Live or Die Attitude. Has JTIII Changed?

[michaeldm9]

I been watching this young team over the season and particular the Rutgers game and noticed a big difference in JTIII coaching approach from the previous 3 season. In the Rutgers game, JTIII sat Hollis for about 6 mins in during crucial time in the second half. He also play freshman during the crunch time during the Memphis game as well as Louisville.

Get to the point right. Over the previous 3 season we lived and died with the veterans. No matter how Chris or Austin was shooting or playing that night coach never pulled them or tried out the freshman class. I think this is the reason for GT own not really living up to their potential and late season collapse over the past 3 season. J Vaughn down the stretch killed GTown last year. Austin couldn't find the basket. There was time when G Monroe was not looking good. Bet never JTIII take a chance on the bench to see if the would give us spurt. First mistake Henry had the games ad he was was pulled.

Has Henry really improved that much or is he just getting more minutes to prove that he can play. I thought there was many of times Vee need to come in to help Austin relax when he hit shooting slumps. I thought he pressed the situation a lot because so much pressure was on the team. Vee could shoot but never got the minutes. There was games where he did got minutes and came up big.

So are our freshman just that much better or are they getting chance to step up a learn the game. Is Trawick that much better than Starks last year. Maybe these freshman practice better than the one we had previously.

I am glad our freshman are getting a chance to play quality minutes.We have had a lot of transfer over the 3 year and hopefully JTIII has changed his philosophy in giving the young guys a true chance in proving themselves.

Hey. Let the opinions flow.

[alleninxis]

Accountability is a welcome change and has won us some games this year.

[daytonahoya31]

Yes and no.

Yes, III will play whomever is playing best on that given night, hence Hollis sat tonight because he played zero defense. Carter's three-pointer to make it 50-45 when Hollis didn't fight through the screen was an example.

But no, because in the past, our bench talent was dreadful and there was just no way we could play anyone but our starters in crunchtime.

With this recruiting class, III has created competition, and that's a big part of why this team is so good defensively.

[SFHoya99]

Our bench is just better.

[prhoya]

At least we saw what looked like different schemes for inbound plays with no TOs and a "last play of the game" time-out that reulted in another foul by Rutgers. Two things he's changed from this year's earlier losses...

[gahoya]

If we had put in Benimon instead of Greg or Otto, we would have lost this game.

[bmartin]

Hollis went out after picking up his third foul. Whittington and Trawick were playing well on defense and getting good shots on offense so there was no rush to put Hollis or Starks back in.

Not a new approach by JTIII. He has always been willing to ride matchups that were working.

[deacon]

Jan 21, 2012 14:50:52 GMT -5 daytonahoya31 said:

Yes and no.

Yes, III will play whomever is playing best on that given night, hence Hollis sat tonight because he played zero defense. Carter's three-pointer to make it 50-45 when Hollis didn't fight through the screen was an example.

But no, because in the past, our bench talent was dreadful and there was just no way we could play anyone but our starters in crunchtime.

With this recruiting class, III has created competition, and that's a big part of why this team is so good defensively.

This.

We have options now. I agree with the sentiment that in the past, JT3 stuck with the upperclassmen regardless of how they were playing, but we didn't have solid alternatives on the bench, and JTIII knew it. We do now, and that's the difference.

[SirSaxa]

From the time GU was down 38-31, the freshmen scored 16 of the next 21 pts to win the game 52-50.

Specifically, Greg had 7 straight to tie the game at 38.
Otto had 6 straight -- the final 6 pts to close out and win the game.

Jabril had 2 FTs and Otto 1 for the other 3 (of 16) freshmen pts.

[Eurostar]

These freshmen are just better.

[HoyaSinceBirth]

Coach said in an interview post game that Hollis was hurt all game and playing through a leg injury. That's why he wasn't as good today and didn't play as much.

[GIGAFAN99]

We have three vets and they're almost always in. I think it's just a numbers game that the rest of the team is young so at anytime there's someone "unproven" in there.

But 9/10 times, it's Starks, Clark, Thompson, Porter, and Sims with Whittington subbing in offense/defense. Nothing is too crazy down the stretch.

[mapei]

I'm not sure that Jason came out for more than a minute or two all game. But I think it's the right call to leave him in there in tight games, exacerbated today by Markel's foul trouble.

[NCHoya]

The talent on the bench is just so much better than in year's past. In fact, our best defenders are the freshman, it is a luxury for JT3 to rotate in the youngsters.

[idhoya]

I think he's prepping the pups for the BE and NCAA tourneys. Letting them see different looks both offensively and defensively. Since they're like sponges; they'll be better for it down the road.

[lichoya68]

COACH HAS ALWAYS SAID since china he TRUSTS this team ADN the frosh they are no a usual bunch very tall lanky talented and hustling not typical frosh or gu frosh THE FRESH FROSH FIVE AINT BAD NOPE AINT BAD THATS THE DIFFERENCE AND THEM AND THE OLDER GUYS MELD WELL ITS CALL DEPTH AND T E A MMMMMMMMMMM GO HOYAS BEAT PITT ;D

[SirSaxa]

Jan 21, 2012 17:28:47 GMT -5 idhoya said:

I think he's prepping the pups for the BE and NCAA tourneys. Letting them see different looks both offensively and defensively. Since they're like sponges; they'll be better for it down the road.

Ding Ding Ding Ding! We have a WINNER!

I agree with you ID (as usual) -- although JT3 is also trying to win games along the way. But having 4 frosh in together during key minutes in the second half v. UL, and Jabril, GW and Otto today... It helps now, and it helps later too. These kids will be much more comfortable when BET and NCAA time arrives. Hopefully, GW will start making those bunnies AND be more comfortable with his THREE -- which already LOOKS really good.

Man, I love these frosh!

Jabril just needs more minutes too.. and Hopkins.

[757hoyafan]

Is he still on the team?

Jan 21, 2012 15:05:25 GMT -5 gahoya said:

If we had put in Benimon instead of Greg or Otto, we would have lost this game.

[chep3]

Occam's razor again. We have more quality depth than we've ever had. We've usually had a pretty strong 6th man (Hollis, Pat, DJ), but not a lot more than that. The other thing is, the freshmen provide different looks. When we need to up the defensive intensity, toss Greg and Jabril out there and let them go to work.

[gahoya]

Jan 21, 2012 19:19:15 GMT -5 757hoyafan said:

Is he still on the team?

Jan 21, 2012 15:05:25 GMT -5 gahoya said:

If we had put in Benimon instead of Greg or Otto, we would have lost this game.

Obviously not, I'm saying this is the difference from last year. Greg, Otto, and Jabril all can be plugged in at any time with no real fall off of production, especially defensively. If last year's team was playing this game and put in a Benimon, we would be playing a man down and would have lost this and many other games.