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Post by hcpride on Nov 10, 2019 7:12:52 GMT -5
I was thinking this (UNH) might be a W when I was predicting a 10 W season on another thread.
Interesting that our Frosh are playing but as some of us learned over the last few years, just because a frosh starts at HC does not mean the frosh is particularly good relative to our competition and doesn't necessarily mean the frosh will be playing well (relative to competition) for us two or three years later (non-development, injury, or departure).
Not sure I see us as successful (.600) over the next few years without a very good (relative to competition and not simply good relative to the HC squad) big man showing up (none is there now) or developing (like JF) on campus.
A win over Fairfield will keep my 10 W prediction a strong possibility.
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Post by Non Alum Dave on Nov 10, 2019 7:14:42 GMT -5
I think the takeaway from yesterday was: with this years group (at least early on), we can't go into any game expecting to win, or lose (at least, if we want to keep our sanity). For whatever reason (and I'm sure there was more than one), we seemed a step slower than UNH play after play. My short term memory is crappy, but I specifically recall 2 second half plays where we lost out on defensive rebounds that we had no business losing: 1, where 2 of our guys were in the corner where the ball was bouncing, only to have a UNH kid come out of nowhere to snatch it (which I think then turned into a 3 a moment later, and 2, where that G kid soared up near the hoop to grab an offensive rebound, surrounded by 4 HC players. I think that one led to a foul. By the way, really liked that G kid; really old school in that he knew how to use his body (and the backboard) to its fullest advantage. Seems like he abused anyone that tried to stop him.
AB did not play great (can't go 0-3 from the line), but I don't think he was as negatively impactful as is being portrayed. He only took 8 shots. He has proven himself at this level, and I think will be fine.
Thanks ACTP for the clarification on MF. Hopefully he can get in there regularly soon. Will certainly help Coach with foul management (I think he's done a nice job with that already, all things considered).
Defense is REALLY struggling....but at least we know that they focus on that in practice, so hopefully in time we see improvement. At least they tried a couple of changeups yesterday (the 2-3, and the token press).
Wondering how close Kyle C. is to being 100%. If nothing else, he might help with the m2m D. As has been mentioned, Joey Reilly seems to be the only one right now who can stay with anyone with any consistency.
Having said all that, I still am very, very encouraged about our young core. Each one brings so much potential in certain areas (and I am counting BV and MH in the group). Wade's shot - the smoothest since Brian Wilson? With Blake, yesterday he started to carve out a little bit of an offensive game for himself - the work along the baseline, perimeter shot, foul shooting. He still needs strength and experience, to be sure. A couple of times he tried to contest at the rim and just missed; maybe by February he doesn't.
The Wade family sat in front of me yesterday. Sounds like they will be at the Hart this week; nice people.
The transition continues....tough weekend all around, but be patient with these guys. Better days are coming.
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Post by trimster on Nov 10, 2019 8:24:46 GMT -5
I was thinking this (UNH) might be a W when I was predicting a 10 W season on another thread. Interesting that our Frosh are playing but as some of us learned over the last few years, just because a frosh starts at HC does not mean the frosh is particularly good relative to our competition and doesn't necessarily mean the frosh will be playing well (relative to competition) for us two or three years later (non-development, injury, or departure). Not sure I see us as successful (.600) over the next few years without a very good (relative to competition and not simply good relative to the HC squad) big man showing up (none is there now) or developing (like JF) on campus. A win over Fairfield will keep my 10 W prediction a strong possibility. I think our frosh are good at least relative to the PL and probably by mid-major standards. I say that based on a very small sample size. Obviously a win over Fairfield is much needed at this point, especially with Northeastern and Harvard following that one. 0 for the first 5 would be a tough start.
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Post by Crosser on Nov 10, 2019 10:48:53 GMT -5
Faw has a foot injury that is requiring precaution. I noticed yesterday that while he was in the pre game and 2nd half lay up lines he seemed to be testing it - gently hopping on one foot.
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Post by lou on Nov 10, 2019 12:34:41 GMT -5
Have to ask ... how many HC freshmen scored 24 points in their 2nd varsity game (and wasn't the freshman who scored 24 in the first game.)
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Nov 10, 2019 12:53:19 GMT -5
Looking forward to Pridgen’s 24 against Fairfield....
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Post by hc6774 on Nov 10, 2019 13:04:35 GMT -5
Looking forward to Pridgen’s 24 against Fairfield.... He & the 2 others are now on video for the opposition to see... I'm looking forward to seeing them in person on Tuesday
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Post by hcnation on Nov 10, 2019 16:24:59 GMT -5
Have to ask ... how many HC freshmen scored 24 points in their 2nd varsity game (and wasn't the freshman who scored 24 in the first game.) If you watch the replay look in the first half with the score 30 to 22 , Reilly made a driving little jumper/ layup at the 8:03 mark to make it 30 to 24 , then missed the free throw. Looking at the play-by-play log they said Wade made a 2 point jumper, was fouled and miissed the free throw at the 8:04 mark . You even commented that Reilly made a nice basket, but if you look at the officials scoring Reilly had zero points . If it was major league baseball they would’ve stopped the action , tossed the ball to the bench as it should have been his first points as a Crusader.
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Post by efg72 on Nov 10, 2019 17:42:54 GMT -5
Stay positive. This is a young team with some very talented players. They will improve.These guys will not disappoint. Coach Brett: This is not the same team as the team in January. I trust this coach. More talent is on the way. NCAA March Madness is on our horizon. GoCrossGo. LoveHC Agree team has the ability to score — coaches and players learning/realizing they have a number of offensive answers defense is an issue for today, but as they learn what it takes from them individually and as a team to defend this group can become very good defense is the easiest thing to correct whether m/m or zone-communication, quickness, decisions, heart and desire rebounding is better, but we lack size and strength— btw I love how Butler is attacking the glass- they don’t need him offensively right now as the young kids find their place but he is attacking enough to keep the D honest. Once he makes some adjustments with the help of Nelson I think he will have big moments offensively never where you start but how you finish-especially in the PL
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Post by hchoops on Nov 10, 2019 19:44:30 GMT -5
Only two games, of course, but Joe P. First in rebounds, first in assists, second in scoring Second in FG % and first in 3 pt FG%
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Post by efg72 on Nov 10, 2019 19:54:11 GMT -5
Agree my point on Butler was he is trying to find ways to contribute and lead the team forward.
Lowder, Pridgen, Wade and possibly Reilly make this a very interesting class offensively. And the defense will flow once they transition from high school and understand what is needed and expected
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Post by hchoops on Nov 14, 2019 11:56:14 GMT -5
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