Loyola (Maryland), Tue. Nov. 6, 6:30p, FSN / 570 WMCA

One thing I'll say is I was critical of how Ponds looked in the exhibition game, acting like he was playing in the park. Well tonight he was all business, looked totally different. So maybe it was just the exhibition and he wasn't taking it fully serious which is fine.

Still took a few I'll advised 3s which I didn't like.
 
[quote="Amaseinyourface" post=300748][quote="Moose" post=300743]My 5 takeaways that will need to be addressed-

1. We really have no low presence. We knew this and Keita will be an issue if he gets into foul trouble and he will because its college basketball and refs are paid by how many fouls they call.

2. Way too many turnovers against a team like that. Went into very sloppy stretches.

3. Speaking of stretches too many of them where we don't score. I think we were on 60 points for like 6-8 minutes there in the 2nd half. Unfortunately there was nobody to come in and provide injection by that point due to players fouling out and lack of depth.

4. Yes lack of depth. The freshman looked like freshman and to beat the dead horse all the more reason I wish they got a little burn in exhibition game. Williams hit his first shot then it was helter skelter.

5. Settling for the 3 way too much. Ball movement is good when it's in and out. But far too often its around the perimeter and the hoisting a 3 without looking for a higher percentage shot.

My one surprise which makes me feel good for next season is Mikey Dixon. When the backcourt will take a hit after this year I was impressed with his game and feel good about handing him the keys next season.[/quote]

Good post moose. To your first point, for starters I’m not writing off Keita yet, don’t think he’ll be a go to guy down there by any means but some dump offs, put backs and the occasional post up should help. More importantly, I think we will post up our guards routinely. Out of Heron, Simon, and ponds all three can post up and one of them more than likely will have a size mismatch to exploit.[/quote]

Good post both of you. Last night we did see the guards post up and score. Despite their size, they are able to do it and looked comfortable doing it. As someone else mentioned, I did see some back door cuts in the offense. Unfortunately I watched the players fumble the ball or miss when they got it (IIRC, Trimble's basket was on such a cut but he also fumbled and turned one over).

I like the energy they played with. I also think they did pull back to work on other segments of the offense which lead to those non-scoring stretches. All and all, a good way to start the season and build upon.
 
[quote="SJU85" post=300754][quote="Amaseinyourface" post=300748][quote="Moose" post=300743]My 5 takeaways that will need to be addressed-

1. We really have no low presence. We knew this and Keita will be an issue if he gets into foul trouble and he will because its college basketball and refs are paid by how many fouls they call.

2. Way too many turnovers against a team like that. Went into very sloppy stretches.

3. Speaking of stretches too many of them where we don't score. I think we were on 60 points for like 6-8 minutes there in the 2nd half. Unfortunately there was nobody to come in and provide injection by that point due to players fouling out and lack of depth.

4. Yes lack of depth. The freshman looked like freshman and to beat the dead horse all the more reason I wish they got a little burn in exhibition game. Williams hit his first shot then it was helter skelter.

5. Settling for the 3 way too much. Ball movement is good when it's in and out. But far too often its around the perimeter and the hoisting a 3 without looking for a higher percentage shot.

My one surprise which makes me feel good for next season is Mikey Dixon. When the backcourt will take a hit after this year I was impressed with his game and feel good about handing him the keys next season.[/quote]

Good post moose. To your first point, for starters I’m not writing off Keita yet, don’t think he’ll be a go to guy down there by any means but some dump offs, put backs and the occasional post up should help. More importantly, I think we will post up our guards routinely. Out of Heron, Simon, and ponds all three can post up and one of them more than likely will have a size mismatch to exploit.[/quote]

Good post both of you. Last night we did see the guards post up and score. Despite their size, they are able to do it and looked comfortable doing it. As someone else mentioned, I did see some back door cuts in the offense. Unfortunately I watched the players fumble the ball or miss when they got it (IIRC, Trimble's basket was on such a cut but he also fumbled and turned one over).

I like the energy they played with. I also think they did pull back to work on other segments of the offense which lead to those non-scoring stretches. All and all, a good way to start the season and build upon.[/quote]

The guards did post up but that works last night. Not against the better teams.

And if they were trying sets I'm good with that. During those stretches I bet thats where the turnovers ballooned. Dribbling into triple coverage. Or trying alley oops etc. At one point I was saying they are going to score 100. Then that disappeared.

Again solid to build on. The hope is not to see those issues on Friday. Correct. Improve.
 
I was impressed with the full-court pressure Loyola used last night. I would love to see our guys using similar defense more often.
 
I'm not writing off Keita but he pretty much disappeared in this game. I think they need to establish him inside on offense as soon as he gets in the game. The only time I want to see him on the perimeter is to draw out the big(s) to create room for everyone else but that should be the exception. First time I see him on the perimeter vs a zone I think I will stroke.
 
I just really hate everything about Trimbles game, sorry. Dribbling behind the back turnover? Wont even fly against loyola. i would like to see Williams develop and take his minutes.
 
I was at the game last night and even though we dominated Loyola in nearly every aspect of the game, it was hard to get a real assessment
As to how good we really are. Frankly Loyola was terrible! I don’t believe there was one element of their game that was positive. My concern last night was how quickly Keita received 5 fouls, and this was against a untalented team! How is he going to fare once he encounters some real inter league competition? Figueroa and Heron are the real goods! These guys can play! Mullin utilized just about everybody on the roster, and I can’t remember having this much depth on the bench! Ponds and Simon played well even though Simon had some foul trouble.
I don’t mind playing a few of these cupcakes early on but frankly I don’t see the real benefit other than learning to play together. Mike Cragg was sitting near us and I can tell you he was more involved last night than all of the AD,s we have had in the last 15 years! This guy is a high energy individual who looks all business! I have good vibes regarding Mike!
All in all this should be a fun team to watch and who should be an NCAA tournament team come year end! Let’s hope!
 
I honestly think we are gonna be a massive problem for them. Win or lose will maybe be the best college basketball game of the season. Duke is always more polished early season than we are but we have the athletes and depth to match. RJ Barrett was excellent, but Simon and Figueroa are studs, and Figueroa I think is going to explode really fast. Duke doesn’t play big either and they have no match for Ponds. Reddish and Barrett vs Simon and Heron? Crazy matchups... Zion is a monster, but Clark can take him outside and matches his strength if not his athleticism. I too am excited for that one. I think we match their athletes and have depth. They also play small...

[URL][URL]https://www.msn.com/en-us...d-duke-they-could-go-undefeated/ar-BBPrzU8?li[/URL][/URL]=BBnba9I
 
My take.
Best team we have had talent wise since Elite 8 team. Do see some issues that worry me though.
Outside shooting, interior defense and rebounding are the three big ones. Previous concern was we have no one to dump ball down to get an easy basket. I do think that Heron and Simon can take advantage of mismatches to get us some easy looks and Ponds driving the ball is our best offense.
Players:
Clark- Our best pure outside shooter and a good athlete. Really going to have to show us more Ty Grant and Lamont Middleton than Ron Rowan though as he will be our primary big man. Has to at least keep his man off the boards and still get 5 or 6 boards a game for us to be good.

Figueroa-Resembles facially and physically Ron Mvoika. Thankfully Figs game much better. I like James Scott comparison. Also whoever said a more under control Ahmed. Will be nice player but a little concerned with his jumper. He shoots it high but still kind of set shot.

Simon-He is just a good basketball player. People were worried about him and still wound up having solid game. Need him to rebound and take advantage with his quickness at the forward. Simon or LJ will lead team in rebounds this year.

Heron-What is not to like. Probably 2nd best outside shooter on team. Real good, solid player.

Ponds-Still as he goes we go. I think we go to Sweet 16.

Keita- Just committed a foul. Um that was not promising. One of weaker front courts we will see and struggled.

Dixon- Think he struggles once BE starts because of size. I like his game but not sure it will translate.

Trimble- Didn't turn ball over . He does that well. Mostly just sort of disappears during games.

All in all nice start and nothing outside of Keita's prodigious fouling was a cause for concern for me as far as what I expected.
 
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[quote="we are sju" post=300765]My take.
Best team we have had talent wise since Elite 8 team. Do see some issues that worry me though.
Outside shooting, interior defense and rebounding are the three big ones. Previous concern was we have no one to dump ball down to get an easy basket. I do think that Heron and Simon can take advantage of mismatches to get us some easy looks and Ponds driving the ball is our best offense.
Players:
Clark- Our best pure outside shooter and a good athlete. Really going to have to show us more Ty Grant and Lamont Middleton than Ron Rowan though as he will be our primary big man. Has to at least keep his man off the boards and still get 5 or 6 boards a game for us to be good.

Figueroa-Resembles facially and physically Ron Mvoika. Thankfully Figs game much better. I like James Scott comparison. Also whoever said a more under control Ahmed. Will be nice player but a little concerned with his jumper. He shoots it high but still kind of set shot.

Simon-He is just a good basketball player. People were worried about him and still wound up having solid game. Need him to rebound and take advantage with his quickness at the forward. Simon or LJ will lead team in rebounds this year.

Heron-What is not to like. Probably 2nd best outside shooter on team. Real good, solid player.

Ponds-Still as he goes we go. I think we go to Sweet 16.

Keita- Just committed a foul. Um that was not promising. One of weaker front courts we will see and struggled.

Dixon- Think he struggles once BE starts because of size. I like his game but not sure it will translate.

Trimble- Didn't turn ball over . He does that well. Mostly just sort of disappears during games.

All in all nice start and nothing outside of Keita's prodigious fouling was a cause for concern for me as far as what I expected.[/quote]

We Are Press Johns!
 
Heron played as advertised. Ponds played very well and showed no signs of not taking things seriously. LJ is the most pleasant suprise, loads of talent, w great attitude. Keata was dissappointing, but only 1 game. Has to control his fouls.Could be a very nice season. Will have to group rebound.
 
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Just doing what they should against inferior teams, which is blow them out.
Can't get to excited.

I'm looking forward to Rutgers (they stink, but still a power5 team.), then the preseason tourny, no real competition, but wiing the tournament is an achievement.
Gotta expect 5-0.
 
Trimble was a bit concerning. Towards the end of the game he had back to back turnovers. A player of his caliber should not be getting dominated on defense by a terrible Loyola team. I'm still confident he will hold his own from 3 though. I'm eating crow today because it appears the exhibition and scrimmage were not taken seriously. That's what I was hoping was the case even though they should take all games seriously. That said, let's see if this was only a 1 game thing or if we can get some consistency.
 
Our guys are one lunch pail player away from being a top 10 team. Clark is not that guy, as he is more of a skill player than a banger. What this team could do with a Ty Grant or Anthony Glover type player. Got to crash boards and double the bigs all season. Help defense will be crucial against the bigger, better teams. So interesting that this team resembles the Run TMC Warriors in Mullin's prime. Three great perimeter players, and one big away from a title contender.
 
Agree with elite 8 team comparisons in terms of talent/maturity/size. That team left it on the court every game. 100%. Sum > parts. Also see comparisons to Lav’s last tourney team. Sum < parts. IMO far to early to tell which team this will resemble more.
 
[quote="capmaker" post=300764]I honestly think we are gonna be a massive problem for them. Win or lose will maybe be the best college basketball game of the season. Duke is always more polished early season than we are but we have the athletes and depth to match. RJ Barrett was excellent, but Simon and Figueroa are studs, and Figueroa I think is going to explode really fast. Duke doesn’t play big either and they have no match for Ponds. Reddish and Barrett vs Simon and Heron? Crazy matchups... Zion is a monster, but Clark can take him outside and matches his strength if not his athleticism. I too am excited for that one. I think we match their athletes and have depth. They also play small...

[URL][URL]https://www.msn.com/en-us...d-duke-they-could-go-undefeated/ar-BBPrzU8?li[/URL][/URL]=BBnba9I[/quote]

They aren’t going undefeated. UK had a hard-look first game much like some of ours. I think our speed and depth match up well with them. And if I hype the game up and we lose at Duke, who cares? Everybody loses at Duke. I still think we have the horses to make them work for it.
 
[quote="Monte" post=300772]Agree with elite 8 team comparisons in terms of talent/maturity/size. That team left it on the court every game. 100%. Sum > parts. Also see comparisons to Lav’s last tourney team. Sum < parts. IMO far to early to tell which team this will resemble more.[/quote]

This team I think has MORE total talent than the Elite 8 team BUT has to prove they have the leadership and chemistry to be even considered for comparison. The differences from that team that jump out to me are:

1) That team had a great, true point guard and defined roles.
2) Those guys had been playing with each other for years going back before St. John's (chemistry)
3) Elite 8 team were aggressive defenders full court and I'd definitely give them the edge on quick hands used to maximum effectiveness.
4) Elite 8 team had genuine inside presence.
 
[quote="MCNPA" post=300775][quote="capmaker" post=300764]I honestly think we are gonna be a massive problem for them. Win or lose will maybe be the best college basketball game of the season. Duke is always more polished early season than we are but we have the athletes and depth to match. RJ Barrett was excellent, but Simon and Figueroa are studs, and Figueroa I think is going to explode really fast. Duke doesn’t play big either and they have no match for Ponds. Reddish and Barrett vs Simon and Heron? Crazy matchups... Zion is a monster, but Clark can take him outside and matches his strength if not his athleticism. I too am excited for that one. I think we match their athletes and have depth. They also play small...

[URL][URL]https://www.msn.com/en-us...d-duke-they-could-go-undefeated/ar-BBPrzU8?li[/URL][/URL]=BBnba9I[/quote]

They aren’t going undefeated. UK had a hard-look first game much like some of ours. I think our speed and depth match up well with them. And if I hype the game up and we lose at Duke, who cares? Everybody loses at Duke. I still think we have the horses to make them work for it.[/quote]

Zion looks like what would happen if Karl Malone and Lebron James had a baby.
 
[quote="Paul Massell" post=300776][quote="Monte" post=300772]Agree with elite 8 team comparisons in terms of talent/maturity/size. That team left it on the court every game. 100%. Sum > parts. Also see comparisons to Lav’s last tourney team. Sum < parts. IMO far to early to tell which team this will resemble more.[/quote]

This team I think has MORE total talent than the Elite 8 team BUT has to prove they have the leadership and chemistry to be even considered for comparison. The differences from that team that jump out to me are:

1) That team had a great, true point guard and defined roles.
2) Those guys had been playing with each other for years going back before St. John's (chemistry)
3) Elite 8 team were aggressive defenders full court and I'd definitely give them the edge on quick hands used to maximum effectiveness.
4) Elite 8 team had genuine inside presence.[/quote]

Agree with what you’re saying, that’s why I limited it to talent/maturity/size. Defining roles, pressing, playing hard-nosed defense, etc is something that can be worked on. Finding an interior presence from this group is going to be tough. The mostly likely candidate to fill the role of a Ty Grant(to some degree) is Clark, but that’s not how he’s being utilized. As for those elite 8 kids having played together for so long, going back to Riverside, that’s no longer the nature of college ball. So we’re in the same boat as most other teams that play at this level in terms of replacing lost parts. Maybe a bit more so now because Chris had to start from scratch. Anyhow think this team can be very good if they stay focused and play hard and smart ball. I liked what I saw in the first half. I did not like what I saw in the 2nd half. Time will tell.
 
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