Progress
- Thread starter Red.Fans
- Start date
I think when the assist numbers improve so will the offense. The team has looked good on offense when they are passing and taking better shots. Simon has mastered this still @ 100% 3PT by taking only good shots from that corner he likes.
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The tradeoff in up-tempo is that offense's style is it's serendipitous nature; steals / blocks erupt into races down-court and some out-of-control shots. That and forced shots from NBA+ distance, and one-on-one antics result in 8th place in 3-point FG % and 9th in FG %.
We need Ponds, Lovett, and Ahmed to show some maturity in shot selection. Simon and Clark lead in both FG% and 3-pt FG %.
We need Ponds, Lovett, and Ahmed to show some maturity in shot selection. Simon and Clark lead in both FG% and 3-pt FG %.
Agree with you with maturity/efficiency/shot selection. That will come with time you have 2 new starters Chemistry & roles being defined take some time. Mullin has said they have focused on defense. Lets hope by conference play we will be improved. But if your looking for the old days of walking the ball down the court you might as well go to you tube. (Just joking around)
Good points Danny. Oh I like up-tempo. Used to chafe at the slow walk up court. Thought that style missed opportunities. These guys are so talented. They just need to show some control and good ball movement, then a shot or a move to the hoop.
Hopefully, their offensive 'efficiency' improves over next 5 games, before Big East play begins.
Hopefully, their offensive 'efficiency' improves over next 5 games, before Big East play begins.
Agree with fan5577
Great statistics, perspective and sharing Paul! Thanks!!
We are better as a team and defensively.
And I agree with fan5577 let's just play basic sound ball. Save the fanciness for the summer leagues.
We are better as a team and defensively.
And I agree with fan5577 let's just play basic sound ball. Save the fanciness for the summer leagues.
Agree regarding the defensive progress Paul. The intensity has been there and that's a big step up from last year. I do think they need to be a little bit more strategic, staying aggressive but realizing there are times you don't foul or gamble, and are bailing the offense out by doing so.
To that end there has to be more in-game adjustment, both ends, but especially defensively starting with the coaching staff. How many times would Mizzou have had to soft drive to draw a perimeter defender and pitch to a wide open shooter before we stayed home on the 3 line? We are not going to see too many backcourts the rest of the way less athletic than Mizzou's, and we played right into their hands instead of daring them to attack the rim against our athletes. That was a winnable game, and after opening the 2nd half 22-8 to get it to 58-50, Mizzou went 40-24 over the last 11:54. You can't let teams score 40 points in 11:54 let alone to close the game, and it wasn't effort it just wasn't playing smart.
The effort on the glass is also there, and think team almost needs to relax a little. It's like they are so hyper to account for the size they are giving up it's almost creating more bobbles and chaos on rebounds that should be ours to secure, With the exception of a few games and Mizzou was one, I don't think this team is going to be that crazy outclassed on the glass. Yawke is playing again, Clark helps, and Simon is a sensational rebounder to add to Owens, Ahmed, and Ponds who showed what they could do in that regard last year. I don't think it's going to be a team strength but i'm more concerned about defending inside than rebounding.
Offensively enjoying the uptempo style but if this team thinks they are the Warriors launching the first 3 they see think this season may be a little more boom or bust, because i don't think this team has the ability to generate extended consistency playing that way (few teams besides GSW do). Am a fan of that style and understand the importance of the 3 to this team, but also think there is a balance line and they were over it with shot selection against UCF. Despite the very small sample I don't think it's complete coincidence that Simon and Clark have been more efficient from 3, as theirs generally seem to be more in the flow of the offense and not forces.
On that as others have alluded to this team is almost night and day when the ball is moving vs. when it stops, and the latter seems to be contagious. Bashir will do it, and then Lovett will do it, and then Ponds might become less engaged for a stretch or also do it, and possession often ends with a perimeter shot without making defense work. Contrasted against when the ball is moving, team plays through the paint and inside out, the results seem night and day. Of everything they are doing right now, this seems like it should be the easiest fix.
Especially true in light of how much zone they are likely to see all year. Don't think many coaches are going to want to let us space out and let Lovett, Ponds, and Simon create.
Lastly toeing the line with the refs I think. Those were 3 of the worst officiated games in a short stretch I can recall seeing, just awful from all 3 groups of officials. Mullin was all over them and I don't blame him, or the players either frankly. But think staff + team in total is starting to react to a lot of calls and that can get you a reputation among officials, and players might have less margin to operate when your coach works the refs as hard as Mullin already does, so need to be careful.
To that end there has to be more in-game adjustment, both ends, but especially defensively starting with the coaching staff. How many times would Mizzou have had to soft drive to draw a perimeter defender and pitch to a wide open shooter before we stayed home on the 3 line? We are not going to see too many backcourts the rest of the way less athletic than Mizzou's, and we played right into their hands instead of daring them to attack the rim against our athletes. That was a winnable game, and after opening the 2nd half 22-8 to get it to 58-50, Mizzou went 40-24 over the last 11:54. You can't let teams score 40 points in 11:54 let alone to close the game, and it wasn't effort it just wasn't playing smart.
The effort on the glass is also there, and think team almost needs to relax a little. It's like they are so hyper to account for the size they are giving up it's almost creating more bobbles and chaos on rebounds that should be ours to secure, With the exception of a few games and Mizzou was one, I don't think this team is going to be that crazy outclassed on the glass. Yawke is playing again, Clark helps, and Simon is a sensational rebounder to add to Owens, Ahmed, and Ponds who showed what they could do in that regard last year. I don't think it's going to be a team strength but i'm more concerned about defending inside than rebounding.
Offensively enjoying the uptempo style but if this team thinks they are the Warriors launching the first 3 they see think this season may be a little more boom or bust, because i don't think this team has the ability to generate extended consistency playing that way (few teams besides GSW do). Am a fan of that style and understand the importance of the 3 to this team, but also think there is a balance line and they were over it with shot selection against UCF. Despite the very small sample I don't think it's complete coincidence that Simon and Clark have been more efficient from 3, as theirs generally seem to be more in the flow of the offense and not forces.
On that as others have alluded to this team is almost night and day when the ball is moving vs. when it stops, and the latter seems to be contagious. Bashir will do it, and then Lovett will do it, and then Ponds might become less engaged for a stretch or also do it, and possession often ends with a perimeter shot without making defense work. Contrasted against when the ball is moving, team plays through the paint and inside out, the results seem night and day. Of everything they are doing right now, this seems like it should be the easiest fix.
Especially true in light of how much zone they are likely to see all year. Don't think many coaches are going to want to let us space out and let Lovett, Ponds, and Simon create.
Lastly toeing the line with the refs I think. Those were 3 of the worst officiated games in a short stretch I can recall seeing, just awful from all 3 groups of officials. Mullin was all over them and I don't blame him, or the players either frankly. But think staff + team in total is starting to react to a lot of calls and that can get you a reputation among officials, and players might have less margin to operate when your coach works the refs as hard as Mullin already does, so need to be careful.
Class of 72
Active member
I suspect these stats will change drastically if we play a few more games similar to the last one.
WHERE WE ARE IN MANY OF THE STATS against conf teams is not looking good for us We are for many in the lower middle or at the bottom
It is going to be hard against big east teams it we can not get our rebounding ,3pt shooting better. to wins games now we must be on with our shooting and to date we have not. Yes Ponds is scoring but what he was suppose to be was a lights out 3pt shooter which he has not been .couple this we no Lovett we have our work cut out out for us
beast of the east
Active member
I'm not worried so much about stats on the defensive end, and more impressed with what I've seen against OOC competition that had a couple of pretty good teams.
We've gotten beaten off the dribble rarely compared to the past. On the drive and dish, we've covered the 3 much better than before. I would go so far as to say the change has been startling, if not radical just yet. We aren't lockdown defenders, but teams have had to earn their baskets.
Offense has a lot more question marks. Yes, we can run and appear to be a good transition team. I expect that to continue.
Yes, we've had struggles of late, but with Lovett, we appear to have many weapons. Without him we appear to be underpowered on offense, with only Ponds capable of reliable points. Rather than grade them, I'd give them an incomplete. When healthy we've looked very good at times.
IF we can return to full strength soon and avoid injuries, I suspect we can squeeze out 9-11 wins in conference. If Lovett's injury becomes a season long nagging injury, or severely limits him for the next 4-5 games, or if another significant injury hampers this squad, 7-8 conference wins are more likely.
Much to be hopeful for, and excited to get the show going tonight.
We've gotten beaten off the dribble rarely compared to the past. On the drive and dish, we've covered the 3 much better than before. I would go so far as to say the change has been startling, if not radical just yet. We aren't lockdown defenders, but teams have had to earn their baskets.
Offense has a lot more question marks. Yes, we can run and appear to be a good transition team. I expect that to continue.
Yes, we've had struggles of late, but with Lovett, we appear to have many weapons. Without him we appear to be underpowered on offense, with only Ponds capable of reliable points. Rather than grade them, I'd give them an incomplete. When healthy we've looked very good at times.
IF we can return to full strength soon and avoid injuries, I suspect we can squeeze out 9-11 wins in conference. If Lovett's injury becomes a season long nagging injury, or severely limits him for the next 4-5 games, or if another significant injury hampers this squad, 7-8 conference wins are more likely.
Much to be hopeful for, and excited to get the show going tonight.
Agree!
redfan259999888
Active member
Well we were having progress this yearuntil tonight giving up 94pnts.
Looked like last years team.