(POST-GAME) @Villanova, Tues., Jan. 8, 7p, FS-1 / 970 AM

I thought the guys were a bit gassed at the end of the game and I would have liked for Keita and williams to get a few minutes to give guys a breather. They were amped for the game and went full throttle from the beginning.

I think close games on the road will only make us better in the long read if we learn from it. Not trying to rehash but would have been nice to play a tough road non conference game against a high level team to get some of this out of our system.
 
[quote="Ray Morgan" post=313792][quote="ron s m" post=313789][quote="Rehobie" post=313785]Two things stand out to me.
Ponds or Simon dribble 10 to 15 seconds before we get into the offense. We’re forced to jack up a poor shot as the clock runs out.
They beat us a number of times on fifty fifty balls and also got rebounds on foul shots when we had inside position[/quote]

We simply are not a good rebounding team. Also, we live and die by the three point shot.[/quote]

340th on the offensive glass out of 351 teams. And I didn't see any big name programs in the next 11.[/quote]

This shouldn't be a surprise anymore. In the huddle on TV Mullin told the kids to get back on D and not go for the rebound.
 
One thing that we didn't see this game that has been a constant all season was our success on alley oop plays. Two were denied and a couple other set plays were defended well, they were ready for them, the pass didn't even get attempted. Nova's staff had them ready.
 
[quote="Ken Shark" post=313883]One thing that we didn't see this game that has been a constant all season was our success on alley oop plays. Two were denied and a couple other set plays were defended well, they were ready for them, the pass didn't even get attempted. Nova's staff had them ready.[/quote]

The alley oop has become a staple in our offensive attack
Any team that watches film and game plans for us is well aware of that fact
In today's world, scouting an opponent is very easy to do
Virtually every relevant game is available on TV somewhere
It's hard to fool anybody with your schemes nowadays
It's a matter of who executes their system better on any given day
 
[quote="Moose" post=313880][quote="austour" post=313755][quote="Marillac" post=313722]We need Simon to take more threes and play a bigger role handling the ball.[/quote]


Most of us agree with your point. Your Coach of the Year, however, does not.[/quote]

Sorry I can't find the original post here but Simon taking more 3's?:sick:[/quote]

He was being facetious.
 
[quote="ron s m" post=313886][quote="Moose" post=313880][quote="austour" post=313755][quote="Marillac" post=313722]We need Simon to take more threes and play a bigger role handling the ball.[/quote]


Most of us agree with your point. Your Coach of the Year, however, does not.[/quote]

Sorry I can't find the original post here but Simon taking more 3's?:sick:[/quote]

He was being facetious.[/quote]

Was he also facetious when he predicted runaway wins for both last night and Gtown game?
 
[quote="MarkRedman" post=313862][quote="Logen" post=313859][quote="MarkRedman" post=313858][quote="pobee10" post=313839]Team tempo style. Booths 39 minutes are a lot different than Ponds.[/quote]


BINGO!!!
We play at a frenetic pace up and down the court for 40 minutes
A fun way to play and to watch but very taxing on the players
They need a blow (even a short one) from time to time
We need to have an eight man rotation to give our starters adequate rest
That didn't happen last night - a major reason for the loss
Before the 4 game stretch, I said I would be OK with going 2-2
In the aftermath, I'm not - we should have won them all!!!![/quote]

So while we are playing at a frenetic pace up and down the court Nova is watching us, resting right? They are not playing at a frenetic pace to keep up? Conversely, if they slow the ball down, we are not slowing down on defense to cover our men, but rather running round at a frenetic pace, right? Come on, the lack of use of the bench is legit but this “we are tired” is nonsense because the two players who beat us played the same minutes our players played. And so did Gillespie, who did a great job on Ponds down the stretch. And funny, we never hear a complaint about Ponds minutes when he takes over a game at the end after playing all those minutes. We played poorly for significant stretches of the game and lost, period, end of story. If you want to criticize the lack of bench use, fine,it is a fair criticism but don’t make up reasons that defy logic. Finally, go look up minutes played; our players, individually do not average more minutes than other teams main players. We play our starting five more but all average from high twenties to Ponds at 34 minutes per game, which is exactly what Booth averages, Powell averages more.[/quote]

Do the research before stating your opinion
We played 2 subs for a total of 32 minutes
They played 4 subs for a total of 66 minutes
Their bench logged more than twice the number of minutes than ours did
And all 4 of their subs played more than 10 minutes
Only one of ours did
Their bench outscored us 21-5

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/boxscore?gameId=401083346[/quote]

Don't change your narrative because you are proven wrong with FACTS. Your original premise was that we lost because we were tired, not that they got more bench production. All I addressed was the "tired" theme.. If you read my post you would understand I acknowledged that criticism of the bench use was legitimate, but not the premise we were tired. So don't change your argument in midstream, that loses a debate every time.
 
BTW I love the Heron has become the fans whipping boy. If it wasn't for his immediate eligibility we would be a shell of what we are. But instead lets rip his next level ability (hope people realize in the NBA they move the ball the entire game not for a half).
 
[quote="Moose" post=313887][quote="ron s m" post=313886][quote="Moose" post=313880][quote="austour" post=313755][quote="Marillac" post=313722]We need Simon to take more threes and play a bigger role handling the ball.[/quote]


Most of us agree with your point. Your Coach of the Year, however, does not.[/quote]

Sorry I can't find the original post here but Simon taking more 3's?:sick:[/quote]

He was being facetious.[/quote]

Was he also facetious when he predicted runaway wins for both last night and Gtown game?[/quote]

I have no idea, but if you read his posts you will see he does not want the ball in Simon's hands when it matters.
 
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[quote="ron s m" post=313890][quote="Moose" post=313887][quote="ron s m" post=313886][quote="Moose" post=313880][quote="austour" post=313755][quote="Marillac" post=313722]We need Simon to take more threes and play a bigger role handling the ball.[/quote]


Most of us agree with your point. Your Coach of the Year, however, does not.[/quote]

Sorry I can't find the original post here but Simon taking more 3's?:sick:[/quote]

He was being facetious.[/quote]

Was he also facetious when he predicted runaway wins for both last night and Gtown game?[/quote]

I have no idea, but if you read his posts you will see he does not want the ball in Simon's hands when it matters.[/quote]

I guess he's a fan of hero ball then. Personally I'm not.
 
[quote="Jack Williams" post=313834]I know he was once a regular on this board but I’ve seen Tom in Salem tweet after a lot of our games and it is usually complete nonsense. Believe after the Georgetown game he said we shouldn’t play Keita, who gave us great minutes in that game.

Clown[/quote]

Just wait until one more loss and he will be back here to say things like Mullin needs to step down immediately.
 
While disappointed, the game was fascinating in how both teams kept trading runs. It seemed like 8-0 and 10-0 spurts all evening as two good teams went at it until we faded at the end. I'm not sure about the Georgetown game being a template for substitutions as the extra minutes for Keita and Williams were a function of size match ups and foul trouble as much as anything. I would like to see greater rest spells before and after TV timeouts for Ponds specifically, but I'd also like more discipline from Heron so that they can split their time up a bit on the floor as scoring options, instead of watching Heron keep going to the bench with early fouls. Ultimately, Villanova did a great job of substitutions that provided great energy for their team, especially as Coach Wright threw at least 4 defensive schemes at us at different points to stop our runs. He and his staff deserve a lot of credit as they showed more faith in their bench and were willing to change things up when we threatened to pull away. Coach Mullin needs to work on that as our kids don't do much more than play man with an occasional trap, and on offense we settle far too much on long jumpers with all 5 on the perimeter when facing a zone. If Simon could finish with greater control when he gets to the basket, that would also help. We are going to need to work our bench into greater contributors in the next six weeks if we want to be effective in BET or NCAA tournament schedules, our starters are out there way too long.
Oh well, on to Saturday.
 
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All losses are disappointing .. Surely this one was . I kept thinking down the stretch about Nova being 6 point favorites.. a issue that was raised several times yesterday before the game . We lost by 5 ... What does that mean ? I don’t know and I am not speculating about the inference ... Wilting down the Stretch has become common place once the BE Season started ... The GTown game included , even though it was a Win .. Sure the Homecourt advantage reared its Head with the game on the line but, there were several horrific calls that allowed Nova to put the game away . When Heron was fouled on the put back , he didn’t go to the line ? We got the ball but, no free throws and then didn’t score . The Goal tend that wasn’t called hurt too. And , Ponds and Simon were both fouled in critical drives to the hoop , missing the shots but, no fouls . But, that all doesn’t matter since it’s only the Won or Loss that goes in the Record books .. the Gameitself should not have been that close ... Heron and Clark were off target most of the game , 6-20 isn’t good shooting for them . As a team, we clearly do not go to the offensive boards . When Mullin was miked up , during a TV timeout , he clearly instructed the guys to get back on D , after every missed shot . It was obvious the team did exactly that since no one goes to the Glass after a long missed 3 or otherwise . Figgy will occasionally follow his shot but, he still
Follows the team strategy . No offensive Boards with that tactic! And, to me , a devout Pro Mullin guy “, it becomes a team weakness that can win or lose games . I don’t get it . Simon does a lot of good but, handling the Ball late is not among them . He wastes too much time and then he or someone else has to throw up a brick or , go wildly to the Basket and miss the bunnie . It’s happened all too much , as I see it . I don’t buy the line about Nova Being the NCAA champs and we did good against them .. That Nova a team had 4 different players , none of whom played last night . So , Booth, Paschall and Gillespie and Roundtree were the only guys returning . We had Ponds, Clarke and Simon back . Totally different situation that had zero to do with last Night’s game .. But, I still keep thinking about that 6 point spread ...
 
[quote="Moose" post=313889]BTW I love the Heron has become the fans whipping boy. If it wasn't for his immediate eligibility we would be a shell of what we are. But instead lets rip his next level ability (hope people realize in the NBA they move the ball the entire game not for a half).[/quote]

Agreed. He was never perfect at Auburn either but if he doesn't get a waiver there is no way this team is 14-2 even with the weak schedule.
 
Love Heron, but 8 pts not going to cut it against Nova. Very early on he looked better than Ponds. Was much more confident going to the rim and seemed to finish well. Not sure what happened (maybe Big East happened), but if we are going to be a tournament team we will need a lot more from him. Great kid.
 
[quote="Logen" post=313888][quote="MarkRedman" post=313862][quote="Logen" post=313859][quote="MarkRedman" post=313858][quote="pobee10" post=313839]Team tempo style. Booths 39 minutes are a lot different than Ponds.[/quote]


BINGO!!!
We play at a frenetic pace up and down the court for 40 minutes
A fun way to play and to watch but very taxing on the players
They need a blow (even a short one) from time to time
We need to have an eight man rotation to give our starters adequate rest
That didn't happen last night - a major reason for the loss
Before the 4 game stretch, I said I would be OK with going 2-2
In the aftermath, I'm not - we should have won them all!!!![/quote]

So while we are playing at a frenetic pace up and down the court Nova is watching us, resting right? They are not playing at a frenetic pace to keep up? Conversely, if they slow the ball down, we are not slowing down on defense to cover our men, but rather running round at a frenetic pace, right? Come on, the lack of use of the bench is legit but this “we are tired” is nonsense because the two players who beat us played the same minutes our players played. And so did Gillespie, who did a great job on Ponds down the stretch. And funny, we never hear a complaint about Ponds minutes when he takes over a game at the end after playing all those minutes. We played poorly for significant stretches of the game and lost, period, end of story. If you want to criticize the lack of bench use, fine,it is a fair criticism but don’t make up reasons that defy logic. Finally, go look up minutes played; our players, individually do not average more minutes than other teams main players. We play our starting five more but all average from high twenties to Ponds at 34 minutes per game, which is exactly what Booth averages, Powell averages more.[/quote]

Do the research before stating your opinion
We played 2 subs for a total of 32 minutes
They played 4 subs for a total of 66 minutes
Their bench logged more than twice the number of minutes than ours did
And all 4 of their subs played more than 10 minutes
Only one of ours did
Their bench outscored us 21-5

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/boxscore?gameId=401083346[/quote]

Don't change your narrative because you are proven wrong with FACTS. Your original premise was that we lost because we were tired, not that they got more bench production. All I addressed was the "tired" theme.. If you read my post you would understand I acknowledged that criticism of the bench use was legitimate, but not the premise we were tired. So don't change your argument in midstream, that loses a debate every time.[/quote]

This is my last post on the subject. If you want the last word, you can have it. The issues are tied together. They are not mutually exclusive. Failure to provide adequate rest for our starters results in less player and ball movement and more standing around and one on one play on the offensive end. Bottom line and simply put, we are less efficient and less productive when our starters have to log too many minutes.
 
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We could have won it. I thought we were better team almost all game. Gotta close it out.
 
[quote="MCNPA" post=313898]We could have won it. I thought we were better team almost all game. Gotta close it out.[/quote]

Succinct and to the point, Marcus
And spot on!!!
 
[quote="NCJohnnie" post=313864]As Jack W & others have said, loss was tough because of way we lost it (blowing several nice leads). Imho reason we lost is too many second chance points allowed Nova due to offensive rebounds and 2 of our 5 starters having off games (Heron & Clark shot combined 6-20 with only 8 rebounds between them). We rely heavily on our core 5 and, while we can survive an off game from one of them, it's tough to beat good teams like Nova when 2 of the 5 have off games. Ponds & Simon playing too many minutes also appeared to hurt us at the end as they both looked tired.
Coach & players all said right things after game, except that Coach really didn't address why he hardly played bench other than to say something like "in game situations, foul trouble and didn't overthink it". Hopefully we'll get back to more of the nice 8 man rotation going forward.

Good news is we have 5 very winnable games coming up before Duke, 3 at home and on the road games against Butler & Creighton. Feel like we should take 4 of 5 which would put us at 6-3 at halfway point with 5 out of last 9 at home.[/quote]

If we can do that that then we have an excellent chance to go 13-5 in conference which is where I thought we needed to be all along in order to solidify and NCAA bid. I think we will get there. Would have loved to win this game but it's not a bad loss as long as we win Saturday. I agree with the sentiment that Mully must use his bench more.
 
[quote="Mike Zaun" post=313896]Love Heron, but 8 pts not going to cut it against Nova. Very early on he looked better than Ponds. Was much more confident going to the rim and seemed to finish well. Not sure what happened (maybe Big East happened), but if we are going to be a tournament team we will need a lot more from him. Great kid.[/quote]

Some of those power moves the hoop that were working against lesser comp are not working now. He also seems to be trying to force things a bit to much, rather than getting in flow of the offense and letting things come to him. Loved that curl to hoop that resulted in a layup. Wish more plays like that were run for him. Not knocking the kid, thrilled we have him on our team.
 
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