While some posters discuss the type of posters, I am more interested in hearing about the analysis of the game. I will start by saying this was a really good road win and a gut check win after that awful first half. I have a lot of positives and some negatives and as much as I love Pike he will be discussed as well.
First half we have turnovers that led to 18-38 Maryland points. Paul was atrocious and deserved to sit. But what I did not like was when we were 14-6 and tied it at 14-14, Pike took out Ron , Geo and Cliff. Immediately gave up the lead 20-14 and had to put them back to take 21-20 lead. We settled almost that whole first half with the exception of Ron no attacking and little ball movement. Good sub of Hyatt for Paul and immediately 6 points on 2 threes and missed the foul shot for the 4 point play. The ridiculous fouling giving Maryland points was atrocious . As bad a half against such a lousy team.
Now Paul turned it around the second half , hit some tough threes and hoop and a foul , some offensive rebounds , 2 big steals but the game as a whole was won as we got back to playing Rutgers defense. Held them to 21 second chance points and 25 % shooting and we mostly rebounded , although their scores after we went up 49-45 , came as we didn’t secure their missed shot , they got the rebound and converted.
Geo could not hit the right side of the barn and was fading away on almost every shot. He is in love with his step back and has forgotten to take a shot leaning in towards the hoop. It could have hurt us but for our rebounding and defense and because of Ron.
Ron is our superstar and when he goes for 5 at Illinois and 7 at Penn State we are not winning but most teams do not win when their superstar is held to single digits. He was attacking early and should have done it even more. Here I have to give Geo credit , although he kept on shooting bricks , he got Ron all 3 open looks for his threes that got us the lead and then to extend the lead after they took it back at 51-50. Ron can carry us but needs some help. Geo tried but kept on missing but Paul came thru as a second option. For the life of me why we do not go down low to Cliff ever to break another team’s run is beyond me.
That brings me to Cliff as his low post defense is getting better and 3 more blocks today. But being ignored by your teammates on offense is not good or smart basketball . The guards still do not know how to throw a bounce pass to the paint. So so frustrating and leading to a number of turnovers. Still think we have to play inside / out and hope we do it more going forward. It will make our offense even more dangerous.
Pike pretty much went with the starters the second half and I thought that was good because that group had to learn to win on the road. I did not like Hyatt not playing second half as Mag played and that was okay but Hyatt cannot be buried on the bench either.
Overall, a necessary and needed road win to get the monkey off our back and the starters , our main core , did it on both ends , offensively , defensively , on the boards and with the hustle plays. I am hoping that helps them mentally on the road in the upcoming games and especially in February.
We are back in the hunt and 4-2 in the Big 10 in 4th place. Have to capitalize in the next 5-6. If we do , then the Michigan State , Ohio State home sweep will propel us back to the dance.
First half we have turnovers that led to 18-38 Maryland points. Paul was atrocious and deserved to sit. But what I did not like was when we were 14-6 and tied it at 14-14, Pike took out Ron , Geo and Cliff. Immediately gave up the lead 20-14 and had to put them back to take 21-20 lead. We settled almost that whole first half with the exception of Ron no attacking and little ball movement. Good sub of Hyatt for Paul and immediately 6 points on 2 threes and missed the foul shot for the 4 point play. The ridiculous fouling giving Maryland points was atrocious . As bad a half against such a lousy team.
Now Paul turned it around the second half , hit some tough threes and hoop and a foul , some offensive rebounds , 2 big steals but the game as a whole was won as we got back to playing Rutgers defense. Held them to 21 second chance points and 25 % shooting and we mostly rebounded , although their scores after we went up 49-45 , came as we didn’t secure their missed shot , they got the rebound and converted.
Geo could not hit the right side of the barn and was fading away on almost every shot. He is in love with his step back and has forgotten to take a shot leaning in towards the hoop. It could have hurt us but for our rebounding and defense and because of Ron.
Ron is our superstar and when he goes for 5 at Illinois and 7 at Penn State we are not winning but most teams do not win when their superstar is held to single digits. He was attacking early and should have done it even more. Here I have to give Geo credit , although he kept on shooting bricks , he got Ron all 3 open looks for his threes that got us the lead and then to extend the lead after they took it back at 51-50. Ron can carry us but needs some help. Geo tried but kept on missing but Paul came thru as a second option. For the life of me why we do not go down low to Cliff ever to break another team’s run is beyond me.
That brings me to Cliff as his low post defense is getting better and 3 more blocks today. But being ignored by your teammates on offense is not good or smart basketball . The guards still do not know how to throw a bounce pass to the paint. So so frustrating and leading to a number of turnovers. Still think we have to play inside / out and hope we do it more going forward. It will make our offense even more dangerous.
Pike pretty much went with the starters the second half and I thought that was good because that group had to learn to win on the road. I did not like Hyatt not playing second half as Mag played and that was okay but Hyatt cannot be buried on the bench either.
Overall, a necessary and needed road win to get the monkey off our back and the starters , our main core , did it on both ends , offensively , defensively , on the boards and with the hustle plays. I am hoping that helps them mentally on the road in the upcoming games and especially in February.
We are back in the hunt and 4-2 in the Big 10 in 4th place. Have to capitalize in the next 5-6. If we do , then the Michigan State , Ohio State home sweep will propel us back to the dance.