Georgetown @ Syracuse Game Discussion

[fsohoya]

Feb 9, 2012 6:14:11 GMT -5 HoyaPride said:

Bottom line (at least mine).
1) Sucks to lose in that hole. period.
2) Play with that same energy, focus and we win out.
3) Freshman got some serious run last night which will help them come tourney time.
4) Use this as a positive and come out and bury SJU

Ditto

[skyhoya]

Both teams played a good game, neither was great, it SUcks to lose in OT, but we need to move forward,

[RockawayHoya]

So was anyone able to find out if JTIII addressed the Hollis substitution disaster anywhere after the game?

[calhoya]

Feb 9, 2012 1:12:35 GMT -5 RDF said:

Markel Starks has rest of season to either grow up and improve or be recruited over. If you can't handle the press and you are a PG--then no reason to play and thankfully III isn't doing so. Problem is--nobody on this roster is a guy who is a natural PG--although Jabril penetrated and drew defense better then Starks has his entire career. Then the poor 30 footers. Just horrendous decision making and impatience. He was awful imo--and if that doesn't change--it puts so much pressure on Jason Clark and he's answered--but time for Jabril to jump Starks in rotation and go with Hollis at 2G with Jason as PG. A message has to be sent to Starks because he's not understanding. That tenative crap against pressure was pathetic. That has to improve or you can't play D1 point guard. Ugh.

Good fight from team and found a way to get into OT and almost pull it out despite playing a C level offensive game.

Henry started strong, lost rhythm with foul trouble, and really tried to do way too much late--he needs to make plays for others--and know his game-which in BE play--he's a 40% shooter--get it to a better shooter. Move the ball or DUNK IT! He's on ground far too much and that just can't happen--you won't get calls and especially late. Go strong or kick it out. But he was trying hard and respect/appreciate that. Which is why Starks play as PG has me beyond angry. Hesitant/passive play doesn't belong on this team and especially this time of year.

You don't deserve to win games when you give away a possession on an inbounds play for the 100,000.000 time! That's not acceptible.

III's team plays better when he doesn't take timeouts late in game. It's amazing how many times they dont' even get a shot and the Hollis Thompson fiasco is inexcusable. He shouldn't have been taken out in the first place. Silly. The move to man to man in OT? WTF? Didn't care for it--but the last 21 seconds made me shake my head and didn't have much confidence once he called timeout. Was just happy Cuse conceded the inbounds pass as I feared a 5 second count or turnover on pass.

Jason Clark was a warrior tonight and not upset with him in any capacity.

Good game for FR to learn from--and learning that you have to make little plays all the time--talking on defense, making sure you don't assume an inbounds pass is automatic (how could they being in this program?) and have to recognize shooters--why is Henry closing on Fab Melo-if he wants to shoot an 18 ft jumper-let him--you live with that make. Can't let him drive and dunk on you. Joseph has 26--guard him--make someone else beat you on rotation-like that middle aged fat ass Jardine (WTF is with Cuse having lard ass PG's? It's called a fork/spoon and not a damn shovel you fat clown) who was trying to be a hero as he did in '08 when he was playing Jeremiah Rivers--yes--Scoop's been around that long.

Just hope Hoyas build off this-and take it out on SJU--need to give those guys a beating and take the frustration out on rest of schedule. Can't feel like anything was accomplished and can't be too down--just serve a beatdown to Redmen and build momentum back up. Key for Sr's--dont' try to be heroes-play strong/tough but know limitations and Jason has done this--Henry--in/out and tonight was about as painful of a non pass as Ashanti bypassing an open Jeff Green who could've given Hoyas lead in BET in III's initial season. PASS THE BALL TO OPEN TEAMMATES!

Don't always agree with RDF, but as I read this I find myself repeatedly saying "yes." Starks has truly failed to develop into a point guard. Henry has been unable to finish all year and last night it really hurt the team. Love the effort from the freshmen and Jason. Don't expect Hollis back, but do not expect to see him in the NBA next year either--not unless there is some serious improvement on defense and in terms of handling the ball.

Lastly, many have complained all year that Hopkins should have been given more quality playing time to develop. Last night, Hopkins played hard and really showed potential. Cannot fault him at all for his game at this stage of his development. Too bad his first reall playing time in an important game had to come in front of 30,000 in the Carrier Dome. Great effort for the kid, even if his offensive game looked raw.

[DanMcQ]

After rewatching bits of the game and thinking about it, for the most part, the Hoyas attacked the zone well and got good shots ... and missed too many.

However, they didn't vary their attack enough. Knight pointed out repeatedly that you have to do something to make the zone move. Too many plays in a row featured the quick pass around the perimeter and you could see they were trying to pass the ball to the guy at the FT line. Many times that worked, with a shot from him or a kickout to the perimeter or a pass to the baseline. It would have helped to have one of the guards (Starks, Trawick, Clark) or even Hollis drive to that spot periodically - not every play, but enough to vary the sets and make Syracuse have to honor it (akin to the draw plays run by a predominantly passing football team).

Many things the game tape will show that will help this team in the rematch.

[lichoya68]

VERY PROUD THIS AM VERY and IF WE HIT SOME SHOTS we cant beat anybody in the country THATS ANYBODY. play like this and altho itll be tough we could win out and we need too. now must move move move and move on GO HOYAS FLUSH THE JOHNNIES IN SUNDAY ITS A must win thats MUST WIN must be in that top four. PLAY FORTY MINUTES OF HE........ YOU KNOW and we can beat anyone.. dont think our two centers will EVER go 2-20 again this year NOPE never again.

[kchoya]

Feb 8, 2012 22:59:30 GMT -5 westendhoya said:

Man this team would be so dangerous if Henry was decent when it counts...Get him off the court

And who would replace him?

And for all of you criticizing the offense last night, have you watched the past 20 years of GU-SU games? This was, by far, the best our offense has played against the zone. Sure, in previous games, we've scored more points, or gone crazy from downtown, or even executed well for a half or so. But I kept waiting for the zone offense to breakdown and the players to lose patience, but it didn't, and they didn't. The team showed exactly how to attack Cuse's zone. The only problem (and it's obviously a big one) is that Sims and Hopkins converted at an abysmal rate. We got open looks from 3, we got foul line jumpers, we got Otto shooting 12 footers on the baseline and we had tons of looks inside.

[glidehoyas (Inactive)]

So proud and glad I got to see the Hoyas play tonight! Yes, we lost. They fought and some Joseph hit the last shot for Syracuse good bye Cuse congratulation. My Hoyas are a sight to see ! I can think of it any other way. Now the whole world really knows the Hoyas are one of the top/best teams in America. I surely the Hoyas have not a thing to hand their heads about. Uh oh we a game against St. John's on Saturday! Hoyasaxa!


Mod Note: Please refrain from posting identically in multiple threads.

[Dhall]

Last night I wasn't too disturbed by this loss, but it bothers me more now and it bothers me that lots of people are treating it like a moral victory. We make a few more baskets or a few less turnovers and play a little better defense against their one guy who was killing us and we have a chance to win the Big East conference title this year. Now, we are one of 7 teams with 4 losses or less and we have zero shot at the title. Oh well.

[Offsidz]

I don't post much at all, but I have been on the board since '05. It's my opinion, but I think RDF is almost always accurate with his analysis/observations, and his write-up of last night's game was on-the-money. Regarding Henry, I think his performance last night was more of a result of him trying to do way too much and the lack of good b'ball IQ. Also, he DEFINITELY needs to go harder/stronger with the ball, but hasn't that been a problem with most of the big men under JTIII? Greg Monroe was absolutely maddening to me! I did not (and still don't) understand why he would not slam the ball, unless it was uncontested. Other than maybe Roy Hibbert (who I think had a nice balance to his game), all of the big men as of late have had a little too much finesse in there game (for me). Finally, I loved that Whittington tried to slam it on that one sequence. He didn't make it, but he went hard/strong, got fouled, and then converted both free throws.

[lurkerhoya]

Being a new lawyer sucks so my HoyaTalk time has been limited this season as I've traded long rants for motions, however, being so bummed after last night, I came back for a fix.

1. This team needs to learn from that last possession. It's not the first time this season we've gotten killed by missing the obvious defensive assignment in a big situation. JT3 calls them communication breakdowns or whatever, but the fact is, whoever missed that assignment (and yes I know who it was...) needs to remember how they felt after that game and NEVER let it happen again. I was watching it happen and I was screaming at the TV as Joseph drifted out to the wing. It was obvious to anyone what was going on and it simply can't be repeated. If you're going to win BETs, and major NCAA games, you're going to need to execute that one extra possession on offense or defense even in games where you've outplayed the other team for the bulk of the game. The toughest part of last night was that I think I can safely say everyone on this board saw that play developing before Joseph even had the ball and wished we could hit pause, call the Carrier Dome and tell JT3, "Make sure they know the only play that's going to happen is Joseph trying to slip out to the wing. It's the only play they've run all night." Alas, it don't work like that. I'd have loved anyone on the court to have realized you wanted Dion Waiters hoisting that shot 11 out of 10 times...

2. Officiating "sucked", but really you've just got to finish. 2-20 from the bigs is really the number that sticks out to me. And in all honesty, they were a lot of 50/50 calls and while I'd like to have seen more go our way especially since Henry is an above-average FT shooter, the real fact is you need to earn those fouls.

By that I mean, you need to finish those opportunities early in the game. It shouldn't be this way perhaps because a foul is a foul is a foul, BUT, when you have BE officials, who we all know are discretionary at best and senile at worst, you need to show them early that you're making layups. Then, when it is a 50/50 call and you're missing from 3 feet, they're going to give you the benefit of the doubt down the stretch because they'll know you're not missing bunnies by accident. When you brick a layup you've been making all game, they'll know it's because you got hit. It shouldn't be that way, but it is, and so, yes, that means the officiating "sucked" but really we had every chance to turn 50/50 into 51/49 with some execution.

Tough loss, but certainly one I had penciled in even a week or two ago on our road to a BET double-bye. Rest up, review and come back stronger and smarter. We've played 23 games and hopefully the guys recover and learn from last night to make sure the next at least 7 and hopefully 15 reward their 40 minutes of effort.

[GUJook97]

Yeah, one thing that benefits us is that our schedule seems much more spread out this year. We now only have 6 more games in 3 1/2 weeks, and we only play twice in the next 10 days, if I am not mistaken. This is the tough time of the year for freshman. But, I think III has done a better job of mixing minutes.

[glidehoyas (Inactive)]

From Muggsy Bogues on Twitter - "Do not dwell on your losses, but concentrate upon the part of your performance that limited your excellence."

[sead43]

Feb 9, 2012 8:05:00 GMT -5 RockawayHoya said:

So was anyone able to find out if JTIII addressed the Hollis substitution disaster anywhere after the game?

curious about this too. why doesn't SID post the post-game presser videos on youtube after losses??

[kchoya]

Getting past the fact that he shot horribly, anyone else impressed/excited by the moves the Hopkins showed? He was spining and driving past Melo a couple of time. This kid is going to be good.

[kchoya]

Feb 9, 2012 9:27:57 GMT -5 lurkerhoya said:

1. This team needs to learn from that last possession. It's not the first time this season we've gotten killed by missing the obvious defensive assignment in a big situation. JT3 calls them communication breakdowns or whatever, but the fact is, whoever missed that assignment (and yes I know who it was...) needs to remember how they felt after that game and NEVER let it happen again. I was watching it happen and I was screaming at the TV as Joseph drifted out to the wing. It was obvious to anyone what was going on and it simply can't be repeated. If you're going to win BETs, and major NCAA games, you're going to need to execute that one extra possession on offense or defense even in games where you've outplayed the other team for the bulk of the game. The toughest part of last night was that I think I can safely say everyone on this board saw that play developing before Joseph even had the ball and wished we could hit pause, call the Carrier Dome and tell JT3, "Make sure they know the only play that's going to happen is Joseph trying to slip out to the wing. It's the only play they've run all night." Alas, it don't work like that. I'd have loved anyone on the court to have realized you wanted Dion Waiters hoisting that shot 11 out of 10 times...

Easy to say when you're at home watching from the couch. In the spur of the moment in the middle of 29,500 morons with the clock running down is a lot different. The frosh screwed up. It wasn't the first time (see Whit losing track of Joesph in the 1st half for a wide open three on the break) and it won't be the last.

[glidehoyas (Inactive)]

Hoyas lose but win in their play against the #2 team in the land... glidehoyas.blogspot.com/2012/02/through-loss-hoyas-show-world-they-are.html

[DanMcQ]

Feb 9, 2012 10:56:29 GMT -5 sead43 said:

Feb 9, 2012 8:05:00 GMT -5 RockawayHoya said:

So was anyone able to find out if JTIII addressed the Hollis substitution disaster anywhere after the game?

curious about this too. why doesn't SID post the post-game presser videos on youtube after losses??

They were traveling back right after the game with a flight that left around 11PM and arrvied at Dulles after midnight. Don't know if they took video or not.

[RDF]

Feb 9, 2012 10:59:19 GMT -5 kchoya said:

Getting past the fact that he shot horribly, anyone else impressed/excited by the moves the Hopkins showed? He was spining and driving past Melo a couple of time. This kid is going to be good.

Agree completely. I loved that he went at Melo and that one shot he got blocked-ball was slipping out of his hand--so he had to push it up and at least it resulted in getting ball back-even though Jason traveled after, but nice footwork and moves and he didn't shy away--he kept coming--but have to say this-Henry did too and that's impressive to me and appreciate it as a fan. Failing to finish is acceptible because you are trying, failing to engage/compete isn't.

Henry just needs to realize a Hollis Thompson wide open shot is better look for Hoyas then him on a night he's shot 1-11 going into that last FGA. He made right play against Marquette and wrong decision last night--but he was fighting and competing.

Hopkins--same. Just love the composure and tempo the FR play with-never get feeling they are out of control and they have best understanding of playing together on entire team. When they are in game--often Hoyas settle down and execute. Now Whittington had a breakdown late--but at least he was on Waiters--so not like he was standing watching-he just rotated to wrong man--can't leave Joseph open.

Jason and Jabril are the best PG's on team right now and should play the position moving forward. They don't always make great decisions but they also don't go into a shell and freak out minute a press is put on like Starks has consistently shown. Starks should be a bench player at this time in season and going into offseason he can either improve or sulk about losing his time--because team cant afford timid/passive guard against pressure. Zone offense was also better without him on court heaving up 30 footers. Defense was better too. Just disappointing.

[kettlehill]

Today, after cooling off from a game thought we had, the impression I get is that we probably actally gained respect nationally and more importantly the frosh gained confidence. We beat St. John sunday, we are probably back in the top 10 and deservedly so.
Still bugs me that Trawick wasn't in there more late and encouraged to drive and kick. Passing "around the infield" as Knight said would have worked great if Henry were hitting, but he wasn't , and really, wasn't coming close. So why not drive and kick. It was the difference in the game: Joseph was getting clean looks off of Scoop's drives.
Still, great defense, great on the boards and Otto better every game.