Basketball Stupid

[Lennys Tap]

Derrick Wilson leads us with 5 assists and 0 turnovers, is second on the team with 3 rebounds and everybody wants to talk about him and John Dawson. He's not why we lost this game.

Why did we lose this game? For all but the basketball stupid, that's easy. Our front court played horribly. We were pounded on the glass. No toughness from Davante, Juan, Jamil, Steve and to a lesser extent Chris. Embarrassing how badly they were pushed around. On a night when Xavier brought their absolute A game, we still win if those guys show up. They didn't. Davante seems disinterested if the ball isn't in his hands - horrible, matador D and no effort on the glass. Juan looks just totally lost. I hope Steve is hurt. If not, he's just not getting it either. And what can one say about Jamil? Dumb fouls, terrible defense (leaves his feet every time his man lifts an eyebrow) and no toughness. Chris is Chris. At least he gave an honest effort.

Enough already of ripping Derrick, Jake, Todd, etc. The back court was let down tonight by our alleged "stud" front court. They deserved better.

[Norm]

Yeah, Davante was just so horrible tonight, what with that 7-14 shooting, 5-6 from the free throw line, 4 rebounds and 1 foul. He was the least of our problems out there.

But at least Otule put in an "honest" effort scoring 4 points and grabbing 2 rebounds to go along with his 3 fouls.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Yeah, Davante was just so horrible tonight, what with that 7-14 shooting, 5-6 from the free throw line, 4 rebounds and 1 foul. He was the least of our problems out there.

But at least Otule put in an "honest" effort scoring 4 points and grabbing 2 rebounds to go along with his 3 fouls.

While I agree Davante wasn't the problem, Lennys is right. It is embarrassing to get outrebounded by 19...especially when their leading rebounder sat for most of the first half

[CTWarrior]

Yeah, Davante was just so horrible tonight, what with that 7-14 shooting, 5-6 from the free throw line, 4 rebounds and 1 foul. He was the least of our problems out there.

But at least Otule put in an "honest" effort scoring 4 points and grabbing 2 rebounds to go along with his 3 fouls.

Gardner was horrific on defense and on the boards.  He was very good on offense.  Otule is a deterrent in the lane.  Just more examples of talented but incomplete players on this roster.  Jamil Wilson and Todd Mayo are the only guys with competence in all aspects of their position, but they lack consistency.

[Lennys Tap]

Yeah, Davante was just so horrible tonight, what with that 7-14 shooting, 5-6 from the free throw line, 4 rebounds and 1 foul. He was the least of our problems out there.

But at least Otule put in an "honest" effort scoring 4 points and grabbing 2 rebounds to go along with his 3 fouls.

You obviously only pay attention when we have the ball. He played over 30 minutes (I think) and got 4 boards. Must have given up twice that many offensive rebounds to his man. Terrible and disinterested on D. And 1 foul just says to me he wasn't even pushing back or trying to box out.

[Norm]

Gardner was horrific on defense and on the boards.  He was very good on offense.  Otule is a deterrent in the lane.  Just more examples of talented but incomplete players on this roster.  Jamil Wilson and Todd Mayo are the only guys with competence in all aspects of their position, but they lack consistency.

Gardner was not "horrific" on defense. He wasn't great, but he was not as bad as you all are making him out be. Now Jamil Wilson, there was a guy who stunk up the floor tonight on both ends. And if Otule is such a deterrent in the lane, where are all his blocked shots? Where are all his rebounds?

[CTWarrior]

Gardner was not "horrific" on defense.

I have to disagree.  I thought he was as bad as I have ever seen him.  Lenny said disinterested and that seems right.  There were times he just watched a guy drive to the hoop and did nothing to stop him.  I do agree with you that Jamil Wilson did not distinguish himself on defense tonight.  Too many ticky-tack fouls.  I think he generally is a solid defender though.

[Norm]

You obviously only pay attention when we have the ball. He played over 30 minutes (I think) and got 4 boards. Must have given up twice that many offensive rebounds to his man. Terrible and disinterested on D. And 1 foul just says to me he wasn't even pushing back or trying to box out.

Oh, obviously, if you say so Lenny. I just never pay attention to the defense we play, I'm only focused on what we do on offense. Its a team effort getting out rebounded by 19, its not all on Davante.

[forgetful]

You obviously only pay attention when we have the ball. He played over 30 minutes (I think) and got 4 boards. Must have given up twice that many offensive rebounds to his man. Terrible and disinterested on D. And 1 foul just says to me he wasn't even pushing back or trying to box out.

Gardner played 37 minutes compared to 15 tonight for Otlue.  I agree with everything you said.

[MU82]

Jamil plays even a decent game and we probably win.

[forgetful]

Jamil plays even a decent game and we probably win.

Jamil's problem was fouls this game.  He only played 12 minutes.  5 points 3 assists in 12 minutes is great.  Problem is he has to be able to stay on the floor.

[Lennys Tap]

Gardner was not "horrific" on defense. He wasn't great, but he was not as bad as you all are making him out be. Now Jamil Wilson, there was a guy who stunk up the floor tonight on both ends. And if Otule is such a deterrent in the lane, where are all his blocked shots? Where are all his rebounds?

Yes he was. And if he's even trying to box out a little he'll get 10 boards in 37 minutes. 4 is inexcusable. I think 5 guys on Xavier had more than that and they didn't play near as many minutes. No argument on Jamil. Chris (I think) had 2 blocks in 15 minutes and also took a charge.

[Lennys Tap]

Oh, obviously, if you say so Lenny. I just never pay attention to the defense we play, I'm only focused on what we do on offense. Its a team effort getting out rebounded by 19, its not all on Davante.

Not all on him, Norm, and I said as much. But if you didn't think he was terrible when Xavier had the ball we watched different games.

[Lennys Tap]

Jamil plays even a decent game and we probably win.

True.

[ronald dragon]

Jamil plays even a decent game and we probably win.

And it seemed like things were starting to click for him just before he got that last foul.

[WarriorFan]

Gardner pulled some serious matador D, but in a game where , if you're close to the play you get called for a foul, help D on the man penetrating is just a ticket to the bench for fouls.  The only reason we got the points we did out of DG is because he did not help, so he did not foul.

[RushmoreAcademy]

I didn't read the game thread, so I'm sure this came up, the only thing that really disappointed me about the game was how they repeatedly burned us on the easy baskets after our baskets.   I was really surprised that we couldn't adjust to that sooner.  I know how athletic they are, but I thought that was just such a high factor and made it so tough to get any momentum, particularly in the first half.

[4everwarriors]

The talent on this team is highly overrated. Frankly, on their best of nights, they're not very good. Don't really understand why anyone would think differently. Let's not make them out to be something they're not.

[StillWarriors]

The talent on this team is highly overrated. Frankly, on their best of nights, they're not very good. Don't really understand why anyone would think differently. Let's not make them out to be something they're not.

Not that he would have been a savior, but we really could have used Jameel's length a d rebounding effort this year, particular with Taylor limited. Just a bummer.

[Hards Alumni]

Gardner pulled some serious matador D, but in a game where , if you're close to the play you get called for a foul, help D on the man penetrating is just a ticket to the bench for fouls.  The only reason we got the points we did out of DG is because he did not help, so he did not foul.

When the game ended he had one foul.  It was a really stupid reach in the back court.

People who are saying DG doesn't play defense are absolutely correct. 

As great as he is on offense, he hurts us on the boards and with his defense.

[chapman]

Jamil's problem is fouls every game. 

fify

[GooooMarquette]

Well said, Lenny.  Our backcourt did its job last night - not only Derrick, Jake and Todd,but Dawson had some nice minutes off the bench.  I think he earned 10-15 minutes spotting Derrick with his play last night.

Our front line was another story....

[Goose]

I think basketball IQ as a rule is just not there anymore. Granted there are teams or individual players that still have it, but I that seems to rare these days. I do think our freshmen, including Wilson, are athletes that are also basketball savvy. The game has changed so much over past decade that is almost a different game today. I find myself struggling to watch whole games because of that. Hate to say it, but easier to watch UW than MU this year and not just because of the difference in records.

[Silkk the Shaka]

Game was lost on the boards. Plain as day.

[ecompt]

The talent on this team is highly overrated. Frankly, on their best of nights, they're not very good. Don't really understand why anyone would think differently. Let's not make them out to be something they're not.

Absolutely correct. This is nowhere near a good team. NIT might be a reach. I still say 10 BE losses.