Houston

[jacobkdoyle]

There's a lot of complaining about LD's substitutions and rotations. The reality is that I'm not sure Coach K or any other coach could figure this group out. We've given up on just about every player and banished them all to Siberia at some point in this season, only to see each of them come back and lead the team to victory from time to time. Shaq and KJ are at the top of the leaderboard for being given up on at various times this season, yet here they were tonight leading the team to victory. The team is an enigma. They leave you scratching your head often.

I really liked our style of play tonight. We were ready and willing to get the ball up the floor. That makes a huge difference. I don't think it is a coincidence that we shot 22 free throws tonight.

 

[L-T]

I really liked our style of play tonight. We were ready and willing to get the ball up the floor. That makes a huge difference. I don't think it is a coincidence that we shot 22 free throws tonight.

We're in agreement in the need for us to push the pace more. Our talent is much more conducive to playing faster than to grinding everything to a standstill and using the whole shot clock. I've seen us have a lot of success in the times we do it.

 

[mdchick]

Dan Hoard ‏@Dan_Hoard 15m15 minutes ago
Yes / RT @RyanMarkovic: Can you confirm that Coach Davis said on postgame that league called UC & said Ellis shouldn't have been ejected?

I was surprised he did, he pushed him with two hands but at no point was it a malicious shove. He didn't allow knowles to dunk and knowles flailed and made it look worse then it was. He landed awkward but he landed on his right leg first then his arm then his body. And when he got up he was holding his opposite hip that had hit the floor. Then he got back in the game after the first commercial break. It's too bad he got kicked out. But Gary Clark stepped up in his absence and maybe in the long run it will be good for Clark.

 

[nparker1]

It was my opinion that Ellis should've been ejected because he made zero attempt at the ball...and fortunately the kid landed the way he did or it could've been bad...if that was Ellis who was shoved trying to dunk, I am pretty sure 90% of us would be calling for a flagrant 2...Ellis' reaction was the right reaction...hopefully the kid continues to grow and mature...

That was a really ugly game, but thanks in part to Houston's play and part to UC's toughness, UC got the win...coming into the year, I was hoping Shaq would play with the confidence and aggressiveness that he showed during tourney time last year...that Shaq showed up last night...I really hope this kid can develop this confidence within himself and maintain it...this team needs a veteran to step up and be a leader, and I hope Shaq can be that guy...

Props to Clark as he owned the boards...KJ is a walking t/o in the first half and a clutch player in the 2nd (frustrating for sure, at least in the first half)...Cobb's shot seemed off last night but he will have those games...really hope Troy can fix himself...he is still really young but has the chance to be the general of this team going into tournament time

Ugly win, but a necessary win...Go Bearcats!

 

[bearcat jeff]

Cobb seemed hesitant on his shot (gun shy due to the miss on Wednesday?) but he did affect the game with his defense, especially early in the 2nd half.

I thought they looked very interesting playing small with Clark essentially at the 5. Crisp ball movement, quick decision making and guys rotated to open spots and actually hit the open shots they took! Very active on defense as well.

Troy is obviously struggling with his role. I liked the 2nd half aggression but the kid couldn't buy one. I was praying he would keep taking it. Don't let a few short shots or missed bunnies deter from the idea, which was good.

Bottom line - 3 straight games now they've played like an NCAA tournament team in the 2nd half of a game. That speaks to LD and the staff's ability to make adjustments at halftime. Their ability to motivate a team and keep them focused game to game? Not so good. First Moore, now Morman suspended. Vexing to say the least.

You're right about Farad. I only got to catch glimpses of the game but from what I saw he wasn't fluid in his shot. Cobb did have 5 steals tonight though and impacted the game defensively.

I agree about the small ball line up. Thought, again in quick glimpses, Houston looked quicker in the first half. That didn't seem to be the case in the second.

Troy I think is struggling with his role. He wants to distribute the ball and pick his spots. I think it fits his personality and frankly I think being 19 plays a part in it as well. Thing about Troy you think he's played horrible and then like tonight you look at his stat line and it reads: 5 pts, 3 reb, 4 assist/1 t.o., and a steal in 21 minutes. Not a great stat line but you get something from TC across the board every night. He reminds me of Rashad Bishop in that way and I think like Rashad, by his Senior year he'll be a solid leader.

I've been critical of the coaches for them not having the kids ready for to play. Frankly, part of this is also due to a lack of leadership in the locker room. This is where I really see this team missing the leaders from last season. I do see Troy trying to fill that gap by going to players and talking to them but there is a leadership gap. It's one reason I loved Shaq stepping up lately. He's in year 4 and the older guys need to assert their experience and influence.

 

[nkywestside]

You're right about Farad. I only got to catch glimpses of the game but from what I saw he wasn't fluid in his shot. Cobb did have 5 steals tonight though and impacted the game defensively.

I agree about the small ball line up. Thought, again in quick glimpses, Houston looked quicker in the first half. That didn't seem to be the case in the second.

Troy I think is struggling with his role. He wants to distribute the ball and pick his spots. I think it fits his personality and frankly I think being 19 plays a part in it as well. Thing about Troy you think he's played horrible and then like tonight you look at his stat line and it reads: 5 pts, 3 reb, 4 assist/1 t.o., and a steal in 21 minutes. Not a great stat line but you get something from TC across the board every night. He reminds me of Rashad Bishop in that way and I think like Rashad, by his Senior year he'll be a solid leader.

I've been critical of the coaches for them not having the kids ready for to play. Frankly, part of this is also due to a lack of leadership in the locker room. This is where I really see this team missing the leaders from last season. I do see Troy trying to fill that gap by going to players and talking to them but there is a leadership gap. It's one reason I loved Shaq stepping up lately. He's in year 4 and the older guys need to assert their experience and influence.

I agree that Troy looks like he's not sure of what's expected. I didn't see it last night but when Cobb and Troy started who actually ran the point at the beginning? The sooner we make the transition for Troy at the 2 the better I think he will be and we will be. He only would have to run the point the rest of the year when Cobb is out. I really like him coming off screens for pull up jumpers and taking it to the hole. Even though he didn't finish last night it looked good.

 

[PakMan]

I agree that Troy looks like he's not sure of what's expected. I didn't see it last night but when Cobb and Troy started who actually ran the point at the beginning? The sooner we make the transition for Troy at the 2 the better I think he will be and we will be. He only would have to run the point the rest of the year when Cobb is out. I really like him coming off screens for pull up jumpers and taking it to the hole. Even though he didn't finish last night it looked good.

I still like Troy at the point honestly. Next year though, he will be able to play more of the 2 with Jenifer running the point, which will benefit his development I think.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Team looks very different when they get some production from the 3. Clark and Ellis hve been very consistent though out the year. Same with TC. I'm not saying they couldn't be more productive but they have been the most consistent. KJ and Cobb have been up and down. The good part about that is if one of them has been down you still got something from one of them. I actually felt KJ and Cobb were better last night then TC and whoever. The issue most of the year Has been the 3. Shaq and Sanders are huge ? When one is playing well the team plays well. In the exhibition season mick tried everything to get SHaq going. Eventually LD switched to Sanders and it worked for awhile but as the old saying goes water finds its own level. A resurgence by Shaq would be huge.

 

[cincrulz11]

I still like Troy at the point honestly. Next year though, he will be able to play more of the 2 with Jenifer running the point, which will benefit his development I think.

I keep seeing this and I'll say it again. Who is Jenifer taking minutes from?


Mick has shown a history of not playing fresham a lot even when they are clearly the better player (Caupain vs Guyn). Jenifer isn't even going to be better than Caupain or Cobb. Then you throw KJ and Morman into the mix and I just don't see where the minutes will come from.


Caupain is likely to be the PG all 4 of his years. He's the best we have and is one heck of a player. He's just in a bit of a funk lately and even then the past 2 games has 14 points 9 boards 8 assists 3 steals and 1 turnover.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

I keep seeing this and I'll say it again. Who is Jenifer taking minutes from?


Mick has shown a history of not playing fresham a lot even when they are clearly the better player (Caupain vs Guyn). Jenifer isn't even going to be better than Caupain or Cobb. Then you throw KJ and Morman into the mix and I just don't see where the minutes will come from.


Caupain is likely to be the PG all 4 of his years. He's the best we have and is one heck of a player. He's just in a bit of a funk lately and even then the past 2 games has 14 points 9 boards 8 assists 3 steals and 1 turnover.

A lot??? TC played half the game. How about Clark. Isn't he a freshmn? TC is our PG by default IMO. If Jenifer is a true PG he will get minutes next year. If not he'll learn from the bench and be redy to go the following year.

 

[cincrulz11]

A lot??? TC played half the game. How about Clark. Isn't he a freshmn? TC is our PG by default IMO. If Jenifer is a true PG he will get minutes next year. If not he'll learn from the bench and be redy to go the following year.

That was the 2nd fewest minutes Caupain played all year. That won't be a trend.


Clark plays for a couple reasons. 1 he's freaking awesome. 2 there was nobody on the roster that played his position. If Caupain, Cobb, and KJ weren't on the team, I would say Jenifer would play tons next year.

 

[Bearcatboy]

Stop it. KJ outplayed Cobb tonight. Go crawl back under your shell. I'm taking Cobb over kj but tonight Cobb was shitty

I said it because it lit a fire under kj to come off bench

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

That was the 2nd fewest minutes Caupain played all year. That won't be a trend.


Clark plays for a couple reasons. 1 he's freaking awesome. 2 there was nobody on the roster that played his position. If Caupain, Cobb, and KJ weren't on the team, I would say Jenifer would play tons next year.

my point is TC is not a true PG and if Jenifer comes in and is effective and the team productive he will play. If not he'll sit and learn. Being a freshmn will not matter.

 

[Bearcatboy]

It will be the same lineup next year as it is now
Caupain
Cobb
Thomas
Clark
Ellis

 

[jacobkdoyle]

I don't think KJ had a very good game last night overall. To me, he was the same KJ, but he actually got a few shots to go down in a spurt like the South Florida game. In no way do I feel like he has fixed anything. He still catches the ball way too far out on the wing and holds it way too much. His turnovers last night were bad again as well.

 

[bearcat jeff]

It will be the same lineup next year as it is now
Caupain
Cobb
Thomas
Clark
Ellis

If Evans adjusts quickly that may not be the case.

 

[mdchick]

If Evans adjusts quickly that may not be the case.

Evans at the 2 or 3?

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

If Evans adjusts quickly that may not be the case.

agree. If Jenifer can drive,dish and defend he my crack the line up. Lots of if's. I get tickled when people mention Mick doesn't like to play freshmen. The reason is they don't usually guard well right out of the gate.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Evans at the 2 or 3?

he may get minutes at both.

 

[L-T]

I still like Troy at the point honestly. Next year though, he will be able to play more of the 2 with Jenifer running the point, which will benefit his development I think.

I think you and everyone else are completely wrong about next year as it applies to Jennifer. I think there is very little chance that Jennifer plays any more of a role than what Troy did last year. He will be a freshman and will be brought along slowly. His value will be in allowing both Cobb and Troy to start together without worrying about the foul situation. A solid senior and junior running the backcourt will be a luxury, with a talented fresman to sit behind them and learn and being able to pick his spots to contribute. That will be the best of all possibilities. Plus, Gelawn may be back as well.