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Post by dungeon ball on Dec 29, 2014 14:20:56 GMT -5
Was wondering what people's biggest concerns are going into conference play. Mine are:
(1) FT shooting. I'm starting to think that this will actually cost us some games. We are shooting 69.7% right now, good for 197th in the country Earlier, I thought that the poor FT shooting was more of an anamoly. But then I realized that we lost Markel's FT attempts from last year and replaced them with people not as good. Josh is shooting 61.5% right now, and I'm hoping that it goes up. I remember there was a stretch last year where he made something like 18-20.
(2) Defense. I'm not sure what's happened, but it just seems like we're not nearly as good at the constant switching as he have been in the past. Too many open shooters. Too many instances of two players covering the same guy. And I don't even think it's a Josh thing, probably more of a freshman thing. I was hoping it would get figured out by conference play, but it hasn't. So do we end up playing a lot more zone, like we did with Indiana? Indiana's guards are fast, so it was easy for them to penetrate off of screens, but I don't think we can say the same thing about Charlotte when we struggled defensively as well down the stretch.
(3) Josh committing early fouls. Speaks for itself.
I think the offense and rebounding will be fine.
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aristides
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Post by aristides on Dec 29, 2014 14:39:51 GMT -5
I don't know if Smith's ft % will go up. I actually think he's doing well (for him) with his free throws right now at 61%. But with Smith's high usage and frequency getting fouled, it's going to be hard for the team to have a respectable free throw percentage. It certainly would help if Trawick's percentage would go up however. He's traditionally around a 70% shooter but for some reason he has just had a horrible start to the season at 52%, ugh.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2014 14:48:04 GMT -5
Was wondering what people's biggest concerns are going into conference play. Mine are: (1) FT shooting. I'm starting to think that this will actually cost us some games. We are shooting 69.7% right now, good for 197th in the country Earlier, I thought that the poor FT shooting was more of an anamoly. But then I realized that we lost Markel's FT attempts from last year and replaced them with people not as good. Josh is shooting 61.5% right now, and I'm hoping that it goes up. I remember there was a stretch last year where he made something like 18-20. (2) Defense. I'm not sure what's happened, but it just seems like we're not nearly as good at the constant switching as he have been in the past. Too many open shooters. Too many instances of two players covering the same guy. And I don't even think it's a Josh thing, probably more of a freshman thing. I was hoping it would get figured out by conference play, but it hasn't. So do we end up playing a lot more zone, like we did with Indiana? Indiana's guards are fast, so it was easy for them to penetrate off of screens, but I don't think we can say the same thing about Charlotte when we struggled defensively as well down the stretch. (3) Josh committing early fouls. Speaks for itself. I think the offense and rebounding will be fine. I am not sure that I agree with you on defense. I believe that our defense is light years better than last year. Of course we can always improve.
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jester
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Post by jester on Dec 29, 2014 15:07:00 GMT -5
To me it will continue to be consistency and production from options 3-6: 1) mainly production from other bigs 2) establishing a strong 3rd offensive option, as it has the last several years. I do think we will need to figure out how to play without Josh, arguably our, ahem, biggest weapon.
It has always seemed we had 1-2 great players, but that player either resided in the front court and we really depended on him not getting fouls/elegible (Monroe, Hibbert, Josh) and while we had good PG/SGs or another wing we struggled to have three solid guys on the court for sustained periods. (and when we did we lacked a good interior)
I think DSR (with his groove back) is our primary scorer, along with Josh, but given Josh has/will only played 20min a game, we need others to step up consistently. This team can accomplish a lot, but because of foul trouble on Josh, streakiness of DSR, and freshmen hitting walls, there are sure to be moments of pain. The rest of the team Hopkins Bowen Trawick are who they are by now and for better or worse we know what to expect.
On the bright side, playing so much freshmen who can improve, especially Copeland who might find ways to be productive, is encouraging.
NOT a concern to me after our non conference: HEART. This team has a fire to them, from DSR's shake it off comeback second halves, to the focus from Josh, to the defense of Hopkins, to the dunks of Aaron Bowen, to the edge of JT5, to the drives of of LJ Peak, to the cojones threes of Paul White.
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Post by hoyasaxa2003 on Dec 29, 2014 15:08:35 GMT -5
For what it's worth, Georgetown has never been a great free throw shooting team in the JT3 era:
2015: 67.9% 2014: 72.1% 2013: 67.9% 2012: 69.8% 2011: 73.4% 2010: 71.1% 2009: 71.5% 2008: 65.2% 2007: 71.0% 2006: 70.6% 2005: 70.4%
The best rank we've had relative to other teams was 52nd in 2011 (no coincidence that Wright, Freeman, and Clark were on that team and all shot well), and the worst was 286 in 2008 (one of our better teams, too, despite the March loss to Davidson).
Thus, we're well within "normal" range for a JT3 Georgetown team, even if it's not one of his better free throw shooting teams. Still, without DSR the 67.9% would be much lower, so there's a huge amount of room for improvement. Josh Smith and Trawick really need to practice them, if they aren't already.
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jester
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Post by jester on Dec 29, 2014 15:12:16 GMT -5
I think the more important metric is actually GETTING TO THE LINE. I could care less if we shot a low percentage if we also forced teams into foul trouble. It has seemed (at least on the first halves of games) Georgetown less often than not does not put team on the ropes. Maybe selective memory, but I imagine this team's style may be more productive in this regard.
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hoyainspirit
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Post by hoyainspirit on Dec 29, 2014 15:15:57 GMT -5
Although we have been doing better in the turnover category, they still worry me. As does defensive rebounding.
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GIGAFAN99
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Post by GIGAFAN99 on Dec 29, 2014 16:35:01 GMT -5
Defensive rebounding. We either give up a lot but hit ahead and turn the ones we do get into easy points or we focus on getting a body on everyone and securing boards. We're kind of in the middle now.
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calhoya
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Post by calhoya on Dec 29, 2014 17:48:44 GMT -5
For what it's worth, Georgetown has never been a great free throw shooting team in the JT3 era: 2015: 67.9% 2014: 72.1% 2013: 67.9% 2012: 69.8% 2011: 73.4% 2010: 71.1% 2009: 71.5% 2008: 65.2% 2007: 71.0% 2006: 70.6% 2005: 70.4% The best rank we've had relative to other teams was 52nd in 2011 (no coincidence that Wright, Freeman, and Clark were on that team and all shot well), and the worst was 286 in 2008 (one of our better teams, too, despite the March loss to Davidson). Thus, we're well within "normal" range for a JT3 Georgetown team, even if it's not one of his better free throw shooting teams. Still, without DSR the 67.9% would be much lower, so there's a huge amount of room for improvement. Josh Smith and Trawick really need to practice them, if they aren't already. This is a very big concern. Moreover as you note the real problem is not the team average for FT shooting (which is inflated by DSR's abilities), but the fact that several key players are truly poor FT shooters. Bowen (50%), Jabril (52%), Smith (61.7%) Peak (69%) and Hopkins (65%) are going to be on the floor at the end of games. Looking back to Indiana, it is fortunate that DSR kept going to the line down the stretch as Jabril, Bowen and even White, a fairly decent shooter, had some big misses. This cannot continue during the BE play or it will lead to a loss. On a related note, FT shooting can be improved significantly with practice, focus and proper form. I have seen countless high school basketball players improve dramatically over the years. When I look at the statistics you quote it is apparent to me that the Hoyas need to do more, because there will not always be a Starks or DSR to handle those end of game scenarios.
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prhoya
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Post by prhoya on Dec 29, 2014 18:11:47 GMT -5
For what it's worth, Georgetown has never been a great free throw shooting team in the JT3 era: 2015: 67.9% 2014: 72.1% 2013: 67.9% 2012: 69.8% 2011: 73.4% 2010: 71.1% 2009: 71.5% 2008: 65.2% 2007: 71.0% 2006: 70.6% 2005: 70.4% The best rank we've had relative to other teams was 52nd in 2011 (no coincidence that Wright, Freeman, and Clark were on that team and all shot well), and the worst was 286 in 2008 (one of our better teams, too, despite the March loss to Davidson). Thus, we're well within "normal" range for a JT3 Georgetown team, even if it's not one of his better free throw shooting teams. Still, without DSR the 67.9% would be much lower, so there's a huge amount of room for improvement. Josh Smith and Trawick really need to practice them, if they aren't already. This is a very big concern. Moreover as you note the real problem is not the team average for FT shooting (which is inflated by DSR's abilities), but the fact that several key players are truly poor FT shooters. Bowen (50%), Jabril (52%), Smith (61.7%) Peak (69%) and Hopkins (65%) are going to be on the floor at the end of games. Looking back to Indiana, it is fortunate that DSR kept going to the line down the stretch as Jabril, Bowen and even White, a fairly decent shooter, had some big misses. This cannot continue during the BE play or it will lead to a loss. On a related note, FT shooting can be improved significantly with practice, focus and proper form. I have seen countless high school basketball players improve dramatically over the years. When I look at the statistics you quote it is apparent to me that the Hoyas need to do more, because there will not always be a Starks or DSR to handle those end of game scenarios. Josh has improved his form in the last games. He is at 73% FT% (16 of 22) after the Butler game. Earlier in the season, he would shoot it and lean back like he was fallling backwards and heading to the other side of the court. Now, he is sticking his feet through the follow-thru. Kudos to Josh and staff. Keep it up, big fella!
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Post by michaeldm9 on Dec 29, 2014 18:18:48 GMT -5
1) Still committing too many fouls against better. 2) The inability or willingness to play Bradley Hayes any minutes. 3) Defensive rotations in Pick and Roll.
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njhoya78
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Post by njhoya78 on Dec 29, 2014 18:26:52 GMT -5
1) Still committing too many fouls against better. 2) The inability or willingness to play Bradley Hayes any minutes. 3) Defensive rotations in Pick and Roll. Let me get this straight. Your second biggest concern entering Big East play is "the inability or willingness to play Bradley Hayes any minutes"? Really? If that is your second biggest concern, we will have a great season.
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kchoya
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Post by kchoya on Dec 29, 2014 19:41:57 GMT -5
1) Still committing too many fouls against better. 2) The inability or willingness to play Bradley Hayes any minutes. 3) Defensive rotations in Pick and Roll. Let me get this straight. Your second biggest concern entering Big East play is "the inability or willingness to play Bradley Hayes any minutes"? Really? If that is your second biggest concern, we will have a great season. I think he was debating that versus "lack of smiling" as his #2.
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tashoya
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Post by tashoya on Dec 29, 2014 20:04:51 GMT -5
All valid concerns listed so far (except the Hayes one because, clearly, he isn't ready). FT percentage and defensive rotations are big for me too but I think I have to put Joshua Smith on my top 3 list. Specifically, he hasn't played a full season in a long time and, while he certainly has looked better in terms of conditioning, I do have concerns about his stamina over the course of a full schedule.
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Post by michaeldm9 on Dec 29, 2014 20:27:44 GMT -5
Let me get this straight. Your second biggest concern entering Big East play is "the inability or willingness to play Bradley Hayes any minutes"? Really? If that is your second biggest concern, we will have a great season. I think he was debating that versus "lack of smiling" as his #2. :-). This is really a play on number 1. It would be such a big help. Most of the team fouls issue is when we don have a Big Guy in the paint. Take the Indiana game. Josh Had to sit. Wouldn't it be great to have a 7 footer. Coming off the bench when Josh or Hopkins have to sit due to foul trouble. It would solve problem number 1. This team would be so deep if Bradley could play.
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McBricks
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Post by McBricks on Dec 29, 2014 20:44:02 GMT -5
Hitting layups and dunks would also bode well in the BE.
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hoyarooter
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Post by hoyarooter on Dec 29, 2014 20:45:55 GMT -5
I agree that the most critical issues are FT shooting (we lose to Charlotte if hadn't been way above our norm in the second half), defensive rotations and keeping Josh on the floor. However, I'm still concerned about DSR against non-Big 10 opponents. We've seen two terrific games from DSR this year, and a number of not so terrific games (at least with respect to his shooting percentage). I think we need DSR shooting well to be consistently successful.
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Post by hoyasaxa2003 on Dec 29, 2014 21:53:38 GMT -5
I think he was debating that versus "lack of smiling" as his #2. :-). This is really a play on number 1. It would be such a big help. Most of the team fouls issue is when we don have a Big Guy in the paint. Take the Indiana game. Josh Had to sit. Wouldn't it be great to have a 7 footer. Coming off the bench when Josh or Hopkins have to sit due to foul trouble. It would solve problem number 1. This team would be so deep if Bradley could play. Of course, it would be great to have a 7 footer come off the bench when our guys get into foul trouble, we just don't have that reality for this season. At this point, we're almost midway through the season, and Hayes has barely played. It is what it is. At this point, we need to get more out of the guys that do play, rather than worry about a third string center.
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tashoya
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Post by tashoya on Dec 29, 2014 22:11:27 GMT -5
I agree that the most critical issues are FT shooting (we lose to Charlotte if hadn't been way above our norm in the second half), defensive rotations and keeping Josh on the floor. However, I'm still concerned about DSR against non-Big 10 opponents. We've seen two terrific games from DSR this year, and a number of not so terrific games (at least with respect to his shooting percentage). I think we need DSR shooting well to be consistently successful. This seems fair enough. DSR did get more time off the ball against Indiana. I suspect this will continue to be the case against teams that aren't really pressing or creating havoc for whomever is bringing the ball up the floor. Peak helped with on-ball duties at MSG could continue to do so. Against teams that don't steal a bunch, I bet we'll see PW help out as well.
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tashoya
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Post by tashoya on Dec 29, 2014 22:12:35 GMT -5
:-). This is really a play on number 1. It would be such a big help. Most of the team fouls issue is when we don have a Big Guy in the paint. Take the Indiana game. Josh Had to sit. Wouldn't it be great to have a 7 footer. Coming off the bench when Josh or Hopkins have to sit due to foul trouble. It would solve problem number 1. This team would be so deep if Bradley could play. Of course, it would be great to have a 7 footer come off the bench when our guys get into foul trouble, we just don't have that reality for this season. At this point, we're almost midway through the season, and Hayes has barely played. It is what it is. At this point, we need to get more out of the guys that do play, rather than worry about a third string center. This is exactly the crux of the "disagreements" with regard to Hayes. No one disputes that we wish he could help. Some are just more adamant about putting him in anyway even though, apparently, the coaches don't think even spot minutes would be helpful to the team at this point.
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