The Most Important part of a game

[ScarletDave]

The most important part of a basketball game is the final 4 mins of the first half, and the first 4 of the second. That is where the tone is set. In our last 3 games:

Under 4 TO 1st half ---- Under 16 TO 2nd half
RU 33-30 MSU ---- MSU 49-40 RU ... -12
RU 27-17 WIS ----- WIS 39-35 RU ... -14
RU 27-19 FDM ---- FDM 42-37 RU ... -13 ... and by 12 mins it was 49-42 or -17 points in that timeframe.

Pikiell needs to make this focus #1 2 and 3 because it's ALL about focus and mental toughness. It's also where the coaches make their biggest adjustments (at the half). We are getting outcoached by Izzo, fine, but by Fordham guy ... and we build these leads early and continue to watch them go away with just terrible energy. Reminds me of when people said we need a sports psychologist. Seriously, whatever it means to have "ice" in your veins or be "clutch", we are the opposite. And besides Corey in some games, we always seem to have been this way.

 

[bac2therac]

exactly....RU has failed to close out the last couple of minutes of game..it is crucial. I know they hit a prayer 3 but you wonder if RU went into half on a 13-0 run or whatever it was up 31-21....that they did the same exact thing as they did in the Wisky game..allowed easy basket and then turned it over leading to another easy basket is inexcusable. Tones are set. RU should have come out with fire at the start of the 2nd half, instead they were meek churchmouses and got stomped up by a MAAC level program

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

Overreaction central....just home from the long drive. But then original post is 100% on the money. The closing of halves last year was spotty....but the start of 2nd halves is throw away time.

It's not so much the 1st 4 minutes as much as the 1st 2 to possessions are always without a basket or a "pick 6", layup the other way.

I believe it's correctable but requires a go to offensive set or multiple players to develop. My red flag is riding Thiam and to a lesser extent Eugene. Thiam didn't start because of illness but in order to make any progress next year and beyond, you have to force feed Harper and Mathis this year.

It will not be pretty but if you don't run plays for Mathis or Harper, who can dribble or generate offensive moves off the bounce, you are going to struggle.

I can't envision a path of extended success with Eugene as your 2nd offensive option and Thiam playing a lot of minutes. It will be painful or cut down on a couple of wins this year, but the faster Mathis and Harper get force-fed like Baker did last year, the better this roster becomes.

Eugene is a scrappy and expanded his game miles beyond anything I could've dreamt about for the 1st half of his junior year. But he's better suited as the player focused on defense, rebounding and toughness....the skill level on this roster lies with the freshman. Have to turn them loose and live with the results.

And frankly, the Fordham frosh guard is a complete miss by any and all recruiting measures or rankings....hes 100% legit and a high major guard that can play anywhere. He should not get 30 on anyone but he is sturdy and strong and Carsen Edwards 2.0, just not as athletic or explosive as Edwards.

Last point on Mathis...he is a plus, plus athlete coming into his own on defense. RU needs another plus athlete that can run, jump in the front court and erase shot dribble drives. Defending the high screen and drive when your bigs are on roller skates is difficult. This roster needs a plus athlete like a Dane Miller, who can move his feet and alter shots AND stay in front of a guard, on screen and drive.

 

[CERU00]

Overreaction central....just home from the long drive. But then original post is 100% on the money. The closing of halves last year was spotty....but the start of 2nd halves is throw away time.

It's not so much the 1st 4 minutes as much as the 1st 2 to possessions are always without a basket or a "pick 6", layup the other way.

I believe it's correctable but requires a go to offensive set or multiple players to develop. My red flag is riding Thiam and to a lesser extent Eugene. Thiam didn't start because of illness but in order to make any progress next year and beyond, you have to force feed Harper and Mathis this year.

It will not be pretty but if you don't run plays for Mathis or Harper, who can dribble or generate offensive moves off the bounce, you are going to struggle.

I can't envision a path of extended success with Eugene as your 2nd offensive option and Thiam playing a lot of minutes. It will be painful or cut down on a couple of wins this year, but the faster Mathis and Harper get force-fed like Baker did last year, the better this roster becomes.

Eugene is a scrappy and expanded his game miles beyond anything I could've dreamt about for the 1st half of his junior year. But he's better suited as the player focused on defense, rebounding and toughness....the skill level on this roster lies with the freshman. Have to turn them loose and live with the results.

And frankly, the Fordham frosh guard is a complete miss by any and all recruiting measures or rankings....hes 100% legit and a high major guard that can play anywhere. He should not get 30 on anyone but he is sturdy and strong and Carsen Edwards 2.0, just not as athletic or explosive as Edwards.

Last point on Mathis...he is a plus, plus athlete coming into his own on defense. RU needs another plus athlete that can run, jump in the front court and erase shot dribble drives. Defending the high screen and drive when your bigs are on roller skates is difficult. This roster needs a plus athlete like a Dane Miller, who can move his feet and alter shots AND stay in front of a guard, on screen and drive.

And we need 1 or 2 guys who can consistently make shots. We have no one even close to that.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

NJH nails it. Especially with Eugene.

One major PLUS on Eugene was his vision and willingness to pass. Late in game instead of passing wide open to Kiss on the wing he penetrates and charges.

Eugene should not be the focal point of the offense. Shots and ball possession need to be more diversified.

 

[RocktheRac]

exactly....RU has failed to close out the last couple of minutes of game..it is crucial. I know they hit a prayer 3 but you wonder if RU went into half on a 13-0 run or whatever it was up 31-21....that they did the same exact thing as they did in the Wisky game..allowed easy basket and then turned it over leading to another easy basket is inexcusable. Tones are set. RU should have come out with fire at the start of the 2nd half, instead they were meek churchmouses and got stomped up by a MAAC level program

Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe they may be church mice.