And here are just a few thoughts waking up...
1) This was my first time seeing a basketball game at Carnesecca. I found it to be a great setting to watch a basketball game. Fans are loud, right on top of the court; it felt like a very tough environment to win on the road. Having said that, last night, we should have won on the road. I'm disappointed, but not discouraged.
2) I understand Bishop was furiously attacking the rim -- about time -- and playing his best all around game as a Scarlet Knight, but why he was running the point through much of the second half while Corey sat on the bench doesn't make much sense to me. Bishop can be a great strength of ours off the bench, if used properly. Let him play in short bursts, where he can give all his athleticism and attacking ability and then take a blow. As hot as he was last night, he dominated the ball throughout the final 10-12 minutes. I think that played a role in Williams going cold and Freeman not getting enough touches when we needed baskets.
3) Mike Williams is very impressive. He's confident in his shot, as well he should be. His stroke is pure and he has no issue taking -- and making -- a big one. The thing I like the most about Mike is he is an all-around hustle guy. Not only can he shoot, but he plays very stout perimeter defense, rebounds, moves the ball, and attacks. While he may not be up to par of a typical B1G 2-guard, I can say I am thrilled to have Mike on our team. I hope he keeps progressing, because he is key in this team's game-to-game, season-to-season development.
4) Freeman needs to be the guy. People talk about how when we need a bucket, we wish we had a Quincy Douby, Eli Carter, kind of guy...someone who takes the ball and gets a shot off confident it will drop. That guy, thus far, has been and has got to continue to be Deshawn Freeman. His back-to-back face-up buckets to keep us in front late were really impressive, and then, all of a sudden, he stopped getting fed the ball. Freeman is a complete match-up problem, too quick for bigger guys, too strong for smaller guys. Refreshing to see a guy get the ball in the post and be able to do something with it.
5) I feel astronomically more confident with the ball in Corey Sanders' hands than anybody else's. He gets the team into the offense, is very good using the top-of-the-key ball-screen, and is very good at finding his teammates. Drawing the double and finding Mike Williams for a three as the shot-clock wound down early in the second half was a thing of beauty. While he didn't make his foul shots last night and appeared to take too long getting down the court at the very end, this kid is, IMO, the most important player on this team. So much better with him on the court. AND he got mugged at half-court on that horrendous no-call, but nevertheless proceeded to sprint back on defense and force St. John's to earn their points from the line. Great hustle.
6) Jonathan Laurent is very raw, but I think he needs to play more. He adds a different dimension when in the game...attacks the rim, good on defense, and solid on the boards. The more he plays, the better he gets. The better he gets, the more well-rounded this team is.
7) DEFENSE. The defense tonight was for the most part, whether in the extended 2-3, full-court press, or half-court man, very good. Sanders and Williams are both very good, very aggressive on-ball defenders. If they play defense this season as they did last night, it's going to frustrate a lot of guards on a lot of good teams. Bishop appears lackadaisical at times on defense, losing his man, getting beat off the dribble. I feel like he relies on his athleticism a little too much defensively. Ibrahima Diallo is very raw. Hope he can develop quickly, because his rim protecting ability will be huge later in the season. Greg Lewis plays sound post defense. But his offensive game does not appear to have really improved. Nevertheless, he is our best option at center and I hope he can turn it around.
8) We lost the game last night because of rebounding and missed free throws. St. John's had second-chance opportunities all second half. That cannot happen. Our guards missed their foul shots. Late game situations, Corey and Bishop will likely be on the ball. They have to make their free throws.
9) Last night was a learning experience. This is a very young team that will only continue to get better. The next step will be avoiding a WTF Saturday night against Central Arkansas. Get to 3-1 and head out to Vegas. The next few days will be very important for the development of this team. Shake off the tough losses and get back to business.
Looking forward to seeing them at the RAC Saturday.
1) This was my first time seeing a basketball game at Carnesecca. I found it to be a great setting to watch a basketball game. Fans are loud, right on top of the court; it felt like a very tough environment to win on the road. Having said that, last night, we should have won on the road. I'm disappointed, but not discouraged.
2) I understand Bishop was furiously attacking the rim -- about time -- and playing his best all around game as a Scarlet Knight, but why he was running the point through much of the second half while Corey sat on the bench doesn't make much sense to me. Bishop can be a great strength of ours off the bench, if used properly. Let him play in short bursts, where he can give all his athleticism and attacking ability and then take a blow. As hot as he was last night, he dominated the ball throughout the final 10-12 minutes. I think that played a role in Williams going cold and Freeman not getting enough touches when we needed baskets.
3) Mike Williams is very impressive. He's confident in his shot, as well he should be. His stroke is pure and he has no issue taking -- and making -- a big one. The thing I like the most about Mike is he is an all-around hustle guy. Not only can he shoot, but he plays very stout perimeter defense, rebounds, moves the ball, and attacks. While he may not be up to par of a typical B1G 2-guard, I can say I am thrilled to have Mike on our team. I hope he keeps progressing, because he is key in this team's game-to-game, season-to-season development.
4) Freeman needs to be the guy. People talk about how when we need a bucket, we wish we had a Quincy Douby, Eli Carter, kind of guy...someone who takes the ball and gets a shot off confident it will drop. That guy, thus far, has been and has got to continue to be Deshawn Freeman. His back-to-back face-up buckets to keep us in front late were really impressive, and then, all of a sudden, he stopped getting fed the ball. Freeman is a complete match-up problem, too quick for bigger guys, too strong for smaller guys. Refreshing to see a guy get the ball in the post and be able to do something with it.
5) I feel astronomically more confident with the ball in Corey Sanders' hands than anybody else's. He gets the team into the offense, is very good using the top-of-the-key ball-screen, and is very good at finding his teammates. Drawing the double and finding Mike Williams for a three as the shot-clock wound down early in the second half was a thing of beauty. While he didn't make his foul shots last night and appeared to take too long getting down the court at the very end, this kid is, IMO, the most important player on this team. So much better with him on the court. AND he got mugged at half-court on that horrendous no-call, but nevertheless proceeded to sprint back on defense and force St. John's to earn their points from the line. Great hustle.
6) Jonathan Laurent is very raw, but I think he needs to play more. He adds a different dimension when in the game...attacks the rim, good on defense, and solid on the boards. The more he plays, the better he gets. The better he gets, the more well-rounded this team is.
7) DEFENSE. The defense tonight was for the most part, whether in the extended 2-3, full-court press, or half-court man, very good. Sanders and Williams are both very good, very aggressive on-ball defenders. If they play defense this season as they did last night, it's going to frustrate a lot of guards on a lot of good teams. Bishop appears lackadaisical at times on defense, losing his man, getting beat off the dribble. I feel like he relies on his athleticism a little too much defensively. Ibrahima Diallo is very raw. Hope he can develop quickly, because his rim protecting ability will be huge later in the season. Greg Lewis plays sound post defense. But his offensive game does not appear to have really improved. Nevertheless, he is our best option at center and I hope he can turn it around.
8) We lost the game last night because of rebounding and missed free throws. St. John's had second-chance opportunities all second half. That cannot happen. Our guards missed their foul shots. Late game situations, Corey and Bishop will likely be on the ball. They have to make their free throws.
9) Last night was a learning experience. This is a very young team that will only continue to get better. The next step will be avoiding a WTF Saturday night against Central Arkansas. Get to 3-1 and head out to Vegas. The next few days will be very important for the development of this team. Shake off the tough losses and get back to business.
Looking forward to seeing them at the RAC Saturday.
