Nevada Hoya
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Post by Nevada Hoya on Feb 28, 2012 12:48:06 GMT -5
Hard to nitpick after a win like last night and especially since he had such a strong game overall, but Henry: please stop hesitating at the foul line and allowing defenders to recover before taking the 15-17 footer. Just go up with it and be confident that you can knock it down! Yes, Henry is a good shooter, but he has been rushing the jump shot, falling away, turning around. He has to realize that it is sometimes there and has to take the square up jumper.
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SFHoya99
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Post by SFHoya99 on Feb 28, 2012 12:51:22 GMT -5
I thought we played well and it seemed like we could beat anybody. But, little did I realize that by advanced metrics we played like the #1 team in the country for the third time this year according to the charts on Hoya Prospectus. By comparison, Syracuse has only played like the #1 four times this year and only once in BE play (this was our second time; USF). In fact, in the BE only Marquette has played as the #1 team at any point this year but none were in BE play. Just shows that we have all the talent in the world, but our biggest problem is simply consistency. We basically play 2/3 of our games as a top 15 team but a relatively high number as a 20 to 50 team and a couple of games closer to the 100 mark. Syracuse has played only one game below #20 and that was their loss to ND where they played at the level of the #30 team. Simply put, we can in fact play with anyone and we often do, but doing so only 2 out of every 3 games could, with luck, lead to a deep run or an early exit. Here's hoping the upperclassmen step up and bring some greater consistency than we've seen for most of the year. Syracuse is a very good team, but like any team that is 29-1... ...they are 5-0 in games decided by 5 points or less. They've played three Ken Pom Top 20 teams, all at home, winning by a combined 14 (12 points of that is home court). They played one non-conference away game. Almost every team that is 29-1 has gotten a bit lucky. Syracuse is no exception. Perhaps they should be 15-3 or 14-4 -- still probably the best team in the BE, but the hype they are getting at 29-1 is not as deserved as say, Kentucky, IMO.
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NCHoya
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Post by NCHoya on Feb 28, 2012 13:00:14 GMT -5
Also, forget the talk about the Starks-JTIII squabble. Unfortunately for Starks the squabble and subsequent benching proved we are better without him (or at least in a very limited role) and what you saw last night is probably the role Starks will play as long as he stays at GU. Where is this coming from? Markel played a highly effective game in his 22 minutes last night. He does not have to score 25 for this team to be good. He has to play hard at both ends and limit dumb shots and fouls. As long as he does that, he has a very real role on this team. Also since he played more than half the game and we blitzed a team that was ahead of us in the BE standings, how can one say we are better without Starks? To me, the response by Starks to his benching was impressive and should not be overlooked. He did not sulk, he played harder and smarter. That level maturity is always welcomed at the college level and makes a team better.
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Feb 28, 2012 13:13:54 GMT -5
Also, forget the talk about the Starks-JTIII squabble. Unfortunately for Starks the squabble and subsequent benching proved we are better without him (or at least in a very limited role) and what you saw last night is probably the role Starks will play as long as he stays at GU. Where is this coming from? Markel played a highly effective game in his 22 minutes last night. He does not have to score 25 for this team to be good. He has to play hard at both ends and limit dumb shots and fouls. As long as he does that, he has a very real role on this team. Also since he played more than half the game and we blitzed a team that was ahead of us in the BE standings, how can one say we are better without Starks? To me, the response by Starks to his benching was impressive and should not be overlooked. He did not sulk, he played harder and smarter. That level maturity is always welcomed at the college level and makes a team better. Don't worry too much about it, NC. Enjoy this instead: ....posted entirely at random and not at all related to any previous posts in this thread!!!! Or something.
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Post by Ranch Dressing on Feb 28, 2012 13:20:04 GMT -5
My sense is that JTIII was looking for a way to make the change with Otto and send a shockwave through the team before the home stretch. Starks' defensive let-down at Seton Hall was what he needed to justify the lineup change, send the whole team a stern message that defense is how the team is going to win, and light a fire in the team's belly before our big run to Big East Tourney and National Championships. Just one man's opinion.
And while I agree that Otto is going to remain in the starting lineup, Starks will still get 20-25 minutes and be asked to play a big role here on out.
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Feb 28, 2012 13:38:30 GMT -5
My sense is that JTIII was looking for a way to make the change with Otto and send a shockwave through the team before the home stretch. Starks' defensive let-down at Seton Hall was what he needed to justify the lineup change, send the whole team a stern message that defense is how the team is going to win, and light a fire in the team's belly before our big run to Big East Tourney and National Championships. Just one man's opinion. And while I agree that Otto is going to remain in the starting lineup, Starks will still get 20-25 minutes and be asked to play a big role here on out. I know, right? It's almost like he's a really good coach who knows exactly what he is doing or something crazy like that. Weird.
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MCIGuy
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Post by MCIGuy on Feb 28, 2012 13:53:20 GMT -5
Other thing I loved about the last two games is that during the Nova game the announcers kept talking about how our style of play doesn't allow us to blow teams out (in all seriousness they must have said it 3 or 4 times, almost the exact same way every time). Um..... Well, screw you announcers. Most times the announcers are correct. Can't blame them for being honest.
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SFHoya99
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Post by SFHoya99 on Feb 28, 2012 14:02:39 GMT -5
Other thing I loved about the last two games is that during the Nova game the announcers kept talking about how our style of play doesn't allow us to blow teams out (in all seriousness they must have said it 3 or 4 times, almost the exact same way every time). Um..... Well, screw you announcers. Most times the announcers are correct. Can't blame them for being honest. Except it's horsecrap - at least in the BE context. They say we can't come back (we do all the time) or blow people out (we do all the time). Every fanbase in America complains that they play up and down to their opponents. It's not really true -- virtually every college team is inconsistent AND most teams aren't that much better or worse than each other. These are all generic narratives fans and announcers make up because they assume a level of consistency in college ball that isn't there -- and because fans assume the best game a team plays is the expected level of performance. Do we play down to our opponents? I'd say it is more correct to say we play poorly sometimes, and sometimes that's against weaker opponents. When you are a good team, you play many more teams that are weaker than you. It looks like you play down, but the reality is you're merely inconsistent. Am I saying there aren't emotional letdowns against weaker opponents? I'm sure there are. But less than people think AND I don't think the Hoyas necessarily do it more than other teams.
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MCIGuy
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Post by MCIGuy on Feb 28, 2012 14:06:21 GMT -5
I thought we played well and it seemed like we could beat anybody. But, little did I realize that by advanced metrics we played like the #1 team in the country for the third time this year according to the charts on Hoya Prospectus. By comparison, Syracuse has only played like the #1 four times this year and o ???nly once in BE play (this was our second time; USF). In fact, in the BE only Marquette has played as the #1 team at any point this year but none were in BE play. Just shows that we have all the talent in the world, but our biggest problem is simply consistency. We basically play 2/3 of our games as a top 15 team but a relatively high nu ???mber as a 20 to 50 team and a couple of games closer to the 100 mark. Syracuse has played only one game below #20 and that was their loss to ND where they played at the level of the #30 team. Simply put, we can in fact play with anyone and we often do, but doing so only 2 out of every 3 games could, with luck, lead to a deep run or an early exit. Here's hoping the upperclassmen step up and bring some greater consistency than we've seen for most of the year. Ummmm....what?
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kchoya
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Post by kchoya on Feb 28, 2012 14:10:55 GMT -5
I thought we played well and it seemed like we could beat anybody. But, little did I realize that by advanced metrics we played like the #1 team in the country for the third time this year according to the charts on Hoya Prospectus. By comparison, Syracuse has only played like the #1 four times this year and o ???nly once in BE play (this was our second time; USF). In fact, in the BE only Marquette has played as the #1 team at any point this year but none were in BE play. Just shows that we have all the talent in the world, but our biggest problem is simply consistency. We basically play 2/3 of our games as a top 15 team but a relatively high nu ???mber as a 20 to 50 team and a couple of games closer to the 100 mark. Syracuse has played only one game below #20 and that was their loss to ND where they played at the level of the #30 team. Simply put, we can in fact play with anyone and we often do, but doing so only 2 out of every 3 games could, with luck, lead to a deep run or an early exit. Here's hoping the upperclassmen step up and bring some greater consistency than we've seen for most of the year. Ummmm....what? It's like moneyball madlibs. ____ played like the ___ team in __ out of __ games excepth when the played like ___ in __ games.
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adlai
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Post by adlai on Feb 28, 2012 15:01:46 GMT -5
I thought we played well and it seemed like we could beat anybody. But, little did I realize that by advanced metrics we played like the #1 team in the country for the third time this year according to the charts on Hoya Prospectus. By comparison, Syracuse has only played like the #1 four times this year and only once in BE play (this was our second time; USF). In fact, in the BE only Marquette has played as the #1 team at any point this year but none were in BE play. Just shows that we have all the talent in the world, but our biggest problem is simply consistency. We basically play 2/3 of our games as a top 15 team but a relatively high number as a 20 to 50 team and a couple of games closer to the 100 mark. Syracuse has played only one game below #20 and that was their loss to ND where they played at the level of the #30 team. Simply put, we can in fact play with anyone and we often do, but doing so only 2 out of every 3 games could, with luck, lead to a deep run or an early exit. Here's hoping the upperclassmen step up and bring some greater consistency than we've seen for most of the year. Syracuse is a very good team, but like any team that is 29-1... ...they are 5-0 in games decided by 5 points or less. They've played three Ken Pom Top 20 teams, all at home, winning by a combined 14 (12 points of that is home court). They played one non-conference away game. Almost every team that is 29-1 has gotten a bit lucky. Syracuse is no exception. Perhaps they should be 15-3 or 14-4 -- still probably the best team in the BE, but the hype they are getting at 29-1 is not as deserved as say, Kentucky, IMO. Fully agree. They easily could have picked up a couple more losses in BE play. Nevertheless, they have been very consistently playing as a top-15 or top-20 team and one that is good enough to be in a position to win most nights in the BE this year.
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SFHoya99
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Post by SFHoya99 on Feb 28, 2012 15:07:57 GMT -5
Hey, they should be a one seed.
I just wouldn't really put them as prohibitive Final Four or BET winners.
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TBird41
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Post by TBird41 on Feb 28, 2012 15:11:26 GMT -5
Hey, they should be a one seed. I just wouldn't really put them as prohibitive Final Four or BET winners. I disagree. Syracuse should not be a 1 seed, on a count of them being Syracuse.
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SFHoya99
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Post by SFHoya99 on Feb 28, 2012 15:21:07 GMT -5
Hey, they should be a one seed. I just wouldn't really put them as prohibitive Final Four or BET winners. I disagree. Syracuse should not be a 1 seed, on a count of them being Syracuse. True. Forgot that rule.
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hifigator
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Post by hifigator on Feb 28, 2012 16:04:36 GMT -5
I disagree. Syracuse should not be a 1 seed, on a count of them being Syracuse.
Well, that depends on exactly what you are "seeding." If you are ranking Institutions of Higher Cheating, they're pretty high on the list. I can think of a couple more where they are among the elite, but I don't want to have my post deleted. :cool
Oops, I got distracted and forgot to make my comment. Last night was probably the most enjoyable basketball game of this season so far -- at least for me. After a weekend of car trouble and then a Monday of having to limp from point a to point b, because of a defective alternator, I was very much appreciative of the game going properly.
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kchoya
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Post by kchoya on Feb 28, 2012 16:10:40 GMT -5
I disagree. Syracuse should not be a 1 seed, on a count of them being Syracuse.
Well, that depends on exactly what you are "seeding." If you are ranking Institutions of Higher Cheating, they're pretty high on the list. I can think of a couple more where they are among the elite, but I don't want to have my post deleted. :cool Oops, I got distracted and forgot to make my comment. Last night was probably the most enjoyable basketball game of this season so far -- at least for me. After a weekend of car trouble and then a Monday of having to limp from point a to point b, because of a defective alternator, I was very much appreciative of the game going properly. Not to be a [Edited], but do you think anyone cares about your car troubles?
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SirSaxa
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Post by SirSaxa on Feb 28, 2012 16:36:57 GMT -5
great effort defensively and on the glass. henry made some sweet passes to cutters (please bag the 18 ft jumper henry). good effort from starks. i found it funny how he was busting a$$ all night, including sprinting from the bench to the scorers table. message delivered by III and received by starks. Got lucky and scored floor seats across from benches for second half. It was great to see the interactions between III and Markel. Lots of subtle high fives, back slaps and smiles. Markel clearly got the message and Coach clearly appreciates his response/attitude. Also, seeing the team's intensity up close was a real treat ... They came out tonight with something to prove. My favorite game in several years! Thanks for that on site info. Sounds like Markel acted like a bozo, got called out for it -- sharply, and quickly adjusted direction and made amends. Good for him and for JT3 too. We do need Markel this season, but not as a starter.
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Post by NoBoumtjeInTheYaYaRoom on Feb 28, 2012 17:24:06 GMT -5
Markel is not a knock down shooter, nor great defensively, so his presence has to be as a ball handler and penetrator. I thought last night he did that better than he has since Louisville. He had a couple missed assignments defensively and got lazy on a few box out responsibilities, but he recognized it and fixed it on subsequent plays.
But the reason why the starting lineup change is most effective in my eyes is early game and early 2nd half energy and intensity. During the season the board has commented numerous times on our slow starts out of the gate or to open the vesper half. Porter would often come in and provide energy or a lift. Since Otto has been inserted as a starter that intensity has been there to open games and halves. This is a recipe for success.
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drquigley
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
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Post by drquigley on Feb 28, 2012 17:26:11 GMT -5
I've been to 5 hoya home games this season. In order to appreciate how much better defensively the hoyas are when starks is on the bench you have to see them in person. Don't give me stats and numbers. By replacing starks with Otto you have created a defensive monster. Clarke at 6'2" is the baby (and yet he has a huge wingspan). Then you get 6'7, 6'8, 6'9, and 6'10 coming at you. And these aren't big, just big slobs. They are so big, fast, physical, and intimidating that teams are now crumbling in front of them. Villanova and ND weren't just beaten they were crushed. Are you kidding me, 41 points? Sure starks will play (someone has to spell these guys) but defense will carry the hoyas and when you need your best defensive team on the court starks won't be on it.
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kchoya
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Post by kchoya on Feb 28, 2012 17:37:17 GMT -5
I've been to 5 hoya home games this season. In order to appreciate how much better defensively the hoyas are when starks is on the bench you have to see them in person. Don't give me stats and numbers. By replacing starks with Otto you have created a defensive monster. Clarke at 6'2" is the baby (and yet he has a huge wingspan). Then you get 6'7, 6'8, 6'9, and 6'10 coming at you. And these aren't big, just big slobs. They are so big, fast, physical, and intimidating that teams are now crumbling in front of them. Villanova and ND weren't just beaten they were crushed. Are you kidding me, 41 points? Sure starks will play (someone has to spell these guys) but defense will carry the hoyas and when you need your best defensive team on the court starks won't be on it. In Moneyball, were you the cranky scout that got fired, the one who asked about Fabio, or Raylan Givens' boss?
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