly, one of my least favorite Johnnie teams because of that and their refusal to trust each other and play as a team.

Interesting to hear its one of your least favorite teams.

I do agree they don't reach for loose balls. There are incidents of not getting back on D but frankly too few to really consider it an epidemic. I still feel the zone D leaves everyone so far out of position that it becomes chickens with their heads cut off and often leads to the look of absolute confusion.

Last night I never once felt the effort wasn't there. Did they play smart basketball? No way. But the effort was there. Last night affirmed what I've felt for the last few months. We need a big body down low (ala Benehan) to offset the offensive weakness of Obekpa and the defenses then focusing on Karr knowing Chris can't score. And also we need a PG. I'm still not sold its Branch. Love him and love the way we play when he's healthy over Greene but still don't think he's a true PG. The kid Owootoah had a good game last night.

I have to respectfully disagree; I realize I am very old school but jogging back ONCE on D when I played got you an extended seat next to the coach. Effort is really the only thing a player controls and busting it should be an always thing. How many breakaways did we get last night compared to Lville? That was the game essentially, they got easy baskets and we got none. IMO we have too many players that take plays off and when you expect close games (at best) every play counts. I also am an old point guard and our guard play is just the pits, it is difficult to even watch. Clearly we still lack players so my expectations are lower than many on the board but playing hard all the time and playing together are things all players can do and we do neither IMO. We ALWAYS take the first shot that shows regardless if someone might have or get a better one with one or two more passes. We have no chemistry and worse, I don't feel this group of players is committed to developing that chemistry, we just keep playing that same helter skelter unorganized ball. I could be wrong but I don't believe that is what is being planned and worked on in practice.

We don't get breakaways because we don't run. At least when Branch isn't playing we don't. Phil stops. Dom stops for fear of turning it over. And Lville is probably the team that runs the most in the country arguably. I know our guard play is the pits. You would get no argument from me there. No floor general at all. We don't always take the first shot as you say. I hope your just trying to drive the point home and not be literal. But we do take A LOT of bad shots.

There are plenty of issues present but I don't think were far off. Again a big body and PG and were in business.

I am glad we finally agree about our guard situation. Neither Harrison nor Greene can handle point guard duties. I fact, when they are in at the same time it is like having dueling shooting guards. Both could develop into very good SGs if they were more disciplined and took better shots but both hurt the offense as much as they help it by taking bad shots or ignoring teammates. With Frenchie in the game the main objective should be to get him open looks but Greene avoids him and D'Lo rather take the shot himself, even if out of position.
The missing links to a successful season this year were the redshirting of Gift, leaving us with no backup center and the Sanchez eligibilty. Now, add the Branch injury, which will slow him down for the balance of the season, and we are what we see.....a disorganized mess.
In the Louisville game two players that had horrific games and played total street ball were Karr and Pointer. Had they played smarter I actually think our guys could have won.
I disagree about Obekpa and his offensive game......he is quick, can drive and could easily give us 8 points per game....but he will rarely be fed the ball by his mates. That is for the coaches to figure out.
It's a shame that we have such bad luck with players. With Sanchez and a healthy Branch, this team was NCAA tourney material and Greene and Pointer would have come off the bench.
The discombobulating team we have now is just not NCAA material. When either Pointer or Greene have to bring the ball up you know we are extended at the guard position.
Getting another guard that can handle the ball is a priority.

 

[Moose]

72 Obekpa doesn't get the ball because he has no post move. If someone drives and passing to him cutting and driving the lane he can finish yes. Provided he doesn't put the ball on the ground and dribble. Which is another reason they dont feed him in the post.

 

[jrhoops1949]

Anybody suggesting that Sampson is a first round pick really needs to watch this game. He played horrific basketball all game long. Along with Pointer, he was completely sloppy with the basketball and repeatedly made bad decisions. But more concerning is his continued usage of the off balance jump shot. I don't know what he thinks he's doing, but taking a fadeaway jump shot from 15 to 18 feet when you're not even that great of a shooter is not the best decision. Set your feet and shoot. I think he's under the belief that he can knock down that shot consistently and I don't think he has made one all season long.

As far as Sampson is concerned I rather not judge his chances for the NBA with his poor game. And I really don't remember Karr taking fade away jumpers prior to last night. He does appear to have his troubles with his back to the basket, especially when he is assigned to the foul line against the zone. I'd still prefer to have him float under the basket.
Pointer has been a little shaky lately, especially handling the ball and passing erratically.

Jack, I think your not judging JS off this game because your a gentleman who prefers not saying anything uncomplimentary. Sampson does stuff that a freshmen does when he's not sat down for poor play. He dribbles into trouble way to much. He gets into situations where there is nothing left to do but take a bad shot or turn it over. Right now he's not a winning ball player in the BE or the NBA. Please don't get the idea I don't like JS as a player. I just think he's got a ways to go to becoming a solid BE player and NBA talk is way premature. Moe has good hands. He was never thought to be a sloppy player. Moe played the game in a serious manner and JaKarr seems to be foolin around at times. I hope JaKarr keeps getting better, and has a great NBA career.

 

[ras]

Does Sampson need to improve,Yes. But for a FR. I dont have too many complaints.

 

[Section3]

Just can't see why Phil or D or Branch can't penetrate, the defense collapses and Marco is sitting for a high percentage look on the wing... Why is this so difficult??

When our guys penetrate it is solely with intent to shoot...not as a means to draw attention and dish and not even as an alternative to taking a contested shot...

 

[Class of 72]

72 Obekpa doesn't get the ball because he has no post move. If someone drives and passing to him cutting and driving the lane he can finish yes. Provided he doesn't put the ball on the ground and dribble. Which is another reason they dont feed him in the post.

Obekpa, at .44%, has a better shooting percentage than Harrsion, Greene and Bourgault.
Half of those shots were 15 ft jumpers.
The next time you see Phil Greene chucking a 22 ft 3 point shot (he shoots .25%) or even Harrison forcing (at least half his shot attemts) a shot...he shoots .40%, think of the missed opportunities to get our big guy some touches.
BTW, our dynamic backcourt duo shoots .38% from the filed and .28% from the 3.
Branch is more efficient than both. Can't wait to get him back.

 

[Marillac]

Sampson is so sloppy that you can get the idea he doesn't care about winning. I don't believe this to be true, but at some point the coaching has got to take hold. Until it does he can't be a winning ball player on ant consistent level. I'm not knocking the player, but can't figure how NBA talk is out there. If he does good I figure 3 more years. If you disagree fine, but please don't think I don't like the player, because I do.

I think Sampson is a beast. He cares about winning probably more than anyone on the court based on his play. Don't mistke being an idiot for passion.

His handle is pretty bad, especially for a kid with NBA SF ambitions. He needs to play within the game and within his current skillset. Whenever Sampson or Dom try to create off the dribble, it is a bad decision. I have no problem with Sampson taking 2-3 dribbles when he has the advantage, but he should not be handling from the top of the key.

 

[Moose]

72 Obekpa doesn't get the ball because he has no post move. If someone drives and passing to him cutting and driving the lane he can finish yes. Provided he doesn't put the ball on the ground and dribble. Which is another reason they dont feed him in the post.

Obekpa, at .44%, has a better shooting percentage than Harrsion, Greene and Bourgault.
Half of those shots were 15 ft jumpers.
The next time you see Phil Greene chucking a 22 ft 3 point shot (he shoots .25%) or even Harrison forcing (at least half his shot attemts) a shot...he shoots .40%, think of the missed opportunities to get our big guy some touches.
BTW, our dynamic backcourt duo shoots .38% from the filed and .28% from the 3.
Branch is more efficient than both. Can't wait to get him back.

You know what sample size is?

 

[beast of the east]

72 Obekpa doesn't get the ball because he has no post move. If someone drives and passing to him cutting and driving the lane he can finish yes. Provided he doesn't put the ball on the ground and dribble. Which is another reason they dont feed him in the post.

Obekpa, at .44%, has a better shooting percentage than Harrsion, Greene and Bourgault.
Half of those shots were 15 ft jumpers.
The next time you see Phil Greene chucking a 22 ft 3 point shot (he shoots .25%) or even Harrison forcing (at least half his shot attemts) a shot...he shoots .40%, think of the missed opportunities to get our big guy some touches.
BTW, our dynamic backcourt duo shoots .38% from the filed and .28% from the 3.
Branch is more efficient than both. Can't wait to get him back.

Just as an FYI, a percentage is a ratio. Forty-four percent means out of every 100 shots you make 44. 44/100 = .44 x 100 =44%. You don't express forty-four percent with a decimal to the left (0.44% would mean 44 out of 1000). No offense meant. Also, genrally speaking, to avoid errors, when legitimately using fractions, use a zero to the left of the decimal place to avoid errors, so .44 should be expressed 0.44. Thanks.

 

[Moose]

72 Obekpa doesn't get the ball because he has no post move. If someone drives and passing to him cutting and driving the lane he can finish yes. Provided he doesn't put the ball on the ground and dribble. Which is another reason they dont feed him in the post.

Obekpa, at .44%, has a better shooting percentage than Harrsion, Greene and Bourgault.
Half of those shots were 15 ft jumpers.
The next time you see Phil Greene chucking a 22 ft 3 point shot (he shoots .25%) or even Harrison forcing (at least half his shot attemts) a shot...he shoots .40%, think of the missed opportunities to get our big guy some touches.
BTW, our dynamic backcourt duo shoots .38% from the filed and .28% from the 3.
Branch is more efficient than both. Can't wait to get him back.

Just as an FYI, a percentage is a ratio. Forty-four percent means out of every 100 shots you make 44. 44/100 = .44 x 100 =44%. You don't express forty-four percent with a decimal to the left (0.44% would mean 44 out of 1000). No offense meant. Also, genrally speaking, to avoid errors, when legitimately using fractions, use a zero to the left of the decimal place to avoid errors, so .44 should be expressed 0.44. Thanks.

My head hurts

 

[simplyred]

72 Obekpa doesn't get the ball because he has no post move. If someone drives and passing to him cutting and driving the lane he can finish yes. Provided he doesn't put the ball on the ground and dribble. Which is another reason they dont feed him in the post.

Obekpa, at .44%, has a better shooting percentage than Harrsion, Greene and Bourgault.
Half of those shots were 15 ft jumpers.
The next time you see Phil Greene chucking a 22 ft 3 point shot (he shoots .25%) or even Harrison forcing (at least half his shot attemts) a shot...he shoots .40%, think of the missed opportunities to get our big guy some touches.
BTW, our dynamic backcourt duo shoots .38% from the filed and .28% from the 3.
Branch is more efficient than both. Can't wait to get him back.

So does that mean you think Obekpa should be the go to guy if we're down by 1 at the end of the game?