Post by ionatom on Nov 18, 2015 9:59:19 GMT -5
Yes, Iona was a disaster in these 2 road games. Yes, we made both opponents look like Top 25 teams (truthfully, I'm not sure how far away both rosters are from Top 25). Here's what I observed (at least when my hands weren't in front of my face, hiding).
* The best 5: AJ, Cas, IW, Much and Washington. I actually think integrating Much into the lineup was a bit of an unexpected problem. Whatever chemistry/pairings, etc. Coach had before the waiver was granted had to get shelved to get him some minutes. But I think these five players, without question, are the best 5 on the court at any given time.
* Something is not equating in the heads of Casimir and Williams. Suddenly they are both a step behind. We only got glimpses of their A-games, both mostly they looked like they were thinking too much and not reacting or simply playing.
* AJ is trying to do too much. I know, I'm Captain Obvious, but he started to break out a bit in the 2nd half. He'll shoot from anywhere at any time and I hope defenses key on that on come out to cover him a bit more to open up inside possibilities.
* Iona needs a healthy Amayo. While the front court gets in rhythm they need him to take up space, grab boards and disrupt the opponent. I do think he plays out of control too often and, yes, that's probably because he's trying to do too much. He can carry a team for stretches in a game, but he might be too fragile to count on.
* I have no idea what Bessick's game is. Incomplete grade, but I couldn't tell what we see in him, just yet.
* Proctor showed promise. In limited minutes at Valpo, he seemed to be one of the only players who had a clue what he wanted to do. He mostly shoots from the corner, so he'll have to mix that up, but I like his potential and I'm eager to see more.
* Valpo is very, very good. Oregon State is very good and has great freshmen. Losing to these teams is nothing to be ashamed of, but not being competitive is a problem.
* Like Proctor, I'm eager to see more of Much (should I say Much more?) I think he can be one of those great MAAC players/contributors.
* Other than a couple of possessions where they moved the ball very well, the half court set seems to bore the team. Running and gunning is obviously the key, but it seems like we don't have any half-court plays in our playbook.
* Needless to say, the defensive intensity needs to improve. That probably means more Ibn, but we won't win many matchups with Ibn and Cas on the court at the same time.
* I don't think the outlook is bleak. I think we may have overrated this front court, but it's possible we just haven't found rhythm. Practice will be important because I don't see a lot of chemistry. Without a true point, it might be hard to uncover that chemistry.
* I know I'll be watching Valpo/Oregon State. Mostly in jealousy of their bigs, but that should be a great game.
* The best 5: AJ, Cas, IW, Much and Washington. I actually think integrating Much into the lineup was a bit of an unexpected problem. Whatever chemistry/pairings, etc. Coach had before the waiver was granted had to get shelved to get him some minutes. But I think these five players, without question, are the best 5 on the court at any given time.
* Something is not equating in the heads of Casimir and Williams. Suddenly they are both a step behind. We only got glimpses of their A-games, both mostly they looked like they were thinking too much and not reacting or simply playing.
* AJ is trying to do too much. I know, I'm Captain Obvious, but he started to break out a bit in the 2nd half. He'll shoot from anywhere at any time and I hope defenses key on that on come out to cover him a bit more to open up inside possibilities.
* Iona needs a healthy Amayo. While the front court gets in rhythm they need him to take up space, grab boards and disrupt the opponent. I do think he plays out of control too often and, yes, that's probably because he's trying to do too much. He can carry a team for stretches in a game, but he might be too fragile to count on.
* I have no idea what Bessick's game is. Incomplete grade, but I couldn't tell what we see in him, just yet.
* Proctor showed promise. In limited minutes at Valpo, he seemed to be one of the only players who had a clue what he wanted to do. He mostly shoots from the corner, so he'll have to mix that up, but I like his potential and I'm eager to see more.
* Valpo is very, very good. Oregon State is very good and has great freshmen. Losing to these teams is nothing to be ashamed of, but not being competitive is a problem.
* Like Proctor, I'm eager to see more of Much (should I say Much more?) I think he can be one of those great MAAC players/contributors.
* Other than a couple of possessions where they moved the ball very well, the half court set seems to bore the team. Running and gunning is obviously the key, but it seems like we don't have any half-court plays in our playbook.
* Needless to say, the defensive intensity needs to improve. That probably means more Ibn, but we won't win many matchups with Ibn and Cas on the court at the same time.
* I don't think the outlook is bleak. I think we may have overrated this front court, but it's possible we just haven't found rhythm. Practice will be important because I don't see a lot of chemistry. Without a true point, it might be hard to uncover that chemistry.
* I know I'll be watching Valpo/Oregon State. Mostly in jealousy of their bigs, but that should be a great game.