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Post by glidehoyas (Inactive) on Nov 29, 2011 13:40:41 GMT -5
This will be the first really rowdy crowd our Freshmen face. Anxious to see the response. The team got a taste of it during the Kansas game. Exactly and in China!
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Post by glidehoyas (Inactive) on Nov 29, 2011 13:41:46 GMT -5
Take in mind Alabama's players are banged up also, but they are tough and so are we so let's go Hoyas we know will there's no doubt in my mind. If I were a player I would think the same way, I'm going to play period.
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Post by hoyasaxa2003 on Nov 29, 2011 13:44:17 GMT -5
One way to prevent Alabama from getting out to an early lead would be to start with a lineup that is good defensively and has a lot of length. Something like Trawick / Thompson / Porter / Lubick / Sims. Of course, that won't happen but I do think it's one of the better defensive lineups we can throw out there and we'll probably see some variation at points in the game (likely with Whittington part of the mix, as well).
Our current starting lineup is good offensively (though arguably Porter should be in there instead of Lubick), but I just don't think it's the best defensive team out there. That's why the starters, as a unit, didn't see a huge amount of time against Memphis.
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Post by nnb5 on Nov 29, 2011 14:05:01 GMT -5
Jason King from ESPN:
"Who is the best team not in this week's Top 25?
I still think Michigan State could be pretty salty. The Spartans have played two notable games (against North Carolina and Duke, both on neutral courts) and lost each time. But they're still one of the better rebounding teams in the country and are obviously well-coached. My other choice, if I can have one, is Georgetown. I love Jason Clark's game, and the trio of Hollis Thompson, Henry Sims and Otto Porter is hard to stop. The Hoyas are good now, and they're only going to get better."
If we win at Bama, we are definitely top 20.
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KirbyKeger
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
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Post by KirbyKeger on Nov 29, 2011 14:13:42 GMT -5
I agree completely nnb5. I think a win would put us not just in the top 25, but straight into the high teens.
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Post by glidehoyas (Inactive) on Nov 29, 2011 14:24:17 GMT -5
The Hoyas are going to need to come out with more effort and focus than they did last night.... can't afford to be playing from behind against a good defensive team like Bama on the road. Point guards duty to get the ship sailing bro...def right about playing from behind against the Tide...
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Post by glidehoyas (Inactive) on Nov 29, 2011 14:27:04 GMT -5
Guards definitely have to attack and get em in early foul trouble and go from there...make Alabama think and watch the alley oops big time! Communication will be "key"...
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SirSaxa
Silver Hoya (over 500 posts)
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Post by SirSaxa on Nov 29, 2011 14:29:05 GMT -5
In my view, we start our starters. We don't adjust our starting lineup because of the other team, we put OUR starters out there and give it a shot.
IF we see we need to make a change early in the game, so be it. I LIKE the idea of bringing in Otto and Greg 4 minutes into each game... completely changes to complexion of our team -- defensive heavy, longer, more athletic... and let them get after it.
I HOPE we don't let their press bother us. Guards with great handles helps, but so does smart, sure passing to get the ball upcourt in a hurry - then when it's up there, go for the jugular and make them PAY for pressing us. We seem to be doing this more this year (and last year too) than JT3 did earlier when he was happy to get it over halfcourt, stop and reset the offense.
Bama is good. AND... they'll be home. With home fans -- and typically, the refs favor the home team (Consciously or not).
It will be a really good test for our guys. I bet them come out ready to play. Should be fun. Cain't Wait!
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prhoya
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Post by prhoya on Nov 29, 2011 14:41:49 GMT -5
Great scouting report, allen.
I'm fine with our starting line-up against Alabama. Let's see how we perform offensively against their defense first before having to turn to other line-ups. I like our taller freshmen and wings coming in to give them another look. They will not have the same luxury. IMO, since the key will be rebounds and Otto is one of our best rebounders, he'll come in pretty early.
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Dhall
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Post by Dhall on Nov 29, 2011 15:04:38 GMT -5
Stating the obvious I think, but this is a very important game for tournament resume. The way it's worked out, we'll end up with only 3 significant OOC opponents and we're 1-1. The second game with Memphis is meaningless - if we win that one, we're no better off than we are today; if we lose that one, it doesn't take away the fact that we beat them on a neutral court. So, as they said after Kansas, no more moral victories.
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Post by nnb5 on Nov 29, 2011 15:20:30 GMT -5
I disagree DHall. I think if we beat Memphis twice (and Memphis goes on to have a solid season) that is far better than splitting with Memphis.
Moreover, OOC wins are great, but we are going to get enough shots in the Big East that losing to Bama and Memphis will not damage our chances too much.
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Post by wahoohoya on Nov 29, 2011 15:29:01 GMT -5
Bama is not deep, so the press will be used spottingly. Also, they're not a big team; Green and the back up go 6'9 and 6'8. Hoyas can get them in foul trouble. I think Hoyas length bother them up top, as there are freshman they play too. Their PG is solid, but not overly quick and rarely looks to score with J's. he will try to bully to the rim. Hoyas bigs just need to be solid and backcourt needs to do its job. Crowd may be a factor cause football is over for now, so kids will be there. All that said, they are not a jauggernaut and don't shoot very well from outside. As said earlier, they WILL DEFEND, so Hoyas need to be aggressive not passive when attacking. They haven't seen the type of lenght Hoyas have and they have to guard against back cuts. Not sure they're that disciplined to completely shut that down like Kansas did. We'll see.... They may not be that tall, but they are very solid up front. This will be a tough test for Henry. Him and Nate are going to need to play strong. I agree in that I don't see them trying to press us that much - they will try to make this game ugly and score off putbacks. I can see us struggling in our half court sets - we are going to need to hit some tough shots and be ready to push when the opportunity is there. Would be quite an accomplishment to win this one on the road.
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rosslynhoya
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Post by rosslynhoya on Nov 29, 2011 16:46:25 GMT -5
Stating the obvious I think, but this is a very important game for tournament resume. The way it's worked out, we'll end up with only 3 significant OOC opponents and we're 1-1. The second game with Memphis is meaningless - if we win that one, we're no better off than we are today; if we lose that one, it doesn't take away the fact that we beat them on a neutral court. So, as they said after Kansas, no more moral victories. I think this post from KenPom sheds light on the Memphis quandary: kenpom.com/blog/index.php/weblog/the_head-to-head_fallacy/Having won once on a neutral, perhaps even Memphis-leaning, court, I would expect the Hoyas to beat the Tigers soundly at the Verizon Center. Losing at home in December would undermine the perceived strength of the Maui win, freeing an analyst or selection committee member to chalk the earlier Hoyas victory up to a fluke. It's imperative that Georgetown pick up the sweep. Alabama remains, however, our one and only chance at a true road victory over a tourney-bound nonconference foe. We need a win here, no matter how ugly.
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calhoya
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Post by calhoya on Nov 29, 2011 18:07:58 GMT -5
Unlike many other schools outside of the Big East, the record for the OOC schedule is not as critical for the tournament resume. Based upon today's view, it seems like a safe bet that by year end we will have had at least 10-12 games against Top 25 teams and bunch of them on the road.
Last night's first half is proof of the small margin for error this team has right now and that will only improve with time and experience. May mean a loss to Alabama along the way. Unfortunately games like last night "cheat" the end of the bench out of playing time. I continue to harp on the need to find out now what, if anything, the team can expect from Bowen, Adams and Hopkins.
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Post by HoyaSinceBirth on Nov 29, 2011 19:04:07 GMT -5
I think we have a great chance to pick off Alabama. Pragmatically though this is our toughest game out of conference. I'm really excited to see how we execute against the best defense we've seen to date. Statistically the only team we'll see that's better is Louisville.
I really liked that we worked on our 2-3 zone a lot against IUPUI is suspect coach plans on using this a fair bit this year and is looking to get the team really proficient at it. Boxing out will be the key to this game. I believe that in basketball a great offense can score on a great defense. At times you just can't stop a man from hitting the shot even if you get a hand up in his face.
Alabama doesn't force an inordinate number of turnovers. Only 210th in turnover percentage, the hoyas actually do better at holding on to the ball and forcing turnovers. In fact in 5 out of their 7 games they've had a higher turnover % than their opponents. What Alabama does is play good positional defense especially on guarding the 3 and block shots. Analysts always say you should take it right at the shot blockers. We need to be assertive and confident in the post. Use a shot fake to get the shot blockers off their feet and draw the foul.
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idhoya
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Post by idhoya on Nov 29, 2011 19:11:45 GMT -5
I think Hoyas will be fine. Have to come out intense though.
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lichoya68
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
OK YOUNGINS ARE HERE AND ARE VERY VERY GOOD cant wait GO HOYAS
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Post by lichoya68 on Nov 29, 2011 19:32:43 GMT -5
tough game we will see need forty minutes OR more of A+ bball for sure to beat this very good team AT THEIR HOUSE.. which our house had more fans adn students for sure.. go hoyas come on blue fill the booth
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Post by bigelephant on Nov 30, 2011 9:07:05 GMT -5
I think the key to the game will be Nate - he has to bring it! Can't miss chippies and got to score some points and pull down those Man rebounds. Of course everyone else has to bring it too. I am looking for a low scoring very hard fought physical ugly game. A lot of fouls and bench time because of this. We have a deep bench.
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Post by Ranch Dressing on Nov 30, 2011 9:29:08 GMT -5
It's hard not to believe that the combination of Henry, Nate, and Otto are the keys to game. Control the paint defensively, rebound efficiently, and score enough buckets in the post to take pressure off the shooters.
Let's get'er duhn!
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Post by glidehoyas (Inactive) on Nov 30, 2011 13:50:44 GMT -5
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