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Post by Z-73 on Jan 7, 2024 16:10:04 GMT -5
I can hear Jimmy V now quoting the scene from Brian's Song:
[holds up a newspaper with the headline, "Colts Dump Bears 24-21"]
Brian Piccolo: When you dedicate a game to someone (or more appropriate, when you hang a banner for someone), you are then supposed to go out and win it, idiot. You know, Pat O'Brien never said, "Let's blow one for the Gipper."
Tough way to lose blowing a double digit lead. But, as I have said from the beginning of the season, "I have no expectations for this team."
The team is offensively challenged, but they show a lot of fight. They cut a 22 point deficit at St. Pete's to 9 or 9 in the second half, but couldn't get over the hump. They blew a 10 point lead today and almost came back from an 8 point deficit.
It's hard to watch, but I have to watch. We have become spoiled in our years of being on top. While I have not given up on this team for this season, perhaps we are nothing more than a mid-pack MAAC team that will lose some games we should win and win some games we should lose. I have no doubt that TA will have us back on top again - maybe just not this season.
Go Gaels!!!
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Post by Joebird on Jan 7, 2024 16:19:05 GMT -5
Tobin has won too much to not be a good coach. But he did not assemble a great team. He had a very difficult job, and Pitino made it worse by telling everyone to leave, but the fact is the upper classmen he did get have too many flaws, especially on the offensive end. Maybe they can end the season on a good note, but right now the team has very poor chemistry.
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Post by sharkey on Jan 7, 2024 16:25:43 GMT -5
Tobin has won too much to not be a good coach. But he did not assemble a great team. He had a very difficult job, and Pitino made it worse by telling everyone to leave, but the fact is the upper classmen he did get have too many flaws, especially on the offensive end. Maybe they can end the season on a good note, but right now the team has very poor chemistry. Won't speak for anyone else, but I was wrong believing/expecting role payers from losing programs to come to Iona and think they will carry on winning championships. Gordon is a nice role player, but thinking a 6'4 kid who can't shoot was going to be Iona's alpha dog was a big miss on my part. Is what it is |
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Post by Z-73 on Jan 7, 2024 16:26:35 GMT -5
I'm of the opinion that TA did the best job he could have done replacing 12 players in a short period of time. Either they were going to gel into a cohesive unit or not. There are some signs that they have and some signs that they have not.I'm not going to judge his abilities as a coach (who has a long record of being a winner) on being in the untenable position he found himself in when he took over as head coach.
There are a lot of teams who would want him and a lot of teams who wish they had Iona's history. We will be back on top. In the meantime, I'll continue to watch and cheer these guys on.
Go Gaels!!!
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Post by sharkey on Jan 7, 2024 16:35:05 GMT -5
I'm of the opinion that TA did the best job he could have done replacing 12 players in a short period of time. Either they were going to gel into a cohesive unit or not. There are some signs that they have and some signs that they have not.I'm not going to judge his abilities as a coach (who has a long record of being a winner) on being in the untenable position he found himself in when he took over as head coach. There are a lot of teams who would want him and a lot of teams who wish they had Iona's history. We will be back on top. In the meantime, I'll continue to watch and cheer these guys on. Go Gaels!!! Tobin and staff will be fine. They work their asses off. Impossible job putting a roster together. Normal recruiting cycle, possible transfer recruits visits campus, and works out with the team. Tobin didn't have that luxury. Kids visited, but there wasn't a team to practice with, lol. My only hope is that Tobin realizes he needs to recruit more size. Already has with Hogarth, but need more than him and Adewale next season |
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Post by Super on Jan 7, 2024 16:41:03 GMT -5
Was just going to say, they just went from up 10 to down 8 in a blink. Long season. 18-0 run No timeouts |
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Post by broguy99 on Jan 7, 2024 16:53:35 GMT -5
Was just going to say, they just went from up 10 to down 8 in a blink. Long season. 18-0 run No timeouts Really? I got home in time to watch the final 6 mins of the game. That seems crazy that he didn't call a TO tho. Also. I don't get pressing that last possession there. |
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Post by java on Jan 7, 2024 16:59:08 GMT -5
Did Anthony and Greg put the black cloud stink on this one?
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Post by java on Jan 7, 2024 17:01:28 GMT -5
Really? I got home in time to watch the final 6 mins of the game. That seems crazy that he didn't call a TO tho. Also. I don't get pressing that last possession there. Not sure a timeout would have mattered. At times this team looks a lot like the Tra Arnold team. Nothing really implemented after a timeout. Players out of position and a lot of standing around. |
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Post by ic1983 on Jan 7, 2024 17:08:22 GMT -5
How do you lose a important home game while forcing 21 turnovers including 17 steals? Shooting 6-14 from the line and losing on the boards 41-24. Team just isn't very good. I'm all in on Tobin, BUT he has to realize he needs more size, especially when the team can't make free throws. Can't lose the battle on the boards and FT line every game and expect to win. Panzo and Shema 4pts on 0-6 from three Next 3 games...MSM, Canisius and @qpac. not good Well, let’s take a look: 1. Miss 60% of your free throws. 2. Miss at least 8 shots at the rim, point blank range. 3. Repeatedly let the shot clock expire because the team lacks situational awareness on offense. 4. Don’t cut to the basket without the ball or attempt a pick and roll. 5. Continue to try to run a 5 out motion offense even though your most experienced players lack the basketball IQ to run it effectively. 6. Rely on 1 on 3 drives to the hoop late in the shot clock. Tobin will rebuild the team into a strong program. He had to scramble to recruit players and, with respect to the upperclassmen, recruited a bunch of talented 2nd or 3rd option offensive players (not referring to Brown who just does not have the offensive talent to be a regular option) who simply are not capable of being an alpha. This team needs an alpha. We seemingly can only generate offense through forcing turnovers. Maybe that’s why Tobin is concentrating so much on defense; he may not believe this team can be effective in a half court offense. This year’s freshmen show a lot of promise, and a higher basketball IQ in the half court offense. In particular, I think Jean Arenguren may develop into the alpha we need. Next year’s class shows potential too, based on their play in HS this year. This will turn around, likely next year. |
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Post by java on Jan 7, 2024 17:17:37 GMT -5
How do you lose a important home game while forcing 21 turnovers including 17 steals? Shooting 6-14 from the line and losing on the boards 41-24. Team just isn't very good. I'm all in on Tobin, BUT he has to realize he needs more size, especially when the team can't make free throws. Can't lose the battle on the boards and FT line every game and expect to win. Panzo and Shema 4pts on 0-6 from three The rebounding differential is epic. Next 3 games...MSM, Canisius and @qpac. not good |
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Post by iona05 on Jan 7, 2024 17:21:29 GMT -5
Hearing lots of criticism of the coaching. How about the players are just not up to Iona standards? I thought our press was very effective for the most part and we had plenty of open looks. When you shoot 6-14 from the foul line, we just can’t expect to win many games.
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Post by ic1983 on Jan 7, 2024 17:29:24 GMT -5
We are not using Shema to greatest effect either. He’s an excellent passer. Run some high post offense with him. Would require players to cut toward the hoop without the ball so maybe have mostly freshman in the game for this.
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Post by Cjb on Jan 7, 2024 17:47:00 GMT -5
Is there anyone out there who still doesn’t believe we are on the wrong end of EVERY Buzzer Beater!!! (Mark) Murphy's Law. Unbelievable. |
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Post by sharkey on Jan 7, 2024 17:49:45 GMT -5
Hearing lots of criticism of the coaching. How about the players are just not up to Iona standards? I thought our press was very effective for the most part and we had plenty of open looks. When you shoot 6-14 from the foul line, we just can’t expect to win many games. You have mentioned this a few times the last couple days. Times have changed. Cluess/Grasso had loaded rosters mostly due to transfers. Tough to get that same level transfer now because of NIL. Iona landed guys like Jolly and Joiner only because of Pitino. I believe Iona's NIL collective is pretty well funded vs other MAAC programs, but not sure how realistic it is to pull as many talented transfers as in the past with the new playing field. Quite frankly, not sure how big Tobin is on transfers? Likely grab a couple but will be shocked if he recruits as many as he did this season. Really didn't have a choice for this class. Pretty sure there were 5 scholarships for '24. So far he's taken 3 HS kids and involved with many more, only 2 remaining if everyone returns. |
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