@UCF

[Bearcat_NTS]

Washington won't have another game like that. He could easily be the reason we win a tourney game.

Or he will be the reason we lost. He was great for stretches against Rhode Island but also shot us right out of that game.

 

[UCBearcats]

You do realize there was a 7'6 guy running around blocking and changing shots Most of the game.

Yesterday's game wasn't an outlier, it was the way we've been playing on the road for the vast majority of the season. Mick said after the game that he didn't believe Taco had a huge impact on the way we played. There are other ways to beat UCF than just chucking up 3's. You can score inside on Taco and (God forbid) be aggressive around the rim and maybe get him in foul trouble.

As a fan I call out what I see, to me it seems on the road we're taking entirely too many 3's and not making adjustments when those shots aren't falling. The actual reasons may differ but it's not my job to figure it out. Mick is getting paid millions a year to do that himself so I'm hopeful he can.

Scoring 49 points IS NOT an option come March. If you don't agree with that then we're too far apart to even have this conversation. Something has to change with this teams' ability to score on the road. Let's hope the staff can figure out what that is and get the players to start executing it.

 

[cincycpaw]

Disappointing loss. Was concerned about shooting this game and they sure as heck legitimized that concern.

Maybe Mick should move all practices to Northern Kentucky....right after the Houston game...to try and get these kids shots to travel away from home. Can't shoot like that and expect to win many games. Have to do better. Houston is a must win.

Having a pretty good year. Coach has been doing alright, but he has to fix the road issues fast.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Guys I really think the issue for me is that this team will not achieve the level of success without Troy picking up his play. He needs to find his game and in a hurry. I really feel like that is why Mick is being so patient with him.We have played around his shooting slumps most of the season. When he shoots well we usually win handily. When he struggles with his shot we usually are in a tight contest. He has managed to be effective in other parts of his game but to take the next step, he needs to bring his whole game. Beating the teams in the AAC is one thing but to advance in the NCAA you really have to have all your players playing well. Mick could have probably taken him out a bit yesterday but though out this season TC has been able to find other ways to affect the game in a positive manner. Yesterday with Washington and Clark being completely shout down and the team shooting 29% from the floor his all around game wasn't enough. For us to be good he has to score the ball. Taking him out and fooling with his confidence is really not going to help in my opinion and apparently the coaches. While JJ's game has improved he is not TC when he is playing well. Its is unfortunate Scott missed that shot at the end yesterday because I truly believe had he sent the game to OT we would have won. While I want to win the league title this season success rest on Which TC shows up the rest of the way.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Yesterday's game wasn't an outlier, it was the way we've been playing on the road for the vast majority of the season. Mick said after the game that he didn't believe Taco had a huge impact on the way we played. There are other ways to beat UCF than just chucking up 3's. You can score inside on Taco and (God forbid) be aggressive around the rim and maybe get him in foul trouble.

As a fan I call out what I see, to me it seems on the road we're taking entirely too many 3's and not making adjustments when those shots aren't falling. The actual reasons may differ but it's not my job to figure it out. Mick is getting paid millions a year to do that himself so I'm hopeful he can.

Scoring 49 points IS NOT an option come March. If you don't agree with that then we're too far apart to even have this conversation. Something has to change with this teams' ability to score on the road. Let's hope the staff can figure out what that is and get the players to start executing it.

If Mick said fall didn't have a effect on the game he must have went blind. The shoots inside he didn't block he altered. And if you didn't see that then yes we are way to far apart to have this conversation. We shot 29% from both the 2 and the 3 point line.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

If anyone is interested in the box score from yesterday here it is:

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/boxscore?gameId=400916645

 

[UCBearcats]

If Mick said fall didn't have a effect on the game he must have went blind. The shoots inside he didn't block he altered. And if you didn't see that then yes we are way to far apart to have this conversation. We shot 29% from both the 2 and the 3 point line.

I did see it and I didn't agree with Mick's analysis. Doesn't change the fact that there are ways to beat UCF other than just chucking up 3's or the fact that yesterday's game was not an outier. We've been playing this way on the road for quite some time.

It sounds to me like you think nothing needs to change and everything is good. Scoring 49 points is okay, if only we could have just played some better defense. I'm not really sure what points you're trying to make other than just being the ultimate naysayer to anyone else's comments per usual.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

I did see it and I didn't agree with Mick's analysis. Doesn't change the fact that there are ways to beat UCF other than just chucking up 3's or the fact that yesterday's game was not an outier. We've been playing this way on the road for quite some time.

It sounds to me like you think nothing needs to change and everything is good. Scoring 49 points is okay, if only we could have just played some better defense. I'm not really sure what points you're trying to make other than just being the ultimate naysayer to anyone else's comments per usual.

Not nay saying any ones comments. Something does need to change. TC needs to pick up his play. Washington needs to quit forcing so many shots and we need to hit at a much better clip then 29% or we will be going home early.

I think what you object to is I didn't hold the coach responsible or mention his salary or find fault with his coaching decisions.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

I disagree Waite, you pick your spots to use JJ but there are situations where he needs to play more at the point. JJ and Troy can both be on the floor at the same time.

Yesterday's game was a perfect example of this, our offense was much better with JJ out there at the point than with Troy. In the games where our offense if flowing and we're getting out on the break then you want Troy out there facilitating and not causing turnovers, but in a game like yesterday's JJ was clearly the better option. Just look at the +/- with him on the floor vs without.

I think this was you naysaying my post.

 

[waterhead]

If Mick said fall didn't have a effect on the game he must have went blind. The shoots inside he didn't block he altered. And if you didn't see that then yes we are way to far apart to have this conversation. We shot 29% from both the 2 and the 3 point line.

Tacko had a huge effect on the game. The problem is you are saying we need to make more shots on the road and that doesn't just happen by telling the players to do that.

You have to figure out a way to score easier buckets like Cumberland did. I think he had 3 layups. There were some good feeds...I remember one by Caupain...but the point is Cumberland understands at what point to break toward the basket or he can drive on his own and dish.

Even though Tacko was in the paint he found a way to make some easy buckets and assists. A lot of this has to do with movement and penetration not perimeter passing.

We could do more with pushing pace after rebounds and no matter what you say about Caupain not being fleet of foot...he has the ability...he just needs to decide to do it. He will never have easier chances to get in the paint than before the D sets up. He is a capable scorer when he gets in the paint or he can dish or set it back up if it's not there.

Relying on better shooting as opposed to finding easier ways to score is where we differ.

 

[Bearcat2016]

In my opinion, offensively it comes down to our bigs. We run a ton of our offense through them. Gary and Kyle are usually pretty solid. When they get shut down, its hard for us to score on the road. They score on their own and Gary gets a lot of assists when he is doubled. Our guards do not break people down off the dribble. If we are going to have any post-season success Gary and Kyle have to play well, or we have to shoot the lights. Our guards do not create offense for themselves or others sometimes.

I really think this team is full of gamers. The way they came out in the XU game sold me they have it in them. In a big time tournament game, when the bench is shortened, I really think they will come out and play well.

Last point: The 2011-2012 team lost a very similar game that season. In the 3rd last game of the regular season, they lost 45-46 @ South Florida. They then came back and beat a top ten Marquette team, went to the Big East finals, then the sweet sixteen. Again I know the road offense is a concern, but the Tournament is played at a neutral floor. I'm still excited as hell at what could happen in a couple weeks.

 

[waterhead]

In my opinion, offensively it comes down to our bigs. We run a ton of our offense through them. Gary and Kyle are usually pretty solid. When they get shut down, its hard for us to score on the road. They score on their own and Gary gets a lot of assists when he is doubled. Our guards do not break people down off the dribble. If we are going to have any post-season success Gary and Kyle have to play well, or we have to shoot the lights. Our guards do not create offense for themselves or others sometimes.

I really think this team is full of gamers. The way they came out in the XU game sold me they have it in them. In a big time tournament game, when the bench is shortened, I really think they will come out and play well.

Last point: The 2011-2012 team lost a very similar game that season. In the 3rd last game of the regular season, they lost 45-46 @ South Florida. They then came back and beat a top ten Marquette team, went to the Big East finals, then the sweet sixteen. Again I know the road offense is a concern, but the Tournament is played at a neutral floor. I'm still excited as hell at what could happen in a couple weeks.

You know that is a very good point. I hadn't really considered it this way and I'm not sure why...I guess I am just hyper focused on our terrible road performance. But the other team also playing on the road (neutral) will even out our horrible road performance a bit. At least in theory since most teams shoot worse on the road. You just gave me a glimmer of hope...lol!! Maybe we can still make it to the second week or beyond....we will see how we do in the conference tourney.

If we can just find a way to play a little better outside of our home court and the other team is not a great road performer...maybe we can win some games.

 

[GarradJ21]

You know that is a very good point. I hadn't really considered it this way and I'm not sure why...I guess I am just hyper focused on our terrible road performance. But the other team also playing on the road (neutral) will even out our horrible road performance a bit. At least in theory since most teams shoot worse on the road. You just gave me a glimmer of hope...lol!! Maybe we can still make it to the second week or beyond....we will see how we do in the conference tourney.

If we can just find a way to play a little better outside of our home court and the other team is not a great road performer...maybe we can win some games.

Exactly...Neutral court is a lot different than an opponent's gym. We have had two neutral court games and have averaged 71 points. Last year we didn't score well on the road and scored in the 70s against St. Joes. With the right matchups and toughness we will be fine. I have absolutely loved this season, and can't believe it went so quick but at this point I just want this week to be over it an onto the next chapter. We will learn a lot about our team next weekend.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Tacko had a huge effect on the game. The problem is you are saying we need to make more shots on the road and that doesn't just happen by telling the players to do that.

You have to figure out a way to score easier buckets like Cumberland did. I think he had 3 layups. There were some good feeds...I remember one by Caupain...but the point is Cumberland understands at what point to break toward the basket or he can drive on his own and dish.

Even though Tacko was in the paint he found a way to make some easy buckets and assists. A lot of this has to do with movement and penetration not perimeter passing.

We could do more with pushing pace after rebounds and no matter what you say about Caupain not being fleet of foot...he has the ability...he just needs to decide to do it. He will never have easier chances to get in the paint than before the D sets up. He is a capable scorer when he gets in the paint or he can dish or set it back up if it's not there.

Relying on better shooting as opposed to finding easier ways to score is where we differ.

WH that is not all I'm saying. We need to board better,we did not take care of the ball as well as we have, we committed many more fouls. We also shot 29%. Last I checked the court dimensions are the same at 5/3. What I'm saying is it's not just strategy its execution.

As for TC he has been the same player for over 3 years now. He is not changing. At this point my only wish is he shoot the ball to his career norm.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

You know that is a very good point. I hadn't really considered it this way and I'm not sure why...I guess I am just hyper focused on our terrible road performance. But the other team also playing on the road (neutral) will even out our horrible road performance a bit. At least in theory since most teams shoot worse on the road. You just gave me a glimmer of hope...lol!! Maybe we can still make it to the second week or beyond....we will see how we do in the conference tourney.

If we can just find a way to play a little better outside of our home court and the other team is not a great road performer...maybe we can win some games.

Officiating is a lot different on neutral floors as well.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Or he will be the reason we lost. He was great for stretches against Rhode Island but also shot us right out of that game.

NTS I do agree with you that Kyle is night and day in production at home then he is on the roar.

 

[waterhead]

WH that is not all I'm saying. We need to board better,we did not take care of the ball as well as we have, we committed many more fouls. We also shot 29%. Last I checked the court dimensions are the same at 5/3. What I'm saying is it's not just strategy its execution.

As for TC he has been the same player for over 3 years now. He is not changing. At this point my only wish is he shoot the ball to his career norm.

Our excecution has been a problem for years on the road. If that isn't changing... Something else has to.

 

[dbieon12]

Controversial solution: Make alley-oop dunks.

 

[Patrick Bateman]

The last time UC went to the Sweet Sixteen they lost to Presbyterian, lost to STJ@ home scoring 55 and lost @USF scoring 45 points.

 

[2bearcatdad]

Or he will be the reason we lost. He was great for stretches against Rhode Island but also shot us right out of that game.

Advanced stats are only fair for Kyle on our team.

He leads the team in PER, but that's not a great stat imo. Favors offense too heavily, but it still favorable for Kyle that he leads the team.

However, he's 6th on the team in ORtg per 100 possessions; behind Gary, Jarron, Jacob, JJ & Troy. Also, he's 4th in Win Shares / 40 minutes behind Gary, Jarron & Jacob.

So, while he's our leader scorer, he's not our most important contributor by far.

The stats all say Gary is the most important contributor to the team - and it's not close. He ranks essentially at or near the top in nearly every offensive and defensive advanced stat.