About 2 minutes

[justsaying]

I finally got a chance to see the end of the Creighton game from last night. And for 2 minutes I saw passion, I saw energy attempting tho move feet on defense, I saw real hoya emotion from the bench from all parties, I saw crashing the boards, I saw trying to stay in front of dribblers, I saw DSR trying to put his stamp on the game, I saw all out trying to get to loose balls, coolnest was gone, going after it was the play at the time, enjoyed it.

[trillesthoya]

Calling it now: this passion and energy will carry over into the Providence game and we'll get another statement win.

[Elvado]

Watching those last few minutes makes me think the Hoyas are best served just playing basketball. Sort of like a football team which operates best in a hurry-up two minute offense.

This is not a system bash per se but it is clear they play better when left to just play ball on offense.

[HoNYaSaxa]

Yes, elvado, but the two minute offense is frequently played against a prevent D that is designed to bend not break against the speed and urgency of play. Neither team could execute a full game in that manner.

[Elvado]

Jan 28, 2016 7:42:59 GMT -5 HoNYaSaxa said:

Yes, elvado, but the two minute offense is frequently played against a prevent D that is designed to bend not break against the speed and urgency of play. Neither team could execute a full game in that manner.

Fair point. My overarching point, however, is these guys play best when playing ball a bit more instinctively.

[Cambridge]

Jan 28, 2016 9:14:10 GMT -5 Elvado said:

Jan 28, 2016 7:42:59 GMT -5 HoNYaSaxa said:

Yes, elvado, but the two minute offense is frequently played against a prevent D that is designed to bend not break against the speed and urgency of play. Neither team could execute a full game in that manner.

Fair point. My overarching point, however, is these guys play best when playing ball a bit more instinctively.

Also when the refs swallow the whistle...

[HoyaChris]

Jan 28, 2016 11:10:30 GMT -5 Cambridge said:

Jan 28, 2016 9:14:10 GMT -5 Elvado said:

Fair point. My overarching point, however, is these guys play best when playing ball a bit more instinctively.

Also when the refs swallow the whistle...

I initially thought that we might have got the benefit of swallowed whistles in the last two minutes, but in reviewing the video I don't think that is true. Both of the steals - LJ's against the sideline and Kaleb's at half court were clean and the rest of the contact - by both teams - resulted in fouls.

[Cambridge]

Jan 28, 2016 14:51:37 GMT -5 HoyaChris said:

Jan 28, 2016 11:10:30 GMT -5 Cambridge said:

Also when the refs swallow the whistle...

I initially thought that we might have got the benefit of swallowed whistles in the last two minutes, but in reviewing the video I don't think that is true. Both of the steals - LJ's against the sideline and Kaleb's at half court were clean and the rest of the contact - by both teams - resulted in fouls.

True, but had those two minute been called like the previous 38, you would expect to hear whistles on both occasions.

[HoyaChris]

Jan 28, 2016 15:15:41 GMT -5 Cambridge said:

Jan 28, 2016 14:51:37 GMT -5 HoyaChris said:

I initially thought that we might have got the benefit of swallowed whistles in the last two minutes, but in reviewing the video I don't think that is true. Both of the steals - LJ's against the sideline and Kaleb's at half court were clean and the rest of the contact - by both teams - resulted in fouls.

True, but had those two minute been called like the previous 38, you would expect to hear whistles on both occasions.

If the expectation was for more bad calls, then your assessment is correct.

[daymondmyles]

I saw a lot more passion, energy and emotion than just those 2 minutes. Several times when Creighton made a run, our players clamped down even tighter and made a run of their own. We were diving for loose balls and tying it up throughout the game. Don't sell the team short.

[michaelgrahmstylie]

Jan 27, 2016 21:50:37 GMT -5 justsaying said:

I finally got a chance to see the end of the Creighton game from last night. And for 2 minutes I saw passion, I saw energy attempting tho move feet on defense, I saw real hoya emotion from the bench from all parties, I saw crashing the boards, I saw trying to stay in front of dribblers, I saw DSR trying to put his stamp on the game, I saw all out trying to get to loose balls, coolnest was gone, going after it was the play at the time, enjoyed it.

That's Georgetown basketball from back in the day. We need that kind of focus and scrappiness for 40 minutes--well you know--more of it.

[b52legend]

Jan 28, 2016 7:42:59 GMT -5 HoNYaSaxa said:

Yes, elvado, but the two minute offense is frequently played against a prevent D that is designed to bend not break against the speed and urgency of play. Neither team could execute a full game in that manner.

A number of the top teams used to play like that the entire game 20-30 years ago. The great UNLV teams and 40 minutes of hell at Arkansas -- they pressed essentially the entire game and played with urgency on the offensive end. I had though that brand of basketball was dead, a victim of the hand checking rules, but certain aspects of it are coming back -- especially the focus on keeping a high pace and wearing opponents down. Its essentially what the Warriors do to a certain extent and now the rest of the NBA in the "pace and space" systems.

[drquigley]

Jan 27, 2016 21:50:37 GMT -5 justsaying said:

I finally got a chance to see the end of the Creighton game from last night. And for 2 minutes I saw passion, I saw energy attempting tho move feet on defense, I saw real hoya emotion from the bench from all parties, I saw crashing the boards, I saw trying to stay in front of dribblers, I saw DSR trying to put his stamp on the game, I saw all out trying to get to loose balls, coolnest was gone, going after it was the play at the time, enjoyed it.

Amazing what desperation will do. Lose that game and we were in a world of NCAA hurt.

[hoyasaxa2003]

I think we played great the last two minutes, and we certainly showed a lot of energy in those last two minutes. Of that, I have no doubt. But a few points:

(1) The steals from the press were great. However, I don't think that's a sustainable strategy for the entire game, especially when you have a quick guard like Watson who can easily break it. We did get the steals, which basically eliminated the need to play further defense on those possession. I have a few problems with it (a) this strategy can lead to a lot of ticky-tack fouling. It did not happen, but if we did it all game it would happen given our guy's propensity for fouling, and (b) our guys in total just aren't athletic enough to maintain it throughout a game. There are too many weaknesses.

(2) The press is great if it works. And it worked great in the last two minutes. But, in the past when we have pressed we have often failed to get turnovers, or we leave the defense wide open for an easy basket. Our defense just is not good enough to recover against talented offensive teams. Again, I think it's a viable strategy for shorter periods and in the right situation (like the other night), but not for 40 minutes.

(3) For all that is said about the team's energy and grittiness, what really turned the tide was the steals (possibly attributable to high energy), but also making shots. Derrickson hit the three, Williams made one FT, DSR hit 3 FTs, we had an offensive rebound, and DSR got a layup, Johnson got the dunk off the steal, and Cameron got an offensive rebound and scored.

So basically, we played great basketball. If Derrickson misses the three, or our guys miss the offensive rebounds, we are talking about a horrible loss instead.

I just hesitate to chalk it up to "scrappiness" and similar characteristics. Sure, that can help if it means that you're playing better, but overall you just need to play well to win, and we did that.

I also think there's a "winning bias" that tends to cause some to call winning the result of "scrappiness" and "energy" and "mental strength," whereas similar play in losing is often ignored or discounted.

[Elvado]

All valid observations but I still believe a bit more instinctive play rather than rote offense (superfluous spin dribble anyone?) will help this team as well. While I will resist calling it dungeon ball, the kids often seen hamstrung by the need to run their sets Rsther than just play ball.

[SaxaCD]

Jan 28, 2016 21:16:51 GMT -5 Elvado said:

All valid observations but I still believe a bit more instinctive play rather than rote offense (superfluous spin dribble anyone?) will help this team as well. While I will resist calling it dungeon ball, the kids often seen hamstrung by the need to run their sets Rsther than just play ball.

To me, they seem more hamstrung by not having the confidence to make the move to the hoop or the pass. Hesitation kills.

[trillesthoya]

Jan 28, 2016 22:30:29 GMT -5 SaxaCD said:

Jan 28, 2016 21:16:51 GMT -5 Elvado said:

All valid observations but I still believe a bit more instinctive play rather than rote offense (superfluous spin dribble anyone?) will help this team as well. While I will resist calling it dungeon ball, the kids often seen hamstrung by the need to run their sets Rsther than just play ball.

To me, they seem more hamstrung by not having the confidence to make the move to the hoop or the pass. Hesitation kills.

I think this effects some of our players more than others. Isaac, definitely the case. LJ not as much. 

[lichoya68]

NAHHHHH go forty minutes or more of full go yuup hustle for FORTY MINUTES OR MORE our OLD school hoyas did it and so can these guys PRESSEMUP.. GO TO THE HOOP INSIDE OUT yup dont just jack up threes whether ahead or behing THAT wil solve the foul differential problem imo.