(POST GAME) Butler, Fri., Feb. 18, 5p, CBSSN

[Section3]

The change in Mathis’s game from a huge offensive liability but a few games ago where he was single handed my shooting us out of the game to a player under great control tonight going 3/3 for 6 points and 4 boards in 22 minutes while playing very good D is just remarkable. 
When he and Dylan don’t try to force they are both very good team players. 

Yes, I agree.  Getting guys to understand and transition into roles that help the team is clearly one of Anderson's strengths.  Whether it's Mathis, Wheeler, Earlington, Isaiah Moore, Dunn and others.....he takes a non-negotiable approach.  They adjust or they sit.  But, the roles are also apparently being described and taught.  It's fair to say that, in some cases, it has taken too long.  But the impactful adjustments are undeniable and, under some coaches, the adjustments are never made.      

 

Spot on assessment with parallels to the trajectory that last years team took. As you say, don’t know whether this is coincidence or whether it should happen sooner. But, parallels are there supporting accepting of roles being a key driver of our success. I think the non-negotiable approach you reference is the common denominator.

 

[jsk68/73]

Soriano continues to play in control. Biggest change in his game is he’s not reaching over guys to block shots/get cheap fouls.  Arms go straight up and he’s changing shots. 

How many times did Butler drive and not get a shot off bc Soriano was there?  

Hope they work with him after the season. Either send him to a big man camp or bring in someone like former Johnnie, George Johnson, to help him with his footwork in the post. He definitely could be a force and a focal point with a little more finesse/skill.

Agree that his off season is key, not sure what they can do to improve his handling passes in traffic. Perhaps drills and repetition can help. With Posh really getting good at penetration & dish game Joel can really reap dividends with such improvement. In such a quick paced game, fumbling for even a second can be difference in scoring or not.


You guys seem to forget that one of our really good centers, Zendon Hamilton, is on the Coaching Staff ! It appears that he is helping to make a big difference!
 

 

[Section9]

Also WRT to Soriano, who as many noted played a good game last night, to me the important takeaway was that he took the ball to the rim instead of settling for the hook shot. 

Of course, Butler doesn't really have a big to challenge him, but it was still a plus that he recognized or was coached to take advantage of that and did so. 

Next step is for him to take that approach against someone his size. It's really hard to draw a foul shooting a hook shot. 

He'll be entering the Kalkbrenner zone on Wednesday.  Real test to see if Joel can stay out of foul trouble and force Kalkbrenner to guard him tough.  I'd happily settle for a push in that scenario.

 

 

[Demo]

Just like a football player walks around all day clutching a football to help him not fumble, Soriano should spend the whole summer clutching a basketball for the same reason. Almost every pass into him he fumbles.

 

[BrooklynRed]

Joel's improvement may also have something to do with the team starting to mesh with the way those around they play.  In the last 6 games he is 20 of 23 in games that posh played and 2 of 7 in the games that Posh was out.  I like that he shoots the ball within his zone of "makeability".  Unlike today's big men who all think they can hit the 3, Joel has not attempted a 3 in his 70 college games.  As others have said, he needs to work this summer on his footwork because when he switches off onto a guard at top of key, the result is either a lay-up or foul.  

 

[gregbodkin]

This team really needs each of it's components. They feed off of each other. If one of them is missing (which has happened a lot of this year) the team is not whole. As long as we stay healthy, other teams won't want to play us. Right now we are a NCAA threat.

 

[JohnnyFan]

Also WRT to Soriano, who as many noted played a good game last night, to me the important takeaway was that he took the ball to the rim instead of settling for the hook shot. 

Of course, Butler doesn't really have a big to challenge him, but it was still a plus that he recognized or was coached to take advantage of that and did so. 

Next step is for him to take that approach against someone his size. It's really hard to draw a foul shooting a hook shot. 

He'll be entering the Kalkbrenner zone on Wednesday.  Real test to see if Joel can stay out of foul trouble and force Kalkbrenner to guard him tough.  I'd happily settle for a push in that scenario.


 

Good point.  Kalkbrenner is tied for the league lead in offensive rebounds per game (3.6).

 

[Section3]

Soriano continues to play in control. Biggest change in his game is he’s not reaching over guys to block shots/get cheap fouls.  Arms go straight up and he’s changing shots. 

How many times did Butler drive and not get a shot off bc Soriano was there?  

Hope they work with him after the season. Either send him to a big man camp or bring in someone like former Johnnie, George Johnson, to help him with his footwork in the post. He definitely could be a force and a focal point with a little more finesse/skill.

Agree that his off season is key, not sure what they can do to improve his handling passes in traffic. Perhaps drills and repetition can help. With Posh really getting good at penetration & dish game Joel can really reap dividends with such improvement. In such a quick paced game, fumbling for even a second can be difference in scoring or not.


You guys seem to forget that one of our really good centers, Zendon Hamilton, is on the Coaching Staff ! It appears that he is helping to make a big difference!

 

Didn’t forget. We have short window with Soriano. If Zendon can do it, that’s great. I based my comments on the structure and focus that a big man camp would presumably offer. With respect to utilizing George, this suggestion is based on fact that he displayed far and away the best big man skills of any Johnnie in the last 48 years. That said, Zendon is on staff, was a quality player and can hopefully get it done.

 

[room112]

Was told it was ln largest margin of victory since 1999 at ca

I was actually wondering how long it's been since we beat a Big East team by this margin. I'm assuming that's what you meant, since we beat Miss Valley State earlier this year by 58.

 

[beast of the east]

Soriano continues to play in control. Biggest change in his game is he’s not reaching over guys to block shots/get cheap fouls.  Arms go straight up and he’s changing shots. 

How many times did Butler drive and not get a shot off bc Soriano was there?  

Hope they work with him after the season. Either send him to a big man camp or bring in someone like former Johnnie, George Johnson, to help him with his footwork in the post. He definitely could be a force and a focal point with a little more finesse/skill.

Agree that his off season is key, not sure what they can do to improve his handling passes in traffic. Perhaps drills and repetition can help. With Posh really getting good at penetration & dish game Joel can really reap dividends with such improvement. In such a quick paced game, fumbling for even a second can be difference in scoring or not.


You guys seem to forget that one of our really good centers, Zendon Hamilton, is on the Coaching Staff ! It appears that he is helping to make a big difference!


 

Didn’t forget. We have short window with Soriano. If Zendon can do it, that’s great. I based my comments on the structure and focus that a big man camp would presumably offer. With respect to utilizing George, this suggestion is based on fact that he displayed far and away the best big man skills of any Johnnie in the last 48 years. That said, Zendon is on staff, was a quality player and can hopefully get it done.

Zendon is working with him. FWIW johnson is 65