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Post by gregcrow on Dec 21, 2014 0:51:46 GMT -5
And the Jinx continues.
IMO most important point is '05's 2nd point. We have a possible NBA player and ran one play for him the entire night. If we are going to get caught up in these half court games we have to have sets for AJ to get open shots. Reminds me of a few years back when Rider had Thompson and he would inexplicably go entire games and barely get his hands on the ball.
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Post by Cjb on Dec 21, 2014 8:38:08 GMT -5
..."Live by the "j", die by the "j". That pretty much sums it up in a nutshell. If only they could take rebounding up a notch they'd be more well-rounded, but that's a tall order (no pun intended) with our size. A win over Dunk City would be a nice Christmas present and help us forget this stinker.
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Post by Joebird on Dec 21, 2014 9:13:33 GMT -5
Cluess is a winner because he is a great offensive coach but the defense is frustrating. I think the kids just don't get his defensive system and also exert too much energy on offense to play good d. Not sure if they ever can be great with this system but if they can get in to the tourney and have a great day from 3 they can knock someone off. Great system. "Live by the "j", die by the "j". Now you're drinking the kool-aid. Obviously cluess is not dumb enough to think its ok to give up open 3s but they always do, I think the players are not sure where to go on d and that is because something is wrong with what and how he is delivering the message.
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Post by iona1970 on Dec 21, 2014 11:13:59 GMT -5
i think we do have guys that play defense, if you taped the game watch again and just watch AJ on defense, he kills it for everyone. when on top he moves of his guy which leads to open 3's or a drive to the basket which kills laury and will because they try to block the shot and end up with fouls, also with 5 minutes left aj had someone post him up and he literally got out of the way and the player got the layup
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Post by GuyF on Dec 21, 2014 11:39:54 GMT -5
As I said, statistically we were fine yesterday, though we have had some hideous games. We lost yesterday because AJ was in a coma and Cluess allowed them to control tempo for too long. We have equal or more talent than any team we'll see the rest of the way--we have to impose our will on them, not the other way around.
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Post by oldtimer on Dec 21, 2014 12:25:28 GMT -5
As much as I am a fan of Coach Cluess and what he has brought to Iona basketball, I am puzzled by his not foreseeing the danger of starting the season with a 11 man weak inexperienced bench...We are now playing with only a 9 man team available to use to provide for its demands...That with 21 season games remaining is a terrible burden to handle.....
The understanding of the guidelines of obtaining mid-season help are no longer in my dealing with mind, but the problems that are resulting must somehow be met or our promising season will go down the drain when Cluess looks to the bench for needed help......
We are like a 6 furlong racing horse with great burst of speed but runs out of steam shortly....Reminds me of a story...I once had a horse that broke quickly from the starting gate, and led wire to wire...On my way to the collect window the 'inquiry' sign went up...Soon after my horse was taken down...Seems he lost a weight some where during the race, and did not finish with the amount he started with.......
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Post by hawaii bill on Dec 21, 2014 12:57:35 GMT -5
As I said, statistically we were fine yesterday, though we have had some hideous games. We lost yesterday because AJ was in a coma and Cluess allowed them to control tempo for too long. We have equal or more talent than any team we'll see the rest of the way--we have to impose our will on them, not the other way around. AJ was doing a good job creating contact, but he wasn't getting any calls. That seems to put him in a bit of a funk. Laury too. They should get the calls, but sometimes on the road they don't. Got to find a way to score and contribute without the calls.
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Post by java on Dec 21, 2014 13:11:35 GMT -5
Dvr'd the game and watched it very late last night.
Agree that allowing GM to control the pace of play was a major flaw. We have extreme difficulty defending the half court set. AJ was in a funk and our inability to get him into the flow of the game, along with the poor defense, were the two main reasons for the defeat.
Also, agreed with the comment the announcer on NBCSN made in the second half: "Iona's missing link is another athletic type 6'8" player who can run the court and fit in this system". There is entirely too much pressure on DL inside and we will continue to get exposed by teams with big, physical front courts.
Need to have a short memory, erase this game and focus on FGCU.
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Post by Joebird on Dec 21, 2014 13:50:39 GMT -5
One thing to remember last year before a fantastic ending to the regular season, we were 5-6 and 6-7, so far we are actually off to a better start. I remember some people posting that we were a bad team, we turned it around quickly.
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Post by ichoops on Dec 21, 2014 14:14:40 GMT -5
Teams are beginning to exploit the lack of size in the front court and back.
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Post by St. Louis Gael on Dec 21, 2014 14:16:47 GMT -5
This is a couple of games in a row where we have been TO prone - AJ. Our solution is more time for Ibn - then we are very small. WE need more from Ryden, and we need a contribution from Daniel. He has shown signs in the past that he can turn people back from the paint.
In general, we don't come out of the week-long breaks well. We are a rhythm team, and the break disrupts that flow to, in several cases, results such as yesterday. Our roster is too thin to add dysfunction to lack of size and lack of depth.
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Post by husker76 on Dec 21, 2014 20:32:42 GMT -5
As noted the turnovers were the difference in this loss. Valuing the basketball each possession is the key to winning. I can guarantee Coach Cluess has hammered that point. Expecting there will be a tighter leash on those who turn the ball over in future. I feel that AJ's worst game is now behind him. Looking forward to Florida Gulf Coast on Tuesday. GO GAELS!
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Post by iona1970 on Dec 22, 2014 1:29:02 GMT -5
husker, the same player has 20 t/o in the last 3 games and sat out 3 minutes? some guys get a lot longer leash than others and that could be the problem as well
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Post by husker76 on Dec 22, 2014 11:29:15 GMT -5
Iona1970, reality is that some players are given a lot more latitude than others. Has always been that way. Sometimes you have to let them play through slumps rather than throwing them on the bench. AJ is a work in progress with in my opinion a high ceiling. He will improve. Cluess has a track record of player development. AJ is not NBA ready and scouts are looking at potential. Patience with AJ and with team.
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Post by hawaii bill on Dec 22, 2014 11:43:01 GMT -5
Agree patience is needed. We all knew coming in that we had a bunch of new guys who needed to contribute. While we're not that great of a TEAM right now, there is no reason we can't be a very good team by February, when it matters most. Thankfully the MAAC appears to be in a down year, so we should be competitive while we get it together. Encouraged that Bebis has seen some time off the bench. AJ is not going to be a super star every night. Everyone has to contribute. AJ is getting looks from scouts but can't let that effect his play. They will look at his work as a body, not one particular game or play. He just needs to be himself.
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