My issue with this team

[The Lens]

No one ever takes it hard to the hoop.  OK maybe "no one ever" is a bit of hyperbole but you get the point.  It seems we are always afraid of getting it blocked and it's circus shot after circus shot.  Look at yesterday's box score; DJO and Jimmy were the only guys who got to the line. 

How does Lazar not get to the line?

I hate the circus shots. Initiate contact.

[MU B2002]

i know this was one game but it seemed that several times yesterday jimmy and djo (among others)  took it hard, drew a lot of contact, got rejected, and no whistle. 

[NersEllenson]

Beyond Lazar..can't really question anyone else on the team for not taking it to the basket.  DJO and Butler do, and JB gets to the line a ton.  Jimmy has a great feel and ability for how draw contact and get to the line - wish he could help Zar with that.  Buycks goes to the basket quite a bit.  Even Cubi and Acker (who probably have no business going there) had a couple of layups yesterday.

[MUDPT]

I thought MU should have taken it more to the basket yesterday as well, however we only turned it over 3 times.  You think that by driving to the basket you would turn it over more. 

I did think we got a raw deal at the start of the second half.  It seemed like we couldn't draw a foul and I think Buzz said that we picked up 7 fouls in 10 possessions to start the second half.

[Nukem2]

MU went to the hoop hard quite a bit yesterday with 11 UConn blocks to show for it.  The refs were not calling fouls on UConn blockers/rebounders either.  I was wishing that MU would have been kicking the ball out a lot more for open shots.

[willie warrior]

Jimmy Butler does slash to the hoop. His main drawbacks is that he is more finesse and little power. For the past two years it appears that he does not agressively power finish---maybe it is a strength thing. He does get fouled a lot on his slashes, which is very good, but he does not get enough 3 point plays on those slashes--it just appears that he does not have the power to complete the play.

All that being said, he is still our second best stud.

[Nukem2]

Jimmy Butler does slash to the hoop. His main drawbacks is that he is more finesse and little power. For the past two years it appears that he does not agressively power finish---maybe it is a strength thing. He does get fouled a lot on his slashes, which is very good, but he does not get enough 3 point plays on those slashes--it just appears that he does not have the power to complete the play.

All that being said, he is still our second best stud.

Agreed.  Does not seem to get that final thrust to finish consistently.  Would love to see him finish and get 1 shot rather than 2.

[The Pickle]

Jimmy Butler does slash to the hoop. His main drawbacks is that he is more finesse and little power. For the past two years it appears that he does not agressively power finish---maybe it is a strength thing. He does get fouled a lot on his slashes, which is very good, but he does not get enough 3 point plays on those slashes--it just appears that he does not have the power to complete the play.

All that being said, he is still our second best stud.

I thought Butler did a great job against Majok, at least offensively.  Excellent use of pump fakes to get him in the air and draw fouls on a bigger defender.  As far as finishing strong, he's not going to get as many And 1 buckets playing against taller players, especially against great shot blocking teams like UConn.  I'm surprised nobody mentioned his rebound dunk which impressed me...granted there was no contact on the play.  Either way, I love how hard he plays and am impressed with his development. 

[Doris Burkes Thong]

Cubillian even took it strong to the hole yesterday and made a really nice layup/floater.

[muhoops1]

If Butler goes strong to the hole against Nova they probably win. 

The other issue I have is when they try to "limit the number of possessions" in a game.  They hold the ball and just stand there.  They don't make the Defense work at all (with the exception of the last 6 seconds).  This team's strength is shooting, ball handling and quickness.  Run players off screens, pass the ball, make the D suck wind even if you are simply trying to run down the shot clock. 

The dribble drive would be a great offense for this team.  But on certain occasions the Defense can actually catch their breath against MU and be rested for their next possesion.

[romey]

Perhaps a factor in the style of play you mention here is that we are not that deep.  Maybe we're afraid of "sucking wind" ourselves.  just askin'

[tower912]

If Butler goes strong to the hole against Nova they probably win.  

The other issue I have is when they try to "limit the number of possessions" in a game.  They hold the ball and just stand there.  They don't make the Defense work at all (with the exception of the last 6 seconds).  This team's strength is shooting, ball handling and quickness.  Run players off screens, pass the ball, make the D suck wind even if you are simply trying to run down the shot clock.  

The dribble drive would be a great offense for this team.  But on certain occasions the Defense can actually catch their breath against MU and be rested for their next possesion.

It can reasonably be argued that our offense is a version of the dribble drive.   But specific to the talent we have on hand.   Each of the guards is supposed to try to get into the paint and then pitch opposite if the help comes.   Then, when the defense recovers to the pass recipient, either a quick pass to  the next guy open around the 3 pt line or a dribble past the closing defender until either a lane opens or the wide open shooter is found.     And yes, we need to control the # of posessions to keep from getting gassed.

[MR.HAYWARD]

If Butler goes strong to the hole against Nova they probably win. 

The other issue I have is when they try to "limit the number of possessions" in a game.  They hold the ball and just stand there.  They don't make the Defense work at all (with the exception of the last 6 seconds).  This team's strength is shooting, ball handling and quickness.  Run players off screens, pass the ball, make the D suck wind even if you are simply trying to run down the shot clock. 

The dribble drive would be a great offense for this team.  But on certain occasions the Defense can actually catch their breath against MU and be rested for their next possesion.

you will notice Buzz tries to do this with certain lineups on the court.  My recollection is he did that at the end of the first half.  At that point Butler and hayward had 2 fouls and were on the bench, IIRC Fulce had 3 fouls and was on the becnh.  We had either 4 or 5 gurads on the court and we were attenpting to limit the # of possesions over those last 2+ minutes.  Yes it would be nice to come down and move the ball and take the first good shot however, that coulld also result in a situation where the tempo becomes increased and UConn gets 3-4 possesions versus 2.  Yes the chances of getting good shot diminsh when you stand there for the first 30 seocnds, that was my and many others frustration with the Tom Crean offense. 

[Wareagle]

Butler does a great job of using angles to get to the hoop.  If there's a set player ready to take a charge he is great at not going straight into the guy's chest.  He almost always is sliding to one side or the other of a defender when he jumps.  His body control is very good close in and the reason why he gets to the line so much instead of picking up offensive fouls.