Michigan St., Wed. Nov. 23, 7pm, AXS/970AM-B4A
- Thread starter Knight
- Start date
Class of 72
Active member
We are 2-2 and the the sky is not falling my fellow redmen.comers.
For most of this game we were competitive with a ranked Spartan team coached by a master coach.
Again, we were dominated by a super frosh with a soft touch and excellent size. Again, we didn't have anyone willing to put in the extra effort to guard him or deny him the ball.
As I've been saying since day one, as our guards go, so goes our chances of winning games. Although both our guards scored in double figures Ponds had an off shooting night. Amir started well but was taken out of game by the refs early and never recovered. Without these three guys we get blown out of the gym.
Our front court of Sima and Yakwe was as bad as it could be and worse. When your two 6ft guards out-rebounded you you know that you are not doing your job. Sima is the classic paper tiger. Yakwe is not an offensive threat. The freshman Ward did whatever he wanted against both. Yet, we stayed in the game and that was a big positive.
Now I am not the wizard of basketball as some others here who downplay recruiting and coaching but the only way you get to be a stronger and better team is to recognize your needs and weaknesses and recruit to those needs. The staff wisely is doing that. Needless to say Zach Brown would be an immediate starter as would Clark. Having the ability to insert Simon instead of Ellison also would be great. But the coaches need to get better at recognizing the opposing team's best offensive threat and have a plan. Right now they look clueless in assigning that responsibity.
The Big test for these players and coaches will be tomorrow. VCU is always competitive and the Johnnies can show us they can learn from the early losses to better teams.
For most of this game we were competitive with a ranked Spartan team coached by a master coach.
Again, we were dominated by a super frosh with a soft touch and excellent size. Again, we didn't have anyone willing to put in the extra effort to guard him or deny him the ball.
As I've been saying since day one, as our guards go, so goes our chances of winning games. Although both our guards scored in double figures Ponds had an off shooting night. Amir started well but was taken out of game by the refs early and never recovered. Without these three guys we get blown out of the gym.
Our front court of Sima and Yakwe was as bad as it could be and worse. When your two 6ft guards out-rebounded you you know that you are not doing your job. Sima is the classic paper tiger. Yakwe is not an offensive threat. The freshman Ward did whatever he wanted against both. Yet, we stayed in the game and that was a big positive.
Now I am not the wizard of basketball as some others here who downplay recruiting and coaching but the only way you get to be a stronger and better team is to recognize your needs and weaknesses and recruit to those needs. The staff wisely is doing that. Needless to say Zach Brown would be an immediate starter as would Clark. Having the ability to insert Simon instead of Ellison also would be great. But the coaches need to get better at recognizing the opposing team's best offensive threat and have a plan. Right now they look clueless in assigning that responsibity.
The Big test for these players and coaches will be tomorrow. VCU is always competitive and the Johnnies can show us they can learn from the early losses to better teams.
prjohnnies
Member
On Ahmed, can we remember that Hardy and Brownlee were role players as juniors, and took an entire year before they became really good Big East players. Yes, some will blame Norm for their lack of progress, but it was clear that they were different players with a full season playing Big East comp under their belt.
we are sju
Active member
Yes I blame Norm for those guys. James Scott is a good example. You can see Ahmed has talent, I don't think anyone is questioning that. I can also see him figuring it out sooner than later. While he is trying to figure it out some of the things he does is frustrating to watch though.
SJUhoopNUT
Well-known member
Shot selection with Ahmed has to improve. I don't mind the green light, but fading away on a baseline jumper is a tough shot, and he's attempted quite a few already.
Anyone else think some full court pressure on State could have helped last night? They don't have great guards offensively. It could have forced some turnovers and got our transition game going. You know in a halfcourt game State will just grind you down and execute.
Anyone else think some full court pressure on State could have helped last night? They don't have great guards offensively. It could have forced some turnovers and got our transition game going. You know in a halfcourt game State will just grind you down and execute.
MarkRedman
Well-known member
Thank God for Johnny Jones.
How does this guy still have a job?
He can't coach his way out of a paper bag!!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!
redfanO10101ll
Member
I don't mind the green light with Ahmed either, but I think he has to either shoot it or keep it moving. He can't get the ball, square up, size up his guy and juke or dribble until he finds something he likes. Ponds and Lovett are both skilled passers who zip the ball around and when we play through Ahmed we lose that dimension.
I don't think Ahmed is the biggest problem on the team and after last season, I'll take as many guys who can score as possible, just something that I hope the staff is able to effectively address and work on going forward.
To me it was disconcerting to see Ward relatively have his way down low. Considering two key interior players were out for MSU, one would think that would have been a Johnny advantage. That was telling & underscores the development curve for our bigs. Oh well, still early, but this area obviously has to be addressed and improved.