VCU, Thur. Nov. 24, 7pm, AXS/570AM-B4A
- Thread starter Knight
- Start date
Ready to play with teams on the level of our last 3 games, not ready to beat them. As frustrating as the end result is really a pretty good spot to be at this stage in the rebuild. Should see this improve organically to some degree over the next few months and certainly next year, but a few glaring things we could do to expedite:
1. Points at the rim. Feels like we are minus triple digits in this regard through 5 games, and if you take our two guards (who are by far are best finishers around the basket) out of the equation it likely gets a lot worse. Offensively we seem to worried about a potential block (perhaps a result of playing in heavy-block enviro in practice?) and just need go straight up through contact and either convert or get fouled. Defensively probably most frustrating at this point because a lot of it is effort. VCU just out-worked us at their hoop last night, especially in the second half. So many easy, barely-contested buckets. Great that we get blocks but defense is about outworking the opposition for position before it gets to that point. Not doing that currently and probably the most unacceptable part of our performance right now.
2. Role players playing in roles. Mussini can stretch the D and open driving lanes but can't defend. Ellison can guard and participate on the backboard but can't score. So it doesn't make a lot of sense to have Ellison out there for 21 minutes last night and spend (possibly literally) zero possessions on a big guard like Williams who was (definitely literally) getting into the lane at will like this was a lopsided high school game. Likewise Mussini's minutes aren't optimized when he's asked to play the same defensive strategy as Lovett/Ponds/Ellison. He's trying like crazy and the effort is there but when he was in and we are in man you could see MSU and VCU looking to get it to his guy to ISO. Last night it would have been nice to have him out there for more than 12 minutes because VCU's guards were having a tough time staying in front of Lovett and Ponds, so have to find ways to leverage him more effectively.
3. Everyone understanding what their role is. In a 2 possession game we probably had 10+ that ended with someone taking an action they should rarely ever take. Sima/Yawke 15+ foot jumpers. Ellison multiple contested 3s. Owens wild jump hooks from outside 5 feet. Seems nit-picky but guys trying to make things happen outside what they do can have an impact. VCU by contrast stayed close to what they do, almost seemed to double down on their strengths in the second half (in part because we didn't adjust to stop it), and that was a difference in the game. Seems to be a mini-trend for us as Alibegovic came into Minny and promptly launched two 3s in two minutes of action, and these low % plays almost amount to empty possessions and we just can't have them if we want to win close games.
Separately Ahmed forces at times and would be great to reel that in. But he was 4-8/2-4/3-4 last night and gave us 13 points in 21 minutes which is exceptionally high efficiency. He's 7-15 from 3 our last three games. Net of foul trouble he has to play more. With our limited scoring options would rather have him trying to make things happen as we don't have many alternatives after the guards.
1. Points at the rim. Feels like we are minus triple digits in this regard through 5 games, and if you take our two guards (who are by far are best finishers around the basket) out of the equation it likely gets a lot worse. Offensively we seem to worried about a potential block (perhaps a result of playing in heavy-block enviro in practice?) and just need go straight up through contact and either convert or get fouled. Defensively probably most frustrating at this point because a lot of it is effort. VCU just out-worked us at their hoop last night, especially in the second half. So many easy, barely-contested buckets. Great that we get blocks but defense is about outworking the opposition for position before it gets to that point. Not doing that currently and probably the most unacceptable part of our performance right now.
2. Role players playing in roles. Mussini can stretch the D and open driving lanes but can't defend. Ellison can guard and participate on the backboard but can't score. So it doesn't make a lot of sense to have Ellison out there for 21 minutes last night and spend (possibly literally) zero possessions on a big guard like Williams who was (definitely literally) getting into the lane at will like this was a lopsided high school game. Likewise Mussini's minutes aren't optimized when he's asked to play the same defensive strategy as Lovett/Ponds/Ellison. He's trying like crazy and the effort is there but when he was in and we are in man you could see MSU and VCU looking to get it to his guy to ISO. Last night it would have been nice to have him out there for more than 12 minutes because VCU's guards were having a tough time staying in front of Lovett and Ponds, so have to find ways to leverage him more effectively.
3. Everyone understanding what their role is. In a 2 possession game we probably had 10+ that ended with someone taking an action they should rarely ever take. Sima/Yawke 15+ foot jumpers. Ellison multiple contested 3s. Owens wild jump hooks from outside 5 feet. Seems nit-picky but guys trying to make things happen outside what they do can have an impact. VCU by contrast stayed close to what they do, almost seemed to double down on their strengths in the second half (in part because we didn't adjust to stop it), and that was a difference in the game. Seems to be a mini-trend for us as Alibegovic came into Minny and promptly launched two 3s in two minutes of action, and these low % plays almost amount to empty possessions and we just can't have them if we want to win close games.
Separately Ahmed forces at times and would be great to reel that in. But he was 4-8/2-4/3-4 last night and gave us 13 points in 21 minutes which is exceptionally high efficiency. He's 7-15 from 3 our last three games. Net of foul trouble he has to play more. With our limited scoring options would rather have him trying to make things happen as we don't have many alternatives after the guards.
we are sju
Active member
He wouldn't have played. Sima, Yakwe, Owens and Amir are way better
Ray Morgan
Well-known member
Very good points. Owens jump hooks a by product of not having the body type to go up strong. The 3 ball launching by Ellison and Ali come from the Mullin playbook of "better a bad shot than a turnover". Definitely need Ahmed to get his minutes. Can't just have Lovett and Ponds scoring the ball. As for empty possessions at the end, that's the difference between an experienced team and our team. I also like where we are at this point. Just need a post up player by developing what we have or recruiting one.
Class of 72
Active member
He wouldn't have played. Sima, Yakwe, Owens and Amir are way better
One last time....Christian Jones chose to leave...he wasn't asked. He just would not and did not expect the minutes, let alone start. Sima and Yakwe are not getting the ball in the right position down low because the team is freelancing on offense. These kids need structure.
VCU thoughts:http://www.bigeastboards.com
montyaloofah
Active member
In all seriousness, we are not in terrible shape. I'm as frustrated as everyone over these past 3 losses. Clearly each was winnable. The fact that we were in a position to win these games is remarkable given how new this team is. That being said, i'm concerned about the following:
1. Ellison: Questionable offensive ability. Poor decision making. Good on defense. Prefer him to be set up for a mid range jumper, but not to create for himself.
2. Bashir Ahmed: this year's Durand Johnson. shoot first mentality, makes dumb fouls. needs to mature about his game. Can be excellent if he's a threat to pass off the drive.
3. Sima/Yakwe: Same versions we had last year. Surprised to see no noticeable improvement.
4. Tarik Owens: Put on a few lbs!
5. Richie F: Does not look comfortable out there.
I'm good with the rest of the primary guys. Hope we win tonight
1. Ellison: Questionable offensive ability. Poor decision making. Good on defense. Prefer him to be set up for a mid range jumper, but not to create for himself.
2. Bashir Ahmed: this year's Durand Johnson. shoot first mentality, makes dumb fouls. needs to mature about his game. Can be excellent if he's a threat to pass off the drive.
3. Sima/Yakwe: Same versions we had last year. Surprised to see no noticeable improvement.
4. Tarik Owens: Put on a few lbs!
5. Richie F: Does not look comfortable out there.
I'm good with the rest of the primary guys. Hope we win tonight
This is a great post and I completely agree with it. I would add that there is no crazy fire the coach talk or over the top expectations. There are teams that we are not ready to beat. However, there should be expectations to play better and win some games. After watching the three teams we faced we were in each game and weren't that far off talent wise. We got 0 wins and yes that is disappointing. the bar should be raising and we weren't playing Duke here! VCU and Minny were both beatable teams. An expectation to win is part of growing the program.
JackofVirginia
Active member
The only problem Ray is with Ellison on the court for at least 21 minutes along with Yakwe and Sima the only offense comes from the guards.
JackofVirginia
Active member
Two nights in a row he fell asleep at the wheel. Apparently so did the assistants.
IMO point #3 is the most egregious.
The guys take the green light as almost a requirement to shoot. As a result, they all look for their shot before considering whether there is a better one available to a teammate.
Ahmed, Ellison and Alibegovic in particular are most prone.
Absolutely love that people who have not been to one practice or team meeting can so definitively say how the team should be coached from substitutions, to offensive plays and defensive approaches. The current coaching is far from HOF level but who thinks it should or could be realistically? Mullins as a 2nd year coach coaching ANYWHERE has a very definite learning curve, no question. But I have to laugh at the same people who criticized him last year for not coaching are now second guessing his every move. As I have pointed out before, experienced coaches at the D1 level, like Wright and Cosch K, had very real growing pains when they went to Nova and Duke.
