...is one of the wildest in recent memory. We have maintained this top 15-20 ranking, yet we have brutalized some teams and been brutalized several times ourselves. I see the major deficiencies are: Size and outside shooting. We for certain are quick and can push the ball, but we need to be near perfect on every break opportunity we get (which is not possible for anyone) to overcome our size deficiencies. We are not Butler. We are not going to be able to save ourselves in certain mismatches (like UL) by taking 30 3s and hitting 14 of them. I thought we played hard tonight, but couldn't overcome Louisville's considerable size and skill advantage.
I agree, 100%. Effort is just about never the problem with this team. We were confused early on defense tonight, but I don;t think that was lack of effort.
Also, I saw tonight a lot of defensive lapses that were purely mental, that resulted in many wide open layups, during half-court sets. I liked Christopherson's intensity tonight. He only got 6 minutes tonight, I'd like to see him for a consistent 15 minute in-game stretch to get a better bead on his potential, but I think we'll have to wait til next year to see that.
Quote from: CTWarrior on February 04, 2008, 09:31:18 PM
I agree, 100%. Effort is just about never the problem with this team. We were confused early on defense tonight, but I don;t think that was lack of effort.
Where was the effort tonight then!? Matthews has it, but there really isn't anyone else moving on offense and the defense has been very lackadaisical. I'm sick of seeing the slow halfcourt offense and lack of pressing on D. What's the point of playing a small, quick lineup if we aren't going to utilize it to it's full potential?
I think we have some players who are utterly ineffectual (Fitz), soft (Barro). tentative (Acker), who may distract us from seeing the truly hard efforts of the rest (James, McNeal, Wes, Lazar). And also remember, some players on-court gait/demeanor (Wade) may appear "casual" to the eye, but that doesn't mean they aren't playing as hard as they can.
Quote from: muwarrior87 on February 04, 2008, 09:38:16 PM
Quote from: CTWarrior on February 04, 2008, 09:31:18 PM
I agree, 100%. Effort is just about never the problem with this team. We were confused early on defense tonight, but I don;t think that was lack of effort.
Where was the effort tonight then!? Matthews has it, but there really isn't anyone else moving on offense and the defense has been very lackadaisical. I'm sick of seeing the slow halfcourt offense and lack of pressing on D. What's the point of playing a small, quick lineup if we aren't going to utilize it to it's full potential?
They're running some sort of offense taht apparently doesn't call for a lot of motion. I agree that we should full court pressure more, but our guys are busting it on D. They were constantly out of position tonight, though. Doesn't mean .the effort isn;t there. The execution left a lot to be desired.
Finally, Louisville just has bigger, better players than we do. If both teams give max effort, we lose.
Look at the two teams tonight and tell me which MU player would start and play significant minutes at UL? Maybe Jerel.
How many future pros are on each roster? We're starting to see the flaws in TC's recruiting.
I'll admit when I'm wrong. In the past I've ripped him for failing to recruit big men. Let me now add that he also has failed to recruit complete guards also.
To answer your question, I think Matthews, Hayward and McNeal get quality minutes, but don't start. For those who continue to believe Smith chose Louisville because of playing time, how do you feel now? Jerry in a Warrior uni easily gets 32+ minutes/game.