Why we lost?

[waterhead]

We were tired. Definitely saw it in how we were late on rotations and close-outs. Also doesn't help that this team can't handle the ball or make passes without turning the ball over at an alarming rate. Normally can't shoot either, but that definitely wasn't the problem last night. I'm not surprised at all by last night's outcome, and I'm not putting a lot of stock in it moving forward. I'm just glad the schedule allowed us to take a respectable loss at the end of this short turnaround as opposed to another ECU-esque debacle.

I don't know about the shooting aspect anymore. We have been much better and more consistent since conference play started which is 12 games. Our FG% is above 45% and our 3pt % is above 36% in those games. That is by no means great...but it's by no means horrible either. It's in the top 100 for both.

Turnovers are killing us. Last night our D was as bad as it's been. Our D won't be a problem going forward. If we can limit turnovers to 12 or below we can win some games.

 

[waterhead]

Both Temple and SMU shot around 15 more attempts than we did.

We need to win the TO and rebounding margin part of the game more often than not. If we win the TO and rebounding margin and play typical D and shoot 45%...we will probably win every remaining game of the regular season

 

[nkywestside]

Clark struggles mightily against guys that are bigger than him. But I hear what you're saying.

He wouldn't struggle against bigger guys if he would trust his face up game and drill some midrange jumpers.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

This is how I'd like to see Ellis used in the half court...
http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4849124
http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4849320
http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4849352


He is not the exact same player, but Ellis can do the same things.

 

[waterhead]

This team needs to take extra care of the ball in big games where we are not favored or not favored by much.

We have been shooting the ball at a respectable level since conference started. I would rather force the ball up toward the basket at the end of the shot clock than be careless and turn the ball over. We have a chance to make the basket if we shoot the ball and we have a chance to rebound it. A turnover does not give us those two chances to score and it leads to EASIER points more often than not for the other team.

Here is a very loose analysis of 8 more turnovers than average vs us taking a poor shot resulting in let's say a 30% FG% and the other team getting a higher FG% say round 60% on the other end (which is 15% below or above our conference average of 45%). I also assume roughly 40% offensive rebounding which is slightly high but it makes the numbers easy.

8 missed opportunities to shoot because of turnovers is basically like spotting the other team 12 points. I did not figure the TO as an EXTRA possession for the other team. If we typically average around 1 PPP a turnover is actually more like a -1.5 PPP advantage to the other team.

 

[Bulldog01]

People mentioned Ellis and DeBerry playing together some too. I wasn't for that at first, but maybe worth a shot.

I called this when first seen Clark getting tired. We'll start DOMINATING if we made this move.