End game scenarios, as we start conference play

[tower912]

1.  Down 1, ten seconds to go, who do you want on the floor and who do you want to have the ball?
2.  Up 1, ten seconds to go, who do you want on the floor and who do you want to guard the ball?

For me, 2 is easier than 1.    I want Duane, HC, KR, Sam, and Luke on the floor.   If the other team goes small, substitute JJ for Sam.   I want Duane on the ball.   

1.   Who has been hot?    Who can't buy a shot or has been forcing dumb shots?   Hot PG, hot 3 wings, Luke.      I think one of the strengths and weaknesses on this team is a lack of alpha and reliable go-to scorer.   The only one I am sure I DON"T want on the floor is Heldt.   

[Tugg Speedman]

1.  Down 1, ten seconds to go, who do you want on the floor and who do you want to have the ball?
2.  Up 1, ten seconds to go, who do you want on the floor and who do you want to guard the ball?

For me, 2 is easier than 1.    I want Duane, HC, KR, Sam, and Luke on the floor.   If the other team goes small, substitute JJ for Sam.   I want Duane on the ball.   

1.   Who has been hot?    Who can't buy a shot or has been forcing dumb shots?   Hot PG, hot 3 wings, Luke.      I think one of the strengths and weaknesses on this team is a lack of alpha and reliable go-to scorer.   The only one I am sure I DON"T want on the floor is Heldt.

Bolded ... doesn't that assume that Luke has not fouled out?  If it's a 1 point game with 10 seconds to go, isn't it a good bet that Luke has 4 fouls or is out of the game?

[tower912]

Fair point.  Plus, the other team could run two post players out there.

[Tugg Speedman]

Fair point.  Plus, the other team could run two post players out there.

Have Fischer and Heldt been on the floor at the same time this year?  I cannot recall a time.

Hope the first time this happens is not when it's a 1 point game with 10 seconds to go.

[tower912]

They have not.  I don't particularly want them out there, either. 

[KampusFoods]

Bolded ... doesn't that assume that Luke has not fouled out?  If it's a 1 point game with 10 seconds to go, isn't it a good bet that Luke has 4 fouls or is out of the game?

Hasn't fouled out of a game yet. If he's got 4, so what? There's 10 seconds to go and it's a 1 point game so in all likelihood this thing ain't going to OT. Roll with your best guys at that point.

Tower's defense lineup sounds about right.

The offense lineup, for me, would be Markus, HC, JJ, Sam, Luke. Leaving KR out of it for fear of him going Hero ball and throwing up something ridiculous.

[wadesworld]

1) Rowsey (with the ball), Markus or Haanif, JJJ, Sam, Luke
2) Duane, HC (on their best non-post...whether that guy has the ball or not TBD), Katin, Sam, Luke

[PGsHeroes32]

The ball better be in JJJs hands for #1.

He's the one who can get to the edge and around the D and can also kick it back out to a shooter.

We saw vs Pitt that Rowsey being the primary guy is a disaster too small.

JJJ ala LSU should be the go to.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

#1:

Howard (ball), Rowsey, Cheatham, JJJ, Luke

#2:

Howard, Duane, Cheatham, JJJ, Luke


I'd be fine with Sam or KR in any of those scenarios as well.  Ultimately we have 2 guards, 5 switchables, and 2 front court players.  The switchables are  - well - pretty switchable, which is a good thing.   

I think Duane is going to the last guy off the bench besides Heldt once BE play heats up.  I don't love that, but that the way I see things shaking out.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

1) Howard, Haanif, JJJ, Hauser, Fischer
2) Duane, Haanif, JJJ, Katin, Heldt

Two really depends on matchups. But I actually think Heldt has more quickness and is better at bothering shots.

[MarquetteDano]

Seeing all of these combinations gives me the good news and bad news of these scenarios.  Good news is we have so many options.  Bad news.... there really isn't a "go to" player.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Definitely want Duane with the ball if we're down one. Saw it last year, that dude has some major cajones.

[Tugg Speedman]

Seeing all of these combinations gives me the good news and bad news of these scenarios.  Good news is we have so many options.  Bad news.... there really isn't a "go to" player.

How important is a "go to" player?  We had one last year and how did that work out?

[wadesworld]

How important is a "go to" player?  We had one last year and how did that work out?

Nova had a couple last year and things worked out okay for them.  Duke had a couple 2 years ago and things worked out relatively well for them.  UCONN had one 3 years ago and things worked out well for them.  Louisville the year before, UCONN the year before that, Duke the year before that, etc. etc. etc.

It's pretty ginormous in the game of basketball.

[Tugg Speedman]

1.  Down 1, ten seconds to go, who do you want on the floor and who do you want to have the ball?
2.  Up 1, ten seconds to go, who do you want on the floor and who do you want to guard the ball?

The only one I am sure I DON"T want on the floor is Heldt.

Bolded ... doesn't that assume that Luke has not fouled out?  If it's a 1 point game with 10 seconds to go, isn't it a good bet that Luke has 4 fouls or is out of the game?

Tower, I'll let you respond to this.

[tower912]

He cowboyed up.    He missed a hot pass and a free throw, too.    I was seriously expecting a 'hack-a-Matt'.   I sure as hell would have.  But in the end, he played the best 6 minutes of his MU career so far.   

[mileskishnish72]

Damn, Tower, the way these posts live forever is a pain in the ass. I know where you were coming from in December, but give Matty props for tonight (as I see, you did)!

[Tugg Speedman]

He cowboyed up.    He missed a hot pass and a free throw, too.    I was seriously expecting a 'hack-a-Matt'.   I sure as hell would have.  But in the end, he played the best 6 minutes of his MU career so far.

Listening to Wojo on the radio now, first thing he said was how happy he was in Heldt.  Mentioned it before the 42 minutes that Howard played.

[tower912]

And seriously, was anybody actually enthusiastic about Heldt being the only big in overtime?    But he did it.   I hope some of the haters cut him some slack. 

[Tugg Speedman]

And seriously, was anybody actually enthusiastic about Heldt being the only big in overtime?    But he did it.   I hope some of the haters cut him some slack.

In one respect get used to it because all games that come down to one possession as time is expiring, or OT, you have to assume Luke has four fouls and diminished on D or has fouled out of the game.

Do you see a scenario where the game is 1 point with 10 to go and Luke has 2 or 3 fouls?  I do not.

[brewcity77]

And seriously, was anybody actually enthusiastic about Heldt being the only big in overtime?    But he did it.   I hope some of the haters cut him some slack.

I was worried going in with Fisch and Hauser out while they were full force. Heldt stepped up, so credit to him. Though Hack a Matt would be a mistake. Basically setting us up for 1.2 ppp while adding fouls to their roster would be a losing proposition.