Questions/Concerns about this team..

[Amaseinyourface]

We ve looked bad lately, but we’re not outclassed by Indiana, only lost by 2 in a very hostile environment.
Do have to get on track.

The 2nd half against Indy is the one thing that gives me real hope that this team can play much better then it has. The question I keep asking is; was that truly an indicator of how good we can play, or was that an anomaly? 

Smith vs Indiana and wusu vs Kansas both stepped up as playmakers and scorers when we were looking competitive. Gonna need that third guy consistently and I don’t even really consider posh a sure fire #2 scorer

 

[beast of the east]

[attachment=2328]20211203_204146.jpg[/attachment]

Here's something if you are desperate for positives.    For the first 30 minutes we played a Final 4 contender to nearly a dead heat.

 

 

[monte]

We ve looked bad lately, but we’re not outclassed by Indiana, only lost by 2 in a very hostile environment.
Do have to get on track.

The 2nd half against Indy is the one thing that gives me real hope that this team can play much better then it has. The question I keep asking is; was that truly an indicator of how good we can play, or was that an anomaly? 

Smith vs Indiana and wusu vs Kansas both stepped up as playmakers and scorers when we were looking competitive. Gonna need that third guy consistently and I don’t even really consider posh a sure fire #2 scorer

Was just texting with a couple of highly respected posters, and I mentioned that last season we had a number of players who stepped up in various games to lend support to Posh and Champ. Moore, GWill, Dunn and Earl, all came up big offensively in various games. Even Wusu provided us with an offensive shot in the arm at times. So far, I don't see those kinds of offensive compliments to Champ and Posh. Maybe Wusu and Smith become those guys, but not sure who else even has the potential once we get to league play. And I'm still concerned about Smith's lack of size and quickness. Anyhow let's put together a big game tonight, and hopefully we can build upon it. 

 

[monte]

[attachment=2328]20211203_204146.jpg[/attachment]

Here's something if you are desperate for positives.    For the first 30 minutes we played a Final 4 contender to nearly a dead heat.
 

Yes, like 2nd half at Indy it provides some hope. But I also think both games show that we need both Champ and Posh to be playing at the top of their game in order for us to be competitive against better teams. Haven't seen anyone else yet who can pick up the slack for them if they are in foul trouble, hurt or having an off game. 

 

[MarkRedman]

Just curious. If we beat Fordham,  Monmouth, Colgate and Pitt how will folks feel.going into Big East play?



Not much different. None of these teams should strike fear.
Colgate is the best opponent of the four
We should be able to easily handle them all

 

 

[Amaseinyourface]

We ve looked bad lately, but we’re not outclassed by Indiana, only lost by 2 in a very hostile environment.
Do have to get on track.

The 2nd half against Indy is the one thing that gives me real hope that this team can play much better then it has. The question I keep asking is; was that truly an indicator of how good we can play, or was that an anomaly? 

Smith vs Indiana and wusu vs Kansas both stepped up as playmakers and scorers when we were looking competitive. Gonna need that third guy consistently and I don’t even really consider posh a sure fire #2 scorer

Was just texting with a couple of highly respected posters, and I mentioned that last season we had a number of players who stepped up in various games to lend support to Posh and Champ. Moore, GWill, Dunn and Earl, all came up big offensively in various games. Even Wusu provided us with an offensive shot in the arm at times. So far, I don't see those kinds of offensive compliments to Champ and Posh. Maybe Wusu and Smith become those guys, but not sure who else even has the potential once we get to league play. And I'm still concerned about Smith's lack of size and quickness. Anyhow let's put together a big game tonight, and hopefully we can build upon it. 

I would throw Soriano into that group who could offer potential offensive aide. Maybe some games where coburn really hits his shots. But like you I’m cautious about this team and have been all along. Btw, where the hell were you this summer when no one else wanted to hear it?

 

[NCJohnnie]

I'll watch our last 4 out of conference games expecting improvement both in execution and passion. More worried about the latter right now. Looks like Monmouth is the best of the teams we will face in those 4. Already have knocked Cincy off and shoot it very well from three, often an Achilles heel for us defensively.     

 

[usguard]

Stand corrected,but the sample is small[confidential][/confidential]

 

[Andrew]

Monmouth scares me the most. They look really solid. Shoot the three very well and can rebound.

 

[Mullins Revenge]

Monmouth scares me the most. They look really solid. Shoot the three very well and can rebound.

Colgate and Monmouth scare me equally.  Both teams will beat us if we do not play our A game.  These are 2 real basketball games coming up and if we are not careful, we will lose.

Lets go Johnnies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[beast of the east]

I think we defend better at CA than on a larger court.  Any thoughts?

 

[monte]

Didn't want to start another thread comparing last year's talent to this year's, so I thought I'd resurrect this old thread. Anyone seriously still think that a starting 5 of Posh, Dunn, Moore, GWill and Earl wouldn't have beat this team handily today? I think we've seen a large enough sample size to know what we have:
One tremendous player who is always going to get his points even with other teams focusing on him, one very good player, and a bunch of fair role players.  I said it before and today proves it; without Champ or Posh, or with either/both having a bad game, we can loose to almost anyone in the country. With them we are still not as good as last year's team. Considering the fact that the conference is much stronger top bottom, that likely means a finish somewhere between 5th and 11th. I know it's still early, but I just don't see this team having the parts to gel in to a high caliber Big East team. I hope I'm proven wrong. 

 

[Andrew]

Didn't want to start another thread comparing last year's talent to this year's, so I thought I'd resurrect this old thread. Anyone seriously still think that a starting 5 of Posh, Dunn, Moore, GWill and Earl wouldn't have beat this team handily today? I think we've seen a large enough sample size to know what we have:
One tremendous player who is always going to get his points even with other teams focusing on him, one very good player, and a bunch of fair role players.  I said it before and today proves it; without Champ or Posh, or with either/both having a bad game, we can loose to almost anyone in the country. With them we are still not as good as last year's team. Considering the fact that the conference is much stronger top bottom, that likely means a finish somewhere between 5th and 11th. I know it's still early, but I just don't see this team having the parts to gel in to a high caliber Big East team. I hope I'm proven wrong. 

You have been on point on all of your predictions and concerns for the team this season but I think you are overrating the players that left. Maybe they are better then the ones we currently have and maybe the continuity would have helped but honestly I could see the team you laid out losing to Pitt today. We had no good non conference wins. We started the conference season 2-6 and then we had a hot stretch which ended with a loss in a game we needed to have. The Big East was also pretty weak last year. I still think we will have a stretch of a few games where we play well. Probably because Posh and Champs have great games or Wusu has a standout game like Earlington did a couple of times. Your general point that we don't have the horses is definitely correct and I respect all your posts.

 

 

[monte]

Didn't want to start another thread comparing last year's talent to this year's, so I thought I'd resurrect this old thread. Anyone seriously still think that a starting 5 of Posh, Dunn, Moore, GWill and Earl wouldn't have beat this team handily today? I think we've seen a large enough sample size to know what we have:
One tremendous player who is always going to get his points even with other teams focusing on him, one very good player, and a bunch of fair role players.  I said it before and today proves it; without Champ or Posh, or with either/both having a bad game, we can loose to almost anyone in the country. With them we are still not as good as last year's team. Considering the fact that the conference is much stronger top bottom, that likely means a finish somewhere between 5th and 11th. I know it's still early, but I just don't see this team having the parts to gel in to a high caliber Big East team. I hope I'm proven wrong. 

You have been on point on all of your predictions and concerns for the team this season but I think you are overrating the players that left. Maybe they are better then the ones we currently have and maybe the continuity would have helped but honestly I could see the team you laid out losing to Pitt today. We had no good non conference wins. We started the conference season 2-6 and then we had a hot stretch which ended with a loss in a game we needed to have. The Big East was also pretty weak last year. I still think we will have a stretch of a few games where we play well. Probably because Posh and Champs have great games or Wusu has a standout game like Earlington did a couple of times. Your general point that we don't have the horses is definitely correct and I respect all your posts.


 

Thanks Andrew, it may be a case of revisionist history, but even when we weren't playing well last season, I felt like we had the potential to play much better. I keep hearing how we've played down to the level of the comp this season, but Im not so sure that we haven't just been playing at the level that we're capable of. I honestly just don't see much upside in this team. And before anyone starts talking about the Kansas and Indiana games, how do we know they weren't both playing down to the level of the comp? I watched App state hang with Duke this week at Cameron for 3/4 of the game, before Duke won by 25. Does that mean that App St is anywhere near Duke level because they hung with them for 3/4 of a game? You make valid points, maybe I am overvaluing last years team, but if last years team plays this years team, I put last years team as a 10 pt favorite. 

 

[bamafan]

What I don't get is how we can beat Seton Hall on the road and lose to Pitt at home. /media/kunena/emoticons/w00t.png

 

[monte]

What I don't get is how we can beat Seton Hall on the road and lose to Pitt at home. /media/kunena/emoticons/w00t.png

Technically today was a road game, so it shouldn't hurt our NET very much A few more forfeits by opposing teams, and we might get in to the dance through the back door. Or as I like to call it, rear entry 

 

[bamafan]

What I don't get is how we can beat Seton Hall on the road and lose to Pitt at home. /media/kunena/emoticons/w00t.png

Technically today was a road game, so it shouldn't hurt our NET very much 

That may have been the designation for uniforms and scoreboard and locker rooms at the Garden but I think they use amount of games played at an arena regarding consideration as a home game or not.

 

[monte]

Love revisiting old threads, especially ones that I started. Most of the concerns early in the year did not get resolved, which is why we are all somewhat disappointed in where we are right now. While Wheeler has come on strong, it wasn't around the rim where we most needed help. Soriano has improved but has limitations. Pinzon may have been the back up PG(no sure thing) but didn't get the chance. Mathis has had his moments offensively, but I still say he was better suited to come off the bench. As he was doing at Rutgers. Anyhow, we are where we are. Let's hope for strong finish,
to make some post season noise, and to grab some impact players in the off season. 

 

[Amaseinyourface]

Love revisiting old threads, especially ones that I started. Most of the concerns early in the year did not get resolved, which is why we are all somewhat disappointed in where we are right now. While Wheeler has come on strong, it wasn't around the rim where we most needed help. Soriano has improved but has limitations. Pinzon may have been the back up PG(no sure thing) but didn't get the chance. Mathis has had his moments offensively, but I still say he was better suited to come off the bench. As he was doing at Rutgers. Anyhow, we are where we are. Let's hope for strong finish,
to make some post season noise, and to grab some impact players in the off season. 

Disagree about wheeler not making an impact inside. I think lost in his shooting streak is the easy bucket he’s getting to supplement them. Some easy drop offs for dunks, and some drives of his own.

In BE play he’s shooting 56% from 2 on 5.8 attempts.

And 42% from 3 on 4.6 attempts. 

 

[monte]

Love revisiting old threads, especially ones that I started. Most of the concerns early in the year did not get resolved, which is why we are all somewhat disappointed in where we are right now. While Wheeler has come on strong, it wasn't around the rim where we most needed help. Soriano has improved but has limitations. Pinzon may have been the back up PG(no sure thing) but didn't get the chance. Mathis has had his moments offensively, but I still say he was better suited to come off the bench. As he was doing at Rutgers. Anyhow, we are where we are. Let's hope for strong finish,
to make some post season noise, and to grab some impact players in the off season. 

Disagree about wheeler not making an impact inside. I think lost in his shooting streak is the easy bucket he’s getting to supplement them. Some easy drop offs for dunks, and some drives of his own.

In BE play he’s shooting 56% from 2 on 5.8 attempts.

And 42% from 3 on 4.6 attempts. 

He's definitely scored some points on the inside, but the large majority of his scoring has been away from the basket. And he's also helped on the low post D, but he hasn't exactly been a force down low on D. None of this is meant to be a knock on the kid, who has come on like gang busters in league play and exceeded all expectations. But he has predominantly been a perimeter player, not a low post player.