bostonfan
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Post by bostonfan on Nov 14, 2018 9:45:56 GMT -5
A really impressive win last night that showed how different this Hoya team is from last year. They were able to cope with some of the most aggressive pressure defense they may see all year. Illinois is supposed to finish near the bottom of the the Big 10 this year but after last night I would be shocked if they are not at least a middle of the pack team in that conference this year. The win last night is really going to help the Hoyas strength of schedule because I would not be surprised to see Illinois knock off a few ranked teams this year. Illinois plays really hard and with great pace.
Akinjo, and Mac to a smaller degree, adds the ability to control the ball and tempo and continue to score against aggressive defense that the Hoyas did not have last year. The Hoyas turned if over more than they wanted to last night but they also made some impressive attacking plays against that defense. For the last few years the Hoyas would have gone into long stretches of not scoring at all playing against that team last night and ended up getting blown out. The Hoyas still need to work on ball security against pressure defense because some of the turnovers last night were just a case of them being too casual and careless wit the ball (especially Mosely, Pickett and Blair) but the freshman seemed to be able to match the intensity and play under control at a faster pace then they could last year. Coach Ewing now has the option to take guys out if they get too casual with the ball which he did not have last year because he did not have other options. All of the guys want to play, so they are going to get the message now that sloppy turnovers are going to end up with them on the bench and I think the ball security will improve as the season goes on.
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Post by FHillsNYHoya on Nov 14, 2018 9:49:25 GMT -5
Agree about Blair. And he can hit the contested three as well. The 3 that Juggy hit when we were down 5 was a game saver....I also believe that he was falling back a little....big shot!!!! Although I'm quite giddy after last night, still a bit concerned with Juggy and Pickett's handle - need to avoid walking into a turnover. That one late in the second half with Pickett in the corner not feeling the double coming was like watching CYO. If Pat can convince players to know their roles (i.e., Blair as instant O when he's feeling it and spacing, but not dribbling through traffic), and folks like Pickett focus (rather than commit a frustration foul when things aren't going their way), I think that we can be in for an extremely fun ride. It really was fun to watch the Hoyas last night. When my wife is getting into it while watching, I know it's not just my blue and gray colored glasses.
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SirSaxa
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
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Post by SirSaxa on Nov 14, 2018 9:50:42 GMT -5
But my favorite part of him is his energy. And that's what I love about this team and the young guys in particular -- the fight. Leblanc has it. Mac has it -- that dude has the mentality of the kid who got jumped by six dudes and keeps fighting even as he's getting his ass kicked, and that's a strong compliemnt. Akinjo has it. We've been missing it for a while. I think it is contagious and we'll see more and more dog out of everyone else. Best thing about this team. They fight like their coach used to fight!
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EasyEd
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Post by EasyEd on Nov 14, 2018 9:55:30 GMT -5
Tremont who?
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tashoya
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Post by tashoya on Nov 14, 2018 9:58:52 GMT -5
People still watch that show? Who knew?
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SSHoya
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"Forget it Jake, it's Chinatown."
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Post by SSHoya on Nov 14, 2018 10:08:32 GMT -5
Admin, feel free to delete this. I just didn't want to watch the whole show and we get not even a mention. We were mentioned with highlights of Mac's reverse left-handed layup, his reverse slam, and Akinjo's floater and 1.
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sleepy
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Post by sleepy on Nov 14, 2018 10:10:47 GMT -5
Ok here comes a little negativity. Not really but more a dose of reality. Absolutely loved Akinjo game and he will be one great guard over next few years.He is fearless and a solid defender as a frosh that we haven't seen in a while.and I'll try not to jinx him at the line.two things stood out to me as a point or a pure point seems to lack vision and size to move ball within context of the offense even given we ran very few set last night. Lateral quickness with the ball and is inability to create space for a jump shot needs work still can't figure out how a strong right hand had the ball picked twice early and went left most of the game didn't appear they took it away.I can't wait to see him attack the basket from the wing. Will be interesting to see how this team develops over next 60 days.
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Post by professorhoya on Nov 14, 2018 10:25:46 GMT -5
Admin, feel free to delete this. I just didn't want to watch the whole show and we get not even a mention. "The big reverse made #4 on SC top 10" HamptonHoya
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hoyazeke
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Post by hoyazeke on Nov 14, 2018 10:38:05 GMT -5
As mentioned by Bobby Bancroft, Ewing got a statement win in his 33rd game as head coach. I think the team would need to ranked for it to be a "statement" game....at least for those not associated with the program....beat Cuse or at least make it a game and we'll be ranked in the next poll....
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hoyazeke
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Post by hoyazeke on Nov 14, 2018 10:40:38 GMT -5
The 3 that Juggy hit when we were down 5 was a game saver....I also believe that he was falling back a little....big shot!!!! Although I'm quite giddy after last night, still a bit concerned with Juggy and Pickett's handle - need to avoid walking into a turnover. That one late in the second half with Pickett in the corner not feeling the double coming was like watching CYO. If Pat can convince players to know their roles (i.e., Blair as instant O when he's feeling it and spacing, but not dribbling through traffic), and folks like Pickett focus (rather than commit a frustration foul when things aren't going their way), I think that we can be in for an extremely fun ride. It really was fun to watch the Hoyas last night. When my wife is getting into it while watching, I know it's not just my blue and gray colored glasses. Throw Jagan into the "concerned about the handles" pot...I completely agree with your post....
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guru
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Post by guru on Nov 14, 2018 10:47:17 GMT -5
Although I'm quite giddy after last night, still a bit concerned with Juggy and Pickett's handle - need to avoid walking into a turnover. That one late in the second half with Pickett in the corner not feeling the double coming was like watching CYO. If Pat can convince players to know their roles (i.e., Blair as instant O when he's feeling it and spacing, but not dribbling through traffic), and folks like Pickett focus (rather than commit a frustration foul when things aren't going their way), I think that we can be in for an extremely fun ride. It really was fun to watch the Hoyas last night. When my wife is getting into it while watching, I know it's not just my blue and gray colored glasses. Throw Jagan into the "concerned about the handles" pot...I completely agree with your post.... Mosley's turnover bringing the ball up the court late (where he basically threw it directly to the defender who then went in for a layup) was nearly a backbreaker, and last year likely would have been. What's amazing to me is how little Govan is even being mentioned after this game — and rightfully so. When/If he and the guards get going together, look out for this team. I mean, seriously: Look out! Gonna be a fun season
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Post by FrazierFanatic on Nov 14, 2018 10:53:58 GMT -5
Toughness. Toughness. And more toughness.
We have guys who can finish, who relish the big moments. Patrick knew exactly what he wanted and what he was getting with these freshmen.
Much of the sloppiness will subside as the younger guys gain experience and the game starts to slow down for them.
It will be a roller coaster at times, but man will this be a fun team to watch!
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saxagael
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Post by saxagael on Nov 14, 2018 11:09:19 GMT -5
Totally disagree, he has an explosive 1st step... He was blowing by defenders all night. Agree, one of the more insane comments of the night. Mac killed his defender one on one constantly. And then he did a much better job of dishing or finishing once he got down low. Actually, he was good at beating his man off the dribble in previous games as well. He has a really nice quick first step off a slight hesitation dribbble that messes with people.The big difference is that against zones and when Gtown weirdly has both Govan and Mourning down low (which happened a lot in Games 1 and 2), there's too many help defenders down there. We pulled more guys out tonight and Illinois graciously played man. The result was Mac doing a great job of beating his man -- and you can actually see him wait a few times for the lane to clear behind his man before beating him. Mac has an explosive step, but it needs a setup. The hezzi and the lateral hop are his setup to get by players. The explosive step is very different from a quick first step that doesn't need much of a setup or none. Mac does a really good job building interference for the defender by using his own teammates against them or his teammates. Mac also is good at getting his defender turned slightly the wrong way and taking advantage and exploding to the basket. When you watch Akinjo he has a good quick first step to get by a player. A defender will be guarding him well and he just blows by. Akinjo also has a lot of great set-up moves too, but if a defender plays him too tightly he is gone. The difference is how you defend the players. The explosive step you can play tighter and jam the setup move or know the setup moves that lead to creating space to get by and remove their effectiveness. With the quick step you need to not play as tight and bounce. The quick step you can defend properly and still get beat. The explosive step needs setup and time, which means other defenders can get set too. Mac does a good job attacking the basket and taking on other players then getting creative. Mac's game is more like Marcus Smart who is also explosive and powerful, but doesn't have a quick step, but an explosive first step. Akinjo against Illinois finally looked like himself before the ankle injury. He is facing good defenders who are more athletic and longer, but he is still doing well against them. I deeply agree with clogging the middle with Govan and Mourning, but that is going to be much of the Big East games. I'd rather have Akinjo in ISO than Mac, for Mac I'd rather work the ball away from him and when his defender drifts skip pass to him to attack.
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Post by augustusfinknottle on Nov 14, 2018 11:18:22 GMT -5
It's refreshing to hear a GU basketball coach be so unreservedly positive about his team.
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Post by TrueHoyaBlue on Nov 14, 2018 11:38:39 GMT -5
Can anyone remember the last time we had 38 bench points in a game? Particularly against a high major opponent?
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Post by wrestlemania on Nov 14, 2018 11:48:55 GMT -5
There were times when Mac reminded me of those old school ABA guys who would launch shots from anywhere at any time, and the final score would be 157-143. But self-control with the jumper will come with time.
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seaweed
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Post by seaweed on Nov 14, 2018 12:15:17 GMT -5
Can anyone remember the last time we had 38 bench points in a game? Particularly against a high major opponent? Or the last time we out-rebounded a team 25-9 in a half? In their house. 1 2 3 fireballs level delusion train revs its engine
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Post by burnell on Nov 14, 2018 12:45:45 GMT -5
Mac is more then just a agreat athlete He's going to be a scoring machine and akinjo is a grat floor General,LeBlanc is what hoyas been missing for a while.
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tashoya
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Post by tashoya on Nov 14, 2018 13:29:39 GMT -5
I would have demanded a drug test for anyone who would tell me yesterday at this time that in a game on an opponent’s arena that was pretty raucous, with Govan barely touching the ball, with Pickett scoring only five points, with the Hoys turning over the ball 22 times and shooting under 50%, and with the Illini putting up 80 points, the Hoyas would walk away with the victory. It'd have come up positive for Kool-Aid!
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2ndRyan
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Post by 2ndRyan on Nov 14, 2018 13:36:22 GMT -5
At the beginning of the game down 6-0 we have turnovers, haven't taken a shot, look shaky bringing the ball up against their press, and the crowd is howling. Pickett hits a three and we start to climb back into the game. We seemed to withstand mistakes which last year would snowball and derail us. At the end I believe we were the team that thought we would win. Reduce the turnovers and involve Govan more and we are scary. that was fun to watch and not just because we won.
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