bostonfan
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Post by bostonfan on Nov 12, 2018 10:40:52 GMT -5
It will be interesting to see if the Hoyas can develop a couple of consistent secondary scoring option after Govan in the next few games. Would think that needs to be Pickett, Blair and maybe Kaleb. I think Akinjo and Mac will both have some big games this season scoring, but not sure if the team can depend on that on a nightly basis. They are freshman and will have some tough nights, but I still want them to be on the floor and playing and developing. If some of the other guys can take that scoring load off of them on a nightly basis it will make their development so much easier.
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s4hoyas
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Post by s4hoyas on Nov 12, 2018 10:54:52 GMT -5
"They like to pressure the ball...physical wings...limit turnovers"...this is a big concern to me...their coach likes this aggressive style (I recall them beating the daylights out of us in the Island tourney a couple of years ago)...this pressure style plays to getting the crowd into a frenzy and taking advantage of our young guards...bully ball...we need to avoid getting trapped in the backcourt and forcing our way out by over dribbling when double teamed...part of the solution to me is to have a release man (possibly two) to get the ball to and let the guards race by and get it back and/or beat their defender down court...one "release man" could be set up at the foul line/top of the key on their end when we're bringing the ball in after they score (Kaleb, Malinowski, LeBlanc)...another "release man" could be set up between the foul line and half court on our end (Govan, Mourning, LeBlanc)...these "release" (or outlet) men" make themselves available to receive passes then handoff or pass it down court...they act as stabilizers and take the initial pressure off the guards and help prevent them from getting trapped and trying to do too much with one on one dribbling...pass it and then get it back on the move..."in the same token" (one of Big John's old favorite sayings) we need to selectively press them and especially trap/double team them in the half court ("teams that press don't like to be pressed"...but we can't let them beat the press and score in transition, so we have to get back into our half court D very quickly...we need to run at every opportunity/attack and convert at the foul line...in the half court we've got to have quick (not hurried) ball movement and shoot "IN THE FLOW"...these shots come in the RHYTHM of the O after 3-4 crisp passes, not just bringing it down and chucking it up...we have to play better D on the inside and avoid letting them get to the hoop for easy layups, which they will surely try to do to get Govan in foul trouble...also, we need to close out on the shooters off screens much quicker/tighter...no more guys going off on 3s...everybody rebound!
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Post by RockawayHoya on Nov 12, 2018 12:01:59 GMT -5
Close and late situational basketball killed this team last year. Unfortunately saw a lot of the same on Saturday. Up 10 with under 2 minutes to go, we had absolutely 0 reason to be jacking up quick shots. We did that twice within the first 10 seconds of the shot clock, with one of the possessions ending in a baseline drive out of bounds. When you've got a PG like Akinjo who can be trusted far more with the ball and at the line than the PGs we had last year, this is inexcusable.
I understand there is a learning curve with young players, but we have got to do a better job with valuing possessions. That starts with Pat. We can't keep giving better teams extra possessions unnecessarily in the final minutes of games. It will be interesting to see if this comes into play tomorrow night.
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95hoya
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Post by 95hoya on Nov 12, 2018 12:38:55 GMT -5
I was not able to watch yesterday's game, other than some highlights. Clearly, the team has yet to gel and has a long way to go. However, there is also a LOT of talent. Jessie and Jamorko are both legit three point shooters. Akinjo had some beautiful passes and assists. LeBlanc is the real deal, even if only a frosh. We know the D isn't remotely where it needs to be, but there are quick and aggressive kids on the team who can develop. This season is going to depend on Coach. A chance for him to show everyone how effective he can be - not just at increasing the efficiency of individual players like Jessie, MD, Dickerson and Pickett last year - to name a few, but to build a cohesive team out of the current roster. OK, if you don't mind a few cliches and bromides... Rome Wasn't Built in a Day. Slow and steady wins the race. and this chestnut: " Patience, grasshopper". All apply. We all want to see massive progress over last year and we want to see it right out of the gate. That isn't happening. But give these kids some time. Lots of talent on the floor. I am betting on Pat - I think Coach can bring this team along over the course of the season. I have a different take. Watching a lot of other P5 teams play, we are seriously undermanned talent wise. We need to be good at limiting turnovers and creating turnovers to improve our margins. Hard to envision that from a team relying on freshmen guards and one true ball handler who can handle pressure. Offensively we do have a legit go to option in Govan, so I think we could be a decent offensive team. But defensively we could be really bad.
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mdtd
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Post by mdtd on Nov 12, 2018 13:18:03 GMT -5
Big game here for the guards. Going up against a higher ranked recruit in 5 star Ayo Dosunmu and Trent Frazier, another do it all guard. This is a game where Akinjo and McClung can prove everyone wrong, which is what they do. Brad Underwood will play an aggressive style, from what I saw they run a 1-2-2 press so both McClung and Akinjo will have to handle the ball well. Transition game will be key as Illinois is a solid defensive team when they are set, so attack where you can. This zone will leave driving lanes and open shots for some guys, if we can convert this is ours. In their last game, Illinois had 22 assists and 99 points on 56% shooting. Defense will be huge, if Illinois gets on a run this game could get out of hand. Akinjo can move his feet extremely well and if he does so, this should limit their easy looks off of the drive and kick. Dosunmu and razier combines for 11 assists last game, limiting their drives will make their game much more limited, defense is crucial.
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EtomicB
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Post by EtomicB on Nov 12, 2018 13:55:50 GMT -5
Big game here for the guards. Going up against a higher ranked recruit in 5 star Ayo Dosunmu and Trent Frazier, another do it all guard. This is a game where Akinjo and McClung can prove everyone wrong, which is what they do. Brad Underwood will play an aggressive style, from what I saw they run a 1-2-2 press so both McClung and Akinjo will have to handle the ball well. Transition game will be key as Illinois is a solid defensive team when they are set, so attack where you can. This zone will leave driving lanes and open shots for some guys, if we can convert this is ours. In their last game, Illinois had 22 assists and 99 points on 56% shooting. Defense will be huge, if Illinois gets on a run this game could get out of hand. Akinjo can move his feet extremely well and if he does so, this should limit their easy looks off of the drive and kick. Dosunmu and razier combines for 11 assists last game, limiting their drives will make their game much more limited, defense is crucial. I hope this isn't their mindset going into the game, Gtown has the clear advantage up front and they need to take advantage of this mismatch as much as possible...
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SDHoya
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Post by SDHoya on Nov 12, 2018 14:08:02 GMT -5
Close and late situational basketball killed this team last year. Unfortunately saw a lot of the same on Saturday. Up 10 with under 2 minutes to go, we had absolutely 0 reason to be jacking up quick shots. We did that twice within the first 10 seconds of the shot clock, with one of the possessions ending in a baseline drive out of bounds. When you've got a PG like Akinjo who can be trusted far more with the ball and at the line than the PGs we had last year, this is inexcusable. I understand there is a learning curve with young players, but we have got to do a better job with valuing possessions. That starts with Pat. We can't keep giving better teams extra possessions unnecessarily in the final minutes of games. It will be interesting to see if this comes into play tomorrow night. CCSU closed the game to 2 points with about 5 minutes to go. We then proceeded to stretch it out so that by the time we were into the free throw contest, we were essentially in the clear. Oh, and Akinjo was 6 for 6 on his FTs to close the game out. Akinjo had one turnover with a few second left when the game was already out of reach. Far from a perfect end of game, but when the game was in doubt, Hoyas responded just fine.
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jwp91
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Post by jwp91 on Nov 12, 2018 14:13:36 GMT -5
If Illinois tries to play pressure defense, I like the implication on Akinjo and Mac. I think they will excel in a less structured game.
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Post by sleepyjackson21 on Nov 12, 2018 14:54:00 GMT -5
We need to pound the ball inside. We can't fall into their game and start jacking up threes. They have no size at all. None. Govan can and should go for 25 and 10.
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Post by RockawayHoya on Nov 12, 2018 14:55:48 GMT -5
Close and late situational basketball killed this team last year. Unfortunately saw a lot of the same on Saturday. Up 10 with under 2 minutes to go, we had absolutely 0 reason to be jacking up quick shots. We did that twice within the first 10 seconds of the shot clock, with one of the possessions ending in a baseline drive out of bounds. When you've got a PG like Akinjo who can be trusted far more with the ball and at the line than the PGs we had last year, this is inexcusable. I understand there is a learning curve with young players, but we have got to do a better job with valuing possessions. That starts with Pat. We can't keep giving better teams extra possessions unnecessarily in the final minutes of games. It will be interesting to see if this comes into play tomorrow night. CCSU closed the game to 2 points with about 5 minutes to go. We then proceeded to stretch it out so that by the time we were into the free throw contest, we were essentially in the clear. Oh, and Akinjo was 6 for 6 on his FTs to close the game out. Akinjo had one turnover with a few second left when the game was already out of reach. Far from a perfect end of game, but when the game was in doubt, Hoyas responded just fine. The turnover on the baseline I'm pretty sure was Mourning's, but yes I don't even want that sloppy Akinjo TO late either. Margin of victory actually matters this year and it ended up costing us. Point is, against better teams we are not always going to be in the clear like that at the very end. If you have a PG who is a knock down FT shooter at the end of games (which luckily it appears now that we do), I want us running clock until he is fouled. The game wasn't in doubt up 10 with 1:30 to go, but if the bad habits persist and they start doing that up 4-5 with 1:30 to go on Tuesday, that's a problem. It's a different discussion when you're up 2 with 5 min to go. Certainly not trying to focus on running clock there; just get the best shot you can from the players you want in their spots. I agree they did a great job of getting Pickett where he was comfortable.
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hoyalaw33
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Post by hoyalaw33 on Nov 12, 2018 15:40:20 GMT -5
I think, and hope, through the first two games that most people could see a team that was in a bit of disarray when it came to communicating. I am hoping Ewing tightens the leash with the rotation and that Govan/Pickett/Akinjo all play 30+ minutes. I think that would give a little more cohesion to the team and hopefully allow them to cut down on the stupid turnovers. Illinois looked pretty good against a very meh squad in Evansville, but don't think you can read too much into either that or how mehh we looked ourselves. Good first test and think we got a very winnable draw during this BE/B10 showdown.
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Bigs"R"Us
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Post by Bigs"R"Us on Nov 12, 2018 16:10:17 GMT -5
Johnson had a drive to the basket where he stepped out.
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drquigley
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Post by drquigley on Nov 12, 2018 16:54:28 GMT -5
Watched that Illinois highlight video. Granted its a highlight video but those guards look very impressive. Plus those 3 point shooters were hitting from way downtown. Yes this is a very real test for the Hoyas. And one that, from your prediction, you think we will fail “bigly”. I’m concerned with stopping the penetration. In both games, there were some drives that were not challenged all the way to the rim. With no real size to challenge him, we will need Govan to take over on both sides, without the careless fouls away from the basket. Unless Akinjo and McClung show a lot more than they have so far yes I'm afraid we will fall bigly.
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Post by ewingitrust on Nov 12, 2018 20:11:06 GMT -5
We need to pound the ball inside. We can't fall into their game and start jacking up threes. They have no size at all. None. Govan can and should go for 25 and 10. yep...pound inside. Coach Ewing will make sure to drive that point home. Inside-out offense. I suspect the team is itching and anxious to prove doubters wrong. Feed Govan...and we plenty of guys who can make 3pt shots.
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Post by BeantownHoya on Nov 13, 2018 7:10:00 GMT -5
Illinois 6.5 point favorites...
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HoyaChris
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Post by HoyaChris on Nov 13, 2018 9:20:34 GMT -5
FYI re TV coverage... Although GUHoyas.com lists the Big Ten Network for this game, the Illinois website, the Fox Sports website, and my Fios guide all have Fox Sports 1 carrying it instead. GUHoyas.com is now listing the game on FS1.
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calhoya
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Post by calhoya on Nov 13, 2018 9:45:51 GMT -5
Hoping to see more Blair and LeBlanc tonight and less of the two freshmen on the floor together. Also hope Mosley is back. I know that Mourning is not going to be the superstar his father was, but love this kid's effort and enthusiasm on and off the floor.
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hoyalaw33
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Post by hoyalaw33 on Nov 13, 2018 9:51:29 GMT -5
Gameday! Haven't been this excited for a college hoops game in quite some time. I think to win that we need to shoot the ball well and defend the 3pt line. They don't have anything inside and if we can contain them from bombing away from 3 then I like our chances. If we keep them in the single digits for 3PM then we walk away with a dub.
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Post by bicentennial on Nov 13, 2018 9:52:44 GMT -5
FYI re TV coverage... Although GUHoyas.com lists the Big Ten Network for this game, the Illinois website, the Fox Sports website, and my Fios guide all have Fox Sports 1 carrying it instead. GUHoyas.com is now listing the game on FS1. Midway through the game on Saturday, the adds that were being run on FS2 changed from listing Big Ten Network to FS1. Interestingly, my DVR also changed its listing of the game but still was set to record it.
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calhoya
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Post by calhoya on Nov 13, 2018 10:34:13 GMT -5
Gameday! Haven't been this excited for a college hoops game in quite some time. I think to win that we need to shoot the ball well and defend the 3pt line. They don't have anything inside and if we can contain them from bombing away from 3 then I like our chances. If we keep them in the single digits for 3PM then we walk away with a dub. Well defending the 3 is one of the main reasons that I think you cannot have both freshmen playing together. McClung's defense is nowhere near what Akinjo provides at this point. Blair is not the best defender either. Mosley would provide a bigger defender but not sure of his status.
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