Just a short recap because its late and the really isnt alot to go in depth on this game other than it really is exposing where we are and how far we actually have to go and its all in plain sight.
Its a win, take it and run. Drexel is better than Bryant, they were well coached, they played pretty good D and ran some nice offensive sets at times but more importantly they were scrappy and it allowed them to stick around. RU allowed two 10 point leads to dissipate because their half court offense like vs Bryant was pretty brutal and were sloppy at times with the ball. Its a good thing RU was really really good at the line because if they were not, this was a loss.
The offense needs lots of work. RU was able to get those leads because it played pretty tough defense to start the 2nd half and was able to get some easy transition buckets much like they did in the first half. However generating offense on their own, Pikiell is going to have to answer to that. We were promised more options but some of the options either are not ready, are not delivering or are way out of control. Mulcahy, Johnson, Young in that order. I will give a pass on Mulcahy, did not have a good game but that will happen, I am not worried about him. Myles Johnson is going to have to step up. He had an awful first half with 2 fouls in the first 5 minutes or so and just missing point blank layups. This is a game where he should have success offensively but simply did not. To me he has not picked up where he left off at the end of last year. Too soft and too slow on the offensive end. Meanwhile our other post players are really non factors. Carter really not up to snuff on the boards and Doucoure just seemingly behind. I really think our lack of inside production is going to be a big factor in Big 10 play and not so sure if it can improve enough where we can get by. Onto Young, just too much out of control and playing too fast. I see him as almost playing a couple notches too fast than the rest of the team, hopefully he can adjust and blend in.
One positive I saw is that unlike vs Bryant, RU came together late and credit to Pike and credit to Geo for the monster move up the middle for the bucket that basically sealed the game. After the first game I talked about leadership and I felt that Geo needs to have the ball at games end, he needs to take the shots, he needs to be the guy that Pike trusts and Geo delivered tonight in crunch time and I also thought he generally played solid D throughout. He still is struggling a bit on the offensive end so I would like to see a better shooting night. I also thought RU tightened up their D in the last 4-5 minutes unlike in the Bryant game. It was a much better effort than that game and a much better finish so thats why I am okay with this game. We are what we are right now. We are nowhere near a NCAA team and I never thought we would be. We are a team that is limited because we have very little inside presence on offense which means the guards have to do everythng and their play has been spotty and out of control at times. Yeboah has showed some flashes, but right now he is nowhere near giving us what Eugene gave on both ends(and yes alot of posters just assumed he would come in replace him so I will point it out even though he will get better, the point is he isnt Eugene). So right now there is a lot of work to do and still a lot of adjustments make because roles still havent been defined yet. We have seen McConnell's minutes sort of cut for more time for Young. Mulcahy get some time but obviously not ready to be asked to shoulder any load. I think defensively is where we need to keep it up because that can keep us in games and generate offense. I thought our D was really good and scrappy and very good causing turnovers in the first 5-7 minutes of the 2nd half but at times it was lacking around the perimeter but overall a solid effort tonight.
So 3-0 is no place to complain but I think having two close ones in our first 3 sorts of shows we have issues to work out and cannot take any win for granted. St Bonnies is off to a rough start at 0-3 but this game is dangerous being on a neutral court in a different environment. I like that finally they are getting away from the RAC. RU plays too many games at home, Its a different challenged on the road and looking forward to seeing how this team steps up against a perceived better opponent than the last 3.
Its a win, take it and run. Drexel is better than Bryant, they were well coached, they played pretty good D and ran some nice offensive sets at times but more importantly they were scrappy and it allowed them to stick around. RU allowed two 10 point leads to dissipate because their half court offense like vs Bryant was pretty brutal and were sloppy at times with the ball. Its a good thing RU was really really good at the line because if they were not, this was a loss.
The offense needs lots of work. RU was able to get those leads because it played pretty tough defense to start the 2nd half and was able to get some easy transition buckets much like they did in the first half. However generating offense on their own, Pikiell is going to have to answer to that. We were promised more options but some of the options either are not ready, are not delivering or are way out of control. Mulcahy, Johnson, Young in that order. I will give a pass on Mulcahy, did not have a good game but that will happen, I am not worried about him. Myles Johnson is going to have to step up. He had an awful first half with 2 fouls in the first 5 minutes or so and just missing point blank layups. This is a game where he should have success offensively but simply did not. To me he has not picked up where he left off at the end of last year. Too soft and too slow on the offensive end. Meanwhile our other post players are really non factors. Carter really not up to snuff on the boards and Doucoure just seemingly behind. I really think our lack of inside production is going to be a big factor in Big 10 play and not so sure if it can improve enough where we can get by. Onto Young, just too much out of control and playing too fast. I see him as almost playing a couple notches too fast than the rest of the team, hopefully he can adjust and blend in.
One positive I saw is that unlike vs Bryant, RU came together late and credit to Pike and credit to Geo for the monster move up the middle for the bucket that basically sealed the game. After the first game I talked about leadership and I felt that Geo needs to have the ball at games end, he needs to take the shots, he needs to be the guy that Pike trusts and Geo delivered tonight in crunch time and I also thought he generally played solid D throughout. He still is struggling a bit on the offensive end so I would like to see a better shooting night. I also thought RU tightened up their D in the last 4-5 minutes unlike in the Bryant game. It was a much better effort than that game and a much better finish so thats why I am okay with this game. We are what we are right now. We are nowhere near a NCAA team and I never thought we would be. We are a team that is limited because we have very little inside presence on offense which means the guards have to do everythng and their play has been spotty and out of control at times. Yeboah has showed some flashes, but right now he is nowhere near giving us what Eugene gave on both ends(and yes alot of posters just assumed he would come in replace him so I will point it out even though he will get better, the point is he isnt Eugene). So right now there is a lot of work to do and still a lot of adjustments make because roles still havent been defined yet. We have seen McConnell's minutes sort of cut for more time for Young. Mulcahy get some time but obviously not ready to be asked to shoulder any load. I think defensively is where we need to keep it up because that can keep us in games and generate offense. I thought our D was really good and scrappy and very good causing turnovers in the first 5-7 minutes of the 2nd half but at times it was lacking around the perimeter but overall a solid effort tonight.
So 3-0 is no place to complain but I think having two close ones in our first 3 sorts of shows we have issues to work out and cannot take any win for granted. St Bonnies is off to a rough start at 0-3 but this game is dangerous being on a neutral court in a different environment. I like that finally they are getting away from the RAC. RU plays too many games at home, Its a different challenged on the road and looking forward to seeing how this team steps up against a perceived better opponent than the last 3.
