biggmanu
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Post by biggmanu on Jan 25, 2014 7:44:46 GMT -5
It's up to Markel Starks to put this team on his back and pull out an improbable upset (or two) over the next 7 days. His heart, will, and desire to have one more run at the tourney in his college career is what this team needs to turn the misery of the last 3 games into a victory.
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calhoya
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Post by calhoya on Jan 25, 2014 8:38:07 GMT -5
I hope that Starks does not attempt to put this team on his back. Playing within himself, Starks is smart and a very capable player, but when he has attempted to take over the game in recent weeks as leads disappeared, he is often out-of-control and detimental to the team's success. Just stay calm, play smart and lead.
I have not given up on this game. I worry more about the 19,000+ in the crowd rattling the Hoyas than the talent on the floor. Creighton is not a particularly big team. Nor are they particularly fast. They are disciplined and shoot well. Their game is outside -inside, with the 3 point shot opening up opportunities for McDermott, who is strong and accurate. He will eat Cameron and Moses alive and must be guarded by some combination of Hopkins, Bowen and Nate. Hoyas should be able to hold their own on the boards. We should also be able to get away with a smaller and faster lineup than against some of the bigger teams in the conference. The key will be defense and foul trouble. Neither Starks nor DSR has been consistent in defending the 3 this year. On offense I would hope that we are running and using the outlet pass to good effect. It would be helpful if Hopkins, Bowen and Nate could present something of a scoring threat down low. If Reggie can hit some shots and Starks and DSR have their stroke this could get interesting.
JT III needs to step up too, with some intelligent use of timeouts and the bench to minimize any Creighton runs. Okay, so maybe it is a longshot, but I still believe that this team is much better than it has shown this year. I also believe that with the Smith saga over, it may actually improve the team. They can now develop a style and approach that fits the athletes on the floor and not keep waiting for salvation to arrive from a player who never quite fit with this system--particularly on defense.
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GUJook97
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Post by GUJook97 on Jan 25, 2014 8:40:26 GMT -5
I'd rather watch Starks and DSR attempt to score 60 points than any other alternative.....I guess we could go to the burn offense, though I'm trying to think of the last time we were as big an underdog as we are tonight? Maybe going up to Storrs in the early 2000s? We pretty much have nothing to lose tonight. I expect we will play pretty well and stay in this game. I hope....
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dreamhoya
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Post by dreamhoya on Jan 25, 2014 9:35:18 GMT -5
I really think Markel should pick his spots and become a distributor; DSR should continue to score but don't force. Something needs to be tweaked and not just a cursory change as JTIII has done.
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prhoya
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Post by prhoya on Jan 25, 2014 9:46:11 GMT -5
I really think Markel should pick his spots and become a distributor; DSR should continue to score but don't force. Something needs to be tweaked and not just a cursory change as JTIII has done. Markel needs to penetrate and be active throughtout the game. He tends to try to put the team on his back when we're losing. And, please, don't hold back when he's blocked. Keep penetrating.
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dreamhoya
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Post by dreamhoya on Jan 25, 2014 9:51:41 GMT -5
But he's been making some wild plays during crunch time and the team has been hurt at the end. He has to play smart some i think. He's not a "go-to" guy, but he can make plays under control
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DanMcQ
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Post by DanMcQ on Jan 25, 2014 9:59:18 GMT -5
I'm not sure I fully buy the talent gap argument. I actually think the offense has run more smoothly since Mr. Smith left the court, with the caveat that this is predicated on players other than the starting backcourt being aggressive and produceing.
Defensively, it has not been good. The coach made a great point that is clearly relevant to the second half collapses, which have all pretty much been due to defensive lapses: the defense is not in front of the Hoya bench in the second half and the coaches aren't able to easily communicate to help out with rotations. Communication on defense - and LISTENING to your teammates' communications - is essential and needs improvement. People criticize Nate for all sorts of perceived inadequacies, but this is an area where he shines and it is essential to this team growing into itself after being forced to change emphasis mid season.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2014 10:02:04 GMT -5
Creighton's 2nd highest scorer (Ethan Wragge) takes about 8 three pointers a game (some from beyond the NBA line) and makes 50% of them. So he averages about 12 points a game. He rarely takes 2 point shots.
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drquigley
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Post by drquigley on Jan 25, 2014 11:01:38 GMT -5
As I said on another thread, I watched the Creighton-Villanova game and what impressed me wasn't just the insane 3 point shooting by Wragge but the overall ball handling skill of all the players they had on the court. Chatham was especially impressive. I think that is what will kill us tonight. The reason they get so many good 3 point shots is that they find the open man and they find the open man because they pass so well. If we are to have any chance we will have to play ferocious defense and disrupt their ball handlers penetration and passing.
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prhoya
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Post by prhoya on Jan 25, 2014 11:27:02 GMT -5
But he's been making some wild plays during crunch time and the team has been hurt at the end. He has to play smart some i think. He's not a "go-to" guy, but he can make plays under control True. That's why I say he needs to penetrate throughout the game, not just in desperation mode in crunch time.
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This Just In
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Post by This Just In on Jan 25, 2014 11:40:59 GMT -5
It will take 4 double digit scorers to win this game tonight...
1. DSR 2. Starks 3. ?? 4. ??
The last 2 spots remain to be seen.
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SDHoya
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Post by SDHoya on Jan 25, 2014 12:37:24 GMT -5
Maybe the way to play the rest of the year is to run and go small. Because defenses will sag off of anyone not named Markel or D'Vauntes, we are pretty useless in the half court right now. But without Smith, everyone we have left can run the court. Yeah, its going to completely destroy our defense, and it will force coach to go deep into an increasingly less deep bench, and yes we are playing into the hands of other teams that like to run and put up a lot of points. But our defense has been dreadful this year too. So maybe what we need is a complete shake up. Simply put Hop/Moses/Lubick cannot score outside of dunk range. This may be the only way to hide that. Of course for this to work we need Reggie and Domingo to be up for hitting some transition 3s. Well it means a lot of things. But at this point, if we are going to lose, we at least might as well go down swinging?
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SDHoya
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Post by SDHoya on Jan 25, 2014 12:38:36 GMT -5
Also Bowen and Jabril when healthy, as players who could be effective in a running game, but at this point in time are useless in the half court.
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KHoyaNYC
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Post by KHoyaNYC on Jan 25, 2014 13:01:21 GMT -5
I'm not sure I fully buy the talent gap argument. I actually think the offense has run more smoothly since Mr. Smith left the court, with the caveat that this is predicated on players other than the starting backcourt being aggressive and produceing. Defensively, it has not been good. The coach made a great point that is clearly relevant to the second half collapses, which have all pretty much been due to defensive lapses: the defense is not in front of the Hoya bench in the second half and the coaches aren't able to easily communicate to help out with rotations. Communication on defense - and LISTENING to your teammates' communications - is essential and needs improvement. People criticize Nate for all sorts of perceived inadequacies, but this is an area where he shines and it is essential to this team growing into itself after being forced to change emphasis mid season. That's a pretty big caveat!!!!! Defensively, let's start by not fouling so much. It's like we can't help ourselves sometimes.
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Post by bicentennial on Jan 25, 2014 13:32:34 GMT -5
They say in Business that uncertainty kills. Lets hope the certainty of playing without Smith for the rest of the year leads to Hopkins and Lubick getting the ball fed inside by the guards while Ayegba works to clear the ball from their misses giving us second chance opportunities. I still feel the Providence game was a response in large measure to the let down of losing Smith while the adaptation to not having Trawick available has also created great uncertainty for the team. On the upside the emotional boost when Trawick returns should help us for a few games. Furthermore, in game improvements from Bowen and Caprio actually playing with the other starters should give us more seasoned play from both players when Trawick returns. Having watched the last few games and seeing the defenses the other conference teams play, perhaps Hopkins can learn to shoot from a foot behind the free throw line instead of missing from three. If he can that would keep his defender honest and would actually allow the other forwards or cutting guards to receive assists from the high post for layups.
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hoyainspirit
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Post by hoyainspirit on Jan 25, 2014 13:51:38 GMT -5
Let's see some of that 1st half defense down the stretch at winning time.
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Post by michaelgrahmstylie on Jan 25, 2014 14:21:08 GMT -5
We don't need to start heaving up wild scenarios and solutions to the challenges that face us. Quite frankly, we probably would not be where we are today if we had a slightly different approach to recruiting and playing the game of basketball. I have always maintained that we have to recruit A-1 talent and then invest heavily in the development of the whole team--every man. Don't bring 'em if they are not ready to contribute. Period. End of discussion. And I don't want to hear the age old argument about Georgetown's high academic standards. There are many capable student-athletes that can withstand the rigors of a Georgetown education. In the words of Jabril Travick (the gist of what he said): "I wanted to go Georgetown, because if I didn't make to the next level, then I would at least have a great education."
Now, about tonight's game, and more to my original point. We still have to play team ball. Let's not entertain any strategies where we look to one or two individuals to carry this team. Markel alone can't get it done. DSR alone will not get it done. All of the guys need to step up their game, believe in each other, and put in a unified effort. If we lose this game because we tried to get everyone involved offensively and defensively--especially offensively--and we still lose the game, I would be quite happy and content with the outcome. I make the appeal again to the coaching staff and to all of loyal Hoyadom, let these kids go out and play the game. Don't hold them back. Playing in actual games in front of thousands of adoring and or rowdy fans is how they will cut their basketball teeth. We are in it to win it. However, we are also in it to play, have fun and shoot for the best. This is a case where we may not win it all this year, but we can put together some pieces for next year. Winning is just almost everything!
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Post by hoyasaxa2003 on Jan 25, 2014 14:37:20 GMT -5
Getting Hopkins and Moses the ball in the post is exactly what we should avoid. Moses has been okay but Hopkins' efficiency in the post is terrible and he already gets it down there too much.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2014 14:44:38 GMT -5
I'm not sure I fully buy the talent gap argument. I actually think the offense has run more smoothly since Mr. Smith left the court, with the caveat that this is predicated on players other than the starting backcourt being aggressive and produceing. Defensively, it has not been good. The coach made a great point that is clearly relevant to the second half collapses, which have all pretty much been due to defensive lapses: the defense is not in front of the Hoya bench in the second half and the coaches aren't able to easily communicate to help out with rotations. Communication on defense - and LISTENING to your teammates' communications - is essential and needs improvement. People criticize Nate for all sorts of perceived inadequacies, but this is an area where he shines and it is essential to this team growing into itself after being forced to change emphasis mid season. Good point Dan, and it was probably reason #1 Cap played so much in the second half. He was very vocal on that side of the ball. Coach also said earlier in the season this team was too quiet on defense and it shows.
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GIGAFAN99
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Post by GIGAFAN99 on Jan 25, 2014 14:56:47 GMT -5
Ethan Wragge, 2-star recruit with only one skill, perimeter shooting.
Austin Chatman, unranked, no rating
Devin Brooks, unranked Juco
How can we be expected to compete in this game with Creighton? They have so much raw talent.
Creighton is the opposite of the Hoyas. They're organized, confident, and use their players' skills well. Tha said, if we magically became those things, we can easily hang with them.
If Hop gets a wide open three in the offense today TAKE IT. He can make it. And this "that's not a good shot" argument goes out the window when a desperate runner from Markel is the usual outcome.
On defense, make Wragge work. This means you have to be able to guard your man without fouling and communicate with your teammates. I'm fairly certain we have the "talent" to do that, we just have to show we can.
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