NJIT Game

[Optimistic25]

Ugly game, especially first half, but got the win despite not playing their best.

Biggest difference to me was Obekpa down low altering numerous shots. His presence is so huge even when he doesn't block the shot. He makes a lot of guys think twice.

 

[doodyny33]

A win is a win, but the coaching staff really needs to work with these kids on how to shoot FT's

The team has been around 60% the entire season, which is bad enough as it is

But you are going to lose basketball games when you put on performances like last night

 

[MCNPA]

A win is a win, but the coaching staff really needs to work with these kids on how to shoot FT's

The team has been around 60% the entire season, which is bad enough as it is

But you are going to lose basketball games when you put on performances like last night

Actually, i think SJU was something like 7th in the Big East in FT% before yesterday as I recently checked stats rankings and was surprised by it. After the NJIT game we dropped to dead last.

 

[sjc88]

I have to admit I was more than a little surprised by our poor effort in the first half yesterday. I know the excuse is we have a young team, it takes time to come together etc. but we clearly have some talent. Also as many freshman as we have I would think the sophomores know what it takes to get it done.

I don't want to react too much about a game we WON but this was a little troubling. Let's face it NJIT seems to be (or should be) nothing more than a glorified scrimmage. Not trying to insult their kids but are they recruiting at a Big East level? I hope the takeaway for these kids is that they should take nothing for granted and need to get to work even harder to prepare for a tough BE schedule.

 

[Optimistic25]

As the guy sitting next to me in the stands at the game said....."where was the party last night? I wasn't invited"

 

[Sherman Sheridan & Grant]

Ugly game, especially first half, but got the win despite not playing their best.

Biggest difference to me was Obekpa down low altering numerous shots. His presence is so huge even when he doesn't block the shot. He makes a lot of guys think twice.

Went to game - enjoyed it despite the half time score, missed free throws etc.

I wondered why Jones did not play?
I wondered why the Frenck kid B did notplay more - he seemed detached during time outs.

Any feedback?

all the best

 

[Marillac]

I have to admit I was more than a little surprised by our poor effort in the first half yesterday. I know the excuse is we have a young team, it takes time to come together etc. but we clearly have some talent. Also as many freshman as we have I would think the sophomores know what it takes to get it done.

I don't want to react too much about a game we WON but this was a little troubling. Let's face it NJIT seems to be (or should be) nothing more than a glorified scrimmage. Not trying to insult their kids but are they recruiting at a Big East level? I hope the takeaway for these kids is that they should take nothing for granted and need to get to work even harder to prepare for a tough BE schedule.

These games don't worry me at all. This was a classic trap game. A gritty no-name low-major right after a big win over a power confernce opponent and right before the biggest road trip of the season, and the kids knew they were leaving right after the game. Lavin wore blue jeans to the game! The kids probably couldn't wait to board the plane to play a very meaningful game for their coach and to go sightseeing in one of the most beautiful cities in the country.

I am actually happy the team didn't just skate through it. Young teams learn much more from games like this. How do you win when the shots aren't falling....how to come back from a double-digit deficit at the half.

 

[simplyred]

The biggest problem I see is lack of leadership on the floor. When the team isn't playing well, such as the first half against NJIT, they need someone to take control of the ball and direct the offense. DLo hasn't fully embraced that role yet. Generally, it should come from the pg, not a guy looking for his own shot first. Phil has been inconsistent in his play and he hasn't assumed a leadership role. Hopefully, Jamaal Branch will provide it. I'm just worried that because he will be the new guy coming into the rotation, he will be deferential to the guys already there. A true pg should instinctively provide leadership.

 

[ghostzapper]

SJC88 Wrote:
I have to admit I was more than a little surprised by our poor effort in the first half yesterday.

For me I was surprised a bit about the poor first half we had as well, but in retrospect I should not have been. We fell behind in the first half by 8 to Detroit, 9 to Holy Cross and 13 to Florida Gulf Coast. In each of those games we were able to turn up the intensity and physically dominate with our athleticism (especially on the defensive end) to turn the game around. I am not sure this is a good habit to get into and I believe it will cost us victories against more athletic competition.

On a positive note we held NJIT to 14 second half points and outscored them by twenty despite missing an absurd amount of free throws. That level of defensive intensity, that also triggers our offense, will be key to our success. However It needs to be a forty minute deal or we will lose to teams in the Big East that we should beat.

 

[juniorRed]

15 pts, 17 rebs & 3 blks... Sampson = B-E-A-S-T!!

6-2... right on schedule... imo, we hit conference play at 9-3.

Go Johnnies!!

 

[bobre45]

Garrett should be shooting 1000 free throws tonight..that was pathetic

Garrett probably should not have been playing at the end of the game, along with Sir Dom. Should be easiest shot next to layup.

Disagree big time; Pointer makes our D go and is an improving offensive player. A real glue guy and very valuable.

I agree on Pointer. He plays the top of the zone so tough. Incredibly quick for his size,
a nightmare for opposing point guards. You really have to be at the games to appreciate it.

his positioning in the zones is getting better

NJIT guards were pretty quick. .Moreso than South Carolina. Dom was essential in the game since Amir and Phil missed the bus. DLo and Karr carried us and took it low where we had the advantage. The free throw thing requires action if only to create confidence. I'd be appalled missing nine in a row with my eyes shut. Most of them have lousy technique and it's no wonder they're scared at the line. I've never seen a guy who spins the ball at the line shoot it well consistently. Just wasted motion and a sign of discomfort. As mentioned it will cost us games if unaddressed.

 

[Marillac]

Garrett should be shooting 1000 free throws tonight..that was pathetic

Garrett probably should not have been playing at the end of the game, along with Sir Dom. Should be easiest shot next to layup.

Disagree big time; Pointer makes our D go and is an improving offensive player. A real glue guy and very valuable.

I agree on Pointer. He plays the top of the zone so tough. Incredibly quick for his size,
a nightmare for opposing point guards. You really have to be at the games to appreciate it.

his positioning in the zones is getting better

NJIT guards were pretty quick. .Moreso than South Carolina. Dom was essential in the game since Amir and Phil missed the bus. DLo and Karr carried us and took it low where we had the advantage. The free throw thing requires action if only to create confidence. I'd be appalled missing nine in a row with my eyes shut. Most of them have lousy technique and it's no wonder they're scared at the line. I've never seen a guy who spins the ball at the line shoot it well consistently. Just wasted motion and a sign of discomfort. As mentioned it will cost us games if unaddressed.

Amir missed the bus? Are you kidding? He had NINE rebounds! We don't win without him. He also had three assists to only one turnover, 2 blocks and 1 steal while playing very tough defense.

Not everyone has to score to be contribute. Wow.

 

[The Gumbinator]

15 pts, 17 rebs & 3 blks... Sampson = B-E-A-S-T!!

6-2... right on schedule... imo, we hit conference play at 9-3.

Go Johnnies!!

Who do you see us losing to?

 

[juniorRed]

15 pts, 17 rebs & 3 blks... Sampson = B-E-A-S-T!!

6-2... right on schedule... imo, we hit conference play at 9-3.

Go Johnnies!!

Who do you see us losing to?

Not really sure... just fearing a stumble against one of these teams before conference play. Doesn't really matter anyway. This team is super-talented but still on the VERY young side... so a stumble or two before BE play starts is not the end of the world.

Once again, nobody is going to wany ANY part of this team once Jan/Feb rolls around.. take it to the bank!

 

[dff6]

15 pts, 17 rebs & 3 blks... Sampson = B-E-A-S-T!!

6-2... right on schedule... imo, we hit conference play at 9-3.

Go Johnnies!!

Who do you see us losing to?

Not really sure... just fearing a stumble against one of these teams before conference play. Doesn't really matter anyway. This team is super-talented but still on the VERY young side... so a stumble or two before BE play starts is not the end of the world.

Once again, nobody is going to wany ANY part of this team once Jan/Feb rolls around.. take it to the bank!

I think tomorrow night's game represents our biggest challenge to going 10-2 before BE play. Win tomorrow, and I see the team being 11-2 heading into Cincy on Jan. 5, as I think we beat Nova on the road for our first BE win.

 

[redken]

Garrett should be shooting 1000 free throws tonight..that was pathetic

Garrett probably should not have been playing at the end of the game, along with Sir Dom. Should be easiest shot next to layup.

Disagree big time; Pointer makes our D go and is an improving offensive player. A real glue guy and very valuable.

I agree on Pointer. He plays the top of the zone so tough. Incredibly quick for his size,
a nightmare for opposing point guards. You really have to be at the games to appreciate it.

his positioning in the zones is getting better

NJIT guards were pretty quick. .Moreso than South Carolina. Dom was essential in the game since Amir and Phil missed the bus. DLo and Karr carried us and took it low where we had the advantage. The free throw thing requires action if only to create confidence. I'd be appalled missing nine in a row with my eyes shut. Most of them have lousy technique and it's no wonder they're scared at the line. I've never seen a guy who spins the ball at the line shoot it well consistently. Just wasted motion and a sign of discomfort. As mentioned it will cost us games if unaddressed.

Amir missed the bus? Are you kidding? He had NINE rebounds! We don't win without him. He also had three assists to only one turnover, 2 blocks and 1 steal while playing very tough defense.

Not everyone has to score to be contribute. Wow.

Amir turned the momentum of the game when he entered it in the second half. Without his play, there's a good chance the team never gets out of the deep hole they had gotten into.

 

[bobre45]

Garrett should be shooting 1000 free throws tonight..that was pathetic

Garrett probably should not have been playing at the end of the game, along with Sir Dom. Should be easiest shot next to layup.

Disagree big time; Pointer makes our D go and is an improving offensive player. A real glue guy and very valuable.

I agree on Pointer. He plays the top of the zone so tough. Incredibly quick for his size,
a nightmare for opposing point guards. You really have to be at the games to appreciate it.

his positioning in the zones is getting better

NJIT guards were pretty quick. .Moreso than South Carolina. Dom was essential in the game since Amir and Phil missed the bus. DLo and Karr carried us and took it low where we had the advantage. The free throw thing requires action if only to create confidence. I'd be appalled missing nine in a row with my eyes shut. Most of them have lousy technique and it's no wonder they're scared at the line. I've never seen a guy who spins the ball at the line shoot it well consistently. Just wasted motion and a sign of discomfort. As mentioned it will cost us games if unaddressed.

Amir missed the bus? Are you kidding? He had NINE rebounds! We don't win without him. He also had three assists to only one turnover, 2 blocks and 1 steal while playing very tough defense.

Not everyone has to score to be contribute. Wow.

Missed free throws, especially front ends, are the equivalent of turnovers. I think Felix would have gotten a lot of Amirs time if not for foul trouble. We have stunk from the line for years and I've never seen a single change of routine. This can be taught and I don't know why we don't.

 

[Red.Fans]

FT shooting is largely mental. One of the tricks that I learned to improve was actually as bobre mentioned, shooting with eyes closed (when practicing). This along with other mechanics and I improved dramatically. I believe the eyes closed thing, helps enforce the mental aspect - becoming more confident with the mechanics. I think FT drills at the end of practice when you are wiped, is also more productive than pre-practice or just leaving it to the individual players as many teams fall back on.
Amir was definitely a difference maker in the 2nd but personally poor FT shooting at anything above high school drives me nuts. Statistically FT shooting is an obvious difference in W/L. I think a few Syracuse teams would have won championships if the FT shooting wasn't so poor compared to their otherwise stacked talent.

 

[Moose]

FT shooting is largely mental. One of the tricks that I learned to improve was actually as bobre mentioned, shooting with eyes closed (when practicing). This along with other mechanics and I improved dramatically. I believe the eyes closed thing, helps enforce the mental aspect - becoming more confident with the mechanics. I think FT drills at the end of practice when you are wiped, is also more productive than pre-practice or just leaving it to the individual players as many teams fall back on.
Amir was definitely a difference maker in the 2nd but personally poor FT shooting at anything above high school drives me nuts. Statistically FT shooting is an obvious difference in W/L. I think a few Syracuse teams would have won championships if the FT shooting wasn't so poor compared to their otherwise stacked talent.

FT Shooting is maddening because no question it often would totally turn the lead in many games around. But traveling calls drive me the most mad. Playing basketball forever its the most basic premise. Just my pet peeve.

 

[JackofVirginia]

Garrett should be shooting 1000 free throws tonight..that was pathetic

Garrett probably should not have been playing at the end of the game, along with Sir Dom. Should be easiest shot next to layup.

Disagree big time; Pointer makes our D go and is an improving offensive player. A real glue guy and very valuable.

I agree on Pointer. He plays the top of the zone so tough. Incredibly quick for his size,
a nightmare for opposing point guards. You really have to be at the games to appreciate it.

They have to practice shooting softly at the front of the rim. Worked for me.





his positioning in the zones is getting better

NJIT guards were pretty quick. .Moreso than South Carolina. Dom was essential in the game since Amir and Phil missed the bus. DLo and Karr carried us and took it low where we had the advantage. The free throw thing requires action if only to create confidence. I'd be appalled missing nine in a row with my eyes shut. Most of them have lousy technique and it's no wonder they're scared at the line. I've never seen a guy who spins the ball at the line shoot it well consistently. Just wasted motion and a sign of discomfort. As mentioned it will cost us games if unaddressed.

Amir missed the bus? Are you kidding? He had NINE rebounds! We don't win without him. He also had three assists to only one turnover, 2 blocks and 1 steal while playing very tough defense.

Not everyone has to score to be contribute. Wow.

Missed free throws, especially front ends, are the equivalent of turnovers. I think Felix would have gotten a lot of Amirs time if not for foul trouble. We have stunk from the line for years and I've never seen a single change of routine. This can be taught and I don't know why we don't.

They have to practice shooting softly at the front of the rim; worked for me.