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Post by WorcesterGray on Jan 11, 2022 12:17:52 GMT -5
One last check on Malcolm. In his two years in JUCO (caveat: different team, different division, different opponents, etc) he went 24/75 on threes= .320 . On twos he went 190/350= .543. On the free throw line he hit 132/181= .729. Caveats notwithstanding, I'd say 350 2FGAs and 180 FTAs are pretty good sample sizes, as is the FTR (181/425) - and the performances are generally consistent with what he's shown this year.
These numbers also highlight the fact that Malcolm has more experience at the post-HS level than anybody on this team other than Gates. One way to change the level of inexperience, which Nelson continually cites as the big problem. is to put more experience on the floor - and to find a way to exploit its advantages.
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Post by trimster on Jan 11, 2022 12:25:40 GMT -5
Ah, the nights listening to Bob Gamere with the HC play by play on the transistor radio. The Maynard Allen calls were pretty good too. Of course all of this predates the legendary Mr. Entertainment.
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Post by WorcesterGray on Jan 11, 2022 12:41:57 GMT -5
Paging Chris Spitler . . . One of the best lines from that book. From an old LA Times article . . .
Feinstein said Spitler, who now works in the business field, has kept in touch since the book came out.
“He told me that most guys become a better player after their careers end but he’s actually getting worse,” Feinstein said last week. “He said he got an e-mail from a guy who said they have a rec league team that stinks and since he stinks, would he want to play?”
In 2008, Tim Spitler became the last of the four brothers to finish his D1 career - all four were walk-ons.
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Post by princetoncrusader on Jan 11, 2022 14:00:30 GMT -5
I went to the game last night. A few random thoughts/observations:
1) I walked right up to the ticket window in Stabler and paid $9 for a GA ticket, which included a program. I then hit the concession stand (no line) for a tasty slice of pizza. I don't know what the COVID numbers are like in the Lehigh Valley, but it almost felt like a normal game night apart from wearing a mask. So certainly a pleasant change from Princeton. 2) I sauntered in and moved down to a seat just above the visitor's bench. There were two other small groups of spectators, at least one of which was related to a current HC player. Needless to say, plenty of room to spread out. I would guess the actual attendance was about 200, less than half the official. Not sure I understand the logic of playing league games on a monday night in Jan. 3) As has been duly noted elsewhere, it was a dismal night for HC shooting wise. What sticks in my mind was a sequence in the middle of the 2nd half, one HC player attempted a 3 and missed. A long rebound was snared by an HC player, and another 3 pointer was launched. That also missed, and another long rebound was snagged, and a third HC player (Luc I think) hoisted one from the top of the key, which also missed. So three, 3-point shots went up within the space of ~20 seconds, and not one was even close to going in. 4) I love the tenacity of Gates. He is a tough, relentless hombre around the basket. 5) Defense was good in spots, but just couldn't contend with the quickness of certain LU players, like Marques Wilson. 6) Judging from the way the team gathers around the huddles during time outs, the HC players appear to be a cohesive group. AT least that is my take from the body language. Nelson gets quite animated in these huddles, although I could not hear what he was saying given the background noise. 7) Lehigh is a better team than the record shows. On my way home, I caught the post-game show on 1320 AM, a Cumulus- owned station in Easton. (Yes there is a radio coverage for at least one PL team.) Dr. Reed noted that Marques Wilson had been out with an injury for a several games (didn't play at Maryland). He is a 5th year player and along with Evan Taylor, these two guys really shot the 3-ball well. He also noted how easily LU was able to break the press leading to an easy layup in the 2nd half.
I don't recall a single back door play by HC. In other words, we run an offense that doesn't seem to create many open looks inside or on the arc. I watched on ESPN3 the games against the two MAAC schools earlier in the year. I can't say I see much improvement in play, but perhaps that is just my untrained eye.
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Post by hchoops on Jan 11, 2022 14:07:47 GMT -5
There has been very little improvement since those MAAC games. Mostly Gates being healthier. Agree - that sequence of three straight 3 point misses was brutal- no touch for Gates
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Post by Sons of Vaval on Jan 11, 2022 14:11:30 GMT -5
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Post by Sons of Vaval on Jan 11, 2022 14:19:47 GMT -5
There are a ton of problems with this team, but here's the biggest one in my mind: Zero presence inside.
There's a reason our 2PT FG% is 43.8% (322nd) and 2PT FG% defense is 56.2% (340th).
We don't score around the basket and we can't stop our opponents around the basket.
Gates is a load inside with a high-motor, but he's 6'6. He can only do so much and can't defend an opponent's center.
We have three guys on the roster who have seen time that are taller than 6'6: Luth, Rabs, Lewis. Shooting 23-66 (35%) FG ain't going to cut it. Beyond that, these guys only play an average of 24.5 minutes per game between them.
Nelson is consistently trotting out a lineup that is undersized and we really struggle with scoring inside, defending inside, and rebounding as a result.
Why Louth is only getting 17 minutes per game is mystifying.
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Post by crusader1970 on Jan 11, 2022 14:38:17 GMT -5
There are a ton of problems with this team, but here's the biggest one in my mind: Zero presence inside. There's a reason our 2PT FG% is 43.8% (322nd) and 2PT FG% defense is 56.2% (340th). We don't score around the basket and we can't stop our opponents around the basket. Gates is a load inside with a high-motor, but he's 6'6. He can only do so much and can't defend an opponent's center. We have three guys on the roster who have seen time that are taller than 6'6: Luth, Rabs, Lewis. Shooting 23-66 (35%) FG ain't going to cut it. Beyond that, these guys only play an average of 24.5 minutes per game between them. Nelson is consistently trotting out a lineup that is undersized and we really struggle with scoring inside, defending inside, and rebounding as a result. Why Luth is only getting 17 minutes per game is mystifying. Why stop there? Much of what Nelson does is mystifying.
I know he has had some injuries, especially RJ right now, and he is trying to find a rotation that works. But IMO his totally inconsistent substitution patterns must confuse the players. It certainly does me.
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Post by crusader1970 on Jan 11, 2022 14:45:05 GMT -5
I went to the game last night. A few random thoughts/observations: 1) I walked right up to the ticket window in Stabler and paid $9 for a GA ticket, which included a program. I then hit the concession stand (no line) for a tasty slice of pizza. I don't know what the COVID numbers are like in the Lehigh Valley, but it almost felt like a normal game night apart from wearing a mask. So certainly a pleasant change from Princeton. 2) I sauntered in and moved down to a seat just above the visitor's bench. There were two other small groups of spectators, at least one of which was related to a current HC player. Needless to say, plenty of room to spread out. I would guess the actual attendance was about 200, less than half the official. Not sure I understand the logic of playing league games on a monday night in Jan. 3) As has been duly noted elsewhere, it was a dismal night for HC shooting wise. What sticks in my mind was a sequence in the middle of the 2nd half, one HC player attempted a 3 and missed. A long rebound was snared by an HC player, and another 3 pointer was launched. That also missed, and another long rebound was snagged, and a third HC player (Luc I think) hoisted one from the top of the key, which also missed. So three, 3-point shots went up within the space of ~20 seconds, and not one was even close to going in. 4) I love the tenacity of Gates. He is a tough, relentless hombre around the basket. 5) Defense was good in spots, but just couldn't contend with the quickness of certain LU players, like Marques Wilson. 6) Judging from the way the team gathers around the huddles during time outs, the HC players appear to be a cohesive group. AT least that is my take from the body language. Nelson gets quite animated in these huddles, although I could not hear what he was saying given the background noise. 7) Lehigh is a better team than the record shows. On my way home, I caught the post-game show on 1320 AM, a Cumulus- owned station in Easton. (Yes there is a radio coverage for at least one PL team.) Dr. Reed noted that Marques Wilson had been out with an injury for a several games (didn't play at Maryland). He is a 5th year player and along with Evan Taylor, these two guys really shot the 3-ball well. He also noted how easily LU was able to break the press leading to an easy layup in the 2nd half.I don't recall a single back door play by HC. In other words, we run an offense that doesn't seem to create many open looks inside or on the arc. I watched on ESPN3 the games against the two MAAC schools earlier in the year. I can't say I see much improvement in play, but perhaps that is just my untrained eye. The MTM "press" is a total joke. I was pleased to see that Nelson shelved it for much of the last two games.
It achieves virtually nothing and occasionally sets up easy baskets for the opponent when they beat it off the dribble and continue to attack into the forecourt.
Our margin for error is so very thin and errors in strategies like this are difficult for this team to overcome.
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Post by joe on Jan 11, 2022 15:09:18 GMT -5
The players may be decent shooters. However, the degree of difficulty of their shots under this offense is high. As far as I know there is no statistic to account for that.
Additionally we can’t just give the ball to #10 and have him ram his way to the basket. This is not the elegant basketball which needs to be played at a D1 academic college, or really anywhere else for that matter, other than rec league.
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Post by hchoops on Jan 11, 2022 16:10:13 GMT -5
The so called press is totally ineffective since it rarely doubles the ball, even less rarely sends a third man to steal or contain. The time for full pressure with doubles and attempted steal is toward the end of winnable games. But we do not do this, thus giving up earlier than necessary. I would rather lose by 15 having tried to win by pressing ( with a real press) than being down by 8 with 3 minutes, not double teaming/attempted steals, and losing by 8-10.
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Post by longsuffering on Jan 11, 2022 16:19:46 GMT -5
I find that college basketball doesn't seem to design, practice and implement a two minute drill as well as pro football does. When you see a well coached, well quarterbacked team with a high FB IQ manage the clock correctly at the end of the half or end of the game it's a thing of beauty.
It's great to see that in BB also, but I am often yelling "hurry up" at BB players on the screen when they are behind towards the end of a plausibly winnable game. A quick shot with a 40% chance of going in is better than a shot with a 49% chance that takes three times as long to develop.
Strategy isn't dependent on pro level talent and should be expected in college.
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Post by hchoops on Jan 11, 2022 16:22:07 GMT -5
Most/all well coached college and high school hoops teams regularly practice end of game situations, up or down a few.
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Jan 11, 2022 16:23:36 GMT -5
There are a ton of problems with this team, but here's the biggest one in my mind: Zero presence inside. There's a reason our 2PT FG% is 43.8% (322nd) and 2PT FG% defense is 56.2% (340th). We don't score around the basket and we can't stop our opponents around the basket. Gates is a load inside with a high-motor, but he's 6'6. He can only do so much and can't defend an opponent's center. We have three guys on the roster who have seen time that are taller than 6'6: Luth, Rabs, Lewis. Shooting 23-66 (35%) FG ain't going to cut it. Beyond that, these guys only play an average of 24.5 minutes per game between them. Nelson is consistently trotting out a lineup that is undersized and we really struggle with scoring inside, defending inside, and rebounding as a result. Why Luth is only getting 17 minutes per game is mystifying. My guess is that there are shot charts that would enable us to track scoring in the paint. Hopefully the team does just that. I took a look at how we fared against bigger players in last three games as only the most rudimentary look at how the difference in height might affect us down low. Here's the stats for players 6-10 and taller (4 for Loyola, 2 for Lafayette,,1 for Lehigh) in last three games: 119 minutes (conveniently, almost equal to 40 minutes per game) 47 points= 15.8 points per game 26 rebounds= 8.7 per 40 22 for 34 on twos= .647 shooting percentage on twos 0-1 on threes 3-5 on free throws= we committed very few fouls against these guys Caveats: small sample, not all shots from the paint, no look at defense, 6-7,6-8, 6-9 players go into the paint as well. etc, etc
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Post by longsuffering on Jan 11, 2022 16:26:18 GMT -5
Most/all well coached college and high school hoops teams regularly practice end of game situations, up or down a few. I believe you. I'll have to take a chill pill at the five minute mark of winnable HC games.
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Post by longsuffering on Jan 11, 2022 17:00:34 GMT -5
There are a ton of problems with this team, but here's the biggest one in my mind: Zero presence inside. There's a reason our 2PT FG% is 43.8% (322nd) and 2PT FG% defense is 56.2% (340th). We don't score around the basket and we can't stop our opponents around the basket. Gates is a load inside with a high-motor, but he's 6'6. He can only do so much and can't defend an opponent's center. We have three guys on the roster who have seen time that are taller than 6'6: Luth, Rabs, Lewis. Shooting 23-66 (35%) FG ain't going to cut it. Beyond that, these guys only play an average of 24.5 minutes per game between them. Nelson is consistently trotting out a lineup that is undersized and we really struggle with scoring inside, defending inside, and rebounding as a result. Why Luth is only getting 17 minutes per game is mystifying. My guess is that there are shot charts that would enable us to track scoring in the paint. Hopefully the team does just that. I took a look at how we fared against bigger players in last three games as only the most rudimentary look at how the difference in height might affect us down low. Here's the stats for players 6-10 and taller (4 for Loyola, 2 for Lafayette,,1 for Lehigh) in last three games: 119 minutes (conveniently, almost equal to 40 minutes per game) 47 points= 15.8 points per game 26 rebounds= 8.7 per 40 22 for 34 on twos= .647 shooting percentage on twos 0-1 on threes 3-5 on free throws= we committed very few fouls against these guys Caveats: small sample, not all shots from the paint, no look at defense, 6-7,6-8, 6-9 players go into the paint as well. etc, etc Talented bigs are few and far between. What's the odds of a rookie career assistant with no winning track record of his own or his college (Holy Cross past decade) winning those recruiting battles? Recruiting is selling so it's helpful to be able to sell either your own coaching record or your school's record. When FADNP hired Coach Chesney, HC FB did not have recent winning at the school, but Pine purchased a record of consistent winning by hiring Chesney. He also did that to a certain extent when he hired Coach Carmody with his great record at Princeton and his record at a tough place to win at Northwestern. FADMB didn't seem to take that into consideration when he hired Nelson, Magarity and Riga. It's not necessarily a critical factor because WBB is in a first place tie in the PL but it puts pressure on coaches with neither personal success or recent school success to sell to recruits. That doesn't mean an energetic young coach at a quality academic school can't create enthusiasm and a bond with recruits over the recruiting cycle.
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Post by timholycross on Jan 11, 2022 20:31:41 GMT -5
The elevated seating at Stabler Arena reminds me of McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket. The railing in front of the stands is horrible looking. They should paint it blue like the seats, or something like that.
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Post by timholycross on Jan 11, 2022 20:52:09 GMT -5
There are a ton of problems with this team, but here's the biggest one in my mind: Zero presence inside. There's a reason our 2PT FG% is 43.8% (322nd) and 2PT FG% defense is 56.2% (340th). We don't score around the basket and we can't stop our opponents around the basket. Gates is a load inside with a high-motor, but he's 6'6. He can only do so much and can't defend an opponent's center. We have three guys on the roster who have seen time that are taller than 6'6: Luth, Rabs, Lewis. Shooting 23-66 (35%) FG ain't going to cut it. Beyond that, these guys only play an average of 24.5 minutes per game between them. Nelson is consistently trotting out a lineup that is undersized and we really struggle with scoring inside, defending inside, and rebounding as a result. Why Louth is only getting 17 minutes per game is mystifying. The game was essentially lost after Louth came out and Rabs came in. He wasn't in for all of the 22-2 run, but most of it. And he was notably terrible. Am I incorrect that Louth did not return to the floor until the second half?
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