Rebounding, Crowder, DJO and other thoughts....

[MUCam]

Well, I'll start off with the negative:

Rebounding is very clearly a negative. There is no reason, other than lack of desire and poor coaching, that you should give up that many offensive rebounds. Unfortunately, this is becoming a trend rather than an aberration.

Crowder, to me, has been unimpressive all year. I know people really liked him early on, but I just don't care for his game and have not cared for his game, even when he has had success. He is clearly not the rebounder we needed him to be and his "hustle" just doesn't seem to do much. To temper my thoughts, I am reminded that he is still feeling out his transition from JUCO to Division I. But, at this point, he is not Big East ready, in my opinion.

DJO's confidence is definitely shaken. What a shame, too, because he can be very good. Unfortunately, I don't think he'll ever really be a #1 scoring option. He's best off the ball as a second or third option where he can receive in space and then shoot to open up his drive.

I feel for Butler, who seems to not be getting much help anywhere.

Offensively, the team really lacks cohesiveness. I like seeing lots of players get on the floor, but I am beginning to wonder if Murf's short rotation theory might serve us best. I know the Big East season has not yet begun, but there is no reason a more established rotation cannot be set. Without it, I think we lose consistency in what we try to accomplish.


On the positive, Blue and Gardner are going to be very good players down the road. They both are Big East ready. Garnder, as some have noticed, is as close to instant offense as you get. I'd insert him any time a team gets on a seven point run or more, just to stem the tide. Throw it into the big guy. Blue can play. Offense is still needs work, but he knows how to play the game, plays with smarts and intensity. He'll be a heck of an upper classman.

Junior is also playing well. I understand that his conditioning might not be there yet, but I don't understand why he doesn't start. Starting Reggie for six minutes of total time today just doesn't make sense. To repeat an earlier point, it is a little bit late to prove points by who starts.


Ultimately, disappointing loss. We've got a lot of talent and a lot of athleticism, but we need to work on our bball IQ. Hopefully it will come together as the Big East season begins. I am not freaking out yet, but this could be a long year for a very inexperienced team. In experience hurts when your few experienced players really aren't coming on strong.

[Steve Buscemi]

totally disagree with you about Crowder... sorry.  If you watch him in the huddle, you'll see he is 'the leader'. 

[Clam Crowder]

Everything in this game stemmed from DJO and Jae. One of them needs to be the second option, and neither have really shown it. This year's team doesn't hustle like last years and it was obvious multiple times today. We win this game with better free throw shooting, and better rebounding. Jae is just not very good and he doesnt play good D. Atrocious D by him today, on one play he didn't know he was taken out of the game and DJO had to remind him. Absolutely no way is he a leader. JFB is the leader and Dwight is second in command

[ATWizJr]

Effort was fine.  Execution anothe story.  No go to guy.  Our identity remains a secret.

Hey, haiku?

[Clam Crowder]

How can you say effort was fine? Compare the hustle of this year's guards with Cubi alone and you'll see we are lacking the intensity we used to have

[MUCam]

totally disagree with you about Crowder... sorry.  If you watch him in the huddle, you'll see he is 'the leader'. 

Agree to disagree. Please excuse me being a smart ace, but I have never seen a team score while in the huddle. I am kidding, and I get your point.

I just don't like his game. It does not mean I don't like his personality or even his leadership qualities. I just don't think he brings much to the court at this point. He is undersized without half of the savvy, skill or strength that Lazar had. He is clearly not the impressive rebounder we expected. His points come mainly from an occassional three and garbage around the rim, that he doesn't seem get against the better/bigger teams.

Put it this way, against Duke, Gonzaga and Wisconsin he had 15 points, 3 rebounds, 10 points, 4 reebounds, and 7 points, 5 rebounds. Those rebounding totals aren't going to cut it in the Big East.

[Sawsi]

Effort was fine.  Execution anothe story.  No go to guy.  Our identity remains a secret.

Hey, haiku?

I agree with this.  We need that go to guy.  I really liked seeing Jimmy rise up and hit that three to bring it within 2.  He needs to do that the whole game though.  When he has a look, take it.