jwp91
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 5,998
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Post by jwp91 on Mar 13, 2021 5:16:56 GMT -5
Defend and rebound. Big night for Q tomorrow. Hoya Saxa! And MOVE!
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Post by johnnysnowplow on Mar 13, 2021 6:55:27 GMT -5
I think Q is going to be critical in the outcome of this game.
UConn had a lot of success early last night feeding Sanogo down low before he ran into foul trouble. Q needs to play strong and have strong hands down low and we should be able to establish his dominance inside.
Defensively, stay home and protect the rim, and most importantly, rebound. Don’t follow Bishop out to the 3 point line. He’s not going to shoot it and if he does, let him.
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jwp91
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 5,998
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Post by jwp91 on Mar 13, 2021 6:57:41 GMT -5
Just reflecting on how this completely unexpectantly has become what everyone on this board dreams of. It has been so nice to see Georgetown relevant this weekend and be part of the national media conversation. If you ever listen to the post-game interviews, we had fallen to where only the hard core Hoya media outlets were even showing up and giving a damn. Kudos to those guys for still providing coverage for us - Bobby, Ben, Aidan, Ron, Patrick, etc.
I think about the journey of the players like Blair and Pickett and all their ups and downs....too many downs. I think about all the criticism of each player and each member of the coaching staff. They have absolutely persevered when many would have given up or conceded. Very few members of this team were the ‘belles of the recruiting ball’. Many were diamonds in the rough- good players that weren’t complete and needed development. If there is something we can say about Ewing and the staff is that they have an exceptional eye for raw talent. And they are showing their ability to develop it too.
I think about the program alums who attempted to come to the program’s aid last summer. Gene Smith, Trey Dickerson, Austin Freeman, and Chris Wright responded to the challenge and attempted to provide leadership even if it was only bringing us together and talking about our shared history.
I think about the fans...and the online fans I’ve interacted with ...some of you on this board for close to 25 years. We have walked through the desert with this program. We have seen the highs and we know all too well some of the lows.
I think about how the team’s greatest weakness has become its strength. We play tough defense as we all hoped Ewing would return to the program. We have become a good freaking basketball team. We are exceptional at three point shooting and free throws! Who would believe it?! We have length and are athletic. We are a tough freaking ‘out’ right now,
We aren’t done. We match up well with Creighton. We just need to keep doing what we are doing - a tough ask as inconsistency has been a trademark. Play your game tonight... on center stage....at MSG. I wish that arena was full of cheering fans because everyone wants to see this team succeed. Patrick finding success again at the garden?! Enjoy it.
And seize the day.
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Post by aleutianhoya on Mar 13, 2021 7:31:05 GMT -5
If we can continue to do defensively what we've been doing the past three games, we will be right there. Stay solid and in front in individual situations to avoid having to help and rotate.
The PNR and staggers are key. They run a lot of staggered screens that turn into screen the screener action for a three. The key on both is on the drop D to not drop too far and stay connected without losing contact with the roller. Q had struggles with that but has been much better lately.
They get a ton of their threes in transition or on second chance points. We have out-rebounded them both games this year. So...if we don't tonight...we will lose.
Finally don't over-react to the three. They shot very poorly from three when they beat us....and very well in the game they lost. Somewhat counterintuitive perhaps? Well, I think it has a lot to do with closing out under control. We have been so much better at that this week. If you do that, you don't give up the easy twos.
I hope we have legs. You'd love to have been able to steal some mins last night, but we couldn't. Dante seems to be indefatigable. But it showed on the glass for sure. Not much we can do about it. We've really been just running five guys through four spots. And getting Tim 10 mins. No bunnies missed tonight, Tim, OK? Games like this sometimes come down to a guy like Holloway or Sibley getting you a few competent mins due to foul trouble.
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rhw485
Silver Hoya (over 500 posts)
Posts: 742
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Post by rhw485 on Mar 13, 2021 7:38:26 GMT -5
This is what being a fan is all about. Time to pop some bubbles (Orange colored ones?) and kick the freakin door down: - The coaching staff simply must put Dante on Boukni....oh. Nobody needs a 500 word missive on that anymore? Honestly the matchups are very straight forward against Creighton. Dante hounding Zegarowski, Blair / Carey chasing Ballock off line, Bile and Pickett are pretty interchangeable against Jefferson and Mahoney although I think Bile starts on Jefferson.
- It's really hard to read too much into our 2nd Creighton game. It was both teams 3rd game in 6 days, and while both teams are probably similarly worn out going into tonight, there's just a different level of energy playing in the Mecca on Saturday night. Both teams will be ready
- That being said, in both games, we forced a turnover at least 1 in every 5 possessions. Can we keep that going? We hit that same number vs. SH last night, it's probably the right bogey for success on that end.
- Creighton was feisty on the boards last night. And this is going to sound weird.... we're a good rebounding team, but we're not a great boxing out team. Ewing yells REBOUND and not BOX OUT after all, and our guys literally run to the rim and then jump really high. That works against most teams, but turn, find a body, make contact, and then explode up for the rebound. It's a lot easier that way.
- This is going to be such a discipline game for Q. He simply can't get lured out there by Bishop. Can't get exposed to Zegarowski drives to the hoop. Force them to settle for mid range 2s. And then dominate Bishop on the other end. Q showed two moves that have long been in the works against Obiagu. Both started with him going to his right shoulder, which is a tendency breaker. First time he spun back to his left for patented hook. Second time he used the rim as a shield for the and-1. Those are the counters that have been missing. He's ready
- The one thing I saw Willard do that McDermott will probably steal...in the 2nd half SH started flipping the screen on the PG at the last second when the ball was at top of the key. So our drop coverage was ultimately set to the wrong side. Now in theory the big is far enough back that he can get to the spot and stop a drive, but it's a pure race now and Reynolds won it twice. Zegarowski will make you pay much more than Reynolds did. Something to watch
- The experience of tonight will be invaluable to Q, Dante, and whoever is coming back. Pickett again referenced the players only meeting post Covid break. That Dante and Q have experienced winning, know what it takes, and can be the leadership voice for next years team is so crucial. It's really tough to get buy-in on a culture when you're losing. This run can truly change the trajectory of the program
Pre game pump up speech recommendation (for players and board members alike): 1. Start with the Little Giants. Nice, fun, underdog. Just need to win the race down the hill one time 2. Then work your way up to Miracle. I'm sick and tired of hearing about Creighton and their beautiful offense. They're all gonna be gone next year. Their time is over, this is our moment. 3. And then you finish with the best pump up speech of all time, Al Pacino in Any Given Sunday. This is a game of inches. We fight for that inch, its the difference between living and dying. 4. Run through a brick wall
Hoya Saxa
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Post by aleutianhoya on Mar 13, 2021 8:16:00 GMT -5
This is what being a fan is all about. Time to pop some bubbles (Orange colored ones?) and kick the freakin door down: - The coaching staff simply must put Dante on Boukni....oh. Nobody needs a 500 word missive on that anymore? Honestly the matchups are very straight forward against Creighton. Dante hounding Zegarowski, Blair / Carey chasing Ballock off line, Bile and Pickett are pretty interchangeable against Jefferson and Mahoney although I think Bile starts on Jefferson.
- It's really hard to read too much into our 2nd Creighton game. It was both teams 3rd game in 6 days, and while both teams are probably similarly worn out going into tonight, there's just a different level of energy playing in the Mecca on Saturday night. Both teams will be ready
- That being said, in both games, we forced a turnover at least 1 in every 5 possessions. Can we keep that going? We hit that same number vs. SH last night, it's probably the right bogey for success on that end.
- Creighton was feisty on the boards last night. And this is going to sound weird.... we're a good rebounding team, but we're not a great boxing out team. Ewing yells REBOUND and not BOX OUT after all, and our guys literally run to the rim and then jump really high. That works against most teams, but turn, find a body, make contact, and then explode up for the rebound. It's a lot easier that way.
- This is going to be such a discipline game for Q. He simply can't get lured out there by Bishop. Can't get exposed to Zegarowski drives to the hoop. Force them to settle for mid range 2s. And then dominate Bishop on the other end. Q showed two moves that have long been in the works against Obiagu. Both started with him going to his right shoulder, which is a tendency breaker. First time he spun back to his left for patented hook. Second time he used the rim as a shield for the and-1. Those are the counters that have been missing. He's ready
- The one thing I saw Willard do that McDermott will probably steal...in the 2nd half SH started flipping the screen on the PG at the last second when the ball was at top of the key. So our drop coverage was ultimately set to the wrong side. Now in theory the big is far enough back that he can get to the spot and stop a drive, but it's a pure race now and Reynolds won it twice. Zegarowski will make you pay much more than Reynolds did. Something to watch
- The experience of tonight will be invaluable to Q, Dante, and whoever is coming back. Pickett again referenced the players only meeting post Covid break. That Dante and Q have experienced winning, know what it takes, and can be the leadership voice for next years team is so crucial. It's really tough to get buy-in on a culture when you're losing. This run can truly change the trajectory of the program
Pre game pump up speech recommendation (for players and board members alike): 1. Start with the Little Giants. Nice, fun, underdog. Just need to win the race down the hill one time 2. Then work your way up to Miracle. I'm sick and tired of hearing about Creighton and their beautiful offense. They're all gonna be gone next year. Their time is over, this is our moment. 3. And then you finish with the best pump up speech of all time, Al Pacino in Any Given Sunday. This is a game of inches. We fight for that inch, its the difference between living and dying. 4. Run through a brick wall
Hoya Saxa
On the boards point, a lot last night were long rebounds where we were in scramble. If you're closing out hard and end up past the shooter, you can't box him out. Just stay controlled. If they shoot the lights out, they shoot the lights out Q is my biggest concern on D. That's not exactly an insight. He has the tendency to stay in place on the drop and in a help posture too long. Once his initial man rolls, he has to fully recover. If that means an open twelve footer, so be it. Can't give up the dunks. Just watch him on D early. If he's recovering quickly to his man, my guess is we win. And if Chudier could pick any game to decide there's no need to double every time, this would be a good one to pick.
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JohnnyJones
Silver Hoya (over 500 posts)
Posts: 980
Member is Online
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Post by JohnnyJones on Mar 13, 2021 8:34:41 GMT -5
This is what being a fan is all about. Time to pop some bubbles (Orange colored ones?) and kick the freakin door down: - The coaching staff simply must put Dante on Boukni....oh. Nobody needs a 500 word missive on that anymore? Honestly the matchups are very straight forward against Creighton. Dante hounding Zegarowski, Blair / Carey chasing Ballock off line, Bile and Pickett are pretty interchangeable against Jefferson and Mahoney although I think Bile starts on Jefferson.
- It's really hard to read too much into our 2nd Creighton game. It was both teams 3rd game in 6 days, and while both teams are probably similarly worn out going into tonight, there's just a different level of energy playing in the Mecca on Saturday night. Both teams will be ready
- That being said, in both games, we forced a turnover at least 1 in every 5 possessions. Can we keep that going? We hit that same number vs. SH last night, it's probably the right bogey for success on that end.
- Creighton was feisty on the boards last night. And this is going to sound weird.... we're a good rebounding team, but we're not a great boxing out team. Ewing yells REBOUND and not BOX OUT after all, and our guys literally run to the rim and then jump really high. That works against most teams, but turn, find a body, make contact, and then explode up for the rebound. It's a lot easier that way.
- This is going to be such a discipline game for Q. He simply can't get lured out there by Bishop. Can't get exposed to Zegarowski drives to the hoop. Force them to settle for mid range 2s. And then dominate Bishop on the other end. Q showed two moves that have long been in the works against Obiagu. Both started with him going to his right shoulder, which is a tendency breaker. First time he spun back to his left for patented hook. Second time he used the rim as a shield for the and-1. Those are the counters that have been missing. He's ready
- The one thing I saw Willard do that McDermott will probably steal...in the 2nd half SH started flipping the screen on the PG at the last second when the ball was at top of the key. So our drop coverage was ultimately set to the wrong side. Now in theory the big is far enough back that he can get to the spot and stop a drive, but it's a pure race now and Reynolds won it twice. Zegarowski will make you pay much more than Reynolds did. Something to watch
- The experience of tonight will be invaluable to Q, Dante, and whoever is coming back. Pickett again referenced the players only meeting post Covid break. That Dante and Q have experienced winning, know what it takes, and can be the leadership voice for next years team is so crucial. It's really tough to get buy-in on a culture when you're losing. This run can truly change the trajectory of the program
Pre game pump up speech recommendation (for players and board members alike): 1. Start with the Little Giants. Nice, fun, underdog. Just need to win the race down the hill one time 2. Then work your way up to Miracle. I'm sick and tired of hearing about Creighton and their beautiful offense. They're all gonna be gone next year. Their time is over, this is our moment. 3. And then you finish with the best pump up speech of all time, Al Pacino in Any Given Sunday. This is a game of inches. We fight for that inch, its the difference between living and dying. 4. Run through a brick wall
Hoya Saxa
On the boards point, a lot last night were long rebounds where we were in scramble. If you're closing out hard and end up past the shooter, you can't box him out. Just stay controlled. If they shoot the lights out, they shoot the lights out Q is my biggest concern on D. That's not exactly an insight. He has the tendency to stay in place on the drop and in a help posture too long. Once his initial man rolls, he has to fully recover. If that means an open twelve footer, so be it. Can't give up the dunks. Just watch him on D early. If he's recovering quickly to his man, my guess is we win. And if Chudier could pick any game to decide there's no need to double every time, this would be a good one to pick. Next year you and rhw should commit to doing some kind of official scouting report for each game (as a service to the rest of us).
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biggmanu
Silver Hoya (over 500 posts)
Posts: 671
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Post by biggmanu on Mar 13, 2021 8:56:48 GMT -5
Scrolling social media this morning is an absolute pleasure. Everyone loves a good conference tournament run, an underdog story and ex NBA coaches having success at their alma mater.
On a personal level I’ve had so many alumni friends who I haven’t heard from in years reach out to share in the joy. Great day to be a Hoya!
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AltoSaxa
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 1,125
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Post by AltoSaxa on Mar 13, 2021 9:06:17 GMT -5
My biggest concern with Pat was whether he could relate to and "reach" college men as a former NBA coach. Putting Xs and Os aside, the on-court performance of these college kids tell me he has been successful. This is true regardless of wins and losses. The effort is there. When you take into account the recent events including transfers and the pandemic it's even more evident.
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Post by FrazierFanatic on Mar 13, 2021 9:28:21 GMT -5
My biggest concern with Pat was whether he could relate to and "reach" college men as a former NBA coach. Putting Xs and Os aside, the on-court performance of these college kids tell me he has been successful. This is true regardless of wins and losses. The effort is there. When you take into account the recent events including transfers and the pandemic it's even more evident. Bingo.
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SirSaxa
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 15,620
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Post by SirSaxa on Mar 13, 2021 9:30:29 GMT -5
Coach and Hoyas never stopped... not last year when players started dropping like flies. Ewing's "Next man up" was real. Team played better with fewer players than they did earlier, because the players who's stayed were committed. Determined. Team guys who wanted to win as part of a team.
This year, a last minute gathering of as much talent as Coach and staff could find. Did a pretty good job. Especially pulling Dante Harris out of nowhere. Coach Ewing never stops, never gives up, doesn't make excuses, just keeps working. Hard.
BET We all know GU was predicted to finish last in league during season, and yet here we are. And this is no accident. As the #8 seed, Hoyas beat: #9 Marquette #1 Nova (minus Gillespie) #5 SHU
and now face the final test: #2 Creighton.
If Coach and team can find a way to win tonight, no one will be able to discount the 2021 Title. Not when it includes beating #1 and # 2 seeds.
Go Hoyas! Go Coach! GO hard core HoyaTalk Fans! GU is coming back.
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Post by FrazierFanatic on Mar 13, 2021 9:31:33 GMT -5
What an uplifting, heart pounding, joyous end of the season run.
Only one thing left to do.
Dance.
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prhoya
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 23,264
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Post by prhoya on Mar 13, 2021 9:56:58 GMT -5
Only 12 3FGAs... Don with just one... Unless the players are too tired, we need to take more tonight. We’re too good of a shooting team.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2021 10:02:47 GMT -5
Jahvon & Q stepped up big time vs Marquette.
Dante was our MVP against Nova.
Jamorko was tremendous last night vs Seton Hall.
Chudi? Carey? There's a game ball with your name on it...
Let's do this! Hoya Saxa.
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njhoya78
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 7,769
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Post by njhoya78 on Mar 13, 2021 10:09:11 GMT -5
Many of my early season posts cited my astonishment that a team coached by Patrick Ewing was playing so poorly defensively. That has changed since the COVID-19 break. And I'd be remiss to not post that this team has been much, much better defensively.
That being written, Marcus Zegarowski can take over a game single-handedly. He carried Creighton across the finish line over the last few minutes. It's going to take a combination of defensive looks to rein him in. And the way the Hoyas are playing right now, they can do it.
A different player has had a break-out game in each of the tournament contests so far. I'm thinking that it's Chuddy Bile's turn tonight.
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njhoya78
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 7,769
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Post by njhoya78 on Mar 13, 2021 10:10:13 GMT -5
What an uplifting, heart pounding, joyous end of the season run. Only one thing left to do. Dance. It's so long since I looked for my dancing shoes. Have to dust them off first.
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daveg023
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 5,333
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Post by daveg023 on Mar 13, 2021 10:19:38 GMT -5
A few scattered thoughts:
- Creighton is not an overly deep team especially in their front court. I have been really impressed by our conditioning, so hopefully our legs are stronger than theirs after all these back to backs.
- FT shooting could be huge (again) as they were quite shaky there last night. We need every point we can get. Let’s hope this continues.
- Last night it was important that we started both halves without getting into a hole or immediately giving away a lead. Creighton is a great front running team and when they start making shots they gain confidence and can blitz you early. I hope we start off at worst treading water early as we feel out this game.
- Through the years going back to Hibbert to Smith to Govan, the Hoyas have often been doomed by their big getting in foul trouble. We have done a really good job (Bile aside) during this run keeping guys like Wahab and Pickett on the court. That being said, we have also done a great job getting our opponents bigs in foul trouble. We really need this trend to continue as not only has this gotten us through stretches where shots haven’t fallen, but it’s altered team’s defensive options.
- The current line of -9 is a bit higher than I would have assumed coming off our wins, as I think we have a much better shot than those odds would indicate. I’d expect that to come back down today.
- Can’t help but to think of the symmetry and storyline here of Georgetown playing in its first BET since JT’s death, in a year where he’s legacy has been celebrated universally, going against a team whose coach is under fire for racially insensitive comments just weeks ago. Without making any social or political commentary, it is just quite an ironic narrative. If Big John has one more trick up his sleeve, tonight would be ripe for some divine intervention and poetic justice.
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Post by HometownHoya on Mar 13, 2021 10:32:20 GMT -5
GAMEDAY!!!
Good to be back in the championship game and back on top!!! Right where the Hoyas should be. Yet again we need to be the more physical team, out hustle Creighton, and REBOUND. No matter how we do it, the key is to WIN!!! Jamarko is ready to shine again, Bile is getting it done, and if Blair gets his shot off we will be unstoppable!
GO HOYAS!!!!! BEAT THE JAYS!
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MCIGuy
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Anyone here? What am I supposed to update?
Posts: 9,420
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Post by MCIGuy on Mar 13, 2021 11:28:01 GMT -5
Which players want to win it for their coach more. In all seriousness when it comes to motivation it may just be one team of players looking for respect and wanting to make it to the tournament after being predicted to finish last versus another team of players trying to drown out the off-court nonsense as they fight for themselves and prove their togetherness. All I ask of Ewing is if any of his starters look as if they don't have fresh legs and are getting off to slow starts, don't wait until the 12:00 mark before making a substitution.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2021 11:59:16 GMT -5
Man you are finding all the good video clips!
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