One more thing. We absolutely need dl3 back in his groove. Last night was an incredible effort by an all guard unit, but the reality is that we cannot win consistently in this league especially against the big teams, with that unit getting the majority of the minutes. Come on dl3 we need you! This team will only go as far as dl3 takes us IMO.
One more thing. We absolutely need dl3 back in his groove. Last night was an incredible effort by an all guard unit, but the reality is that we cannot win consistently in this league especially against the big teams, with that unit getting the majority of the minutes. Come on dl3 we need you! This team will only go as far as dl3 takes us IMO.
Last night has also finally got me to realize we are just a .500 team, that's where we are and likely how we will end up. Our lack of rebounding, poor defense and limited inside game will leave this team at 15-14 and 12-8 going into Maac tourney. I do think this years tourney is very similar to last year in that the top 4 teams almost all have the same shot to win, however last year I think we may have had a minuscule better shot than anyone while this year I think our shot to win is slightly behind the Jasper's, griffs and Quinny. Still think this team could win it but if I had to bet I would go with Baron over Manhattan. Finally if somehow we won we would be a 16 seed and with the perfect game the Gaels do have enough talent to knock off a #1 seed, basically raining 3's from all 4 of our shooters. I would take a .500 season for that ending!
The one factor Iona has going for us is tournament experience. Sean, DL, Tre, and Sledge have played in a tournament game and know what it takes to get there. While Manhattan may be the clear favorite to win the MAAC (with their senior's), I would question Quinny and Canisius ability to win tournament pressure games. We need a little luck as far as our seeding and match up's in the tourney. I do agree we are 1 of 4 teams that will represent the conference.
The goal for Iona is to play loose, have fun and continue to gain confidence as we get to March.
As a side note, I know the inability to make a last second shot to win a games gnaws at you. My philosophy is if were in enough of those situations, something good will eventually happen. Just a hunch that if it does happen this season, it's more than likely going to be Poole, Tre, or Williams mopping up an inside put back.
Last night has also finally got me to realize we are just a .500 team, that's where we are and likely how we will end up. Our lack of rebounding, poor defense and limited inside game will leave this team at 15-14 and 12-8 going into Maac tourney. I do think this years tourney is very similar to last year in that the top 4 teams almost all have the same shot to win, however last year I think we may have had a minuscule better shot than anyone while this year I think our shot to win is slightly behind the Jasper's, griffs and Quinny. Still think this team could win it but if I had to bet I would go with Baron over Manhattan. Finally if somehow we won we would be a 16 seed and with the perfect game the Gaels do have enough talent to knock off a #1 seed, basically raining 3's from all 4 of our shooters. I would take a .500 season for that ending!
The one factor Iona has going for us is tournament experience. Sean, DL, Tre, and Sledge have played in a tournament game and know what it takes to get there. While Manhattan may be the clear favorite to win the MAAC (with their senior's), I would question Quinny and Canisius ability to win tournament pressure games. We need a little luck as far as our seeding and match up's in the tourney. I do agree we are 1 of 4 teams that will represent the conference.
The goal for Iona is to play loose, have fun and continue to gain confidence as we get to March.
As a side note, I know the inability to make a last second shot to win a games gnaws at you. My philosophy is if were in enough of those situations, something good will eventually happen. Just a hunch that if it does happen this season, it's more than likely going to be Poole, Tre, or Williams mopping up an inside put back.
But Poole and Wolliams don't have that tournament game experience you mentioned
Post by hawaii bill on Jan 18, 2014 10:41:04 GMT -5
No offense to anyone here but Cluess can't manage the end of the game with our baggage. We got a clean look for an excellent 3 pt shooter. He lofted a good shot. Just didn't fall.
What a fun game to watch, unfortunately with a heartbreaking ending in typical Iona fashion. Some observations from the game:
1. Guys showed a ton of heart and guts coming back like they did. One thing tonight should have showed us was that these guys are real fighters.
2. Isaiah Williams very impressive tonight and showed more than just outside shooting. Let's hope he can continue to be a reliable presence for the team as we are clearly a much better and more aggressive team when he is in the mix.
3. Baron is a man among boys right now and can carry the griffs on his back. However it's real frustrating that he gets away with blatant push offs on every play.
4. Our guys ran out of gas at the end and understandably so, as we basically went with the same unit for the whole second half. You could start to sense some fatigue at about the 4 minute mark and just knew we were not heading in the right direction.
5. DL3 playing too soft. Hopefully he took notes on how to play with a killer instinct from watching the guys from the bench.
6. Despite the criticism of some i don't think the coaching staff is to blame at all down the stretch. The first big possession was not on the coaches, it was on AJ making a bonehead pass, and on the last play Sean got a decent look from a distance that is well within his range. What more can we ask for in that spot? If he hits the shot like he does 4 times out of 10 then the coaches are heroes for drawing up that play.
7. Huge game from Poole. We got more productivity from him on the boards tonight than we have out of any of our bigs all season long, and he was a big spark plug on defense. Still think his true role on this team is as a 6th man but tonight proved that he brings a lot of value to the squad.
8. Very concerned with the fact that this team hasn't proven that they can either pull out a nail biter win or beat an upper tier team on the conference.
9. Great to see enthusiasm and passion from both the bench and the fans tonight. This is exactly how Hynes should be every night only with another 1,500 people in attendance.
10. AJs turnover probably cost is the game but in the long run I think it will be a blessing. Think he is a tough kid who will use it as motivation so that next time he has the ball with the game on the line he will convert.
Post by chelseadal on Jan 18, 2014 10:59:35 GMT -5
At this point of the season, I think the points to be made are:
1) There is no consistency from any one player. Just read the posts after every game. One game Hines is great, or Sean, or DL3, or Williams, or Poole or whoever. There is not one player that consistently brings an all around game.
2) If Williams ever gets consistent and Laury a little more aggresive, then we won't look like we are 5th graders under the boards against college players.
3) AJ has exceeded everyones expectations this year and is a very good point guard.
4) Bowman brings energy, but is no X factor. Almost everyone on the team is an X factor, because you don't know what you are going to get.
5) We have a bunch of good players that can be great at times and terrible (careless, pushed around, bad shooting, etc.) at others. That is why we are average.
6) We can out assist a team by 22-15 and still lose. It just goes to show as a great man once said "No one stat means anything other than the score!"
Chelsea, AJ English ISN'T a GOOD PG. In fact at the end of last night's game, his ball handling cost us the game. Not to say that he hasn't exceeded expectations, but he's not, at least not yet, a true PG. If TC were less stubborn (and that won't happen)
and had put in either Gomez or Sledge and moved English off the ball, I think our chances of winning that game would have improved considerably. Keep in mind I mean playing Gomez or Sledge at PG, was after we got the lead. And the game proved how valuable MoMo was last year as no wanted to put the ball up in the last few minutes, resulting in more passes and more turnovers.
And DL wasn't soft last night as he had nine rebounds, eight points and four assists in only HALF a game. He was sat down, once we were down 20 points, because he doesn't fit the type of defense that we were forced to play. And if we put him in when got the lead, it could have been a case of Canisius playing Hack-A-Shaq with him.
And, imo, the key to Canisius holding on was Baron, the father and not the son. His technical was a classic coaching stratagem, to help fire up his team. He's a VG coach.
Mike Poole, last night, showed a glimmer of why the coaches like him. He brought energy, ball handling, rebounding and defense to the table, and also showed that he can score (from the foul line and in). Now if he'll do that every game and keep away from three point shots, I'll be happy. JMO.
Mike Poole, last night, showed a glimmer of why the coaches like him. He brought energy, ball handling, rebounding and defense to the table, and also showed that he can score (from the foul line and in). Now if he'll do that every game and keep away from three point shots, I'll be happy. JMO.
Chelsea, AJ English ISN'T a GOOD PG. In fact at the end of last night's game, his ball handling cost us the game. Not to say that he hasn't exceeded expectations, but he's not, at least not yet, a true PG. If TC were less stubborn (and that won't happen)
and had put in either Gomez or Sledge and moved English off the ball, I think our chances of winning that game would have improved considerably. Keep in mind I mean playing Gomez or Sledge at PG, was after we got the lead. And the game proved how valuable MoMo was last year as no wanted to put the ball up in the last few minutes, resulting in more passes and more turnovers.
And DL wasn't soft last night as he had nine rebounds, eight points and four assists in only HALF a game. He was sat down, once we were down 20 points, because he doesn't fit the type of defense that we were forced to play. And if we put him in when got the lead, it could have been a case of Canisius playing Hack-A-Shaq with him.
And, imo, the key to Canisius holding on was Baron, the father and not the son. His technical was a classic coaching stratagem, to help fire up his team. He's a VG coach.
Other than having a case of dropsies, on occasion, MP has been pretty consistent. He rebounds well for a SF, is a good ball handler, gives defensive effort, but just thinks that he's a better long range shooter than what, imo, he is. JMO.
ic59 great posts, putting in a point gaurd at the end of the game was what we were saying where i was sitting, poole shut baron down for the the first 15 minutes, when he came out Baron had 8pts at the end of the half and started to feel it, Poole should always be on the others teams best offensive player if he is a 1-4 maybe we could have ran a screen at he end of the game ctbill, how could that have been a good shot from 28ft, WE WERE ONLY DOWN 2!!!!
Chelsea, AJ English ISN'T a GOOD PG. In fact at the end of last night's game, his ball handling cost us the game. Not to say that he hasn't exceeded expectations, but he's not, at least not yet, a true PG. If TC were less stubborn (and that won't happen)
and had put in either Gomez or Sledge and moved English off the ball, I think our chances of winning that game would have improved considerably. Keep in mind I mean playing Gomez or Sledge at PG, was after we got the lead. And the game proved how valuable MoMo was last year as no wanted to put the ball up in the last few minutes, resulting in more passes and more turnovers.
And DL wasn't soft last night as he had nine rebounds, eight points and four assists in only HALF a game. He was sat down, once we were down 20 points, because he doesn't fit the type of defense that we were forced to play. And if we put him in when got the lead, it could have been a case of Canisius playing Hack-A-Shaq with him.
And, imo, the key to Canisius holding on was Baron, the father and not the son. His technical was a classic coaching stratagem, to help fire up his team. He's a VG coach.
Anybody miss Momo yet?
I guess I do, but he turned the ball over a lot more than AJ. Just look at their assist to t/ o ratios.