Torn...

[DirtyRU]

Loved the surge and run at the end! Brilliant! But... man, Hartford had literally ZERO inside game, no post presence etc. so the focus should have been all on the perimeter and they still got way too many open shots. Defending the 3 is still a major problem for this team. Captain Obvious I know. But yeah.

Seems like we sag and help out a little too much. Stay at home people, don't let your man get too much distance on you, especially if the scouting report has them as only a deep shooting threat! Frustrating to watch.

With that said, did I mention I loved the comeback? And really like this team so far?! I do.

P.S. Love how Thiam is starting to put the ball on the floor and make things happen off the dribble. Kid can be scary good. And Nigel and Deshawn? Beasts!!!

 

[FrankZ]

I hate giving up wide open 3s like few others, but we are 6-0. :)

 

[runroyrun]

Gonna be interesting to see how DeShawn and CJ, esp, fare against the big boys.

 

[rubaseball78]

I love the comments we can't defend 3s when opposing teams are throwing up prayers as shot clock is running out and they are going in. One of the 3s yesterday looked to be from 40 ft as shot clock hit zero. I'll give up those shots any time.

 

[DirtyRU]

I live the comments we can't defend 3s when opposing teams are throwing up prayers as shot clock is running out and they are going in. One of the 3s yesterday looked to be from 40 ft as shot clock hit zero. I'll give up those shots any time.

That was ONE shot.

 

[ScarletDave]

I think it was a mix of things - the team was probably a little nervous to get in their face because they were getting burned to the hoop against North Texas ... however, it came at a bad time because the team they were playing next was just having the game of their life shooting-wise. I think at the half they made some adjustments to contest more, but yes it did seem in the second half there multiple times where they were just launching up 3s at random times in the shot clock catching us off guard (and they were still going in), taking shots from far behind the line (happened a few times, with the one from The RAC being just rediculous). I have faith that we will not face a team that will have the success shooting the 3 that Hartford did, as strange as it sounds.

 

[RULoyal]

If you listen to Pike's post game he talks about not having a lot of time to specifically plan for Hartford's offense due to 4 games in 9 days. He said if they had a little more time he would have done some different things.

 

[rubaseball78]

That was ONE shot.

I guess your reading comprehension is lacking as I said "1 of the 3s ..."

 

[miketd1]

Like a lot of sports, it's all about match ups.

Hartford was particularly good (3s) at what we are especially weak at (perimeter defense).

Who knows? Maybe our superior rebounding will allow us to knock off a ranked opponent with a smaller interior.

That's why we play the game.

 

[RickB113]

I guess your reading comprehension is lacking as I said "1 of the 3s ..."

Yeah but your post made it sound like we did a good job of defending the three and they were just hot. That was not the case. We were awful defending the three. And that is about hustle and staying with your man. Not helping when we really don't need to help. We HAVE to give up less open three point looks.

 

[rubaseball78]

Yeah but your post made it sound like we did a good job of defending the three and they were just hot. That was not the case. We were awful defending the three. And that is about hustle and staying with your man. Not helping when we really don't need to help. We HAVE to give up less open three point looks.

They were hot except for first 5 minutes and last 5 minutes. Shot something like 65% in second half without many layups.

 

[SirScarlet]

I love the comments we can't defend 3s when opposing teams are throwing up prayers as shot clock is running out and they are going in. One of the 3s yesterday looked to be from 40 ft as shot clock hit zero. I'll give up those shots any time.

I get your point but we also need to improve the little things that make a huge difference

For example on the play you are referring to Issa plays well to cause the short guard to take a shot however does not get his hands up at all. That is understandably a rookie mistake. But that's the kind of thing that kills you.

The thing I love about this team is that we are still winning yet there are many things to work on. This is a good situation to be in as we can manage our expectations yet also acknowledge that there are growth opps which means that we can be even better.

 

[rubaseball78]

I get your point but we also need to improve the little things that make a huge difference

For example on the play you are referring to Issa plays well to cause the short guard to take a shot however does not get his hands up at all. That is understandably a rookie mistake. But that's the kind of thing that kills you.

The thing I love about this team is that we are still winning yet there are many things to work on. This is a good situation to be in as we can manage our expectations yet also acknowledge that there are growth opps which means that we can be even better.

I also didn't say there aren't things to improve. Previous years we probably would have been 2-4 or 3-3 at best at this point. I'm thrilled we have a team that is fun to watch and don't feel the need to nitpick.

 

[FELONIOUSMONK]

Close your eyes and think back to exactly a year ago today and a year before that and ...you get the gist. This is not your 21 century Rutgers. We are not Duke or Kentucky but we seem to no longer be William or Mary .I've got to admit it's getting better.

 

[80RU]

I think it was a mix of things - the team was probably a little nervous to get in their face because they were getting burned to the hoop against North Texas ... however, it came at a bad time because the team they were playing next was just having the game of their life shooting-wise. I think at the half they made some adjustments to contest more, but yes it did seem in the second half there multiple times where they were just launching up 3s at random times in the shot clock catching us off guard (and they were still going in), taking shots from far behind the line (happened a few times, with the one from The RAC being just rediculous). I have faith that we will not face a team that will have the success shooting the 3 that Hartford did, as strange as it sounds.

Keep in mind that Hartford came into the game shooting about 33% from three point range against a pretty weak schedule, good for somewhere around 215 in the country in terms of three point shooting percentage. We are allowing about 38% on the year. Last year there was no height so a lot of three-point shots were created by guards having to double down or at least hedge to help the post defense. This year we don't have the same excuse. The perimeter guys need to close out a little bit better for us to be competitive with the better teams.

 

[WGLTAUD]

Yeah but your post made it sound like we did a good job of defending the three and they were just hot. That was not the case. We were awful defending the three. And that is about hustle and staying with your man. Not helping when we really don't need to help. We HAVE to give up less open three point looks.

I disagree with your point about the teams hustle, but agree 100% on helping when it was not needed. We did a lot of doubling during the game and help defense which left some players open, and at the same time, they did make a number of 3's with a hand in their face.

At the end of the day, when this team's back was against the wall they came out swinging. It says a lot about the character of the team, and that is not something that you can always coach into players. Toughness is something they come to school with and is ingrained in them. I also think that for players who were here last year, they are used to being in dog fights and playing through adversity, and while we were getting pounded last year game after game, our players never quit.

We have a great group, and the addition of Gettys was huge for this team. I don't think we're looking at 6-0 without him specifically, but I also think that this team plays for each other, and quite frankly, that's all they had to play for last year.

Can't say enough about Pikiell's emphasis on conditioning. He keeps everyone fresh, and our players look bigger and more energized in every game. Corey is playing unselfishly, and we have more than 1 player who can score consistently.

It's nice to play with a full roster for once. It's been a few years.

 

[SirScarlet]

I also didn't say there aren't things to improve. Previous years we probably would have been 2-4 or 3-3 at best at this point. I'm thrilled we have a team that is fun to watch and don't feel the need to nitpick.

Fair enough

Wasnt looking to nitpick...just talking about some finer points which can be improved upon

 

[Scarlet Knut]

I love the comments we can't defend 3s when opposing teams are throwing up prayers as shot clock is running out and they are going in. One of the 3s yesterday looked to be from 40 ft as shot clock hit zero. I'll give up those shots any time.

Not only was the shot long, but the player practically lost the ball twice before throwing up his prayer.