1. Getting 💯+ on opening night rocks.
2. Once the defense kicked in, off to the races.
3. Help, deflections, rotations, glimpses of how good the defense may be as the season progresses.
4. A great debut for Parham. I am not sure he can play the 5 in the Big East.
5. Ross looks like he is healthy and improved. Can't wait.
6. Rebounding was decent tonight. The whole team was aggressive.
7. I wanted to see everybody other than Kam and Chase go off in the second half.
8. Stony Brook was who Brew said they would be.
9. Wanted even more run for the bench.
10. I enjoyed the lack of commercials on the app
11. Next.
Won a game in Fiserv before the Bucks did. With the season starting nearly a full month after the Bucks' season did.
Also, is Al redshirting? Or hurt?
Quote from: wadesworld on November 04, 2024, 09:35:11 PMAlso, is Al redshirting? Or hurt?
That was my thought/question as well.
Also, glad to see Caedin look more comfortable in the second half.
Agreed about the app. Much better than watching what was on FS1.
Team looks closer to the FF VCU team of Shaka's than any of our previous ones. Violence!
Quote from: Lennys Tap on November 04, 2024, 09:40:25 PMTeam looks closer to the FF VCU team of Shaka's than any of our previous ones. Violence!
I agree. Owens and Sean coming back would add to that perception as well.
Love your summaries, Tower. Incisive.
Stevie too!
Where was Al?
Hamilton looked way better in 2nd half. Royce looks like hes gonna belong for a long time. Shot was crap tonight like everyone sans Kam and Chase.
Kam, Stevie and Chase are clearly the 3 dogs. Jop is the 4th guy as a microwave scoring potential.
Ben simply has to be better. Everyone beyond the top 3 looked a little blah and timid at times. And no one could shoot. Ben was brutal. And we need him.
Really hope Owens isnt out too long.
Thought we were a bit sloppy at times, mostly when the second team was in.
You could tell the difference when Kam played.
Good start but we do have work to do.
My guess is Al is redshirting...........usually if a guy is hurt and can't play they announce it at some point.
I gotta guess that Al redshirt is a redshit then transfer
Clark already redshirting. Ben, Parham and Hamilton all back next year. Heck everyone but Ben back for 3-4 more years.
Al has zero path.
Quote from: PGsHeroes32 on November 04, 2024, 10:10:30 PMAl has zero path.
Was this not apparent after last year?
He must love his professors.
Ben was just terrible. I honestly just don't see the hype with this experiment. If he doesn't improve on both ends of the floor I'd be willing to give Parham and Hamilton a big chunk of his minutes.
The combination of Kam and Ross slashing is going to be a problem for opposing defenses. Can't wait to see Ross continue to develop.
https://x.com/bensteelemjs/status/1853651209694937421?s=61&t=6XPB8f4sAKmJIzxgMcsCjw
Quote from: MUJunkie on November 04, 2024, 10:19:51 PMBen was just terrible. I honestly just don't see the hype with this experiment. If he doesn't improve on both ends of the floor I'd be willing to give Parham and Hamilton a big chunk of his minutes.
The combination of Kam and Ross slashing is going to be a problem for opposing defenses. Can't wait to see Ross continue to develop.
Lets pump the brakes. He was brutal tonight and unfortunately his line drive type 3 will probably never be consistent.
But weve seen two seasons woth of play to show he absolutely can play against HM's and BE teams.
Its up to him whether itll be closer to a 20/20 split or if hes a true starter though.
Quote from: PGsHeroes32 on November 04, 2024, 10:24:51 PMLets pump the brakes. He was brutal tonight and unfortunately his line drive type 3 will probably never be consistent.
But weve seen two seasons woth of play to show he absolutely can play against HM's and BE teams.
Its up to him whether itll be closer to a 20/20 split or if hes a true starter though.
Ben has had some flashes but he is woefully inconsistent. His 3 pointer just looks bad. Announcers even commented on it. If he has no inside game and can't make a 3 and is not a very good defender what exactly is he bringing to this team?
Agree Junkie,
Ben was not good. But give him a few games in his new role as a starter before you give up on him. The players were clearly looking to get him the ball. They obviously have confidence in him. They see it in practice daily.
He needs to get more confidence in himself. He looked hesitant taking his threes and front rimmed them again. He even front rimmed free throws. Bens best shooting last year was when he had to put it up without hesitation. He looks like he is thinking too much out there. Also when he starts his curl toward the basket with the ball it looks like he could drive with much more confidence and finish at the rim. But he stops and passes the ball. Was hoping to see that today but he stopped twice.
Was hoping and still am hoping the light switch goes on because he has talent. I think that will happen. Let's hope he has an alpha gene buried somewhere in there.
Yeah ... pretty disappointed in Ben tonight. Had a pregame discussion that centered on can BG be a decent inside/out presence? ... and can he hold his own on defense against Big East and good non-conference 5s? Really hoping tonight was more aberrant.
Quote from: WearGold on November 04, 2024, 10:57:28 PMYeah ... pretty disappointed in Ben tonight. Had a pregame discussion that centered on can BG be a decent inside/out presence? ... and can he hold his own on defense against Big East and good non-conference 5s? Really hoping tonight was more aberrant.
I think Ben is capable of being a really good shooter, but it can't be his focus. If he is dribble driving and playing as a true Big down low, the shots outside will come easier for him than if he's out there just hunting shots.
What flashes has Ben shown? That one time at DePaul when he made a couple 3s? Seems like a nice kid, but if he can't dominate against a team like SB it's no bueno. Next man up.
Agree that Gold needs to play better, but it's not as if he hasn't had long stretches of good play - or at least good 3-point shooting. He shot .464 in 9 March games last season, and .455 in 7 December games.
We'll see. It was one game.
Gold did not have a good game. What bothered me right at the start is that he did not even jump when they tossed up the ball to start the game.
Quote from: PGsHeroes32 on November 04, 2024, 09:49:32 PMHamilton looked way better in 2nd half. Royce looks like hes gonna belong for a long time. Shot was crap tonight like everyone sans Kam and Chase.
Kam, Stevie and Chase are clearly the 3 dogs. Jop is the 4th guy as a microwave scoring potential.
Ben simply has to be better. Everyone beyond the top 3 looked a little blah and timid at times. And no one could shoot. Ben was brutal. And we need him.
Really hope Owens isnt out too long.
Same old GooolllldBrick
Quote from: bilsu on November 05, 2024, 04:26:39 AMGold did not have a good game. What bothered me right at the start is that he did not even jump when they tossed up the ball to start the game.
I think it's funny that you found something to complain about at the opening tip of the season.
There are always nits to pick. And there is always going to be the player that seems to attract all the criticism.
Quote from: bilsu on November 05, 2024, 04:26:39 AMGold did not have a good game. What bothered me right at the start is that he did not even jump when they tossed up the ball to start the game.
Quote from: willie warrior on November 05, 2024, 05:07:59 AMSame old GooolllldBrick
Still name calling at your age?
Fantastic!
Quote from: The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole on November 05, 2024, 05:09:32 AMI think it's funny that you found something to complain about at the opening tip of the season.
You have to admit it was a little strange. My son and I both looked at each other and said I hope he's not hurt.
Quote from: Shooter McGavin on November 05, 2024, 06:43:13 AMYou have to admit it was a little strange. My son and I both looked at each other and said I hope he's not hurt.
Or maybe his timing was just off. Regardless it was meaningless.
Quote from: The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole on November 05, 2024, 07:03:13 AMOr maybe his timing was just off. Regardless it was meaningless.
No doubt meaningless. Just odd. And was glad to see he wasn't hurt.
Quote from: MU82 on November 05, 2024, 01:11:28 AMAgree that Gold needs to play better, but it's not as if he hasn't had long stretches of good play - or at least good 3-point shooting. He shot .464 in 9 March games last season, and .455 in 7 December games.
We'll see. It was one game.
Yeah, but then he shot like 0.153 the rest of the season and is career 34% - not terrible, but not good enough for a stretch 5 who doesn't have any other real elite skills. It's one game but building on two seasons of what we've seen. Given that he's been working on the shot for a while, I'm not sure how much more it can/will improve - SB is one of the worst teams/D in the country and that we'll see this year - and BG was being D'd up by a 6'8" frosh who would be lucky to be a walk-on at a high major - it seems like development of the young'uns is the more likely path to March success this year.
Shake Shaka BG
No injuries.
Covered.
Walk-ons got in.
Not much else you can ask for.
Quote from: Shooter McGavin on November 04, 2024, 10:35:19 PMAgree Junkie,
Ben was not good. But give him a few games in his new role as a starter before you give up on him. The players were clearly looking to get him the ball. They obviously have confidence in him. They see it in practice daily.
He needs to get more confidence in himself. He looked hesitant taking his threes and front rimmed them again. He even front rimmed free throws. Bens best shooting last year was when he had to put it up without hesitation. He looks like he is thinking too much out there. Also when he starts his curl toward the basket with the ball it looks like he could drive with much more confidence and finish at the rim. But he stops and passes the ball. Was hoping to see that today but he stopped twice.
Was hoping and still am hoping the light switch goes on because he has talent. I think that will happen. Let's hope he has an alpha gene buried somewhere in there.
It looked to me like Ben came into the game positive and confident based on an offseason of knowing he is the guy in the middle. He was draining 3s in the pre-game warmup and looked very comfortable. Then the game started and they set him up for a wide open 3 right away and he missed, and then he left a lay-in at the rim short somehow. It seemed like after that all the confidence and positive vibes left him and he played tentative after that and was down on himself. Yes, the shot is still too flat so he has a small margin for error and has a ton of shots that look decent catch iron and go out. He will have his hot streaks based on his past though, and hopefully more consistency.
My bigger concern is not so much his play, but that a bit of a rough start got in his head so much that he shrunk from the moment. I have no doubt that things would have gone differently had he hit that first 3. To me, that is a red flag that needs to be improved upon quickly. This team needs him to play assertively and confident.
Quote from: StillWarriors on November 05, 2024, 08:09:03 AMIt looked to me like Ben came into the game positive and confident based on an offseason of knowing he is the guy in the middle. He was draining 3s in the pre-game warmup and looked very comfortable. Then the game started and they set him up for a wide open 3 right away and he missed, and then he left a lay-in at the rim short somehow. It seemed like after that all the confidence and positive vibes left him and he played tentative after that and was down on himself. Yes, the shot is still too flat so he has a small margin for error and has a ton of shots that look decent catch iron and go out. He will have his hot streaks based on his past though, and hopefully more consistency.
My bigger concern is not so much his play, but that a bit of a rough start got in his head so much that he shrunk from the moment. I have no doubt that things would have gone differently had he hit that first 3. To me, that is a red flag that needs to be improved upon quickly. This team needs him to play assertively and confident.
This may be true. Everybody says he drains threes at a great clip in practice but you need to make them with the lights on. To me it did not seem like any of his threes were even that close to going in. This is a concern because looking at that film from last night I would not worry about moving outside to guard him.
Instead of shorting a finger roll,.that ball needs to be dunked. That is what disappointed me.
Quote from: tower912 on November 05, 2024, 08:22:55 AMInstead of shorting a finger roll,.that ball needs to be dunked. That is what disappointed me.
Totally agree. I was giving him the benefit of the doubt that maybe he was a bit off balance going into it and couldn't get there, though at his size he doesn't need to elevate much.
Several things the coaches can easily point to on the film to be rectified. He has the ability to at a minimum be serviceable, and potentially a difference maker. I believed coming in that MU's ceiling may be most influenced by how Ben plays. Last night was a clunker for him for sure, but I have little doubt he will pick it up soon. First game in a new role.
Quote from: The Thing on November 05, 2024, 08:19:41 AMThis may be true. Everybody says he drains threes at a great clip in practice but you need to make them with the lights on. To me it did not seem like any of his threes were even that close to going in. This is a concern because looking at that film from last night I would not worry about moving outside to guard him.
Really surprised the shot is still flat. Thought he'd have about 5 ft more arc on his shot after the offseason. His release looks pretty good, but line drives have to be perfect to go in.
Quote from: tower912 on November 05, 2024, 08:22:55 AMInstead of shorting a finger roll,.that ball needs to be dunked. That is what disappointed me.
Yep.
Y'all need to chill on the Ben hate, it was one game... the first one.
Quote from: StillWarriors on November 05, 2024, 08:30:36 AMTotally agree. I was giving him the benefit of the doubt that maybe he was a bit off balance going into it and couldn't get there, though at his size he doesn't need to elevate much.
Several things the coaches can easily point to on the film to be rectified. He has the ability to at a minimum be serviceable, and potentially a difference maker. I believed coming in that MU's ceiling may be most influenced by how Ben plays. Last night was a clunker for him for sure, but I have little doubt he will pick it up soon. First game in a new role.
I am in Ben's corner. I think he is as skilled as Henry. Missed 3's don't bother me. Check the % from those not named Ross or Jones.
We all want the flashes of really good play he has shown to become the norm. Dunking would have been a step in that direction and helped reset his brain after the early 3 pt misses. A slumpbuster, if you will.
Parham had some good plays no doubt. He also looked lost and confused on both defense and offense at times. An encouraging start for sure as those moments should lessen the more play time he gets.
Quote from: tower912 on November 05, 2024, 08:22:55 AMInstead of shorting a finger roll,.that ball needs to be dunked. That is what disappointed me.
Shades of Luc Longley tbh.
Quote from: Shooter McGavin on November 05, 2024, 06:43:13 AMYou have to admit it was a little strange.
I noticed it too, and it
was strange. We'll have to see what he does on Friday night.
I get we all like a hugfest, but BG isn't a BE-caliber center - and it wasn't like this was his first game, it was his 74th - against a team that the MU Intramural Champs probably could've hung with. He's Steve Novak with an ugly shot. But he's who we have so I wish him the best and hope that the young cast can make some major strides this season.
Quote from: 1SE on November 05, 2024, 08:53:02 AMI get we all like a hugfest, but BG isn't a BE-caliber center - and it wasn't like this was his first game, it was his 74th - against a team that the MU Intramural Champs probably could've hung with. He's Steve Novak with an ugly shot. But he's who we have so I wish him the best and hope that the young cast can make some major strides this season.
Steve Novak wishes he could move like Ben. lmao
I, for one, am proud of our fan base for not overreacting to one poor performance after half a year. Well done, guys!
Quote from: Hards Alumni on November 05, 2024, 09:08:26 AMSteve Novak wishes he could move like Ben. lmao
I, for one, am proud of our fan base for not overreacting to one poor performance after half a year. Well done, guys!
Right, cause Novak's 43 now.
And I, for one, am proud of being able to look at multiple data points over multiple seasons.
Quote from: tower912 on November 05, 2024, 08:38:04 AMI am in Ben's corner. I think he is as skilled as Henry. Missed 3's don't bother me. Check the % from those not named Ross or Jones.
We all want the flashes of really good play he has shown to become the norm. Dunking would have been a step in that direction and helped reset his brain after the early 3 pt misses. A slumpbuster, if you will.
I am also in Ben's corner. His shot was off last night but he is skilled. Interesting comparison to Henry. Ben is actually a better shooter. Otherwise their skill sets are very similar. But Henry was much, much stronger.
Quote from: Lennys Tap on November 05, 2024, 09:29:06 AMI am also in Ben's corner. His shot was off last night but he is skilled. Interesting comparison to Henry. Ben is actually a better shooter. Otherwise their skill sets are very similar. But Henry was much, much stronger.
Like I said in my first post, seems like a nice kid. I hope he makes me eat crow and shoots 40% from the arc while doing a serviceable job on D and Boards. That would be awesome - we'd probably be competing for the BE title in that scenario. I just don't think any of the evidence we have to date suggests that's likely and last night didn't change my mind.
Ben still short on his 3s. Cant blame his legs on the first game of the year.
Peddle his azz
Quote from: 1SE on November 05, 2024, 09:17:08 AMRight, cause Novak's 43 now.
And I, for one, am proud of being able to look at multiple data points over multiple seasons.
The implication I was making is that Steve at no time in his life could move like Ben.
Quote from: 1SE on November 05, 2024, 09:17:08 AMRight, cause Novak's 43 now.
And I, for one, am proud of being able to look at multiple data points over multiple seasons.
This seems to imply that Novaks age is all that's holding him back from having bens athleticism and at the same age he was similar to Ben in that regard
If so, contender for dumbest Marquette related post in scoop history.
If not, just not sure the relevancy to pointing out Novaks age.
Quote from: We R Final Four on November 05, 2024, 09:35:45 AMBen still short on his 3s. Cant blame his legs on the first game of the year.
He's putting a lot of pressure on himself. He came out super tight yesterday and it showed on all those front rim misses.
One thing that was noticable last night is they missed Oso calling everything out on defense. He was a savant at recognizing actions and plays and calling it out for his teammates.
For about the first five-eight minutes. Giving up 43 points over the last 32 minutes is not nothing.
Quote from: PGsHeroes32 on November 05, 2024, 09:51:23 AMThis seems to imply that Novaks age is all that's holding him back from having bens athleticism and at the same age he was similar to Ben in that regard
If so, contender for dumbest Marquette related post in scoop history.
If not, just not sure the relevancy to pointing out Novaks age.
I took it as a joke
Hope I'm wrong but norman looking like symir Torrence 2.0
Quote from: Johnny B on November 05, 2024, 10:17:08 AMHope I'm wrong but norman looking like symir Torrence 2.0
More like John Dawson
Quote from: Johnny B on November 05, 2024, 10:17:08 AMHope I'm wrong but norman looking like symir Torrence 2.0
If we were going off small samples and overreacting he would def be the one I'm still most worried about. He wasn't bad last night. But nothing showed me he's any different than last year with no real glimpses of his ultimate upside. Just a potentially decent bench guard to this point.
Unlike say Zaide who you can clearly see what he could potentially turn into as a bona fide starter/prospect.
Quote from: PGsHeroes32 on November 05, 2024, 10:30:20 AMUnlike say Zaide who you can clearly see what he could potentially turn into as a bona fide starter/prospect.
Hopeful Zaide can turn into new Chase.
We've already got some declaring that MU is doomed because Gold - one game into his third season - is officially a bust. If they end up being right about Gold not having improved, they'll get to say, "I told you so," and they'll await high-fives from the rest of us.
Quote from: WearGold on November 04, 2024, 10:57:28 PMYeah ... pretty disappointed in Ben tonight. Had a pregame discussion that centered on can BG be a decent inside/out presence? ... and can he hold his own on defense against Big East and good non-conference 5s? Really hoping tonight was more aberrant.
Solid first post, welcome to the board
Gold will be fine, but people hugely underrate Henry. Gold shoots it better from 3 and has more vertical explosiveness, but at least offensively, Henry does absolutely everything else far better. Just watch the first two plays of this video. Getting the rebound, pushing it up the full length of the court, finishing with an off hand running floater to the left. That is insanely skilled, and this was him as a freshman in college. Ben couldn't do that in an empty gym. Then the ability (and aggressiveness) to catch the ball in the post, turn and face, and get by his defender one on one. Get a guard switched onto Henry? Sweet, give it to him at the nail, turn and face, rise up as if there's not even a defender there. Ben can use his shooting to attack a closeout, but he's not breaking down a defender one on one. And Hank was so much stronger than Ben is.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-VvPFFJFpo
Quote from: wadesworld on November 05, 2024, 11:51:15 AMGold will be fine, but people hugely underrate Henry. Gold shoots it better from 3 and has more vertical explosiveness, but at least offensively, Henry does absolutely everything else far better. Just watch the first two plays of this video. Getting the rebound, pushing it up the full length of the court, finishing with an off hand running floater to the left. That is insanely skilled, and this was him as a freshman in college. Ben couldn't do that in an empty gym. Then the ability (and aggressiveness) to catch the ball in the post, turn and face, and get by his defender one on one. Get a guard switched onto Henry? Sweet, give it to him at the nail, turn and face, rise up as if there's not even a defender there. Ben can use his shooting to attack a closeout, but he's not breaking down a defender one on one. And Hank was so much stronger than Ben is.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-VvPFFJFpo
Agree with this but Ben has plenty of skill and strength to get it done at a high level. Henry was an alpha from the jump ball in his first game. Ben needs to get that confidence. Hopefully starting and having a few shots go through the net will have him off to the races. Biggest xfactor for the ceiling of this team.
Yep, Ben is nowhere close to Henry Ellenson or Steve Novak, those comps are simply because they are tall white dudes that don't spend their entire time inside.
Ben played poorly, but the season is a puppy and there's no chance Shaka doesn't give him every opportunity in the world to improve as the starting 5, as he should.
It seems apparent that confidence is a major factor at play.
Benny needs to start to think of himself as the multi-tooled athletic 5 man that he can become, but that's much easier said than done.
I will say that I think getting him some dunks and other paint buckets, and having him gain confidence by bruising inside and getting creative with scoring around the hoop is the much better approach then encouraging him to launch 3 after 3 early and often.
If it's open, take it, but if not there's no shame in moving the ball and crashing the boards.
When he misses his outside shot it likely affects the rest of his game so I would try to concentrate on improving some of his other strengths and let the shot fall in due time
Quote from: bilsu on November 05, 2024, 04:26:39 AMGold did not have a good game. What bothered me right at the start is that he did not even jump when they tossed up the ball to start the game.
I was wondering if this was a Shaka directive to make a point to start the season on defense. There's no real disadvantage in losing the opening tip.
Quote from: THRILLHO on November 05, 2024, 10:03:37 AMI took it as a joke
Thanks... it was.
But it's also a joke to suggest that Ben's slightly better movement in any way compensates for Novak's insanely better shooting. Again - two things can be true - 1) He's a nice kid, I want all the best for him (and for the team), and I hope he puts it all together and proves me wrong 2) Based on 2 seasons and 1 game of watching him play, I don't think he's a BE-caliber starting 5 nor is likely to get there.
That will do pig.....That will do.....An iconic movie moment.....
https://ew.com/thmb/NG3uHkMOviB8LYkV_qxFOC7otgE=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/babe-1-b27965ae6919422094c6dc278b716650.jpg
Right after "Christmas is carnage"....
Quote from: tower912 on November 05, 2024, 08:22:55 AMInstead of shorting a finger roll,.that ball needs to be dunked. That is what disappointed me.
Definitely. And they went back to that action to open the second half and he went up to dunk it and got fouled. He'll figure it out.
Quote from: Tyler COLEk on November 05, 2024, 12:33:46 PMI was wondering if this was a Shaka directive to make a point to start the season on defense. There's no real disadvantage in losing the opening tip.
I thought the same.
Quote from: 1SE on November 05, 2024, 02:00:54 PMThanks... it was.
But it's also a joke to suggest that Ben's slightly better movement in any way compensates for Novak's insanely better shooting. Again - two things can be true - 1) He's a nice kid, I want all the best for him (and for the team), and I hope he puts it all together and proves me wrong 2) Based on 2 seasons and 1 game of watching him play, I don't think he's a BE-caliber starting 5 nor is likely to get there.
I don't expect Ben Gold to turn into Frank Kaminsky, but he had worse numbers through his freshman and sophomore seasons and went 1/4 for 2 points with 3 rebounds and 3 assists in the first game of his junior year. He had a pretty good junior and senior season despite the underwhelming 2 years and 1 game datapoints.
Sometimes players who are sitting behind All Conference guys don't produce much because they don't play much. It's crazy. And sometimes college kids don't have huge games every game, so their first game in a season may be a stinker. Throwing in the towel on Ben Gold because he didn't break out in game 1 as a starter is crazy.
Interesting stat - our two point shooting percentage of 83.8% was best in the country.
Re: the opening tip--I was at the game and watched the ref toss the ball up so far away from Ben, towards the Stony Brook guy, that Ben would have had to swipe at it early, when it was about chest high, or risk crashing on top of the other guy just to reach it. That had to be the worst jump ball toss from a ref I can ever remember seeing. That's why BG didn't even jump at it.
Quote from: kclem on November 05, 2024, 04:13:30 PMInteresting stat - our two point shooting percentage of 83.8% was best in the country.
Kam's 10-for-10 sure didn't hurt.
Quote from: BrewCity83 on November 05, 2024, 04:20:14 PMKam's 10-for-10 sure didn't hurt.
Neither did Chase 7/8
But whats crazy is his also didnt raise it much thats how high the teams was without chase.
Quote from: BrewCity83 on November 05, 2024, 04:19:35 PMRe: the opening tip--I was at the game and watched the ref toss the ball up so far away from Ben, towards the Stony Brook guy, that Ben would have had to swipe at it early, when it was about chest high, or risk crashing on top of the other guy just to reach it. That had to be the worst jump ball toss from a ref I can ever remember seeing. That's why BG didn't even jump at it.
That makes sense. Thank you
Quote from: 1SE on November 05, 2024, 02:00:54 PMThanks... it was.
But it's also a joke to suggest that Ben's slightly better movement in any way compensates for Novak's insanely better shooting. Again - two things can be true - 1) He's a nice kid, I want all the best for him (and for the team), and I hope he puts it all together and proves me wrong 2) Based on 2 seasons and 1 game of watching him play, I don't think he's a BE-caliber starting 5 nor is likely to get there.
No one suggested he is anywhere near as good of a shooter as Novak.
Quote from: MU82 on November 05, 2024, 11:44:33 AMWe've already got some declaring that MU is doomed because Gold - one game into his third season - is officially a bust. If they end up being right about Gold not having improved, they'll get to say, "I told you so," and they'll await high-fives from the rest of us.
I am definitely not in that category. I have been a fan of Ben and his upside since he got here. I have been surprised his shot hasn't been more consistent over time because I actually think his form looks good, and he is athletic for his size. I believe in his game, my observation was about seeing him get down on himself so quickly the other night and seemingly losing confidence. We have seen how that can impact people and spiral. Here's to hoping he hits a couple threes early next game and builds from there.
Quote from: StillWarriors on November 06, 2024, 07:33:00 AMI am definitely not in that category. I have been a fan of Ben and his upside since he got here. I have been surprised his shot hasn't been more consistent over time because I actually think his form looks good, and he is athletic for his size. I believe in his game, my observation was about seeing him get down on himself so quickly the other night and seemingly lose confidence. We have seen how that can impact people and spiral. Here's to hoping he hits a couple threes early next game and builds from there.
Here is hoping Ben could be our Frank Kaminski.
Quote from: Hards Alumni on November 05, 2024, 08:34:30 AMYep.
Y'all need to chill on the Ben hate, it was one game... the first one.
I agree with this analysis. Ben has put up very good numbers in high major play, to suggest that because he had a stinker against low major Stony Brook foreshadows a poor season ahead is getting unnecessarily worked up over one game.
Quote from: avid1010 on November 05, 2024, 05:54:03 AMStill name calling at your age?
Don't see that as name calling. See it as factual description of his shooting
Quote from: willie warrior on November 06, 2024, 03:00:41 PMDon't see that as name calling. See it as factual description of his shooting
Name calling would be:
"Willie is an idiot"
Even if it is true
Quote from: Uncle Rico on November 06, 2024, 03:02:53 PMName calling would be:
"Willie is an idiot"
Even if it is true
"factual description of his posting"
Gold 3P 23-24 3P shooting:
Against KenPom A/B Teams: 29/73 (39.7%)
Against all others: 13/44 (29.5%)
Benny can shoot. He just couldn't shoot on Monday.
Quote from: TAMU, Knower of Ball on November 06, 2024, 11:35:17 PMGold 3P 23-24 3P shooting:
Against KenPom A/B Teams: 29/73 (39.7%)
Against all others: 13/44 (29.5%)
Benny can shoot. He just couldn't shoot on Monday.
Ben can shoot vs good teams that says
Need everyone else to carry us vs the cupcakes and BE bottom dwellers
Quote from: PGsHeroes32 on November 07, 2024, 01:58:28 PMBen can shoot vs good teams that says
Need everyone else to carry us vs the cupcakes and BE bottom dwellers
My completely unfounded theory is that he does better against high majors because he's less open and guys are closing out which forces him into a decision. When he's wide open it seems like he struggles. But I don't have data to back that up. I feel similar about Jop sometimes, at least on catch and shoot tries.
Quote from: BM1090 on November 07, 2024, 02:27:59 PMMy completely unfounded theory is that he does better against high majors because he's less open and guys are closing out which forces him into a decision. When he's wide open it seems like he struggles. But I don't have data to back that up. I feel similar about Jop sometimes, at least on catch and shoot tries.
Thats how it feels watching as well and I believe there is data to back it up. I saw stats about how as a team most of our guys(I believe Ben and Jop biggest culprits) struggled with open 3s.
Cant remember if it was trusty paint touches or somewhere more random on X but it def appears to be a think where Benny rushes the open ones
If opposing coaches go in with the strategy to leave Gold and Joplin wide open, we're doomed!
Quote from: MU82 on November 07, 2024, 03:09:12 PMIf opposing coaches go in with the strategy to leave Gold and Joplin wide open, we're doomed!
I know this is in jest, but if I were coaching against MU and had a big that wasn't as mobile, I'd want to see Ben make one before I'd have him guarded tight out to the perimeter.
Quote from: TAMU, Knower of Ball on November 06, 2024, 11:35:17 PMGold 3P 23-24 3P shooting:
Against KenPom A/B Teams: 29/73 (39.7%)
Against all others: 13/44 (29.5%)
Benny can shoot. He just couldn't shoot on Monday.
There seems to be a pattern based on how many attempts he takes:
Shooting 6 or more threes per game: 6/21 or 28.6%
Attempting 3 to 5 per game: 23/70 or 32.9%
Shooing 2 or fewer times per game: 13/26 or 50.0%
Quote from: The Equalizer on November 07, 2024, 06:25:25 PMThere seems to be a pattern based on how many attempts he takes:
Shooting 6 or more threes per game: 6/21 or 28.6%
Attempting 3 to 5 per game: 23/70 or 32.9%
Shooing 2 or fewer times per game: 13/26 or 50.0%
Simple answer—pull him after two 3 point attempts!
Quote from: Holy hell all time on November 05, 2024, 11:51:15 AMGold will be fine, but people hugely underrate Henry. Gold shoots it better from 3 and has more vertical explosiveness, but at least offensively, Henry does absolutely everything else far better. Just watch the first two plays of this video. Getting the rebound, pushing it up the full length of the court, finishing with an off hand running floater to the left. That is insanely skilled, and this was him as a freshman in college. Ben couldn't do that in an empty gym. Then the ability (and aggressiveness) to catch the ball in the post, turn and face, and get by his defender one on one. Get a guard switched onto Henry? Sweet, give it to him at the nail, turn and face, rise up as if there's not even a defender there. Ben can use his shooting to attack a closeout, but he's not breaking down a defender one on one. And Hank was so much stronger than Ben is.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-VvPFFJFpo
If Henry would have stayed all 4 Years, I think he would have been making All America Teams in Junior and Senior Season. Henry was an Excellent College Basketball Player.
Quote from: Herman Cain on November 09, 2024, 08:13:12 PMIf Henry would have stayed all 4 Years, I think he would have been making All America Teams in Junior and Senior Season. Henry was an Excellent College Basketball Player.
Nothing like giving up millions...
Quote from: Herman Cain on November 09, 2024, 08:13:12 PMIf Henry would have stayed all 4 Years, I think he would have been making All America Teams in Junior and Senior Season. Henry was an Excellent College Basketball Player.
Not with Wojo as HC. They wouldn't have won enough games for Ellenson to merit consideration.
Quote from: Zog from Margo on November 10, 2024, 12:15:25 AMNot with Wojo as HC. They wouldn't have won enough games for Ellenson to merit consideration.
Markus.