BB, JW, DJ

[FrazierFanatic]

2 major duds in a row for all three. Most college players actually get BETTER as the season goes on. Let's hope that Sapp gets the start at the point next game, he has earned it over JW with recent play.

[prhoya]

Where's The Dagger? He couldn't hurt more than Wallace's 1-5 from 3s.

[RDF]

I thought Brandon was okay--not great--but FAR better than Wallace or Owens today who brought absolutely NOTHING to the table and killed this team with their awful play today.

I'm a Wallace fan but for this team to take next step he's got to be a role player because it's too easy for teams to just isolate him and torch him when we're trying to defend. He also messed up in zone defense by following the ball and in zone principles you want your front line of 2-3 to space out so you can cover areas--not follow the damn ball!

Owens game was awful but the last 3 minutes were worst basketball I've seen him play at Georgetown--terrible shot selection, no heart on the rebounds, stupid shove in Ray's back on a missed shot after he released it--you name it--he stunk.

I'd also like to THANK Ashanti Cook for showing what a SENIOR is supposed to play like. That was a good performance and he is a fine offensive player when he starts mid-range and works out--and ineffective when he tries to spot shoot/be a 3pt specialist.

I really thought some positive steps were taken but our lack of ability to defend the backcourt of any good team will be the deciding factor--and could cost Hoyas an NCAA bid--because each team Hoyas play is superior in talent/quickness in backcourt. Our bigs are not intimidating at all and we are a bad defensive team because we don't understand how to force opposing teams to do what we want--which in Nova's case is to eliminate/limit their 3pt shots and force them to drive/take two point shots an make Nardi handle/make decisions--he's an ignorant player who takes silly shots and makes poor decisions--it's why we cut lead at end of Half and why we got back in it when they went up 10-in 2nd--and Wright is smart enough to take ball from him and give it to the human offensive foul Kyle Lowry--who always throws his arm out extended and pushes or jumps into defenders--and it'll be called in NCAA's and Nova fans will cry in their cheesesteaks about it--but it's true. Between Lowry fouling everytime he drove--he also loses the ball about 3/4 times a half and gets bailed out on crap calls--so either this kid is something I don't see--which is a good/not great player who throws up a lot of crap and gets bailed out or it was just home court calls--because it was garbage what was being called/not called.

As for Hoyas--the entire season boils down to Rutgers game--we lose that and dont' think it can't happen--Douby will have 30+ against Hoya backcourt--and this team won't win another game this year. We win, we've got a shot to finish decent--although I predict Syracuse beats us in DC and we lose at USF the way we're playing right now and the way certain players act like we've got a damn year to get it figured out. When Wallace was walking ball up court with us down 9 and 30+ seconds left I wanted to throw my food at the screen and yank him out of game myself.

Sapp has to get more run for this team against certain teams--and this was one of those games. Wallace stunk. That stupid 3 pt shot from 35 feet killed us and then his lack of defense turned a 1 pt game into a 7 pt margin and then we take Ashanti out? WTH??

Oh well---these guys have a really simple season left--3 winnable games but also 3 losable games if they continue to play with no urgency and fight. Majority of kids did today--but for a limited team in terms of depth the ENTIRE TEAM has to play with this and 2 of the kids didn't do that and other one made a terrible turnover on crappy drive and then a pass a FR wouldn't make for a turnover too. Just losing basketball. I'm tired of being a mediocre, losing team who finds ways/excuses to not win games--either step up and play with everything you have--or bench yourself and let Sead, Tyler, Marc, Tay, Josh, AKD, etc.. play because I want to see guy who WANT to go to the tournament and not expect to go because they won a game over a Month ago.

[SFHoya99]

Hmmm....

I thought we played a lot better today than against Marquette. We lost to the #4 team in the nation at their place getting absolutely no calls. Far from perfect, but nothing like the Marquette game. If we play like this versus Rutgers, we'll beat them.

[prhoya]

I agree, SF. Not as bad as it looks... It would have been a huge upset to win there.

[HoyaSinceBirth]

yeah RDF is over reactign a little. We played a good game and would beat most teams with that effort much improved from the marquette game. I'm positive we'll finish out the season with 3 wins. I agree that DO and Jwall sucked today especially DO that three in transition was a terrible shot to take and cost us the game. (hyperbole) But it was pretty terrible shot to take. Jwall is playing with 0 confidence right now. Even the announcers who ever they were? notticed it. They said he was tryign to guide the shots instead of just shooting.

[Deleted]

No, I agree with RDF. Sure, they played the #4 team close, but there was far too much to get Editeded off about... again.

1) For a team with a supposed advantage in the front court, Georgetown got torched on the boards. I don't care what the numbers say, every time there was a big rebound to be had, 'Nova had it. And that's WITH their "small" four-guard rotation. Roy and Jeff were terrible on the boards today. And I don't want to hear any crap about how 'Nova's outside shooting caused long boards that are harder to grab... think about it: how many times did you yell at the TV when someone went out muscled a Hoya for a board, or a Hoya dropped a board/had it go off his hands?

2) Overall, Roy played a great game... but he has to get under control a bit more in certain situations. This team can't afford wasted possessions when Roy catches it and throws it at the rim without setting himself or squaring himself to the hoop. Like I said, overall he played great, but there were a handfull of wasted possessions caused by his chucking.

3) That was - as a team - the worst defensive game I've seen the Hoyas play in a while. Couldn't stop guards penetrating, couldn't cover anyone in the zone... just had no answer for anything 'Nova threw at them. For a team that is best known for killing opponents with the long ball, how many WIDE OPEN, NOBODY FOR MILES looks did 'Nova get?

4) I also agree its time to start trying different rotations of players. Whether that means more run for Sapp at the point, more Egerson over DJ, so be it. The team is clearly stagnating and needs to shake things up... offensively, defensively, on the boards...

5) I apologize to Don Vito... er... Rick Majerus. Having heard Wentzel again, I am now convinced he's the worst color man in America. Worse than Vitale. Worse than anyone.

[RDF]

It's not good basketball when you are down 2 at the half, on the road and your opponent went 11 straight possessions without a FG--and yet they outshot you by 13 shots in First Half. Game was won right there. 13 more shots in a Half allowed them to be AHEAD while missing 11 straight--simply because our guys don't want it enough--rebounding has no skill--it's about effort, toughness, and heart. Notice how Marc Egerson snags rebounds when he's in the game? With our guys, I'm always nervous when opposing team misses a FT because I don't trust our guys to get defensive rebound.

Rebounding is CRAP on this team right now and for those who don't think Macklin will play--he'd have more rebounds in 4 minutes then many of our players get in a game. Just wait and see. Only problem for him will be PE JR will be battling for them with him--which is a GOOD THING!

AS for our offense--it was excellent in terms of ball movement and team work for majority of game but shot selection from Wallace and Owens was putrid at critical moments and our inability to finish (which is what Buffalo alluded to in Roy) hurts us. DUNK THE BLEEPING BALL! He's good enough to back his man down and throw it down on him.

I'm tired of mediocrity and faillure. That is what has been accepted around here and let's face it, III will have to do more work then we thought if we F this season up-and end up in NIT. So it's up to the kids to help him out-he's going through a lot off the court--well these guys are making him sweat at the office too because they're playing like they aren't good enough or are afraid of success/expectations. Anyone can pull an upset--it's what you do when you become the "hunted" that makes you a great team/program.

[SFHoya99]

Rebounding is mediocre on this team. The real differential in shots came from a lack of forcing turnovers. Our guards simply can't hang with theirs. It was going to happen.

Listen, the team was hot and had some big wins but what did you expect from this team? The Marquette game and WVU game were awful but I can't get too worked up over this one because I saw improvement.

I'll call it a failure IF we got to the NIT, but we aren't there yet. I hope the team has your sense of urgency.

(that aside, where we you when I was getting killed for suggesting Macklin might start? Could've used you around then Also, Roy shot pretty well. His style of play is frustrating, but his results ain't so bad.)

[ilovescruggs]

Buff, I think you might be going a little hard on the guys, you're right , but other factors did play a role... I'll take you point by point.

1.) You might be right on the boards issue, even with the long rebounds you're supposed to box your man so the guards can sneak in and grab stuff like that. And while I'll admit it's a cheap out, I think the foul situation definitely benefited Nova in this stat. They went over the back more than once and got away with it... Not an excuse, but a contributor.

2.) Agreed there were a few possessions that Roy tried to do too much, but with very few other options offensively today, I'll forgive him by and large. But I am thrilled with his intensity level. Last year he played like the smallest 7-footer in the league. Now he's a force whenever he's in there.

3.) I'll again remind about a bunch of ticky tack fouls that set the tone in the second, but the last two minutes did see way too many uncontested takes and layups. The three pointers though...I think you have to just tip your hat on those. They were launching them up from different zip codes and they were falling pure. If you want to over extend and get a hand up for those you may as well play with four guys, because they'd just drive past you and into the lane for a much higher percentage shot. Nova is one of the few teams in the country that is faster than our guys...just sucks they're also stellar shooters as well.

4.) This one I agree with you...sometimes we just look flat, like we're waiting for something to happen. Both on offense or defense it's like the guys feel "oh, someone else will do it." That needs to stop, which is why I was glad to see Roy play the way he did. Even if he tried to do too much a few times, by and large he took charge and it worked out to our benefit. I think Egerson or whoever could give us a little energy boost when we're looking lethargic. Put them in there, tell them to go 140% and if they pick up a foul or two, whatever... rattle em.

5.) I have no defense for Wentzel. He's a bonafide moron. At least four times I yelled at the TV to get him to stop reading from his media sheet and explain what the heck was going on ... (what was going on was the Hoyas were being violated by bad officiating, but it at least deserved a mention...)

All in all, your points are right, but I think you're discounting the fact that our guards are not as good as Nova's (probably the best around), they hit a ton of low-percentage shots, the whistles probably may us play a little tenative and that Roy stepped up when the rest of the team was settling for ill-advised threes.

All in all, I'll live with the performance we turned in today. Not flawless, but for team that has looked pretty terribly for the previous two games, it was a step in the right direction. Just not a victorious one.

[Deleted]

sfhoya99 said:

Rebounding is mediocre on this team.

I agree. And that's HORRIBLY depressing because so much of rebounding is being Editeded off, and aggressive, and wanting to get to that ball more than the guy next to you.

sfhoya99 said:

... I can't get too worked up over this one because I saw improvement...

I did too... but the game was there for the taking, and nobody came through in key situations.

sfhoya99 said:

Also, Roy shot pretty well. His style of play is frustrating, but his results ain't so bad.

Oh, see I have no problem with his style of play. And like I said, I think he overall had a GREAT game. In fact, my criticism is a result of my increased confidence in Roy:

I'm mad he threw away a few key possessions by thowing the ball at the hoop without squaring himself or setting his feet, or sloppy/no protection of the ball because I feel Roy gives the team a BETTER chance to convert in those situations than a few others on the floor. In games like this, I'd rather have him as the "go-to-guy" than DJ or Wallace or Brandon.

[Deleted]

Scruggs... thanks for your thoughts... my retort:

ilovescruggs said:

1.) And while I'll admit it's a cheap out, I think the foul situation definitely benefited Nova in this stat. They went over the back more than once and got away with it... Not an excuse, but a contributor.

I think its a real cheap out. There are zero excuses for the Hoyas being out rebounded today. If they actually bothered to put a butt-in-a-gutt and really box someone out, those over-the-backs would have been called. 'Nova just wanted the loose balls more and that's disappointing.

ilovescruggs said:

2.) Agreed there were a few possessions that Roy tried to do too much, but with very few other options offensively today, I'll forgive him by and large. But I am thrilled with his intensity level. Last year he played like the smallest 7-footer in the league. Now he's a force whenever he's in there.

Like I said, I thought Roy was great today. But you said it yourself... he was THE option today and we needed those possessions to be productive. It would have been one thing if he missed a hooker in the lane or a tough shot from the baseline... but a good number of his misses were Costanza-esque chucks at the hoop, totally out of control.

ilovescruggs said:

3.) I'll again remind about a bunch of ticky tack fouls that set the tone in the second, but the last two minutes did see way too many uncontested takes and layups. The three pointers though...I think you have to just tip your hat on those. They were launching them up from different zip codes and they were falling pure. If you want to over extend and get a hand up for those you may as well play with four guys, because they'd just drive past you and into the lane for a much higher percentage shot. Nova is one of the few teams in the country that is faster than our guys...just stinks they're also stellar shooters as well.

I'm not trying to take anything away from 'Nova... they're an awesome team and should do some damage over the next month. But I'd rather contest outside shots and let them drive and take my chances with Roy and Jeff near the lane, than let them launch 3's all game and get the crowd rocking and their confidence up ('cause remember, even when they missed they got most of the big rebounds). And when G'Town went zone, they collapsed either at the wrong time or from the worst places... just not smart basketball at certain points.

[ilovescruggs]

You speak the truth, and our D was faulty...watching JW slide off a WIDE OPEN Nardi was painful to no end...but I still feel that you can't diagram a defense to contest beyond NBA-range 3s. You're right in that we should have been grabbing the boards, but to try to fight through a pick five feet beyond the arc just to get a hand in Foye's face seems like you're asking to get burned.

You're right we had Jeff and Roy in the paint, but if the two of them get in foul trouble early, then where does our offense go? I think you have to take that into account as well.

Anyway, I think we're debating some pretty minute details and we agree that the effort ought to have been a little higher and that Nova is one tough customer. Onward to the Knights.

[Eurostar]

buffalo.. i totally agree about roy.

at LEAST a handful of times in the paint he caught the ball and threw it at the rim in one motion. if he just caught it, got himself set, and then went up strong with 2 hands for a dunk, he would have had 30. trying to get a quick shot off is something that a 5'9 guard would do to get it off before the defenders got to him... not something a 7'2 center should be doing

[Deleted]

I don't need a dunk out of Our Boy Roy, just a better use of the possession.

And I don't want this to sound like I'm dumping on Roy. Again, he was HARDLY the worst offender on the team. Not even close. I just think this team right now needs his contributions more than they realize. Against smaller teams like 'Nova and 'Quette they gotta feed The Ravenous Beast. His getting angry in the MU game was a great start... I just wish the rest of the team would buy into it.

[Big Dog]

Do we know yet whether JTIII addressed BB's second half benching in the postgame press conference?

[theEDGEfactor]

where was BB?? jw had the wide open shots all night and couldnt make squat, and dj was just out of it- 6 points from the bench wont do it

[Filo]

Well, it is pretty obvious that JTIII is also pretty frustrated about one or two players not showing up for these games. After the Marquette game, he singled out JG ("worst game" he has seen JG play). Check out this quote after the 'Nova game:

"Where we are right now, we need everyone to play well to win," Georgetown coach John Thompson III said. "Hopefully in a couple of years, we won't need everyone to play well to win."

[OldHoyafan]

filo said:

Well, it is pretty obvious that JTIII is also pretty frustrated about one or two players not showing up for these games. After the Marquette game, he singled out JG ("worst game" he has seen JG play). Check out this quote after the 'Nova game:

"Where we are right now, we need everyone to play well to win," Georgetown coach John Thompson III said. "Hopefully in a couple of years, we won't need everyone to play well to win."

You are right on. I think that quote says a lot by what it does not say also. JT3 called out Jeff last game because he wanted to light a fire under him and he knew he could take it and he responded with a good game. The fact he did not and has not this season called out Brandon,Darrel or Jon when they had horrible games tells you where he knows their psyches are.
BB and DO combined for 44 minutes of playing time. I know they were on the court together at times but majority of time I am sure was at the small forward position. They had a combined 4pts and 4 rebounds playing against guys 5-6 inches smallere than them. Foye who I assumed played one of the forward positions had 22pts and 8 rebounds by himself at 6'4".
Wallace only had 4pts, but it is his defensive liability that hurts the Hoyas more than his lack of points. I love his heart and his grit. His lack of production is not from lack of effort, its really from limited ability(quickness) to prevent even slow-of-foot guards from penetrating and penetrate a soft zone himself. As a fan I join all Hoya fans in thanking Bowman for nixing his NBA plans and returning and Owens for using his 5th year eligibility. this team could not have achieved what it has this year just with the remaining players. However, it does hurt as a fan to see the boxscore and see that output from 2 talented guys BB and DO. Someone once said rebounding was more mental than physical. You have to really want to do it to be a good rebounder. i think PE.Jr, Macklin and Summers will have that "want to " attitude next year.

[EasyEd]

A wonder - suppose Owens had not come back this year (or not allowed to come back), would we have seen the emergence of Eggerson?