Up Next- Monmouth
- Thread starter ccnobz
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beast of the east
Active member
I don't believe for a second that any of these poor showings have anything to do with effort. I don't think there is a kid on the squad who doesn't look at the schedule, see a weaker opponent, and imagine lighting it up, blowing them out, and padding his stats. It's funny, though. You come out to actually play, find out that it wasn't as easy as you thought, don't get in your rhythm, and all of a sudden, your teammates are not playing within themselves, and the entire team is flat as hell. You can't just explain it all away with lack of effort. These types of games have been happening since they first nailed a peach basket to a pole, and will continue forever. Lesser players with lots to prove, will more often come out ready, and hang their season on the game they kept it close against a big name opponent. So it happens, and you move on.
jumbo_peanuts
Active member
For every block that Obekpa had, and the rest of the team for that matter, how many blocks did we go for and miss? How many blocks did we miss that resulted in an offensive rebound and a putback? How many goaltendings were called, or should have been called? His shot blocking is hurting us just as much as it is helping us.
Maybe I'm just a glass half empty kind of guy, and of course a win is a win, but how was this game a step(even a small one) in the right direction? Other than the play of Phil Greene, I have seen no improvement individually or collectively in this team over the first 4 games. Monmouth was the worst of the teams we've played, so it was expected that we should have looked more in control. But as far as feeling that this team is improving as unit, I just don't see it as of yet. We are talented but but not that talented that we can win many Big East games on just talent. The staff had better figure something out soon.
We give up way too many offensive rebounds when we play zone. Was true last year, and was definitely true last night.
Everyone knows that being out of position to rebound is a downside to playing some zone schemes. So if we're going to continue to play the 2-3 there has got to be an emphasis on rebounding.
Also, we jumped out of our shoes on every shot fake and attempted to block EVERYTHInG. Blocks are fine, but not at the expense of giving up offensive boards.
westchesterjoe
Active member
Was Lavin wearing a clerical collar under that navy blue shirt? Looked like it.. Well, a little Divine inspiration wouldn't hurt this team. I kept watching Steve on the sidelines, waving his arms and gesturing frantically but, it was that shirt that had me wondering all game..
While shot blocking always elicits many oohs and ahhs from fans, it's not a meaningful statistic if you knock it to a opponent for a easy hoop..And, as many have said earlier, the block usually takes the blocker out of play for put backs or getting rebounds.. Bill Russell was the epitome of a shot blocker genius. He usually retrieved it himself or knocked it to a teammate to start a fast break the other way.
Our performance against Monmouth? Underwhelming!
While shot blocking always elicits many oohs and ahhs from fans, it's not a meaningful statistic if you knock it to a opponent for a easy hoop..And, as many have said earlier, the block usually takes the blocker out of play for put backs or getting rebounds.. Bill Russell was the epitome of a shot blocker genius. He usually retrieved it himself or knocked it to a teammate to start a fast break the other way.
Our performance against Monmouth? Underwhelming!
westchesterjoe
Active member
I think it was the shirt that got Steve going..
Ray Morgan
Well-known member
Many good points here. Lavin recruited his first class like the NBA drafts players: find the most athletic guys and let the coach turn them into something. Except Lavin isn't good enough to turn them into anything. Although they to have one NBA talent-complaining after every foul call. Pointer couldn't shoot when he got here, and is getting worse. Greene logs a ton of minutes in his career, and makes a horrible decision to shoot a 3 when the smart move is to use clock. At least Mike Moses thought he had a layup when he got rejected late in the elite 8 game against NC State. Obekpa got lucky that the refs enjoyed his repeated goal tendings so much that they forgot to blow the whistle. I get the feeling every Big East coach will be in the ref's ears prior to tip-off about his blocking everything.
If the team just missed against Wisconsin, and blew out Bucknell, you could call this a trap game. But every regular season game, and even one of the exhibitions, has been underwhelming. After a while, you have to accept that there is a problem. Years ago, SJU lost to Niagara early on, (was it Mullin's senior year?) but that was an early wake up call for what obviously was a very good team. Back to back tough wins, and that's with Greene having the best 2 games of his career. I'm not ready yet to lower my expectations, which is a top 4 Big East finish and a decent NCAA seed, but you have to be a real homer to not be a little concerned. Just a thought-does any player that get the ball have carte blanche to run the break? That's a message to Sampson, who ran 2 or 3 breaks instead of giving it up to a better ball handler. I'm fine with Sanchez running the break. Not sure who else can be trusted, although Jordan should be fine.
Ray, I think of the players that played last night, Obekpa and Gift (and maybe Hooper) are the only ones not allowed to lead the break. Lavin's system seems to be that multiple players on the court should be able to bring the ball up. Sanchez is surprisingly good for a big man. I worry when Jakarr does it.
Ray Morgan
Well-known member
For a team that needs to run to score, they need a more efficient break. One problem is that the only proven passer is Sanchez. When anyone else gets the ball, especially on the drive, it's with the intention of scoring the ball. Except for Jordan, who has some PG skills and a passer's mentality. Lavin did what he could to rebuild the program, but was missing 2 elements required of a shooting challenged but athletic team: a strong rebounder and outlet passer, and a quick, skilled, pass first point guard. Those guys are harder to find, and more coveted, than the 6'5 to 6'7 athletic wing with limited range and basketball IQ. Jordan should be the missing PG. Still need a big that is a beast on the boards and throws a perfect outlet pass. Like Kevin Love was at UCLA.
As previous post pointed out there was some experimenting in this game. We started 2 guards instead of 3 and Hooper got 17 minutes for example. As long as we don't lose these games if the team learns and grows we are headed in the right direction. Still agree strongly about the poor shot selection and lack of passing. Sanchez was the lone bright spot. He had 6 assists. He is playing great ball but I'd like to see him get more opportunities inside. I think Jordan could be the missing piece for this team if he decides to become a distributor instead of being a part of the jumpshot club. If we are still talking about living by the jumpshot in January we won't be a Tourney team or beat Syracuse in Dec for that matter.
JackofVirginia
Active member
Inside, inside that's where he belongs. The kid can dribble, move his feet and should be able to get around most big men.
tom in salem
Well-known member
He and Sampson were made to run a high/low, which I've yet to see us try this year.
Not sure which oposters you`re talking about, but I decided to not post because hey we were 23pnt favs and looked like Monmouth for most of the game. I wasn`t happy but they won so I decided not to say anything about the game. It wasn`t a solid game.
Maybe Lavin is trying things out that he knows the team needs work on and so that could have been the reason for looking like Monmouth. I`d rather look like crap if it helps in the long run then blow them out by 25, and not try to get better at the \things we need to. I pray that`s the case or we are in big trouble this year.
So I guess expect another struggle on Tuesday and more comments about how bad we are. The 2 games at the Barclay Center Classic will be more telling of what this team has, Lavin won`t experiment in a tourny or will he?