Izzo: "Steve's done a heckuva job with this program."

[RU848789]

We just played a pretty close game against #3 MSU, a very close game against a likely soon to be ranked FSU and a reasonably close 34 minutes against borderline top 10 Minn. We play very good defense, hustle all over the court and we get open shots - we just aren't so good at hitting those shots. There are going to be games in which we shoot better, while playing D like this, and that will translate to winning some B1G games folks.

 

[FrankZ]

Frustrating to toss away great coaching with miss after miss, but it is what it is right now. Program is definitely on it’s way up.

 

[mikefla]

We played the #3 team close most of the game.
Some stifling "D"

We earned some RESPECT tonight !!

 

[RUinOhio]

few close shots missed and some squandered opps, this was a winnable game.

 

[whofrewdatmataRU13]

When does our expectations start to grow from, "yeah we played it close good job pat on the back", to, "damn we really ****ed that one up and need to hit some shots, players need to step it up"

 

[higgins3]

Incredible with how bad the team shoots, they stayed with a top five team.

Props to the coaching staff, and the players. Very impressive. Just need some shooters, and some better offensive decision making.

 

[DHajekRC84]

He meant it this time but rewind what he said about Eddie 2 years ago....frankly I don't care what other coaches have to say. I care what the team says week in and out. (don't confuse that with not being a Pike fan. I AM. His players seem to get it)

 

[knight82]

When does our expectations start to grow from, "yeah we played it close good job pat on the back", to, "damn we really ****ed that one up and need to hit some shots, players need to step it up"

When we get better players. Right now we're overmatched talent wise when we play upper half of the league.

 

[S_Janowski]

When does our expectations start to grow from, "yeah we played it close good job pat on the back", to, "damn we really ****ed that one up and need to hit some shots, players need to step it up"

Lol.

Put the keypad down tonight chump.

 

[BoxStater]

When does our expectations start to grow from, "yeah we played it close good job pat on the back", to, "damn we really ****ed that one up and need to hit some shots, players need to step it up"

Yeah. At some point the coaching staff is going to have to start sitting players who don’t pass the ball out for wide open looks, like Freeman or Sanders.

As well as Bridges shot tonight, MSU set a lot of screens to help him.

 

[whofrewdatmataRU13]

Lol.

Put the keypad down tonight chump.

6548912548732985

 

[DHajekRC84]

Yeah. At some point the coaching staff is going to have to start sitting players who don’t pass the ball out for wide open looks, like Freeman or Sanders.

As well as Bridges shot tonight, MSU set a lot of screens to help him.

why is Williams only getting 7 shots while Corey goes 2 for 15?

 

[jrh51]

When does our expectations start to grow from, "yeah we played it close good job pat on the back", to, "damn we really ****ed that one up and need to hit some shots, players need to step it up"

.... when it's not against the 3rd ranked team in the nation?

 

[DHajekRC84]

LOL..I was going to see how Nigel J. might have made a difference but see his YTD stats fit right in. 20mins /game but worst offensive stats on the team across the board. So much for carrying last year's end games momentum into 2017.

 

[winfield102]

Sanders and freeman can't take more than 20 shots a game. Somehow Duke, Eugene and thiam need to take 25 shots a game.

 

[shields]

Thiam has to play better.

 

[BoxStater]

Sanders and freeman can't take more than 20 shots a game. Somehow Duke, Eugene and thiam need to take 25 shots a game.

Question is how do they get Sanders and Freeman to buy into that idea?

 

[RU82]

Thiam has to play better.

Thiam had a tough time with Bridges. I’ll give him a pass tonight since the guy might be the best player in college basketball.

Sanders was really disappointing tonight. Poor decision making. Can’t have that as a junior. Starting to think replacing him with Kiss next year might be an immediate upgrade.

And again, Sheridan was invisible.

 

[TobyTyler1]

why is Williams only getting 7 shots while Corey goes 2 for 15?

Because a) Williams can't create his own shot and b) he can't shoot and shouldn't shoot more then 5 times a game

 

[G- RUnit]

why is Williams only getting 7 shots while Corey goes 2 for 15?

Williams has had three plus years of 2 for 15. Stop the Sanders bashing.

 

[RUsince52]

We only seem to be on the same page with misses. Can't keep shooting when you know it's not your night. Good shooters can because it usually evens out. Bad shooters only get worse. The thing with Corey is he makes good moves and gets some open looks, but still misses so badly. That last drive to the basket was great going up and should have been an easy bank shot instead over the rim and only hit glass. Very hard to understand.

 

[Andrew Donnelly]

Sanders was disappointing tonight for sure, but all I see is hate on him as if this team is loaded with shot creators. He is literally shooting free throws as we speak and is clearly disappointed in his own performance (seen on Home Team Hoops instagram story). This team will only go as far as Corey takes them...

 

[Rutgers25]

When does our expectations start to grow from, "yeah we played it close good job pat on the back", to, "damn we really ****ed that one up and need to hit some shots, players need to step it up"

Another Johnny come lately that has zero perspective.

 

[bowlgoal]

We played some game tonight. Nothing more to say. Pack rhe RAC and keep coming.

 

[RU-ROCS]

We just played a pretty close game against #3 MSU, a very close game against a likely soon to be ranked FSU and a reasonably close 34 minutes against borderline top 10 Minn. We play very good defense, hustle all over the court and we get open shots - we just aren't so good at hitting those shots. There are going to be games in which we shoot better, while playing D like this, and that will translate to winning some B1G games folks.

Proof that we are very well coached. We don’t have enough players yet, but we’re getting there.

 

[OntheBanks]

When we get better players. Right now we're overmatched talent wise when we play upper half of the league.

Take away Bridges and how's this game turn out.

 

[bac2therac]

He meant it this time but rewind what he said about Eddie 2 years ago....frankly I don't care what other coaches have to say. I care what the team says week in and out. (don't confuse that with not being a Pike fan. I AM. His players seem to get it)

yeah I thought of that immediately and then thought....no this time its true not lip service...you know why? Because we as fans know deep down whether a coach is the real deal.. Plus Eddie lost all his game to MSU by 25 plus point blowouts, I think one by 50.

 

[RU-ROCS]

Incredible with how bad the team shoots, they stayed with a top five team.

Props to the coaching staff, and the players. Very impressive. Just need some shooters, and some better offensive decision making.

We were 5 or 6 blown layups from an upset victory! ;)

 

[BigEastPhil]

Thiam has to play better.

He was tentative tonight as I saw him pass up a decent look and even Sanders told him to shoot the rock

 

[Caliknight]

When does our expectations start to grow from, "yeah we played it close good job pat on the back", to, "damn we really ****ed that one up and need to hit some shots, players need to step it up"

When we get better players that can shoot the ball. Coaching is getting kids to believe in the system, play hard, and put them in positions to get open looks. And recruiting. Pike is doing all of those things. And to the players credit, they have bought in and are playing hard.

Making shots is on the players. When you have limited basketball talent, like our team does overall, you miss a lot more of those shots than you make. It's just talent.

Much respect though, they are squeezing out all of the talent they have. That's all you can ask for.

 

[winfield102]

Show those guys the tape. I know the other guys struggle to get their shot off. Sanders and freeman get blocked alot but they can get their shot off more consistently (with poor results). The staff has to figure it out. If Freeman and Sanders want to win, they have to make the adjustment.

If Freeman wants to shot 15 times a games, give Eugene more minutes. He had 3 possessions in a row in the 1st half that made me want to throw my beer. I'm not sure how you can reel Sanders in. There are no other options this year or next.

 

[whofrewdatmataRU13]

Show those guys the tape. I know the other guys struggle to get their shot off. Sanders and freeman get blocked alot but they can get their shot off more consistently (with poor results). The staff has to figure it out. If Freeman and Sanders want to win, they have to make the adjustment.

If Freeman wants to shot 15 times a games, give Eugene more minutes. He had 3 possessions in a row in the 1st half that made me want to throw my beer. I'm not sure how you can reel Sanders in. There are no other options this year or next.

Glad I wasn't the only one. Felt like he killed our momentum at some key times in the first half. But I'll still get flamed for calling him out.

Dilly dilly

 

[yellowlot]

When Corey is not out there we cannot move ball verses good team. He needs to shoot better. Luv Mike W but he needs space to get a jumper off, he does not shoot well around curls and screens.

Great half court d tonite, got some bad whistles too.

 

[PatrickRU92]

we don't shoot well because we don't have good shooters

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

When we get better players that can shoot the ball. Coaching is getting kids to believe in the system, play hard, and put them in positions to get open looks. And recruiting. Pike is doing all of those things. And to the players credit, they have bought in and are playing hard.

Making shots is on the players. When you have limited basketball talent, like our team does overall, you miss a lot more of those shots than you make. It's just talent.

Much respect though, they are squeezing out all of the talent they have. That's all you can ask for.

I think the question can be asked if the coaching staff could come up with sets, strategies, mindsets that can help us improve offensively.

I am not sure myself.

I just don't see teams having to work as hard as we do getting thru screens. Is it all on Issa that he gets only 2 shots up per game?

 

[LotusAggressor]

Yeah. At some point the coaching staff is going to have to start sitting players who don’t pass the ball out for wide open looks, like Freeman or Sanders.

As well as Bridges shot tonight, MSU set a lot of screens to help him.

You can screen for someone so that they can get open to shoot the ball. Good offensive teams figured that out a long time ago.

 

[BillyC80]

Been saying to my seatmates that we need to run a few set plays to get open looks for Issa, Mike and Geo, and to some extent for Mamadou.

Corey should have many more assists, if he would kick out more of his drives, which should also be the foundation of a set play.

 

[Caliknight]

I think the question can be asked if the coaching staff could come up with sets, strategies, mindsets that can help us improve offensively.

I am not sure myself.

I just don't see teams having to work as hard as we do getting thru screens. Is it all on Issa that he gets only 2 shots up per game?

You can always get better, but I don't see us having huge problems getting open looks. We simply don't make a lot. That's a skill you can get better at, but not a lot. It is an inherent skill.

We need better shooting players. This offense looks a lot different with guys can hit open shots and a PG that can find them.

Move Baker to the point, and have a 2 and 3 who can shoot the ball. Baker finds guys.

 

[RU MAN]

We just played a pretty close game against #3 MSU, a very close game against a likely soon to be ranked FSU and a reasonably close 34 minutes against borderline top 10 Minn. We play very good defense, hustle all over the court and we get open shots - we just aren't so good at hitting those shots. There are going to be games in which we shoot better, while playing D like this, and that will translate to winning some B1G games folks.

Besides missing open looks from the outside we must have missed at least ten chippies on the inside. We knock some of those down and Winston doesn't knock down those two 3's the outcome of this game could have looked a whole lot different. We just lost a close one to a team that could be going to the Final Four. I'm really proud of how hard we play especially on defense. Now, if we could just knock down some shots...

 

[higgins3]

Sanders was disappointing tonight for sure, but all I see is hate on him as if this team is loaded with shot creators. He is literally shooting free throws as we speak and is clearly disappointed in his own performance (seen on Home Team Hoops instagram story). This team will only go as far as Corey takes them...

Sorry, but that's not true. Just being honest.