A couple of postgame thoughts

[david aka the TYZ]

Keep wishing if you want Yancy to lead this team... He has never been vocal, not his personality. That has not changed since High School.

Unfortunately you are right, but he was being vocal in the summer league with the young players and I was hoping that would transistion to this season. I said ideally, because as much as Kilpatrick wants to be a leader he's a sophomore. Gates is an intimidating presence, if he gets on you you'll shut up. Unfortunately none of these players are solid enough to lead by example.

 

[ready2go]

I think there are several reasons we don't see an uptempo style even though I believe Mick recruits guys with the intent to try to be more uptempo. First and foremost we completely forget how to play defense and rebound when we aren't in a halfcourt game. Secondly most of our quick scoring last year came off of pressing and creating turnovers. We haven't done that this year.

What worked well last year was bringing in Wilks/Davis/Jackson off the bench around the 11-12 minute mark and use their energy to suffocate the opponent. This led to very quick points. We don't have that option this year as our bench is still very inexperienced. Once Mbodj gets his rust off and Parker returns and Sanders and Guyn continue to learn, I think Jackson comes off the bench with Parker, Guyn and Sanders and Mick might try that approach again.
I get that the early season struggles are frustrating, but we began this season with five players with any playing experience. That makes it tough when any one or two of those guys struggle (and we all know those five can tend to disappear at any given time). Some will say that's no excuse, but it is reality. Mick is smart enough to know this team isn't good enough to win shootouts. So for now we have to stay slow and try to keep scores low. I do think by Big East play our bench will become more useful so Mick can implant some of that same strategy that worked so well for us last year. With that said I'm not sure why we don't press some with the starters. My guess is he doesn't want starters getting in foul trouble, especially with no bench and early season refs that might have quick whistles.

Hopefully this happens.

As for the rest of your statement, it makes sense.

Except I have a couple comments.

I felt that playing the weak OOC would give them an opportunity to work on parts of their game that havent been developed yet, otherwise they will never learn. With Dixon and Killa's ability to slash and Jackson's ability to run the floor, I wanted to see some easy transition buckets with Cash at the helm. Then you add Guyn and Sanders to that mix, I felt it was a good opportunity to pick the pace up.

The offensive sets they are running now, IMO, are not going to be effective at all against the BE. There is no shooter to expand defenses and there is very little effective screening off the ball to get easy looks at the basket. Not to mention the ball movement itself is very slow.

And you kinda mentioned it. I'm not sure that this team is incapable of having a transition game. I think its more that Mick doesnt want to hinder their defensive outlook.

My question is, will it be feasible scoring in the 50's to compete in the BE, regardless of how good the D is?

 

[david aka the TYZ]

Hopefully this happens.

As for the rest of your statement, it makes sense.

Except I have a couple comments.

I felt that playing the weak OOC would give them an opportunity to work on parts of their game that havent been developed yet, otherwise they will never learn. With Dixon and Killa's ability to slash and Jackson's ability to run the floor, I wanted to see some easy transition buckets with Cash at the helm. Then you add Guyn and Sanders to that mix, I felt it was a good opportunity to pick the pace up.

The offensive sets they are running now, IMO, are not going to be effective at all against the BE. There is no shooter to expand defenses and there is very little effective screening off the ball to get easy looks at the basket. Not to mention the ball movement itself is very slow.

And you kinda mentioned it. I'm not sure that this team is incapable of having a transition game. I think its more that Mick doesnt want to hinder their defensive outlook.

My question is, will it be feasible scoring in the 50's to compete in the BE, regardless of how good the D is?

I will say this, Big East play is a different animal. Different style of play, different officiating. I'm not suggesting our offense will be stellar in the Big East just saying these games aren't exactly a precursor of things to come. Our offense is struggling, but it struggled last year. The defense needs to improve. Better defense will lead to easy baskets. We won last year because we held teams under 60. No reason to change that approach. Cause, yeah, our offensive sets leave alot to be desired. But if we hold our opponent to under 60, that's great, but then we need to score 60 to win in and right now...

The easy out of conference slate should be letting us learn and grow. Epsecially the young guys. If the starters weren't struggling so much we should've been able to incorporate the freshmen in more. I'd like to see Guyn run a four minute set with the rest of the starters (minus Cash) to see him "run" the offense. (Or should I say run the "offense").

I do think Mick is being very conservative with the defense right now to keep guys out of foul trouble cause we have no bench. If our starters press and the refs have quick whistles, which happens in early games with mixed crews of refs, that would not be good. Jackson already is automatic foul trouble and Mbodj is still learning and will pick up fouls and we need 30-35 minutes out of Cash, Dixon, Killa and Gates right now. Can't afford to have them picking up fouls 60 feet from the basket trying to press.

 

[bearcat jeff]

This team is so out of kilter offensively I don't know where to begin. They have no identity. Gates should never be more than 10 feet from the basket. They don't screen or play off each other. Their iq of when to make an extra pass, reverse the ball, drive, etc is horrible. They shoot WAY too many jump shots.

At the end of last season the offense didn't look bad. Cash is the key and he has not played well. He thinks too much and doesn't allow himself to get in a flow. The scheme at this point doesn't fit the players or the players don't execute it.

 

[TheLongHaul]

You're right, we've never seen Parker play......PLEASE SON

Of course we've seen Parker play. But we are talking about this years team right now, correct? Parker hasn't played all year and is still hurt. You asked how they can't run the floor and listed Parker. How they hell are they going to run the floor with a player who can't even play? Why do you keep mentioning him about what they should have been and should be doing? Dude hasn't played a game this year but they should be running up and down the court with him?

Last season up until mid way through they never had a fast break either. If Davis and Wilks can create a fast break, why can't Parker, Sanders, and Jackson?

First of all, Davis and Wilks are a lot faster and more athletic than Parker and Sanders. Second of all, Cronin doesn't want to run, that is why they can't. They try it every once in a while but they struggle at it. Mick does not trust his bench and he values the ball too much for a run and gun offense.

Also by athleticism in basketball, I mean being able to run the floor.

Oh, well why didn't you say that. In that case every player in divison 1 is athletic....PLEASE SON. Calling Sanders athletic and then asking if I watch the games: classic.

I dont know if you watch the games, because the PG is always the last one up the floor. He is usually dribbling the ball looking over at Mick for a set.

Yes, he is, when they are slowing it down. There have been numerous occasions when Cash tries to push the ball but nobody else is beating him down the court. Just go back and watch the games, you'll see what I'm talking about.

That is Mick's style. Offensively I find it hard to argue that the tranisition game wont help this team score. They have no shooters and the offensive sets are terrible.

It should help. But to do that they (1) have to practice it more and (2) Mick needs to trust his bench. Can't be run and gun while playing 6 players. I wish it would happen because it would create easier looks and hopefully allow some creativity on offense.

As for you last comment. Just unreal. First off being able to dunk doesnt make you athletic. 2nd, we've seen him dunk, so he is capable. And lastly, you made my point. Don't you think he would have a lot more dunks in a transition game????? I think so. Watching guards do the 3 player weave at the top of the key limits your ability to get high percentage shots

Uhh, yes, being able to dunk is a sign of athleticism. And it's called hyperbole, look it up. Still for a person of his height and length and for being so athletic as you claim, you'd think he'd be dunking a lot more or getting a lot more offensive rebounds. Fact of the matter is he really isn't that athletic. He has long arms and that helps him block shots but his jumping ability isn't anything special.

The funniest part about all this is you and I are pretty much in agreement about the offense and how it's run. It's just that your reading comprehension is so piss poor that you can't even figure it out. Just like the last argument I had when it took about 3 times of saying to LISTEN to the post game for you to even figure it out.

 

[BearcatMick]

I think I speak for all of us when I say.....

HUH?​

You are being silly. You know exactly what I mean. Mick made the necessary adjustments at halftime to put us in a position to succeed

 

[ready2go]

Of course we've seen Parker play. But we are talking about this years team right now, correct? Parker hasn't played all year and is still hurt. You asked how they can't run the floor and listed Parker. How they hell are they going to run the floor with a player who can't even play? Why do you keep mentioning him about what they should have been and should be doing? Dude hasn't played a game this year but they should be running up and down the court with him?

First of all, Davis and Wilks are a lot faster and more athletic than Parker and Sanders. Second of all, Cronin doesn't want to run, that is why they can't. They try it every once in a while but they struggle at it. Mick does not trust his bench and he values the ball too much for a run and gun offense.



Oh, well why didn't you say that. In that case every player in divison 1 is athletic....PLEASE SON. Calling Sanders athletic and then asking if I watch the games: classic.
Yes, he is, when they are slowing it down. There have been numerous occasions when Cash tries to push the ball but nobody else is beating him down the court. Just go back and watch the games, you'll see what I'm talking about.

It should help. But to do that they (1) have to practice it more and (2) Mick needs to trust his bench. Can't be run and gun while playing 6 players. I wish it would happen because it would create easier looks and hopefully allow some creativity on offense.



Uhh, yes, being able to dunk is a sign of athleticism. And it's called hyperbole, look it up. Still for a person of his height and length and for being so athletic as you claim, you'd think he'd be dunking a lot more or getting a lot more offensive rebounds. Fact of the matter is he really isn't that athletic. He has long arms and that helps him block shots but his jumping ability isn't anything special.

The funniest part about all this is you and I are pretty much in agreement about the offense and how it's run. It's just that your reading comprehension is so piss poor that you can't even figure it out. Just like the last argument I had when it took about 3 times of saying to LISTEN to the post game for you to even figure it out.

Who are you, Oscar Robertson? Oh wait, he doesnt even watch this crap

I'll make this real simple for you. Also, your comprehension remarks are quite stupid.

If this team could not replace Wilks, Davis and Bishop to run an upstyle type of offense, then Mick did a HORRIBLE job of recruiting. This is in regards to your bench comment.

No reason Jackson, Killa, Cash, Dixon, Guyn and Sanders can't run an up tempo offense. Its better than watching poor shooters run a motionless offense and score in the 50's against these weak opponents. But, apparently only teams with a deep bench have a transition game....


You and I have nailed it. And I have said it from post one. Mick is a defensive coach. But he needs an offensive coordinator. Supposedly Cash, Dixon, Killa and Gates were recruited as scorers, so Mick has to look at the man in the mirror.