21-11 lead
! Gold is finally hot. You leave a hot guy in till he cools off.
2 You don't bring in 3 or 4 subs at one time. Maybe 1 at a time.
3 Is Zaide hurt or what? Why Is Norman playing so much.
4 Can't let a Guy like Rivera take those shots. Play better def.
5 Just lucky we won.
Thanks!
2 You don't bring in 3 or 4 subs at one time. Maybe 1 at a time.
probably the only thing that really confounds me about Shaka...
20/20 hindsight, but why couldn't Shaka wait until at least late in the half? My Gawd our bench was awful.
Quote from: Don_Kojis on January 14, 2025, 08:49:38 PM21-11 lead
! Gold is finally hot. You leave a hot guy in till he cools off.
2 You don't bring in 3 or 4 subs at one time. Maybe 1 at a time.
3 Is Zaide hurt or what? Why Is Norman playing so much.
4 Can't let a Guy like Rivera take those shots. Play better def.
5 Just lucky we won.
Umm Gold was the guy he left in lol
The subbing was dumb but you found a way to complain about it incorrectly. Nice.
Shaka not staggering the underclassmen's minutes is one of the very few gripes I have with Shaka's coaching and running of the program. The other is timeout used (or lack thereof). Would like to see him use them to get a shot for someone specific when the offense is stagnant or to stop runs, and he does neither. I think we had 3 TOs left with a minute left.
Quote from: wadesworld on January 14, 2025, 09:21:49 PMShaka not staggering the underclassmen's minutes is one of the very few gripes I have with Shaka's coaching and running of the program. The other is timeout used (or lack thereof). Would like to see him use them to get a shot for someone specific when the offense is stagnant or to stop runs, and he does neither. I think we had 3 TOs left with a minute left.
This would be huge with how well we draw up plays out of half. Wild we don't try it other times
I think we have a bit of an answer on Stevie tonight...Shaka confirmed postgame that Stevie has been under the weather and struggling to breathe. He told Shaka before the game somewhat paraphrased "If I look like I am struggling to breathe, take me out, but I'm giving it my all"
He's a warrior. Winner.
https://youtu.be/lQYpzlDY4jk?si=QYIhi8hJv5EEPmoF
Of course no one wants to be in a close game against an inferior team, but good coaches win close ball games at the end regardless of how the teams got there - and Shaka's been pretty good at it. A quick look (might have missed a few) is that he is 23-10 in games decided by <=6 or OT (so games that were probably pretty much a statistical top-up late - I'm sure some we were up big and they came back at the end or vice-versa, but a decent rough guide).
3-0 24-25
8-2 23-24
6-5 22-23
6-3 21-22
He is 71-18 over the last 2.5 seasons, so you would think he has earned the benefit of the doubt.
But, the bench is a problem this season. In year's past, when his bench has played better they have played more. Oso as a sophomore. Chase, Ben, and Sean as Frosh and sophomores.
My quibbles with Shaka so far this season are minor...
1. He has no faith in the bench at this point. I agree with using our subs one at a time whenever possible. When we have two or more on the floor it seems like we can't keep up with anybody.
2. We are both terrible inbounding the ball and defending the inbound, particularly under the basket. When we inbound beneath our own hoop, I am happy if we just manage to get it inbounds safely. When our opponents inbound underneath their basket, they seem to get a layup or a wide open three every time. When they were checking if Gold's block at the end of regulation was goal tending or not (I don't think it was), I was secretly hoping they'd call it a goal tend, because the possession arrow was with DePaul and they would have been inbounding under their basket with 3 seconds.
3. We have to figure out what to do against a zone other than chucking threes. Need to get into the paint off the dribble or high post more. We finally started getting a man at the foul line late in the second half.
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on January 14, 2025, 11:01:30 PMI think we have a bit of an answer on Stevie tonight...Shaka confirmed postgame that Stevie has been under the weather and struggling to breathe. He told Shaka before the game somewhat paraphrased "If I look like I am struggling to breathe, take me out, but I'm giving it my all"
He's a warrior. Winner.
https://youtu.be/lQYpzlDY4jk?si=QYIhi8hJv5EEPmoF
The tough part about college BB is that you only have guys for a few years. If you fall in love with a player, TS, he'll be gone soon. I know this, I accept that that's the way things are, but I'm going to miss the hell out of Stevie.
That is a good presser. Discusses zone philosophy. Discusses how an open 3 is always a good shot for anyone on the team. Except Caedin. Discusses what he needs from the bench. Basically gives an answer to all of the questions and frustrations of fans.
Quote from: tower912 on January 15, 2025, 07:15:50 AMThat is a good presser. Discusses zone philosophy. Discusses how an open 3 is always a good shot for anyone on the team. Except Caedin. Discusses what he needs from the bench. Basically gives an answer to all of the questions and frustrations of fans.
I'm not watching that nor listening to what the coaches say
Quote from: Uncle Rico on January 15, 2025, 07:17:24 AMI'm not watching that nor listening to what the coaches say
That's why I blocked you for a while Rico. Uncoachable.
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on January 15, 2025, 07:26:58 AMThat's why I blocked you for a while Rico. Uncoachable.
Listen, I'm trying to be a team player here and it seems prudent that listening to what Shaka says about the program and how he coaches doesn't fit here
Quote from: Uncle Rico on January 15, 2025, 07:17:24 AMI'm not watching that nor listening to what the coaches say
Nor should you. Nothing but coach speak without the requisite pandering, groveling, and apologizing that fans have earned the right to.
Shaka did address why the subs didn't play more last night. He said (paraphrasing) that the team jumped off to a big early lead and the bench came in kinda coasting, as though they were the ones who earned the lead. Well it doesn't work that way, so they were pulled pretty quickly.
He has said.previously that he tells them he is their friend and will do everything in his power to build them up and support them. But it is on them to force him to play them.
Quote from: tower912 on January 15, 2025, 07:15:50 AMDiscusses how an open 3 is always a good shot for anyone on the team.
"We'll take a wide open three at any time. I mean, if they don't take an open three, what type of shot do you want them to take?"
"[Unintelligible, but based on Shaka's response, probably something like]A better shot."
"Yeah...like what though? What type of better shot?"
For good or for bad (and it's been mostly pretty damn good if we're sitting around debating whether we're 4 or 5 on the S curve), Shaka (and Nevada's) offense favors threes and dunks. If that's the offense, by definition there really isn't a "better shot" than an open 3.
Prefers an open 3 to an elbow jumper.
Can't be more clear about what he wants.
Quote from: Don_Kojis on January 14, 2025, 08:49:38 PM2 You don't bring in 3 or 4 subs at one time. Maybe 1 at a time.
I think Shaka actually has a plan with this sub-rotation (especially in the 1st half of games). It tends to be class dominant for any 5 on the court. We start 3 seniors and 2 juniors. I think he's tying to build chemistry amongst the players that will be here 2-3 more years. This is part of the "Relationships. Growth. Victory." and the player development mantra. Let's give him the benefit of the doubt.
Also, if you pay attention to the rotations, he tends (barring foul trouble) to keep 1-2 starters (Kam and Chase/Stevie) + 3 subs that tend have at least 2 in the same class. I like the fact that Owens and Parham play together regularly. I like that Zaide and Tre play together regularly. Those chemistry things are important for next year's team and the year after for the program.
If you think back to 2-3 years ago, similar things occurred where Kam, Stevie, & Jop were on the floor together and the benefits of those investments in chemistry are being realized now.
#InShakaWeTrust
Quote from: tower912 on January 15, 2025, 07:15:50 AMThat is a good presser. Discusses zone philosophy. Discusses how an open 3 is always a good shot for anyone on the team. Except Caedin. Discusses what he needs from the bench. Basically gives an answer to all of the questions and frustrations of fans.
I agree that it was a good presser. Love the guy. However, I didn't hear the zone philosophy. He said something like "a bunch of stuff" and then moved on without actually giving any details other than shoot the open three. I'm all in on Shaka and I get the threes and layups/dunks over the midrange but I'm really wanting more on what the plan is against the zone. Maybe he just doesn't want to give details but I'm not seeing anything that says to me they have a strategy other than shoot the three.
Quote from: Milkshakes on January 15, 2025, 06:26:16 PMI agree that it was a good presser. Love the guy. However, I didn't hear the zone philosophy. He said something like "a bunch of stuff" and then moved on without actually giving any details other than shoot the open three. I'm all in on Shaka and I get the threes and layups/dunks over the midrange but I'm really wanting more on what the plan is against the zone. Maybe he just doesn't want to give details but I'm not seeing anything that says to me they have a strategy other than shoot the three.
Reverse the ball, shoot the 3, hit the glass.
He talked.about how zones are predictable and therefore the open spaces are predictable and they wanted to get players in the open spaces.
Quote from: tower912 on January 15, 2025, 06:42:20 PMHe talked.about how zones are predictable and therefore the open spaces are predictable and they wanted to get players in the open spaces.
Plus he said he didn't want to go into details.
Quote from: CTWarrior on January 15, 2025, 06:18:14 AMMy quibbles with Shaka so far this season are minor...
2. We are both terrible inbounding the ball and defending the inbound, particularly under the basket. When we inbound beneath our own hoop, I am happy if we just manage to get it inbounds safely. When our opponents inbound underneath their basket, they seem to get a layup or a wide open three every time. When they were checking if Gold's block at the end of regulation was goal tending or not (I don't think it was), I was secretly hoping they'd call it a goal tend, because the possession arrow was with DePaul and they would have been inbounding under their basket with 3 seconds.
Do you remember the Wojo years? MU is light years better in both departments, even without Kolek inbounding.
Quote from: wadesworld on January 14, 2025, 09:21:49 PMShaka not staggering the underclassmen's minutes is one of the very few gripes I have with Shaka's coaching and running of the program. The other is timeout used (or lack thereof). Would like to see him use them to get a shot for someone specific when the offense is stagnant or to stop runs, and he does neither. I think we had 3 TOs left with a minute left.
Call me crazy but I think Shaka has a plan.
Quote from: avid1010 on January 15, 2025, 08:01:40 PMCall me crazy but I think Shaka has a plan.
Yeah. See his big lead built up by the starters disappear very quickly when 4 subs come in, then pull the subs for the rest of the game while the starters grind it out against a team with a lot of momentum.
That's an All Time Photo. Wow.
https://x.com/CoachShakaSmart/status/1879690853289189490?t=p0YROPXRKcOtmj3cRw4VwQ&s=19
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on January 15, 2025, 09:05:08 PMThat's an All Time Photo. Wow.
https://x.com/CoachShakaSmart/status/1879690853289189490?t=p0YROPXRKcOtmj3cRw4VwQ&s=19
Give that photographer a Pulitzer.
I feel like my problem with their philosophy right now against the zone is that they don't attack. You either need someone in the middle regularly to be able to catch and face up and attack/kick it out against help or you need a ball handler on the outside to attack a gap and make guys move out of their part of the zone to help. Too many times last night I just saw 4 guys standing on the perimeter passing it around hoping to get a good look. Finally in the second half they threw it into the middle a few times to Kam and it started to work better. I do think them seeing all this zone right now in the regular season while they're still winning games is gonna be great for them in March. My worst nightmare would have been them seeing man defense all year and all of a sudden they see zone in the tournament for the first time and aren't quite sure how to handle it.
Last season, Oso lived in the open spaces and loved to handle the ball, pass, and get to the basket. There was no gap that TKo wouldn't attack. Ben isn't Oso and no MU guard is as good as TKo in tight quarters. The coaches know how to attack a zone. They are figuring it out with THIS team.
Quote from: wadesworld on January 15, 2025, 08:09:58 PMYeah. See his big lead built up by the starters disappear very quickly when 4 subs come in, then pull the subs for the rest of the game while the starters grind it out against a team with a lot of momentum.
I suppose...he's 1-3 against red.
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on January 15, 2025, 09:05:08 PMThat's an All Time Photo. Wow.
https://x.com/CoachShakaSmart/status/1879690853289189490?t=p0YROPXRKcOtmj3cRw4VwQ&s=19
Reminds me of that iconic shot of DWade sailing under the basketopen armed with LeBron following in for the dunk
Team is entirely out of sorts. At some point we won't be playing teams like DePaul and Georgetown to go on huge runs. Start using some timeouts to get the boys settled in.
Does he get all 4 in the second half since? I totally understand why he didn't use one at all. The boys were buzzing. Beautiful display of basketball.
Seriously, wtf? I'd prefer he has 0 left at this point than having used 0.
Unreal he didn't use a timeout in our worst half of the season.
He's just not a very good head coach
#5YearsToJudge
Quote from: Uncle Rico on January 18, 2025, 02:09:52 PMHe's just not a very good head coach
Maybe we find a coach for the first half
23 minutes into the game with a 17 point deficit and Xavier not even playing that well offensively and we finally get a timeout. Nice!
Quote from: wadesworld on January 18, 2025, 02:25:19 PM23 minutes into the game with a 17 point deficit and Xavier not even playing that well offensively and we finally get a timeout. Nice!
Kinda think this isn't really the problem.
Quote from: The Sultan on January 18, 2025, 02:25:47 PMKinda think this isn't really the problem.
Would be nice to find out. We haven't looked in sync for one second of the game. Would've liked to see if we could've turned the momentum when we weren't this far back. I mean, could using your use it or lose it timeout really have hurt in the first half? Maybe it doesn't help. But it couldn't have gone much worse.
I love Shaka, he's our long term guy, but this is his worst game in a long time
Quote from: 1SE on January 18, 2025, 02:53:24 PMI love Shaka, he's our long term guy, but this is his worst game in a long time
Please. They're getting plenty of opportunities. Coaching isn't the reason they can't hit shots and turn it over far too often.
Quote from: The Sultan on January 18, 2025, 03:01:07 PMPlease. They're getting plenty of opportunities. Coaching isn't the reason they can't hit shots and turn it over far too often.
Putting in 3 players off the bench in the middle of our run was terrible - if guys need a blow (doubtful w 3 minute TV time outs) pull them one at a time.
Quote from: 1SE on January 18, 2025, 03:27:52 PMPutting in 3 players off the bench in the middle of our run was terrible - if guys need a blow (doubtful w 3 minute TV time outs) pull them one at a time.
Write a letter. I hear it can be effective.
Anyway they had a chance to win at the end. You think the substitution patterns at the 10 minute mark had anything to do with it? lol.
Scoop after a loss. Rarely rational. Scoopers have to vent.
Quote from: tower912 on January 18, 2025, 03:32:10 PMScoop after a loss. Rarely rational. Scoopers have to vent.
I get it. Shaka is a nice guy but he's no great shakes as a coach. He is what he is. Mediocre
Quote from: The Sultan on January 18, 2025, 03:29:44 PMWrite a letter. I hear it can be effective.
Anyway they had a chance to win at the end. You think the substitution patterns at the 10 minute mark had anything to do with it? lol.
Don't worry, your fandom doesn't decrease if you criticise the coach - it's ok - Shaka is amazing - but sometimes he makes bad in game decisions. That was one. I wouldn't trade him for anyone else in the country but that was a bad move - along side not using the use it or lose it in the 1st half.
Quote from: tower912 on January 18, 2025, 03:32:10 PMScoop after a loss. Rarely rational. Scoopers have to vent.
We're 6-1 and 15-3, but today's game is indicative of poor preparation and coaching. It's time to start looking for a new coach, maybe go division II or even III as we are incapable of competing in a down Big East. Maybe we should bring Wojo back. He'll bring us back to glory especially if we're playing in division III.
Enough venting, next game up.
Quote from: 1SE on January 18, 2025, 03:34:33 PMDon't worry, your fandom doesn't decrease if you criticise the coach - it's ok - Shaka is amazing - but sometimes he makes bad in game decisions. That was one. I wouldn't trade him for anyone else in the country but that was a bad move - along side not using the use it or lose it in the 1st half.
White flag noted. I win.
I blame myself, slipped them two dimes before the game. Mea Culpa