It comes down to coaching....

[cobie79]

I have been quiet on the board for a while and as much as it pains me to say this whole debacle of a season comes down to JTIII... He is in no way adapting his "system" to the players he has on the roster... In years past we have used the Princeton system with lesser talented players to bring our level of play up to everyone else and above most others in the country.... The problem is with all the success he is recruiting far more talented players that are being forced to play a stringent system that takes a year or two to perfect...

Does anyone here believe if you rolled the ball out on a blacktop with our roster versus Cincy's roster without coaching, etc, that we would lose to them once or even twice.... Again it all starts at the top...

[revsly]

III is a great recruiter, but I've always noticed he has some issues with adapting strategies in-game to respond to the opponents moves. He isn't perfect. Hopefully he can learn from his own mistakes and develop more as an in-game coach. I think he showed some signs today with the benching of all the starters. I dunno, I guess we'll see how/if he evolves

[RDF]

I believe we'd lose to Cincinnati EVERYTIME we play them--no matter what style of play. They are tough/physical and Georgetown players are NOT. We've got guys who think they are NBA bound or "All Americans' and they have guys who fight/grind it out--as you have to in Big East.

Anytime this team faces people who are physically tough--they play timid.

You can draw up X's and O's all you want--but players have to execute and Monroe didn't fight hard enough and Wright didn't do anything--no ball fake, no movement to get ball to him. Freeman looked as if he'd rather eat a snack then shoot the ball/take the hit, and then you have guys throwing up bricks at foul line--missing enough Overtime FT's to win a game. Your "Senior Leader" is so awful he's benched--AGAIN--and a coach is counting on the 1 guy who has contributed for 3 years and been a part of winning/turning it around to help the others--but he can't--because he's stunk on court and the younger players would rather do what they want.

This team is NOT a Big East team and it's NOT a Hoya team. Blaming the offensive system is stupid--when nobody on this team consistently runs the offense. Maybe they should.

[revsly]

You make some good points RDF. Actually, the entire overtime our players were just standing around. NO movement whatsoever. Which is funny, that's pretty much the only way we get baskets. It was particularly evident on the last play.

I don't know whose fault that is, probably both coaching and players. Its happened too many times to solely blame one or the other. Something needs to change, although this season seems beyond salvation at this point.

[StPetersburgHoya (Inactive)]

This is not coaching. This is about players playing within the system and executing. Chris Wright and Jason Clark do not understand how to manage the offense. Both show a lot of hustle - but its clear when the game gets tight Wright starts pushing and trying to make things happen on his own. He threw up a number of circus shots and drove into 3 defensive players multiple times. Those inefficient possessions were the reason we were in overtime and they were the reason that we shot terribly from the field in overtime. There is no question that both Clark and Wright are well behind Wallace in terms of their understanding of how the offense should function. That wouldn't be so bad if Sapp were there to mentor them and take over running the offense when the game is close. When you lose Ewing, Hibbert, Wallace, Crawford, Rivers, and Macklin from last year's team and essentially lose Sapp as well that's seven players gone from last year. While we do have pieces to the puzzle at the 5 and 3 - and depending on which day you see Freeman - at the 2 as well. But the glaring problem this year has been that our guards show a lack of understanding of how to manage the offense. That's not on coaching - a player can only grow so much so fast and asking players to be as good as Wallace in their first season is too much. We will take our lumps - but the coaches are clearly encouraging growth in this team - Nikita and Omar have improved over last year and throughout the season. The bench in general is playing much better - especially Sims. Monroe, Summers, and Freeman cannot carry this team if they aren't getting the ball in rhythm in a well-executed offensive set. We need to give Wright and Clark time to improve and realize that Sapp has lost all confidence mentally and cannot contribute until he fixes whatever is bugging him psychologically.

[revsly]

I just don't see how you can say this isn't coaching at all. For one, we shouldn't haven even been in overtime. I think there is absolutely shared blame. Perhaps our guards haven't mastered the system... but it really didn't seem like we played this way in the first half of our season thus far. Wasn't that the same system?

[RDF]

What has to change is simple--those who believe in what III is doing STAY--those who don't--get your EXPLETIVE and get the EXPLETIVE OUT OF TOWN!

I don't care if that is Assistant Coaches, Starters, Bench Guys, Student Managers, whomever isn't a believer--the exit is that way.

Only way you get better is to come together and it's February and this team doesn't do anything together. They play in segments of a game, they don't trust what they are told, they don't execute what they are told, they play scared against physically imposing teams, and they stand around and hope someone else will step up and fight against the "big bad opposition".

It's February and we have no idea who will play well and who won't. We have no idea who will play--and who won't and we have no idea if the players will ever execute anything that is asked of them. Oh we get stories about "leadership"--which is hilarious because a EXPLETIVE MANAGER (no offense to the kid--just making a point) has to tell the SR Captain who has played like EXPLETIVE DOG EXPLETIVE all season he should take more shots to improve. Then he has one good game and talks about "wanting the leadership role......"--Sapp--guess what--you were given that from DAY ONE in OCTOBER--and now you "want it"? EXPLETIVE ME!

I could care less if we see a lineup of Jansen, Some Guy from Row 10, Vaughn, Nikita, and Omar--just get people on court who will compete and play TOGETHER. What makes Georgetown or any team good is when you PLAY TOGETHER and this team has guys with no clue on court. They fight for 3 minutes, get selfish for 3, but are scared of tough opponents for 40-45 however long the game goes. PATHETIC.

[RBHoya]

Tend to agree with RDF, too many players thinking that they are headed to the NBA when they are not even close to that level yet. Too many All-Americans living off their reps and not playing up to them. This aint the WCAC anymore, this is the Big East where teams are tough and physical and aren't going to bow to you because you're a 5 star player on Rivals.com. We've had guys like Sims and Sapp (HA!) talking about how they want to go to the NBA after junior year and how they've got NBA on their minds and so on, and Wright Free and obviously Summers think they'll be pros someday. But they're getting totally handled by a team like Cinci who has less skills but more toughness.

2-7 Wright, 2-7 Summers, 3-10 Freeman, 4-11 Monroe and Sapp a total non-factor. I don't put that on the coach... I know some will say that we need to open it up more and create easy shots etc but I haven't seen that at all. I don't think the problem is in the offense, which at this point really doesn't look that different from the offenses that lots of other teams around the country are running. Aside from not full court pressing, Georgetown's game plan isn't anything radical anymore, it's pretty in-line with what most teams are running. The players just aren't making plays.

How do they respond, this year and next? Do they learn from it, get mad about being out-toughed and step up? Or do they run off to the NBA, transfer or continue to just try to get their stats thinking they'll improve their draft stock? If it's the latter I hope they all go, maybe III can find some scrappy dudes on the JUCO circuit like Cinci does.

[strummer8526]

I think his mistake is that he HAS adapted the system. Wright does nothing to fit within the system. SAPP should be playing OVER WRIGHT. Force these kids, athletic as they may be, to play in the system. I'm sick of barreling down the lane and then throwing up a layup on the LEFT side of the backboard w/ the RIGHT hand. Can Wright develop a left hand PLEASE?!

[gopaland]

This team is the most painful to watch since the '02 - '03 bunch. At least those guys tried hard and left everything on the floor even though they had a worthless coach. To quote Major League, "This team has no heart thing and forget genetalia"

[hoyaboy1]

Feb 7, 2009 14:58:02 GMT -5 strummer8526 said:

I think his mistake is that he HAS adapted the system. Wright does nothing to fit within the system. SAPP should be playing OVER WRIGHT. Force these kids, athletic as they may be, to play in the system. I'm sick of barreling down the lane and then throwing up a layup on the LEFT side of the backboard w/ the RIGHT hand. Can Wright develop a left hand PLEASE?!

Yea, Wright's fade away over the back righty layups from the left side and Monroe getting swatted because he always goes to his left on the right side - just horrible.

[hoyatamale]

JTIII does not have some issues with his in game management, he has every problem possible. We have plenty of good talent, but when you miss the two timeout opportunities, one at the end of regulation, and the other and the end of OT, something has to be done. He cannot allow such crucial victories escape us, especially in February.

[daytonahoya31]

this isn't coaching...i totally disagree with the premise of this thread...it's just not coaching...it's toughness and we have zero of it.

[momzer]

Hey fellas that are bashing Sapp. He played three years, WITHIN the system and the team basically did OK and better than OK. He went to a final 4 within the system, came within a fg of elite 8, within the system and got beat by Mr. Curry, within the system. The PG position is now being handled by basically two freshman and clearly, this team is not working WITHIN the system. FWIW, it appears the CW and Jessie don't see eye to eye and unfortunately this has led to the team not playing within the system. I agree with RDF. You either play within the system or get out. The system works. Two BE titles in a row are proof that it works, when its followed. If it is not followed, witness 4-7 in BE play and still tinkering with lineups.

[StPetersburgHoya (Inactive)]

I'm sick of listening to posters with less than 50 posts tell me about what's wrong with this team - this place sucks when a young team has so much as a hiccup or looks like they aren't a final four team. We need to readjust our expectations.

[FrazierFanatic]

This team is not one bit better today than it was back in November - JTIII has had some great years, but this absolutely is not one of them. Taking a team with this much potential to the NIT is simply a substandard job.

[Massholya]

Maybe the plays need to be drawn up better but how do you draw them up when your starters are shooting less than 30% from the floor. Who do you give the ball to? There is no one on this team right now who I really want taking a last shot. There is no one on this team who has shown the leadership and desire to be a leader. They are all playing like drooping lillies who look great when the team is up but as soon as the pressure mounts, they look lost and unsure. So if i were thompson i'm not sure what i draw up. Do i give it to my junior stud who can't catch critical passes and dribbles off his feet when the pressure's on? My point guard who can't seem to make an entry pass to save his life and has no consistent outside shot. My shooting guard who's made like 10 3 pointers in the last 8 or so games? My freshman center? I feel for JTiii cuz right now there are no great options. There's no nuttage on this team. It's very frustrating.

[StPetersburgHoya (Inactive)]

Feb 7, 2009 15:10:17 GMT -5 FrazierFanatic said:

This team is not one bit better today than it was back in November - JTIII has had some great years, but this absolutely is not one of them. Taking a team with this much potential to the NIT is simply a substandard job.

The bench says hi.

On edit: So does rebounding.

[sleepy]

Feb 7, 2009 15:06:15 GMT -5 daytonahoya31 said:

this isn't coaching...i totally disagree with the premise of this thread...it's just not coaching...it's toughness and we have zero of it.

Disagree. We have toughness, just not enough of it. I think we have more than we did a month ago, though that's not saying much as THEN we had zero toughness. We showed toughness at the end getting those defensive stops. We still showed our lack of enough toughness by not converting offesively. We aren't there yet, but atleast its an improvement.

[FrazierFanatic]

Feb 7, 2009 15:13:12 GMT -5 StPetersburgHoya (Inactive) said:

Feb 7, 2009 15:10:17 GMT -5 FrazierFanatic said:

This team is not one bit better today than it was back in November - JTIII has had some great years, but this absolutely is not one of them. Taking a team with this much potential to the NIT is simply a substandard job.

The bench says hi.

On edit: So does rebounding.

I'm talking about the team as a whole, not a couple of individuals. And I hate to say it, but Clark, Vaughn and Sims did not really show that much today - Clark had a few nice moments completely negated by numerous senseless turnovers. Wattad hit some threes - jst like he did in November. Nikita is the one guy who showed real improvement today. When the starters are factored in - no better than November. Period.