njhoya78
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Post by njhoya78 on Nov 14, 2018 14:42:52 GMT -5
Very pleasantly surprised. I was a doubter, based on the first two games. I was wrong.
Others may have already said this above (I didn't read the prior 22 pages, so I'll apologize if this has been raised earlier in this thread), but this is exactly the type of game that we have been used to losing in the final five minutes for the past four seasons. The freshmen did not get rattled; each of them impressed in their own way. The hustle and drive, as exemplified by Akinjo's ball stripping leading to Mac's steal and reverse jam, has been missed. There is a lot about which to get excited with this team.
I think we can put the "Patrick Ewing cannot coach guards" argument to bed, once and for all.
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OldHoyafan
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
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Post by OldHoyafan on Nov 14, 2018 14:54:29 GMT -5
Patrick was channeling JT2 in his post game comments. He said he could have brouught any player who played out to talk to the media, but he chose only Greg. Although Georgetown’s policy is that freshman (Akinjo,McClung,Lablanc) do not attend post game conferences, like Big John he was sending a message to the whole team that everyone’s imput was important. Greg’s defense and timely three pt shot was just as important as the starters play for the team’s win.
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kettlehill
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 1,149
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Post by kettlehill on Nov 14, 2018 15:43:26 GMT -5
Love Jon Rothsteins tweet seen over on Casual: “James Akinjo. Buy stock now.”
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SFHoya99
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 17,791
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Post by SFHoya99 on Nov 14, 2018 17:25:28 GMT -5
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. What I really liked about Mac was simply watching him recognize when the lane opened up behind his defender and then attacking. Like Akinjo and his quick move to the floater, this is a very fast adjustment for the freshman. At least twice he waited and lulled his defender while his teammate cleared the lane by moving from the baseline to outside, dragging his defender around, and then you got the lull and drive past into open space. Perhaps this isn't so much adjustment as simply playing versus man, but it's a level of basketball iq that we've been missing for a long time. And now we have two guards that just seem to feel the opportunity well and actually make some really good decisions in the moment (and some bad ones still). That said, people are going to really not like the next game where our opponent plays all zone. Illinois is was playing some aggressive, but not great man to man. A good zone is a completely different animal.
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Hoyas4Ever
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
A Wise Man Once Told Me Don't Argue With Fools....
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Post by Hoyas4Ever on Nov 14, 2018 17:39:13 GMT -5
Not sure if this was posted elsewhere. If so, it's definitely worthy of a repost....
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Post by petabdoubleg on Nov 14, 2018 17:49:09 GMT -5
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. What I really liked about Mac was simply watching him recognize when the lane opened up behind his defender and then attacking. Like Akinjo and his quick move to the floater, this is a very fast adjustment for the freshman. At least twice he waited and lulled his defender while his teammate cleared the lane by moving from the baseline to outside, dragging his defender around, and then you got the lull and drive past into open space. Perhaps this isn't so much adjustment as simply playing versus man, but it's a level of basketball iq that we've been missing for a long time. And now we have two guards that just seem to feel the opportunity well and actually make some really good decisions in the moment (and some bad ones still). That said, people are going to really not like the next game where our opponent plays all zone. Illinois is was playing some aggressive, but not great man to man. A good zone is a completely different animal. I agree with this. He can read the help defense really well before and during his drives. Two examples: -the breakaway layup in the 1st half when he held the ball out with his right hand and hit it high off the glass. Most freshmen would automatically go to the right-to-left Euro step, which has become a very predictable move. -the late possession where he dished it to LeBlanc for the dunk was a highly intelligent play. He patiently waited for Jessie to set the screen, then jabbed to his left (very hard to do as a righty) to AVOID the screen and immediately got a step on his defender. Then when the help defense came he dropped it off beautifully LeBlanc while at the same time avoiding the charge.
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Post by michaelgrahmstylie on Nov 14, 2018 17:55:00 GMT -5
Forgive me for coming late to the party. Some of us have to work for a living.
Having said that, I think the win was a huge compliment to the coach, first and foremost, for really beating the bushes and putting the pieces together. I have said it before, but I really think Ewing, with all of his years of experience in the NBA, has an eye for talent. Mac is one heck of a gutsy player with skills to go along with it. Akinjo is exactly what we needed and have been missing for a long time now. Lablanc is just a crazy, super-athletic, confident, player who forgets that he is a freshman. The kid is going to be special.
I'm I hearing it right, that Akinjo is 100% from the stripes? How does this--if it's true--rank with other freshmen debut?
Of course, like everyone else, I am blown away by the win, especially the way they kept Govan out of the game and playing in front of such a large raucous crowd. Our guys showed incredible poise, showed guts, talent, smarts--just great decision-making skills.
I see a resurgence!
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GIGAFAN99
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
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Post by GIGAFAN99 on Nov 14, 2018 17:56:48 GMT -5
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. What I really liked about Mac was simply watching him recognize when the lane opened up behind his defender and then attacking. Like Akinjo and his quick move to the floater, this is a very fast adjustment for the freshman. At least twice he waited and lulled his defender while his teammate cleared the lane by moving from the baseline to outside, dragging his defender around, and then you got the lull and drive past into open space. Perhaps this isn't so much adjustment as simply playing versus man, but it's a level of basketball iq that we've been missing for a long time. And now we have two guards that just seem to feel the opportunity well and actually make some really good decisions in the moment (and some bad ones still). That said, people are going to really not like the next game where our opponent plays all zone. Illinois is was playing some aggressive, but not great man to man. A good zone is a completely different animal. I'm holding out some hope that we won't hate the zone (or hate it less as the season progresses) mainly because 1) We seem wired to beat it down the floor 2) We are versatile enough to attack it different ways. Added bonus: if you cant find a body on the boards, you can turn around and watch Josh LeBlanc tip in missed shots all night. We might not love zone but for the first time in awhile, we actually might have some pieces to attack it effectively.
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jwp91
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Post by jwp91 on Nov 14, 2018 18:13:03 GMT -5
Regarding zone defense, I have seen Akinjo and Mac penetrate the seams and dish many times in their highlights. IIRC, Mosely did the same for us last year. And Govan and Mourning have had a nice high/low combination working in the limited zone we have seen so far this year.
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nbhoya
Bulldog (over 250 posts)
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Post by nbhoya on Nov 14, 2018 18:21:33 GMT -5
Patrick was channeling JT2 in his post game comments. He said he could have brouught any player who played out to talk to the media, but he chose only Greg. Although Georgetown’s policy is that freshman (Akinjo,McClung,Lablanc) do not attend post game conferences, like Big John he was sending a message to the whole team that everyone’s imput was important. Greg’s defense and timely three pt shot was just as important as the starters play for the team’s win. It probably also helps that he’s likely the most eloquent speaker of the group.
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HOYAPLAYA
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
IT'S TIME FOR A RUNNNNNNN!!!!!!
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Post by HOYAPLAYA on Nov 14, 2018 18:43:30 GMT -5
Patrick was channeling JT2 in his post game comments. He said he could have brouught any player who played out to talk to the media, but he chose only Greg. Although Georgetown’s policy is that freshman (Akinjo,McClung,Lablanc) do not attend post game conferences, like Big John he was sending a message to the whole team that everyone’s imput was important. Greg’s defense and timely three pt shot was just as important as the starters play for the team’s win. It probably also helps that he’s likely the most eloquent speaker of the group. What are you basing this statement on?
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Post by bearsandbulls on Nov 14, 2018 20:13:24 GMT -5
Being an alum of Cal, and a grandfather of a G'town WSOC team playe,r I have over the last four years become a big G'town hoops fan. My alma mater was fighting without success to get the local James Akinjo to come to Cal. Although disappointed I was very happy to see if had to lose him it was to Georgetown.
I am loving the three new freshmen. McClung was the You Tube wonder who looked a little shaky at the start last night, but got accustomed real quickly to the speed of the game. Great drives to the hoop with nice finishes. LaBlanc is the real deal. Unless mistaken I think he led the team in boards.
And Akinjo, well, all I can say is enjoy. He is a real point guard, and already looks comfortable as a freshman. The next four years will be good. Looking for slow but sure strides forward for this team as the year unfolds. Having Jesse for another year or two would be big, but we move on.
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DanMcQ
Moderator
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Post by DanMcQ on Nov 14, 2018 20:18:46 GMT -5
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DanMcQ
Moderator
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Post by DanMcQ on Nov 14, 2018 20:22:56 GMT -5
What I really liked about Mac was simply watching him recognize when the lane opened up behind his defender and then attacking. Like Akinjo and his quick move to the floater, this is a very fast adjustment for the freshman. At least twice he waited and lulled his defender while his teammate cleared the lane by moving from the baseline to outside, dragging his defender around, and then you got the lull and drive past into open space. Perhaps this isn't so much adjustment as simply playing versus man, but it's a level of basketball iq that we've been missing for a long time. And now we have two guards that just seem to feel the opportunity well and actually make some really good decisions in the moment (and some bad ones still). That said, people are going to really not like the next game where our opponent plays all zone. Illinois is was playing some aggressive, but not great man to man. A good zone is a completely different animal. I'm holding out some hope that we won't hate the zone (or hate it less as the season progresses) mainly because 1) We seem wired to beat it down the floor 2) We are versatile enough to attack it different ways. Added bonus: if you cant find a body on the boards, you can turn around and watch Josh LeBlanc tip in missed shots all night. We might not love zone but for the first time in awhile, we actually might have some pieces to attack it effectively. I haven't watched the UMES game recording yet (lost my appetite for doing it after reading here) but I thought there were some pretty good sets of zone offense at points in the CCSU game. These guys might not be completely abysmal against it.
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SFHoya99
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
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Post by SFHoya99 on Nov 14, 2018 20:46:19 GMT -5
I'm holding out some hope that we won't hate the zone (or hate it less as the season progresses) mainly because 1) We seem wired to beat it down the floor 2) We are versatile enough to attack it different ways. Added bonus: if you cant find a body on the boards, you can turn around and watch Josh LeBlanc tip in missed shots all night. We might not love zone but for the first time in awhile, we actually might have some pieces to attack it effectively. I haven't watched the UMES game recording yet (lost my appetite for doing it after reading here) but I thought there were some pretty good sets of zone offense at points in the CCSU game. These guys might not be completely abysmal against it. Sure. And our struggles against zone -- even throughout the III years -- were always overrated as well. We actually often had a good zone offense. I just think that we'll see a distinct lack of open lanes to the hoop. Our freshmen's outside shooting woes will become more relevant. And we really don't have the traditional zone buster player like Jeff Green or Otto Porter to flash to the top of the key against a 2-3. Govan and/or Mourning ain't bad, but our freshmen will be worse players against a zone than man unless the threes start dropping.
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Nevada Hoya
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Post by Nevada Hoya on Nov 14, 2018 20:57:04 GMT -5
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nbhoya
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Post by nbhoya on Nov 14, 2018 21:28:37 GMT -5
It probably also helps that he’s likely the most eloquent speaker of the group. What are you basing this statement on? Hearing most of them speak?
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Air Jordan
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As the Hoyas continue their full court press the Kentucky Wildcats have went scoreless
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Post by Air Jordan on Nov 14, 2018 22:03:12 GMT -5
Wow
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Hoyas4Ever
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A Wise Man Once Told Me Don't Argue With Fools....
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Post by Hoyas4Ever on Nov 14, 2018 23:22:11 GMT -5
Patrick was channeling JT2 in his post game comments. He said he could have brouught any player who played out to talk to the media, but he chose only Greg. Although Georgetown’s policy is that freshman (Akinjo,McClung,Lablanc) do not attend post game conferences, like Big John he was sending a message to the whole team that everyone’s imput was important. Greg’s defense and timely three pt shot was just as important as the starters play for the team’s win. It probably also helps that he’s likely the most eloquent speaker of the group.Dog Whistle....
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mdtd
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
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Post by mdtd on Nov 14, 2018 23:52:10 GMT -5
Huge for the guards to go into a high pressure situation and get a win. McClung showed exactly what he could do and Akinjo balled out to get us the win. They proved exactly what they could do and won us that game. They performed better than anyone here could've expected after the last two showings and I can only hope that continues. Now, with that being said they weren't perfect. They both forced it at times and tried to do too much. As freshman, that's exactly what we expect I just hope they learn from it. Also, I haven't seen much about him but Jahvon Blair was excellent last night. He made high pressure shots, made the right play constantly, let the offense come to him and made the extra pass. Aside from his two TO's I can't remember anything he did wrong. 4/5 shooting 3/4 from 3 point range, he produced very well in the 13min of action he had.
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