In addition to our poor shooting, it appears our poor performances as of late coincide with the bench getting more minutes. Looking at some of the early season games against better teams such as Wisconsin and Purdue, our bench was playing 40-45 minutes compared to 60 plus minutes as of late (UConn being an outlier). Presumably injuries coupled with the desire to develop the bench for the future, have increased bench minutes. My question is if this trend will continue in the tournament if we continue to see our current level of play. If starters are healthy, will Shaka shorten the bench significantly. Last nights substitution patterns were strange as Shaka tried to get some combination that played well together, but for most of the game it was very ugly.
Methinks Shaka is force feeding minutes to the bench and youngsters, fans thoughts be damned
Throughout his tenure here, Shaka has shortened the bench in bigger games toward the end of the season. He was trying some things last night with a nice lead, some nagging injuries and a week off.
Let us see who heals up. If the entire starting line up continues to be banged up, then I doubt the bench minutes get shortened.
If everyone gets healthy, I can see the bench minutes shortening to Tre, Zaide, and Royce.
Bit that is at least 10 days away.
I'm glad he is doing what he is - its clear we're wearing down our core 5. Plus we need 1-2 guys to step up in the rotation to have a successful run late this year. Let's see who steps up.
Shaka said the second unit has beaten the starters the last 3 days in practice and deserved more playing time.
I get Shaka's point, but this team is struggling.
If players are injured probably good to limit their minutes somewhat. Kam tweaking his ankle at the start of the game and Jop getting a cut on his hand seem par for the course these days.
The bench will be shortened when we get into March.
I feel like I am watching a repeat of the Detroit Lions defense. All 5 starters with various maladies and Royce with a shoulder issue.
Seems to me like the bench has been playing more because of the offensive struggles of the starters.
Starters were 3-17 from 3 yesterday. Also 3-17 from 3 against St. John's. Gold was scoreless for a few games, Joplin has been horribly inefficient.
Shaka shorten the bench in lasts year's NCAA tournament. No need to save starters for next game, if you lose the current game.
Yep. IMO, what happens with rhe bench will be dictated by the health of the starters. By #4s achilles. Ben's shins. Come tourney time, if the starters are close to healthy, they will play 30+. Except for Ben. Who will play 25.
The complaint a month ago was that the starters are playing too much and the bench wasn't giving us anything
Now the bench is playing better and getting more minutes, and we want to shorten the bench and let starters play more.
Scoop fans are the best!
Preach.
I didn't see much drop off when Lowery, Parham, and Norman were in the game last night. Parham and Lowery are probably MU's best 3 pt shooters.
Part of MU's problem is not having a natural PG. If you have Kolek, the team responds much faster when the opponent drops into a zone. Chase had no idea what to do. Kam running to the corner to catch the inbounds pass at the end of the game and then taking one bounce was a cardinal PG sin. There is a tendency to measure PG effectiveness by assists, but the floor general aspect is not really measured as far as I know. TKO would get assists and the "hockey" assists as well. IMO, we aren't seeing many hockey assists this year.
MU's gambling defensively also has been less effective as the season progresses. Chase gets caught ball watching for a backdoor cut at least once a game. They really need to shore up the D when they don't force a TO.
I believe they will.keep the bench the same size it is now...........I don't think any of us want to see players or coaches having to sit in the stands.......might cause chemistry issues.
Ps we are 309th in the country in bench minutes played.......any shorter and we will be in munchkin land.........
#PurePG
Quote from: MuMark on February 12, 2025, 08:10:51 PMI believe they will.keep the bench the same size it is now...........I don't think any of us want to see players or coaches having to sit in the stands.......might cause chemistry issues.
Well played.
Quote from: MuMark on February 12, 2025, 08:10:51 PMI believe they will.keep the bench the same size it is now...........I don't think any of us want to see players or coaches having to sit in the stands.......might cause chemistry issues.
I say get rid of the bench all together and replace it with reclining lounge chairs.