Some of this Team’s Problems are Fixable

[BillyC80]

I rewatched the first 18 minutes of the OSU game, and at that point we were down 4, after playing to a tie most of the first half.

Three biggest issues I saw:

1) We squandered too many possessions with unforced errors. In those first 18 minutes, Ace threw 2 passes out of bounds, Derkack fumbled 3 defensive rebounds back to OSU, and JWill traveled/double dribbled twice with no pressure. That’s 7 wasted opportunities.
2) We missed 4 point-blank layup or put-back chances in those 18 minutes, where the ball bounced around the rim and out on each one. Just have to focus more to finish those.
3) Boxing out has to become a priority. We let our opponents beat us to rebounds far too often.

Crazy thing is that we matched OSU on offensive rebounding. They had more defensive rebounds simply because we missed more shots than they did, mostly from the paint.

We outshot them from the 3-point arc and from the foul line. They shot 64% from the paint.

Give OSU credit for running plays that sealed off our guys with screens, giving them a clear lane to the rim, including at least 2 OOB throw-ins under the basket for easy buckets.

In the end I believe the game was lost in that first half when we could easily have had a lead, if we hadn’t had those 7 unforced errors. Beyond that, aggressive boxing out will change things dramatically for the better. Still time to fix that.

 

[knight82]

At this point, Pike needs to do a Bobby Knight impersonation with them. I know he won't, but he needs to. Not playing defense and rebounding is inexcusable and fixable

 

[zappaa]

At this point, Pike needs to do a Bobby Knight impersonation with them. I know he won't, but he needs to. Not playing defense and rebounding is inexcusable and fixable

If you bring back McConnell and a healthy Mag it’s fixable, short of that it’s not happening.
There was a hell of a lot more going on with those two than effort…. They made opponents miserable and rushed.

 

[BillyC80]

If you bring back McConnell and a healthy Mag it’s fixable, short of that it’s not happening.
There was a hell of a lot more going on with those two than effort…. They made opponents miserable and rushed.

Mag was the best defender I’ve ever seen, but to be fair, he missed half our games last year after missing a third of our games the year before. Even a defender that good can’t help us from the bench.

 

[bac2therac]

they are not valuing possesssions or not even being phased by not getting stops, they think hanging around all game is a legit way to win. Have to find the purpose and fire to win. Have to start using their strengths as an asset rather than just trying to play catch up

 

[BillyC80]

they are not valuing possesssions or not even being phased by not getting stops, they think hanging around all game is a legit way to win. Have to find the purpose and fire to win. Have to start using their strengths as an asset rather than just trying to play catch up

This is coaching, motivating, instilling a mindset. Defense is an extension of Offense — getting a stop means starting your offense.

 

[RUGiddy777]

This is coaching, motivating — Defense is an extension of Offense — getting a stop means starting your offense.

I really think/hope a fired up RAC gets these guys going.

 

[Degaz-RU]

I really think/hope a fired up RAC gets these guys going.

The thing is, the RAC won't be fired up unless we get an early lead. If we struggle early, there's going to be a lot of grumbling and/or silence, which is the sort of thing opposing teams feed on in an opponent's building, and then our guys get nervous and start pressing.

 

[ImBadRU]

Slowness of foot is not fixable

 

[bac2therac]

The thing is, the RAC won't be fired up unless we get an early lead. If we struggle early, there's going to be a lot of grumbling and/or silence, which is the sort of thing opposing teams feed on in an opponent's building, and then our guys get nervous and start pressing.

basically all the sisters of the poor got off to pretty decent starts at the rac so i would be shocked with a strong ru start

 

[RUGiddy777]

basically all the sisters of the poor got off to pretty decent starts at the rac so i would be shocked with a strong ru start

To be honest though, I never felt like those teams had a chance. I wasn’t yelling until I was hoarse. Even when we were up, it’s not like anyone got fired up for a defensive stand. Against a rival like Penn State, I think we know what we need to do as fans.

 

[Unionst]

The fans actually haven’t been that into it this year. Starts with the late arriving students and minimal, i.e, no, pre-game excitement. No fight song, no nothing until the opening tap. Student section finally fills in with about 10 minutes to go in the half. I’m bringing someone new to the game and I haven’t even mentioned how crazy the RAC can be. Because it hasn’t been.

 

[knight82]

If you bring back McConnell and a healthy Mag it’s fixable, short of that it’s not happening.
There was a hell of a lot more going on with those two than effort…. They made opponents miserable and rushed.

with all the offensive talent on this team, all we need is adequate defense and rebounding, not McConnell level defense. And please somebody teach these guys how to box out

 

[jakeknight]

Everything is fixable depends on how much time and perseverance you have, and how hard you work The good news is talent is not the issue.

 

[fluoxetine]

People are pointing out reason why the defense can’t be “fixed” but it doesn’t necessarily need to be completely fixed. Can it be significantly improved? It’s not going to be a vintage Pikiell defense. An average defense might be good enough.