So ... I have to admit I was so depressed over the loss to OSU (not so much the loss, but HOW they lost), that I could not bring myself to do a post mortem. My brief summary, with which I think everyone can agree: The worst defensive effort of the season ... like no defense played at all by RU ... very dispiriting. I was also going to say that in the last 4-5 games Martini has been at BEST ... useless ... at worst ... really damaging (no defense, no rebounding, no boxing out, turnovers, missing shots ... and that it may be time to reduce his minutes - though I thought for Grant. I know, I know - anyone can say that after the fact, eh? But really, I mentioned it to several friends BEFORE the Penn St game.
On to the RU-Penn State game:
General:
1) Coaching: Though the team and individual players earned this victory, Pikiell gets HUGE props for a great job for this game. I mean he IS a terrific coach (doom and gloom of certain posters aside). But for this game, he was able to make important adjustments, both before the game and during:
a) Got the team to focus on 2 great practices after the awful OSU performance;
b) Changed the starting line-up by inserting Davis for Derkack ... and it worked. Davis did not have a ton of stats (0 assists and 2 turnovers, for example), but there is no doubt that move completely set the entire tone of the RU defensive effort ... and completely disrupted PSU's best player's performance ... a key to the entire game.
c) Altered the rotation, partly by having Derkack come off the bench (though he got the same amount of playing time), a DNP for Martini and Grant and went large chunks of the 2nd half, especially down the stretch, with small ball of Bailey at the "5", in response to PSU going small ball ... and resulted in RU not only mostly keeping up on defense, but especially added to dominating the backboard.
d) Managed to at least BEGIN (and hoping it sticks) to instill a mantra of rebounding, rebounding, rebounding. I think someone pointed this out elsewhere, but how many times in his post-game interview did Bailey mention "rebounding." Like, 10 times? The team showed much more urgency rebounding - especially Bailey, and Harper - but 4 other players with 3 or 4 rebounds each. And 12 offensive rebounds, scoring 22 2nd chance points, to PSU's 6 offensive rebounds and just 8 2nd chance points.
2) Defense: The team played its best defensive half of the season, in my opinion (not purely by the stats, but given the quality of the opponent, and offensive capability of PSU, the moment - but the EYEBALL test tells me the 1st half was the best overall defense RU had played all season. And add rebounding , which is one element of defense. PSU entered the game outrebounding their opponents by 5 rpg, and had 101 offensive rebounds (11+ per game) to just 87 for their opponents (under 9 per game). RU outrebounded PSU 46-32 - HUGE, and did this in part by only allowing PSU to get 6 offensive rebounds - probably a season low - while RU grabbed 12 offensive rebounds. And in some ways that actually understated RU's rebounding edge, since RU missed 11 FT's, 3 of which ended up as rebounds for PSU (none for RU) - meaning RU grabbed 12 of its 31 missed shots from the field (39%), while PSU grabbed just 6 of its 38 missed shots (16%). For the season, prior to this game, RU had been averaging getting 33% of its missed shots, while PSU had been averaging 39%. And RU played this defense without being able to create turnovers: RU averaged forcing 13+ turnovers per game, but PSU really took care of the ball, committing just 6 turnovers ... but the timing of those turnovers created was huge: 2 late steals, one by Bailey leading to a transition bucket by Bailey, and 1 by Harper leading to Baldwin's 4th foul. I'll get to this in the player discussions, but pretty much each RU player showed at least moments of solid defense. The best were probably Davis, Harper and both centers: Ogbole and, yes, Sommerville ... Bailey and Derkack were terrific in spots, key spots. It should be noted that PSU's best player, Baldwin, though he did get 7 assists, also committed 3 turnovers, and more importantly was harassed and hurried into a 3-14 FG shooting night. Yes, in some games he MAKES some of those shots - but almost every shot of his was heavily contested, and hurried. Plus, PSU's 2nd leading scorer, their starting center, only got 4 FG attempts and scored just 4 points. PSU's 2 main centers had a combined 8 points and 9 rebounds, coming into the game averaging 18 ppg and 9 rpg. I would additionally point out that RU did a much better job defending the high screen - yeah PSU shot 39% from 3, but even so, it felt to me like RU was doing a better job with that - and RU's hedging the screen, but switching or the post player getting back to cover the offensive player rolling to the basket was much improved - very few uncontested lay-ups in this game, because of defensive positioning and help defense. Of course, it has to keep improving, but definite progress, in my opinion.
3) Offense: RU's offense was much better this game - much more weaving, much more moving the ball with the pass - with especially good skip pass results - particularly in the 1st half. It helped that RU hit 5-6 3's to begin the game, before tailing off. BUT ... RU also adjusted in the 2nd half and took just 4 3's (vs 18 in the 1st half) - they were not really there in the 2nd half. Overall RU shot 48% FG for the game - but 48% in EACH half ... and 21-38 (55%) from 2-point range. Remember, in the Kennesaw St game RU was miserable from 2-point range (like under 40%, I think). But the key, also, was aggressive - and extremely efficient - offensive rebounding. RU had 12 offensive rebounds, leading to 22 points!!! That basically means RU SCORED in the possession after at least 10 of its 12 offensive rebounds. Bailey alone had at least 3 baskets on offensive rebounds, and Harper another one. I would add, that on the season prior to this game, RU had assists on about 50% of its made FG's. In this game it was 17 assists to 29 made FG (59%).
Players:
Bailey: I lead with Bailey, even though Harper was amazing. Why? Because of the elevation of his rebounding and defensive effort in this game. Bailey was 0-4 on 3's - and he has to keep shooting those, BTW. He was 6-14 FG (43%), but had 4 offensive rebounds, 3 of which were immediate put backs for FG. He had 15 rebounds overall, a terrific effort - and it was a combination of better positioning AND obvious effort, hunger, for getting the rebounds. His defense was solid - his help defense better. And he made one of the most important defensive plays of the late game, with a steal, followed by him driving to the rim and scoring. He did force 1-2 tougher than needed shots, and made a wierd decision late in the game to pump fake the 3, get his man up in the air, begin to dribble drive, then stepped back for the 3 (missed) ... I would have thought a continued dribble and pull up from 15 feet (would have been wide open) might have been the better choice - and right up his mid-range strength. Take Bailey's ridiculously skilled shot-making - and now add rebounding and defensive effort - another potential All American, eh? FYI - I saw multiple examples of Bailey seeking to set off-ball back screens for Hayes in this game. I had not seen that previously.
Harper: He just is ... so good, eh? Another crazy-efficient game - done from 3-point range this game, in part! He just has more ways to make shots than anyone ... 8-14 FG overall, 3-6 3-point .... 12 rebounds ... 5 assists, 2 blocked shots, a HUGE end of game steal ... ZERO fouls - and NOT because he was not playing defense, either: When Davis was not in the game, Harper was the primary defender of Baldwin - and did a really nice job, using his height, physical strength and wing span to limit Baldwin. He DID miss 4 FT, going just 5-9. He did seem absolutely exhausted for a number of the FT attempts ... still, maybe last night was just an aberration that happens from time to time (Harper generally being an excellent FT shooter).
Davis: Inserted into the starting line-up with one main purpose: Disrupt Baldwin. Davis has not been as good defensively as he was last season - very disappointingly so, in fact. But LAST night he was great - Mission accomplished. He was a significant part of RU setting a defensive tone that had PSU on their heels for the 1st 30-32 minutes of the game. Great move by Pikiell because Davis did exactly what he was supposed to do. Davis did have 2 turnovers (one pretty bad), but 3 of his 4 shots were very good ones, and was 2-4 overall. Alos 0 assists ... but he did what his role called for.
Ogbole: Dropped a terrific pass from Williams at the start that would have been an easy dunk. Had another awful turnover, trying to dribble-drive from practically the 3-point line (the resulting steal by Baldwin coming over to help was pre-ordained). Only 3 rebounds in 15 minutes - but ... 3 blocked shots, and more altered shots, relatively effective rim protection, and solid defense on the PSU starting center who had been averaging 13 ppg (and got just 4 points). and good help defense.
Williams: Not his best game - only 3-9 FG. BUT ... what heart, kept getting knocked to the floor, injured even, and kept coming back. 3 rebounds, 4 assists, just 2 turnovers, ... and just 1-3 FT (like the rest of the team). He did fine ... there will be games where RU will need more from him.
Sommerville: I am going to start with his defense here. Though the stats show 0 steals and 0 blocked shots, I felt Sommerville actually played his best defensive game of the season. His high screen defense and his rotational help defense was MUCH better that he has done in the past. Yes, he still has to improve, and yes, he still does need to get out on the 3-point shooters better. But I saw definite improvement. And offensively he was really good - especially in the decisions he was making. He struck an excellent balance of taking shots (3-4 FG), and giving up the ball to keep the offense flowing - including 4 assists, ALL of those passes were excellent passes. Plus 4 rebounds.
Derkack: Got the same minutes he usually has, but off the bench this time - and in THIS game that worked well for RU. another stat-stuffing (in small ways) game, for good and ill: 9 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 turnovers, 2-4 FG, 8 FT's (but only made 5). His defense was solid - it has been better in some games, and worse in others. Gave very good energy. I like his role off the bench. Not sure Davis is the best player to start every game, but I like Derkack's energy off the bench.
Acuff and Hayes: Both got good runs, 25 minutes total. And both played their roles perfectly. Acuff is clearly, at this stage, primarily a spot-up catch and shoot option for RU - and that is probably his best role. Though at Eastern Michigan he dominated the ball, because of need, and was less efficient for it, his SPOT-UP, catch and shoot, 3-point shooting was better than his other 3-point shooting. And we know Hayes can shoot (the OSU 1-5 game notwithstanding). But both played well enough defensively to stay on the floor for the minutes they were needed for. Hayes was a little more solid on defense than Acuff this game and added 3 rebounds, 2 offensive rebounds. Combined they were 4-9 3-point FG ... Hayes did miss a bunny lay-up, or he would have looked even better - but I think he got the offensive rebound on that play?
Martini: DNP - coach's decision, I believe (no report of injury?). Look at my opening comments about the last 4-5 games he has played. Grant also a DNP - went with Davis/Hayes/Acuff instead.
On to the RU-Penn State game:
General:
1) Coaching: Though the team and individual players earned this victory, Pikiell gets HUGE props for a great job for this game. I mean he IS a terrific coach (doom and gloom of certain posters aside). But for this game, he was able to make important adjustments, both before the game and during:
a) Got the team to focus on 2 great practices after the awful OSU performance;
b) Changed the starting line-up by inserting Davis for Derkack ... and it worked. Davis did not have a ton of stats (0 assists and 2 turnovers, for example), but there is no doubt that move completely set the entire tone of the RU defensive effort ... and completely disrupted PSU's best player's performance ... a key to the entire game.
c) Altered the rotation, partly by having Derkack come off the bench (though he got the same amount of playing time), a DNP for Martini and Grant and went large chunks of the 2nd half, especially down the stretch, with small ball of Bailey at the "5", in response to PSU going small ball ... and resulted in RU not only mostly keeping up on defense, but especially added to dominating the backboard.
d) Managed to at least BEGIN (and hoping it sticks) to instill a mantra of rebounding, rebounding, rebounding. I think someone pointed this out elsewhere, but how many times in his post-game interview did Bailey mention "rebounding." Like, 10 times? The team showed much more urgency rebounding - especially Bailey, and Harper - but 4 other players with 3 or 4 rebounds each. And 12 offensive rebounds, scoring 22 2nd chance points, to PSU's 6 offensive rebounds and just 8 2nd chance points.
2) Defense: The team played its best defensive half of the season, in my opinion (not purely by the stats, but given the quality of the opponent, and offensive capability of PSU, the moment - but the EYEBALL test tells me the 1st half was the best overall defense RU had played all season. And add rebounding , which is one element of defense. PSU entered the game outrebounding their opponents by 5 rpg, and had 101 offensive rebounds (11+ per game) to just 87 for their opponents (under 9 per game). RU outrebounded PSU 46-32 - HUGE, and did this in part by only allowing PSU to get 6 offensive rebounds - probably a season low - while RU grabbed 12 offensive rebounds. And in some ways that actually understated RU's rebounding edge, since RU missed 11 FT's, 3 of which ended up as rebounds for PSU (none for RU) - meaning RU grabbed 12 of its 31 missed shots from the field (39%), while PSU grabbed just 6 of its 38 missed shots (16%). For the season, prior to this game, RU had been averaging getting 33% of its missed shots, while PSU had been averaging 39%. And RU played this defense without being able to create turnovers: RU averaged forcing 13+ turnovers per game, but PSU really took care of the ball, committing just 6 turnovers ... but the timing of those turnovers created was huge: 2 late steals, one by Bailey leading to a transition bucket by Bailey, and 1 by Harper leading to Baldwin's 4th foul. I'll get to this in the player discussions, but pretty much each RU player showed at least moments of solid defense. The best were probably Davis, Harper and both centers: Ogbole and, yes, Sommerville ... Bailey and Derkack were terrific in spots, key spots. It should be noted that PSU's best player, Baldwin, though he did get 7 assists, also committed 3 turnovers, and more importantly was harassed and hurried into a 3-14 FG shooting night. Yes, in some games he MAKES some of those shots - but almost every shot of his was heavily contested, and hurried. Plus, PSU's 2nd leading scorer, their starting center, only got 4 FG attempts and scored just 4 points. PSU's 2 main centers had a combined 8 points and 9 rebounds, coming into the game averaging 18 ppg and 9 rpg. I would additionally point out that RU did a much better job defending the high screen - yeah PSU shot 39% from 3, but even so, it felt to me like RU was doing a better job with that - and RU's hedging the screen, but switching or the post player getting back to cover the offensive player rolling to the basket was much improved - very few uncontested lay-ups in this game, because of defensive positioning and help defense. Of course, it has to keep improving, but definite progress, in my opinion.
3) Offense: RU's offense was much better this game - much more weaving, much more moving the ball with the pass - with especially good skip pass results - particularly in the 1st half. It helped that RU hit 5-6 3's to begin the game, before tailing off. BUT ... RU also adjusted in the 2nd half and took just 4 3's (vs 18 in the 1st half) - they were not really there in the 2nd half. Overall RU shot 48% FG for the game - but 48% in EACH half ... and 21-38 (55%) from 2-point range. Remember, in the Kennesaw St game RU was miserable from 2-point range (like under 40%, I think). But the key, also, was aggressive - and extremely efficient - offensive rebounding. RU had 12 offensive rebounds, leading to 22 points!!! That basically means RU SCORED in the possession after at least 10 of its 12 offensive rebounds. Bailey alone had at least 3 baskets on offensive rebounds, and Harper another one. I would add, that on the season prior to this game, RU had assists on about 50% of its made FG's. In this game it was 17 assists to 29 made FG (59%).
Players:
Bailey: I lead with Bailey, even though Harper was amazing. Why? Because of the elevation of his rebounding and defensive effort in this game. Bailey was 0-4 on 3's - and he has to keep shooting those, BTW. He was 6-14 FG (43%), but had 4 offensive rebounds, 3 of which were immediate put backs for FG. He had 15 rebounds overall, a terrific effort - and it was a combination of better positioning AND obvious effort, hunger, for getting the rebounds. His defense was solid - his help defense better. And he made one of the most important defensive plays of the late game, with a steal, followed by him driving to the rim and scoring. He did force 1-2 tougher than needed shots, and made a wierd decision late in the game to pump fake the 3, get his man up in the air, begin to dribble drive, then stepped back for the 3 (missed) ... I would have thought a continued dribble and pull up from 15 feet (would have been wide open) might have been the better choice - and right up his mid-range strength. Take Bailey's ridiculously skilled shot-making - and now add rebounding and defensive effort - another potential All American, eh? FYI - I saw multiple examples of Bailey seeking to set off-ball back screens for Hayes in this game. I had not seen that previously.
Harper: He just is ... so good, eh? Another crazy-efficient game - done from 3-point range this game, in part! He just has more ways to make shots than anyone ... 8-14 FG overall, 3-6 3-point .... 12 rebounds ... 5 assists, 2 blocked shots, a HUGE end of game steal ... ZERO fouls - and NOT because he was not playing defense, either: When Davis was not in the game, Harper was the primary defender of Baldwin - and did a really nice job, using his height, physical strength and wing span to limit Baldwin. He DID miss 4 FT, going just 5-9. He did seem absolutely exhausted for a number of the FT attempts ... still, maybe last night was just an aberration that happens from time to time (Harper generally being an excellent FT shooter).
Davis: Inserted into the starting line-up with one main purpose: Disrupt Baldwin. Davis has not been as good defensively as he was last season - very disappointingly so, in fact. But LAST night he was great - Mission accomplished. He was a significant part of RU setting a defensive tone that had PSU on their heels for the 1st 30-32 minutes of the game. Great move by Pikiell because Davis did exactly what he was supposed to do. Davis did have 2 turnovers (one pretty bad), but 3 of his 4 shots were very good ones, and was 2-4 overall. Alos 0 assists ... but he did what his role called for.
Ogbole: Dropped a terrific pass from Williams at the start that would have been an easy dunk. Had another awful turnover, trying to dribble-drive from practically the 3-point line (the resulting steal by Baldwin coming over to help was pre-ordained). Only 3 rebounds in 15 minutes - but ... 3 blocked shots, and more altered shots, relatively effective rim protection, and solid defense on the PSU starting center who had been averaging 13 ppg (and got just 4 points). and good help defense.
Williams: Not his best game - only 3-9 FG. BUT ... what heart, kept getting knocked to the floor, injured even, and kept coming back. 3 rebounds, 4 assists, just 2 turnovers, ... and just 1-3 FT (like the rest of the team). He did fine ... there will be games where RU will need more from him.
Sommerville: I am going to start with his defense here. Though the stats show 0 steals and 0 blocked shots, I felt Sommerville actually played his best defensive game of the season. His high screen defense and his rotational help defense was MUCH better that he has done in the past. Yes, he still has to improve, and yes, he still does need to get out on the 3-point shooters better. But I saw definite improvement. And offensively he was really good - especially in the decisions he was making. He struck an excellent balance of taking shots (3-4 FG), and giving up the ball to keep the offense flowing - including 4 assists, ALL of those passes were excellent passes. Plus 4 rebounds.
Derkack: Got the same minutes he usually has, but off the bench this time - and in THIS game that worked well for RU. another stat-stuffing (in small ways) game, for good and ill: 9 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 turnovers, 2-4 FG, 8 FT's (but only made 5). His defense was solid - it has been better in some games, and worse in others. Gave very good energy. I like his role off the bench. Not sure Davis is the best player to start every game, but I like Derkack's energy off the bench.
Acuff and Hayes: Both got good runs, 25 minutes total. And both played their roles perfectly. Acuff is clearly, at this stage, primarily a spot-up catch and shoot option for RU - and that is probably his best role. Though at Eastern Michigan he dominated the ball, because of need, and was less efficient for it, his SPOT-UP, catch and shoot, 3-point shooting was better than his other 3-point shooting. And we know Hayes can shoot (the OSU 1-5 game notwithstanding). But both played well enough defensively to stay on the floor for the minutes they were needed for. Hayes was a little more solid on defense than Acuff this game and added 3 rebounds, 2 offensive rebounds. Combined they were 4-9 3-point FG ... Hayes did miss a bunny lay-up, or he would have looked even better - but I think he got the offensive rebound on that play?
Martini: DNP - coach's decision, I believe (no report of injury?). Look at my opening comments about the last 4-5 games he has played. Grant also a DNP - went with Davis/Hayes/Acuff instead.
