New Orleans, Fri. Nov. 10, 7p, Fox College Sports, WMCA 570
- Thread starter Knight
- Start date
New Orleans recap:http://www.bigeastboards.com/
Good points but made but one takeaway I had was Lovett regardless of the scoring, seems to me to have made the most progress. He looks physically more mature and played a masterful game in control all the way and looks like he has improved his defense significantly. If we are going to get killed on the boards every game and give up so many second chances steals and forced turnovers are mandatory along with killing the Free Throws and hitting a higher percentage and more, threes than the opponent.
Love Simon playing in control too. The criticism of not taking a jumpshot, is a compliment as far as I'm concerned. Unlike some past guys (and Alibegovich) trying to improve their shot during the season he's in control and taking what is there. Unlike the historical St. John's teams, we've got jumpshooters out our ears. What we need is guys doing cleanup under the basket and driving.
Love Simon playing in control too. The criticism of not taking a jumpshot, is a compliment as far as I'm concerned. Unlike some past guys (and Alibegovich) trying to improve their shot during the season he's in control and taking what is there. Unlike the historical St. John's teams, we've got jumpshooters out our ears. What we need is guys doing cleanup under the basket and driving.
I kind of had mixed feelings about last night. I agree with you that some people were too negative, but the things they were pointing out are valid concerns this year.
That being said, we didn't play particularly great, and won by 16 (and were never really challenged in the 2nd half). The last two years, we would have lost, or been in a dogfight, playing like we did (at times) against a team like that. So, the talent level is certainly a step above last year, and maybe 4 or 5 steps above two years ago. That will mean more wins and a better season. The only question is, how much better?
Class of 72
Active member
Rebounds is about positioning and determination. Ponds is always well positioned whereas Yakwe and Alibegovic are deer in headlights and they just seem to get worse with every game. Bashir Ahmed loves the corner three shot and normally is too far from the basket to be in the right position for a rebound. None of those three have the desire that Owens has for the "ball" and when 3 of your 5 front court players remain enigmas it speaks to coaching and preparation for those particular players. I suspect Boubacar Sidiki Diakite will eventually be another OSNA underachiever in the mold of Yakwe down the road so recruiting needs to focus on front court warriors. Given the lack of improvement from our guys it gets harder to sell to recruiting targets. Sedee Keita may help next year but I have my doubts he can contribute offensively. So, while we have addressed our backcourt weaknesses we have not made a dent in the front court except for the transfer Marvin Clark. This year Omari Spellman, Angel Delgado, Rodney Bullock, Kellan Martin and Desi Rodriguez should easily dominate our front line after watching Travin Thibodeaux and Freeman almost score at will in the first two games. Thus I have doubts we will fare well against bigger and better coached teams. We stand a good chance of being exposed in the front court against Nebraska which has typical Big 10 size with Isaac Copeland, Jordy Tshimanga and Isaiah Roby. Their big man coach is the very experienced Jim Molinari. Our big man coach, Matt Abdelmassih, may not stand a chance next week.
This game will help since it gave the opportunity for the deeper bench to get real minutes even if Yakwe and Amar didn't deserve them. I like what Mullin did with the minutes. Unfortunately our legit 7th man is a guard. If we can get 10/game from Trimble with minimal turnovers that is a great sign but I think Amar is set in stone for what he will provide. That leaves Yakwe. Maybe the worst 8 minutes of his career and he looked miserable. Something is up with him.
We need another option even a walk-on. We have ZERO dedicated front line. Owens is closest but he is part time meaning that he is in love with being a jump shooter on offense and is a shot blocker not a rebounder on defense. The rest of the front line is all double duty Ponds and Simon are arguably are most efficient (front line) players on both ends of the court! Clark had an overall great game but gave us 3 rebounds against a mid-sized team. On offense his scoring was that of a guard. 3 pointers and slashing.
Yakwe's demeanor seems troubling. As enigmatic as he is, we obviously need him. Nobody is walking through the front door to improve interior this season. Hopefully staff gets him though his early struggles. He'll get time on this thin front line and hopefully takes advantage of it and just helps with our rebounding need. Not counting on it, but it would be a problem if he pulls a Sima. A seven man rotation would be an accident waiting to happen.
JackofVirginia
Active member
I wouldn't include Ahmed with the other two. He's capable of contributing even though he still must get under control. Didn't take long for Ali to screw up, walked on his first possession and threw the ball away on his next. Yakwe gave me the impression he knows he doesn't fit with this team.
JackofVirginia
Active member
I believe Yakwe would succeed in a Division 2 league.
L J S A
Well-known member
We tried to address rebounding, but Matt's kid got cold feet. So now it'll be a group effort. I think we can get enough from Ponds, Ahmed, Simon, Owens, and hopefully Yakwe to survive. I've said before Clark has never been a big rebounder, but if he can give us something it will help a lot. AA is a big kid, so I just hope something clicks before it's too late. His woman should threaten to leave her bra on until he grabs some boards. I've seen her pics, so that should be a big enough incentive.
Williams only played 14 minutes against Idaho last night
2 pts, 4 rebs
2 pts, 4 rebs
Class of 72
Active member
That's like asking who the best dart thrower was on a blind team. Last year we were mediocre as a rebounding team. Out 374 NCAA teams we were 314th in rebounding margin and 8th in the Big East in defensive rebounding. That Bashir grabbed 5.5 rebounds may seem impressive but there were games I remember where he had 5 and the opposing player had 15 or 13 or 10, etc. As a team we were routinely outrebounded. Yes, I am being overly critical after games against only 2 D1 opponents, with Rutgers being an exhibition, but Bashir has been more part of the problem in the 3 games this year than the star he is capable of being because he plays more with emotions than brains. We need him to be more focused and under control to have any chance this season since his back up, Sid Wilson, left us rather thin up front.