Always disappointed with a loss, but Coach Cluess has to be happy with the performance of the team as a whole given how early it is in the season. I feel the team overall is headed in the right direction, I just hope Tavon Sledge can make a full recovery. We will need his quickness and ability to distribute. I felt strongly that we would not be able to overcome Kansas' length and athleticism and that is reflected in the rebound differential (40 to 26) and points in the paint (52 to 24). Our future success in our remaining OOC schedule and key MAAC games (Manhattan and Quinnipiac) will be dependent on our ability to score in the paint and rebound to trigger our fast break. I expect that Cluess has the team's undivided attention after last night's game. Great to see AJ put the ball on the floor and attack the rim/lane. Hopefully, Sean will do the same as defenders fly out to him on the perimeter. The dribble penetration is needed to free up David Laury and create open shots on perimeter. Isaiah Williams will adjust and find his shot, he just needs to play hard on D and rebound to find his confidence. Just as last year I am looking forward to the team evolving over the course of the season as Coach Cluess uses different rotations. There will be bumps along the way, but we will get better. Bring on George Mason! GO GAELS!
Just got back from the game--late night--early flight. Had a chance to meet SLG
A few observations/comments: 1. Everyone should go back and read Iona86 list of players who opposed us last night. The size/athleticism were unbelievable. We really held our own for an incredible amount of time, and, but for a few lapses/bad breaks, would have been in a tight game throughout. 2. Key points in the game from my perspective--may be a bit fuzzy with details--last 2 minutes of the first half with 2 starters on the bench--we went down by 5 including a shot clock violation; 1st play of 2nd half--coach outlined a perfect isolation play for Laury which worked and resulted in 2 foul shots (missed)--Laury puts his head down and keeps it down for the next 2 times down the court--resulting in dunks--game could have been cut to 3 instead went to 9; non-foul call on English attempted dunk--horrible--we would have been down by 5--instead-they get a tech and possession--lead up to 11 and the dunk-fest began. 3.AJ as point guard--he has too much value off the ball and should not be burdened with playmaking unless absolutely necessary. 4. Poole, Robinson, Hines--works in progress. The question is: Can we afford 36 minutes of play which result in only 2 rebounds- none for either of the big guys in 15 minutes? 5. IW will be fine, once he becomes a bit more selfish and does not defer to the vets; he clearly hesitated going to the hoop a few times, instead passing to a teammate. By the way, he had 7 boards, while clearly playing against much stronger players-- Same # of boards as Ellis and Wiggins. 6. I thought we were too worried about their outside shooting which was obviously not their game plan. We were late for doubling down; after all, they only hit four 3 point shots; if they beat us that way--so be it. 7. Sean has to have a shooter's conscience and take shots when they're available. Trying too hard to vary his game. 8.A remarkable place to enjoy a basketball game--great fans--very few obnoxious--we silenced them a few times 9.As others have said, as we continue to understand roles, we should have a great shot at a 3rd consecutive NCAA bid.
Just got back from the game--late night--early flight. Had a chance to meet SLG
A few observations/comments: 1. Everyone should go back and read Iona86 list of players who opposed us last night. The size/athleticism were unbelievable. We really held our own for an incredible amount of time, and, but for a few lapses/bad breaks, would have been in a tight game throughout. 2. Key points in the game from my perspective--may be a bit fuzzy with details--last 2 minutes of the first half with 2 starters on the bench--we went down by 5 including a shot clock violation; 1st play of 2nd half--coach outlined a perfect isolation play for Laury which worked and resulted in 2 foul shots (missed)--Laury puts his head down and keeps it down for the next 2 times down the court--resulting in dunks--game could have been cut to 3 instead went to 9; non-foul call on English attempted dunk--horrible--we would have been down by 5--instead-they get a tech and possession--lead up to 11 and the dunk-fest began. 3.AJ as point guard--he has too much value off the ball and should not be burdened with playmaking unless absolutely necessary. 4. Poole, Robinson, Hines--works in progress. The question is: Can we afford 36 minutes of play which result in only 2 rebounds- none for either of the big guys in 15 minutes? 5. IW will be fine, once he becomes a bit more selfish and does not defer to the vets; he clearly hesitated going to the hoop a few times, instead passing to a teammate. By the way, he had 7 boards, while clearly playing against much stronger players-- Same # of boards as Ellis and Wiggins. 6. I thought we were too worried about their outside shooting which was obviously not their game plan. We were late for doubling down; after all, they only hit four 3 point shots; if they beat us that way--so be it. 7. Sean has to have a shooter's conscience and take shots when they're available. Trying too hard to vary his game. 8.A remarkable place to enjoy a basketball game--great fans--very few obnoxious--we silenced them a few times 9.As others have said, as we continue to understand roles, we should have a great shot at a 3rd consecutive NCAA bid.
Thanks Sup. Must have been a great experience. I think that along with a few others, IW is going to be a real key for this team. He needs to get confident quickly and be a force off the boards (as you pointed out he was last night).
Post by St. Louis Gael on Nov 20, 2013 17:01:11 GMT -5
Back in St. Louis after a fun trip to Lawrence, KS.
As Super already noted, I got to meet him and to again say hello to Greg. Enjoyed seeing/meeting both of you.
At the after game get-together, I overheard one of our alums (neither of the gentlemen already mentioned) make reference to St. Louis. About thirty seconds later, I overheard a second mention of St. Louis. I went over asked if he was from St. Louis. Long story short, we are neighbors less than a half mile apart. That is why I make these treks - new friends to watch the Gaels. What a great place to watch a College Basketball game – the great history and tradition. They let you know it with a loud and lengthy AV just as the visitors (in this case our Gaels) are in their final pregame huddle.
I’m now going to echo what you have already read and heard. For those who think TC can’t coach, please watch the tape of this game. Our variety of defensive looks had them turning the ball over early in the game. TC kept David on the floor deep into the game despite Bill Self’s strategy to get him in trouble, even in the first half.
1. AJ might have been the best basketball player on the floor last night. AJ did a great job at the point, but he is not a point guard. I was surprised how well AJ can create inside, but it was for AJ. I think we are well on the way to having our next “go to” guy. AJ has balls – surprised me when he went amongst the trees for that dunk in the second half, and yes he was fouled. That was a FU move, and I am not talking about our friends in the Bronx.
2. Even though it was effective, I am not there on David bringing the ball up. That is one-on-one basketball and it sort of makes us one dimensional. I would really like to see David bringing the ball in from the 4 spot, and that may happen sooner rather than later.
3. Iona has a 7’ freshman; KU has a 7’ freshman. KU has an oak, we have a sapling. I think Daniel learned a lot last night.
4. We shot 57% in the second half. KU was not much better. That 57%, and I think I am being more conservative than Super here, was the difference between a 20 point loss and a 10 point loss (maybe less). Iona worked hard, got the shot, got the call; missed the FT, dunk on the other end. That was tough.
All considered, this was a 9 point game with about 9 minutes to go in Allen Field House. Our freshman bigs got the “picture is worth a thousand words” schooling last night. To paraphrase Al McGuire, come February/March, they will no longer be Freshmen.
Got to meet some of the new people at Iona. Iona is in good hands.
Back in St. Louis after a fun trip to Lawrence, KS.
As Super already noted, I got to meet him and to again say hello to Greg. Enjoyed seeing/meeting both of you.
At the after game get-together, I overheard one of our alums (neither of the gentlemen already mentioned) make reference to St. Louis. About thirty seconds later, I overheard a second mention of St. Louis. I went over asked if he was from St. Louis. Long story short, we are neighbors less than a half mile apart. That is why I make these treks - new friends to watch the Gaels. What a great place to watch a College Basketball game – the great history and tradition. They let you know it with a loud and lengthy AV just as the visitors (in this case our Gaels) are in their final pregame huddle.
I’m now going to echo what you have already read and heard. For those who think TC can’t coach, please watch the tape of this game. Our variety of defensive looks had them turning the ball over early in the game. TC kept David on the floor deep into the game despite Bill Self’s strategy to get him in trouble, even in the first half.
1. AJ might have been the best basketball player on the floor last night. AJ did a great job at the point, but he is not a point guard. I was surprised how well AJ can create inside, but it was for AJ. I think we are well on the way to having our next “go to” guy. AJ has balls – surprised me when he went amongst the trees for that dunk in the second half, and yes he was fouled. That was a FU move, and I am not talking about our friends in the Bronx.
2. Even though it was effective, I am not there on David bringing the ball up. That is one-on-one basketball and it sort of makes us one dimensional. I would really like to see David bringing the ball in from the 4 spot, and that may happen sooner rather than later.
3. Iona has a 7’ freshman; KU has a 7’ freshman. KU has an oak, we have a sapling. I think Daniel learned a lot last night.
4. We shot 57% in the second half. KU was not much better. That 57%, and I think I am being more conservative than Super here, was the difference between a 20 point loss and a 10 point loss (maybe less). Iona worked hard, got the shot, got the call; missed the FT, dunk on the other end. That was tough.
All considered, this was a 9 point game with about 9 minutes to go in Allen Field House. Our freshman bigs got the “picture is worth a thousand words” schooling last night. To paraphrase Al McGuire, come February/March, they will no longer be Freshmen.
Got to meet some of the new people at Iona. Iona is in good hands.
Thanks SLG - great to see you again. Hope to see you in Iowa! - Most important point, brought up by Super & SLG is that AJ is NOT our point guard. Too valuable to use at the point. Hopefull Tayvon and Gomez get healthy and there's our answer.
Armand should keep his mouth shut for a while and concentrate on playing a full game.
(Interesting note in an article wherein Cluess chides the media--the "reporter" incorrectly identifies our leading scorer as A.J. Jennings--twice--idiot!)
Post by hawaii bill on Nov 20, 2013 19:17:40 GMT -5
Hard to believe Sean said that about Wiggins. Maybe his account was hacked. Could've been that Ohio State imbecile who was stalking him back in March. If he did say it, whether its true or not, he just comes across as jealous. I can understand being frustrated as a competitor. We went into their arena, undermanned, played them tough, and in the second half had to play the refs also. That's got to sting, even though we all know that's what goes on at these high major arenas. Its hard, but you have to keep your composure because if you don't, it'll just get worse. Carolina shot 48 FT's the other night. Belmont wins because they only made 22 of them. But Belmont also made all of its 12 FT's. You make your own luck.
I think the phog in Phog Allen is just smoke from the home cooking.
Last Edit: Nov 20, 2013 19:19:44 GMT -5 by hawaii bill
just got back from the game nice to meet you st.louis i think hines can full the taaj role, would rather see him in there instead of pole anyone know why gomez is locked in the doghouse? thought cluess had a great gameplan, wish he would have taken laury out with 9:40 in the first half when he was tired before he picked up the second foul, also still needs to make better second half adjustments, kansas solved the zone at half time with 3 alley oops to start the second half happy i experienced the Fog
To all those who attended the game, thanks for your take. SLG, I'm not sure if I read your report correctly, but I believe you said that we shot 57% in the second half. The score sheet shows we shot 32%. And with DL bringing the ball up court it took pressure off AJ and Bill Self knew better than to try to pressure him. In most of our other games with the ball in DL's hands in the backcourt, he can trigger our running game. I have no problem with David bringing the ball up AS LONG AS he gives it up after passing mid-court.
To all those who attended the game, thanks for your take. SLG, I'm not sure if I read your report correctly, but I believe you said that we shot 57% in the second half. The score sheet shows we shot 32%. And with DL bringing the ball up court it took pressure off AJ and Bill Self knew better than to try to pressure him. In most of our other games with the ball in DL's hands in the backcourt, he can trigger our running game. I have no problem with David bringing the ball up AS LONG AS he gives it up after passing mid-court.
The only reason having DL bring the ball up is a concern is if it tires him. He is the one player that needs to play as many minutes as possible.