St Johns Game Thread

[david aka the TYZ]

Heres a senario for everyone on half time adjustments...

A)You have a big man who in 8 minutes had 6rbs and 4pts.
B)You also have on that same team a big man who can't throw the ball into the ocean sitting on a jet ski as your first big man sub.
C)You use player A) as a seat warmer

So what are your half time adjustments?

Micks answer: B and C

Biggie has played effective in limited minutes recently. Something tells me if he saw more than limited minutes he wouldn't be so effective. For one he can't get up and down the court, he doesn't have sure hands and he's not strong around the basket (I realize the last two could describe any of our big men). If our solution for an inside game is Biggie then this team IS in trouble. Thomas can't finish to save his life, but he's the best big we have at positioning himself for rebounds and Gates is the guy we have to look at if we want an inside game, he's the only one strong enough. I commend Biggie for his contributions as of late, but we don't need him on the floor too long, honestly I don't think he has the stamina to be on the floor too long.

 

[ready2go]

If that's truly the case OSU football must drive you crazy with Tressel's play not to lose mentallity.

Cronin coached good enough to get a BEast road win. Fix the rest this week in practice.

If only you knew. Keep anything that could be used as a projectile away during OSU games

 

[david aka the TYZ]

I'll take a conference road win no matter how it comes. Hopefully this shakes the funk we have been in and we can get our swagger back. I think this team is tired. Especially Cash and Dixon. We are at game 20 in the season and this team plays hard, even when not effective they play hard. I don't suggest we don't prepare enough for Rutgers, but maybe an off day or two this week could serve our boys well.

 

[ready2go]

Biggie has played effective in limited minutes recently. Something tells me if he saw more than limited minutes he wouldn't be so effective. For one he can't get up and down the court, he doesn't have sure hands and he's not strong around the basket (I realize the last two could describe any of our big men). If our solution for an inside game is Biggie then this team IS in trouble. Thomas can't finish to save his life, but he's the best big we have at positioning himself for rebounds and Gates is the guy we have to look at if we want an inside game, he's the only one strong enough. I commend Biggie for his contributions as of late, but we don't need him on the floor too long, honestly I don't think he has the stamina to be on the floor too long.

Can agree with that...

If anything though, by his production in limited time he should see more time. If that fails, then yes, use him sparingly. Also a half is 20 minutes. For him to have a 1st half as he did, there is no excuse to not get him in the 2nd half. If St Johns wants to go small, then why not get another big man in and pound it down low. DONT let other teams dictate the style of play

 

[Bearcat04]

When the rpi is updated tomorrow, UC will own 2 wins against rpi top 25 teams. St. John's is currently 15th and Xavier 27th. Xaviers win over Temple should moved them into the rpi top 25 and St. John's will probably be somewhere around 23rd or 24th. That is a good thing.

I am concerned with our offense, but every team hits a downcycle during the season. Let's come home and get back on track.

No reason to wait for an update tomorrow. Here you go:

#37 UC

#24 SJU
#25 XU

http://warrennolan.com/basketball/2011/rpi

 

[bearcat jeff]

Biggie has played effective in limited minutes recently. Something tells me if he saw more than limited minutes he wouldn't be so effective. For one he can't get up and down the court, he doesn't have sure hands and he's not strong around the basket (I realize the last two could describe any of our big men). If our solution for an inside game is Biggie then this team IS in trouble. Thomas can't finish to save his life, but he's the best big we have at positioning himself for rebounds and Gates is the guy we have to look at if we want an inside game, he's the only one strong enough. I commend Biggie for his contributions as of late, but we don't need him on the floor too long, honestly I don't think he has the stamina to be on the floor too long.

IMO, Biggie has earned the right to see a few more minutes. You know what you have in Thomas. Start giving Biggie 12-15 minutes and let's see where it goes. There is nothing to lose. You may even gain something.

 

[anbuc88]

Heres a senario for everyone on half time adjustments...

A)You have a big man who in 8 minutes had 6rbs and 4pts.
B)You also have on that same team a big man who can't throw the ball into the ocean sitting on a jet ski as your first big man sub.
C)You use player A) as a seat warmer

So what are your half time adjustments?

Micks answer: B and C

So Biggie is your flavor of the day. After the ND game many said that Cronin doesn't know what he is doing because Kilpatrick doesn't play enough. This afternoon he played and scored 1 point. Should we stop playing him from now on because of today performance. Should Biggie become a starter because of today.

As MDW79 said earlier, they couldn't play 2 big men at the same time. Gates scored 11 points, including the game winner. Should he have sat out for Biggie. Thomas barely played in the second half. Would Biggies presence, instead of him, have made a hugh difference in the outcome. If they would have won by 3 or 5 with Biggie, instead of 2, would you be more elated? I know it must be hard for you to enjoy a win like tonight being a perfectionist and in the keyboard coaches Hall of Fame. Do you also wear a sweatervest when you type.

 

[ready2go]

So Biggie is your flavor of the day. After the ND game many said that Cronin doesn't know what he is doing because Kilpatrick doesn't play enough. This afternoon he played and scored 1 point. Should we stop playing him from now on because of today performance. Should Biggie become a starter because of today.

As MDW79 said earlier, they couldn't play 2 big men at the same time. Gates scored 11 points, including the game winner. Should he have sat out for Biggie. Thomas barely played in the second half. Would Biggies presence, instead of him, have made a hugh difference in the outcome. If they would have won by 3 or 5 with Biggie, instead of 2, would you be more elated? I know it must be hard for you to enjoy a win like tonight being a perfectionist and in the keyboard coaches Hall of Fame. Do you also wear a sweatervest when you type.

Why would I wear a sweatervest? That guy has one of the best running qb's in college football and tries putting him in a pro style offense, under center 90% of the time. Thats neither here nor there.

When you are struggling to score HOWEVER, you go with what is working. Why can't Biggie see more minutes in the 2nd half?

For the record I learned from the most successful coach in college sports. No keyboard needed

 

[david aka the TYZ]

Can agree with that...

If anything though, by his production in limited time he should see more time. If that fails, then yes, use him sparingly. Also a half is 20 minutes. For him to have a 1st half as he did, there is no excuse to not get him in the 2nd half. If St Johns wants to go small, then why not get another big man in and pound it down low. DONT let other teams dictate the style of play

IMO, Biggie has earned the right to see a few more minutes. You know what you have in Thomas. Start giving Biggie 12-15 minutes and let's see where it goes. There is nothing to lose. You may even gain something.

Under normal circumstances I completely agree, but Biggie is a unique case. I wouldn't be surprised if him playing as many minutes as he did in the first half that after sitting for fifteen minutes at halftime his body was a no go. I trust Mick enough to know that there's a good enough reason he didn't play in the second half. There are times I think Mick forgets he has Biggie down on the end of the bench, but as much as he's frustrated with our inside play (and I'm sure it's more than any of us fans) I'm sure if he felt giving Biggie more minutes would help he would.

 

[bearcat jeff]

All I'm saying is that I've always believed you earn minutes. In the few he's gotten, he has outperformed some others. Minutes lost doesn't mean they can't be earned back, but the odd men out based on performance is Thomas and Wilks. Yes, that may change in the next game but when a team is struggling to score you have to keep the guys on the floor that are performing and ride them. I have no problem with Killa's minutes today. He wasn't performing at a high level. But when he's scoring like he had been you keep him on the court till he isn't. It's just my opinion. The Bearcats are 17-3 there's not much to complain about.

 

[swg]

Biggie earned more minutes tonite. Wilks and Thomas are inconsistent at best. Gates has to play regardless.

Jeff is right. It was an ugly win, but an ugly BE road win. Gotta be happy with that.

 

[JasonS]

Please allow everyone to participate in my scenario

No thanks. I'll enjoy a solid road win over a top 25 rpi team.

 

[thebeast]

great win today. i didnt realize st johns was such a high rpi team makes me even happier. but i agree biggie has earned his minutes but should still see no more than 13 at an extreme and what about jj he needs to start cuz darnell certainly didnt back up his start

 

[bearcat jeff]

Offensively this team is really in a funk. They have a stretch of games coming where they can really make some hay. I would really like to see the staff get back to basics and really work on screens, back cuts, and shooting. Sometimes when you play on the road over several games your fundamentals slip. Being home should help.

 

[ready2go]

Offensively this team is really in a funk. They have a stretch of games coming where they can really make some hay. I would really like to see the staff get back to basics and really work on screens, back cuts, and shooting. Sometimes when you play on the road over several games your fundamentals slip. Being home should help.

Yea.

A transition game wouldnt hurt either

 

[nparker1]

Yea.

A transition game wouldnt hurt either

I agree with this. I have been curious as to why the team has seemingly gone away from the 'speed' game, offensively and defensively. I also like the post that called this a 'funk'. I am praying that this is the case. Let's hope the Cats will take advantage of home court against Rutgers, and get back to playing confident ball.
Go Bearcats!

 

[bearcat jeff]

I agree with this. I have been curious as to why the team has seemingly gone away from the 'speed' game, offensively and defensively. I also like the post that called this a 'funk'. I am praying that this is the case. Let's hope the Cats will take advantage of home court against Rutgers, and get back to playing confident ball.
Go Bearcats!

Nearly every team hits a stretch in the season where it seems everybody on the team is in a shooting slump or that every bounce goes against you. Let's be clear though. The competition has been top shelf the past 3 games. They have face the #2 rpi team, the number 11 rpi team, and the number 15 rpi team (realtimerpi updated Saturday morning). It should be tougher to score.

Do I have concerns? Absolutely, when you have starters going scoreless, can't hit bunnies, and turn the ball over it concerns you. But I saw the Bearcats dig in yesterday and fight thru it and win an that shows me growth. They'll be better late in league play for this 3 game stretch and the lessons the staff and players have learned.

 

[JasonS]

Yea.

A transition game wouldnt hurt either

You can't press if you don't make shots. A transition game for this team starts on the offensive end, not the defensive. Mick wants them to play solid defense and not gamble. They have done that all year long. You don't get a lot of steals that way but it can keep you in a game if you aren't shooting well, like yesterday.

 

[ready2go]

You can't press if you don't make shots. A transition game for this team starts on the offensive end, not the defensive. Mick wants them to play solid defense and not gamble. They have done that all year long. You don't get a lot of steals that way but it can keep you in a game if you aren't shooting well, like yesterday.

What in the world are you talking about?

This team was at its best when playing a transition game. Scoring at will in the early season.

If teams are going to press us, you have to get the ball up the floor quickly. Dont allow them to set up a press and dont allow UC to set up its aweful half court offense

 

[Thegreatone]

Why would I wear a sweatervest? That guy has one of the best running qb's in college football and tries putting him in a pro style offense, under center 90% of the time. Thats neither here nor there.

When you are struggling to score HOWEVER, you go with what is working. Why can't Biggie see more minutes in the 2nd half?

For the record I learned from the most successful coach in college sports. No keyboard needed

Omg you played for Geno Auriemma? What was he like? Did you enjoy playing for him?