MBB Game 23 - TOWSON - 1/31/15, 8 PM

[Wags]

we look like world beaters when we are hitting our threes and we look horrible when we don't

As do most teams - which is why defense has to remain a constant whether shots are falling or not. It's often human nature to sag defensively after you don't hit shots, and to be energized defensively after you make shots.

But if this team still has serious designs on winning the league, it has to overcome that and D up no matter what happens at the other end of the floor. Coach has mentioned several times, sometimes it's as simple as guys maintaining the desire to dig in and lock down defensively for 40 minutes. That has come and gone in certain games or certain stretches of games. When you give up 100 pts to a team you're chasing for first place, it's quite obvious the desire to make sure the opposing offensive player doesn't beat you is not always there. Green has been honest in echoing those thoughts by Coach. I think they will get back to that, as I think the recent losses (especially to UNCW, JMU and Towson at home, were a wake-up call; you could see it on Green's face and Tanksley's after the Towson loss). When things were going well, HU was leading the CAA in opposing FG% and opposing 3-pt FG%. So they are capable in that area when they want to be. They don't necessarily have to lead the league in those areas again, but they need to show more heart and more determination than they have. If they do that, the offense will come around and roles will continue to be defined well enough to make a serious run in Baltimore. So it comes down to... how much does HU want it, and how much are they to a man, each willing to commit to showing that they want it on the defensive end for 40 minutes per game?

[Flying Dutchmen]

LONG time fan (season tickets since the Darius Burton days), long time visitor to this board/CAAZone, but a very seldom poster here.

As a whole, I agree that we need to take a step back, take a breath, and let this season play out before we start getting on JM's case. The fact of the matter is we came out of the gates scorching hot (albeit against questionable competition) and skyrocketed our own expectations. This year is nothing but icing on the cake. Don't get me wrong-- I want to win badly, and do still expect that we'll turn it around and finish around 20 wins. But even if we don't, this season has already brought an air to the program that we haven't seen since Charles carried this team on his back 4 years ago.

There are two critiques that have been driving me crazy. First, Juan'ya has been taking a LOT of heat lately. Yes, he's more inconsistent this year than we'd like. But it has to be taken into account that he is truly the only player we have who can (and does) consistently create his own shot. Ameen started off hot, but most of his scoring came from spot up 3's and playing inside-- He doesn't often take people off the dribble or create his own looks or looks for others. Bernardi is a great shooter, but he doesn't have that dimension to his game either. Dion would be our next best shot creator, but doesn't show much consistency at it this year and has found more success as a spot up shooter too, despite some nice drives to the basket here and there.

This leaves Juan'ya as the guy who is taking contested shots as the shot clock runs down, or forcing drives to the basket. Does he need to step up and become more of a vocal leader? Yes. Do I hate his body language sometimes? Yes. Did I expect his shot to be more consistent from 3 this season? Yes. But he's head and shoulders the best player we have, and I guarantee he'd be the reason we make the NCAA's either this year or next. This is a team that we all love when their shots fall, and he is the one creating those shots for everyone.

Lastly, I'm as excited about the potential of Andre Walker as much as anyone. I think he'll be a force in the CAA over his 4 year career, and I think he made the right choice coming to a place like HU, where he doesn't have to be forced into the limelight day 1 or wait 4 years for an opportunity. I certainly wouldn't be against seeing him on the court a bit more (especially for defensive reasons). However, JM is with this kid practically EVERY DAY. We just don't know enough about the situation to question his judgement on this one. JM wants to win as much as/more than any of us, and has decades of experience. Those two factors together, and I can't see how we don't trust his decision on Walker.

I also have to trust that this isn't just a doghouse situation, as Walker transferring would be a heavy hit to the program. I feel that it's more likely that JM sees this as the best way to get this kid ready to step up, whether that be this year as our 3rd string center, or next year when his role will expand greatly.

Great, rational post. You should post more often!!

100% agree on Juan'ya, I wouldn't have written anything in the Juan'ya Green thread if I saw this post, it might as well be plagiarism!

Pretty much agree with the Walker assessment as well, but the problem is Mihalich is really a bad defensive coach. His teams at Niagara had the same problems we have now, it's uncanny. His teams always give up too many easy 2pt field goals. Could it really hurt to put our big man in the game with Kone? Playing two forwards could also help us create some space offensively. We've become way too one dimensional offensively, we have to draw defenders into the paint to keep the perimeter open.

[Flying Dutchmen]

This team is not "crap" and they do not "suuuuuuck".
Anyone watching who knows a hill of beans about the game saw man, zone, man press, zone press, fronting the ball, doubling the ball, big line-up, little line-up....there were hundreds of in-game adjustments. They may not have worked, but they were there.

Jump off the ship if you want, but be fair!!!

I see a team that is pressing and not shooting well....we have to shoot well to win. That's it in a nutshell.

We can still be ready for Baltimore.

Welcome to the boards, keep posting!

I agree, effort is not the issue. We don't have many "rah rah" players on the team, and it gives a false impression; but I don't mind that, because I think it leads to more consistent play in crunch time.

Our players are just straight up tired from running up and down the court all game, we have the 15th fastest tempo in D-1 this year! Let's slow it down!!

But you were actually alluding to our defensive problem by pointing out all the looks we gave Towson on Saturday night. Why can't we simplify it? We lose points due to defensive confusion, every game. I can barely watch these games anymore it pisses me off so much. The fact we're gassed from our tempo has also hurt our defensive effort, we just don't have enough gas in the tank to perform well on both sides of the ball. Take some air out of the ball and simplify the defense, and I guarantee nobody will want to see us in Baltimore.

[Polito]

I COMPLETELY disagree that effort is not the issue

Guys, Defense is A L L based on effort - this is basketball 101 - and to back it up JM, the staff, AND the players have said as much in their interviews - they need more toughness, they need more passion, they need more motivation - this is their OWN admission!!!!!

And there is NO excuse for that. Talent is one thing - sometimes you have enough to win, sometimes you don't - but there is NO excuse for lack of effort and lack of things HU's own PLAYERS and STAFF are talking about and admitting to

Now, they're admitting to it, so that's a good step - but my goodness, that needs to be corrected immediately.

And welcome to some of the newer posters here, great to have you aboard

I've made other comments in the UD thread - but basically, I love and support this team and staff - JM was a GREAT hire, and I'm thankful HU has the players they do - but foolish decisions and poor play/effort will still be called out. Any thought of winning the CAA by depending on lights out shooting 3 consecutive days while playing zero defense should be out the window - it's not happening that way - they need to get it together. Sure hope these last terrible losses have woken them up.

This team has so much potential its ridiculous - and they're not even close to living up to it - that's what is so frustrating to me. But perhaps they're not there yet...maybe they need next year, maybe they'll pull it all together the final games of this year - I haven't seen enough from them yet, but either way, they'll have their shot in Baltimore to prove whether they're ready or not. #ROLLPRIDE