Flying Dutchmen Fans

Wags, they were 100% gassed, and everyone with the blessing of working eyesight could tell.

However, I agree that is not the reason for the L, and I may not have been clear on this - everyone is tired at that point, esp in OT of 3 in 3 - to me it's ALL about lack of DEPTH

And the reason is this: when you have no options, it is difficult to adjust to varying strategy/adjustments in-game when you can only play the same guys. What about when key guys have off games? You're SOL. Injuries? Same. That's why teams that made strong adjustments at the half gave HU fits and often wiped out big leads and made every game a battle - HU tried all kinds of different looks, but with the same players and the same skill sets - that's not really a full adjustment - the mixed box of oatmeal has all different flavors, but it's still oatmeal.

What they accomplished even despite that is tremendous, and worthy of high praise - they worked HARD, they used what they had, they tailored things to put them in the best position to win, they pushed the right buttons, and it lead to a super year - I just think a weekend tourney is where areas like that get exposed, and depth is a MAJOR one. And it didn't happen often - just a few key times, and with the same opponents basically (ie UNCW and JMU) - but it's those key times, those very few spots, when quality options/depth/adjustments separate almost from CHAMPION.

Now I don't expect the staff or players to say that, or use that as an excuse - matter of fact, I'm very proud that they haven't used that as an excuse, not once - they're only talking about it when basically forced by questions - they've taken full responsibility for everything all year, good bad and otherwise - that to me makes them true champions in my book.

They simply need to address it in the '16 class and never face that challenge again - proper recruiting will resolve this, and I have full faith they'll do so. You simply need to recruit right and have enough players to account for a reasonable amount of unforseen. Losing 1 BENCH guy should never make so much of an impact that you have a hard time adjusting. Starter, superstar? Of course, huge impact. BACKUP?? NEVER.

This staff knows and has stated many times that the CAA is all about those 3 days in March, and it is. So if that's the case, you need to build a team designed to win it. That's what UNCW did. And my point is, get that corrected going forward and HU can also, and will, cut nets.

Polito wrote:Wags, they were 100% gassed, and everyone with the blessing of working eyesight could tell.

However, I agree that is not the reason for the L, and I may not have been clear on this - everyone is tired at that point, esp in OT of 3 in 3 - to me it's ALL about lack of DEPTH

And the reason is this: when you have no options, it is difficult to adjust to varying strategy/adjustments in-game when you can only play the same guys. What about when key guys have off games? You're SOL. Injuries? Same. That's why teams that made strong adjustments at the half gave HU fits and often wiped out big leads and made every game a battle - HU tried all kinds of different looks, but with the same players and the same skill sets - that's not really a full adjustment - the mixed box of oatmeal has all different flavors, but it's still oatmeal.

What they accomplished even despite that is tremendous, and worthy of high praise - they worked HARD, they used what they had, they tailored things to put them in the best position to win, they pushed the right buttons, and it lead to a super year - I just think a weekend tourney is where areas like that get exposed, and depth is a MAJOR one. And it didn't happen often - just a few key times, and with the same opponents basically (ie UNCW and JMU) - but it's those key times, those very few spots, when quality options/depth/adjustments separate almost from CHAMPION.

Now I don't expect the staff or players to say that, or use that as an excuse - matter of fact, I'm very proud that they haven't used that as an excuse, not once - they're only talking about it when basically forced by questions - they've taken full responsibility for everything all year, good bad and otherwise - that to me makes them true champions in my book.

They simply need to address it in the '16 class and never face that challenge again - proper recruiting will resolve this, and I have full faith they'll do so. You simply need to recruit right and have enough players to account for a reasonable amount of unforseen. Losing 1 BENCH guy should never make so much of an impact that you have a hard time adjusting. Starter, superstar? Of course, huge impact. BACKUP?? NEVER.

This staff knows and has stated many times that the CAA is all about those 3 days in March, and it is. So if that's the case, you need to build a team designed to win it. That's what UNCW did. And my point is, get that corrected going forward and HU can also, and will, cut nets.

I don't want to keep this up, especially now 3 days after the title game but again, we hear this after every loss, and never after the wins.

And it's your own words (not mine) on the previous page: "Fatigue won't be a factor" before the game. Then, when they lose: "They were gassed."

So which is it?

Like I said, the way Green said it, it could or could not simply be player speak, and maybe as hard as UNCW made him work, fatigue was a factor (though I think if he actually had help late, he'd have been fine).

But the way Tanksley said it defiantly, and then repeated it, that he wasn't tired at all, I believe him. Look at the postgame conf. again and see the way he says it.

Also, they shot fine, more than well enough to win, for 30 minutes (even with Green struggling). Then look at who took half of the shots (missing 6/7 himself) when they finished 1/14 to close regulation. The standing around over those last 10 minutes of regulation had more to do with: "Okay, we got to this point with a lead, now we'll do what we've done all season and stand around and wait for Juan'ya to win it for us," instead of continuing what was working for them before that point. Ponder & co. went everywhere that Green went to make like very difficult for him while everyone on HU stood around and watched him miss and miss again.

And I know he only played 47 minutes over the first two games, but we've seen Gustys tire quickly at times with how hard he plays. He played 44 minutes, getting with 18 & 23 (so very active) on Monday night. Did he look "gassed" when he flew to the rim for a big dunk that tied the game at 73-73 as late in the game as 1:36 left in OT? But hey, why let facts get in the way of a good narrative?

Wags, one thing I meant to agree with you on, you have been one of the few pointing out Koons brutal mistake toward the end of this game - He's been a fantastic add to this team, there is no question about it, but he definitely seems to be a bit of a liability at the end of games just from a decision-making standpoint

Talent and impact is there clearly, but I think there are times when it helps to have others out there to finish out (if it's doable with DB, JWF, or Walker)

Also, you've pointed out Greens just brutal showing - and it was. Missing layups in the conf champ game as a Sr conf POY, oh no no, that is no bueno. You have to perform in that scenario. He did not. And to his credit, took 100% accountability for it. THAT'S why he's still awesome!

But that was clearly a major impact to the outcome of this game.

And he'll have another shot to leave his final legacy...excited to see him rise to the occasion!

Polito wrote:Wags, one thing I meant to agree with you on, you have been one of the few pointing out Koons brutal mistake toward the end of this game - He's been a fantastic add to this team, there is no question about it, but he definitely seems to be a bit of a liability at the end of games just from a decision-making standpoint

To Koon's credit, he was phenomenal in the first OT at Northeastern. Wouldn't have won that game without that. But yeah, that was a key, needless mistake on Monday night. It's one thing to miss shots like Green (it happens). But it's something else to cost your team with such an unnecessary thing like that tech. But no point to keep harping on it. I'm sure he wishes he could take it back. That was so uncharacteristic of him, which is maybe another example of the moment down the stretch being too big for the team too handle. However, who knows, that tech might have ultimately cost us a title. We'll never know, but without that tech, maybe HU pulls that game out, and instead of talking about Green going 2/16 and missing layups, maybe we're talking about him leading us to a title with a late layup he did get and a couple of late FTs, even after an otherwise bad game. One thing on that 2/16 though -- as bad as that was, he still did have 8 ASTS and only 3 TOs, and still had 13 pts because he was 9/10 at the line (even though the one miss was a costly one late). Shows you how good he is that he could still manage to do those things while having one of his worst shooting games ever. When you're not that good, you tend to have a bad game in all or almost all areas. But when Juan'ya struggles in one area, he'll do other things to try to make up for it.