Frustrating game but we're fine

[Vander Blue Man Group]

The most frustrating thing to me tonight in addition to the obvious, and maybe more so, is that Kolek mentally struggled mightily.  And that can't happen from your starting PG.  Everyone can have a bad game but he made inexplicable decisions that led directly to UCONN getting quality/transition looks.  He forced Shaka to sit him because these were backbreaking type plays and we all know he's better than that.  I mean frankly unless a wide open lay-up is available on a drive in the h-court, that's a forced shot versus a shot blocker  that he should never take.  And it's not his game.  KNOW YOUR GAME.  PERIOD.  I assume Shaka is having a discussion with him and he'll learn from this experience.

I'm pretty confident in this coach and these players to make those adjustments.  This was a frustrating loss but not a bad loss.  The rebounding issues aren't going away but now we have to take care of business now that the schedule is easing. 

[MuggsyB]

I'm pretty confident in this coach and these players to make those adjustments.  This was a frustrating loss but not a bad loss.  The rebounding issues aren't going away but now we have to take care of business now that the schedule is easing.

Agreed. 

[Magnum]

I'll just leave it at that.   Obviously the rebounding is an issue that bit us tonight but this team competes.  I fully expect we'll bounce back and learn from this game.  Give UCONN credit.

Another way of looking at it is UCONN was the home team, they made 88% from the line while MU made 65%. If both teams shoot their season averages it's a one possession game.

Rebounding is a weakness for MU, and offensive rebounding is a strength for UCONN, so the way you beat them is by executing and shooting better. MU had a stretch where they didn't convert off turnovers and came up empty with numbers. MU can improve on the boards, but you need to beat teams by doing what you do well, not what they do well. The last minute was frustrating, and maybe a good motivator going forward.

[Uncle Rico]

Another way of looking at it is UCONN was the home team, they made 88% from the line while MU made 65%. If both teams shoot their season averages it's a one possession game.

Rebounding is a weakness for MU, and offensive rebounding is a strength for UCONN, so the way you beat them is by executing and shooting better. MU had a stretch where they didn't convert off turnovers and came up empty with numbers. MU can improve on the boards, but you need to beat teams by doing what you do well, not what they do well. The last minute was frustrating, and maybe a good motivator going forward.

That's a pretty good summary. 

[Elonsmusk]

Oso also needs an elbow jumper.  He will be hard to guard if he can shoot.  A pump fake from the elbow would lead to one step and a dunk if he had a respectable jumper.

Agree.  He's had numerous wide open looks at the elbow.  He shoots FT's pretty well, albeit the form looks odd.  Oso has a ton of potential and will be a really nice player next year/the following.

[MuggsyB]

Another way of looking at it is UCONN was the home team, they made 88% from the line while MU made 65%. If both teams shoot their season averages it's a one possession game.

Rebounding is a weakness for MU, and offensive rebounding is a strength for UCONN, so the way you beat them is by executing and shooting better. MU had a stretch where they didn't convert off turnovers and came up empty with numbers. MU can improve on the boards, but you need to beat teams by doing what you do well, not what they do well. The last minute was frustrating, and maybe a good motivator going forward.

Good summary.  -19 though on the glass makes things super difficult though.  It's definitely a weakness but we have to work a little harder.

[Shooter McGavin]

That's a pretty good summary.

Yes


I mean +1

[PointWarrior]

On rebounding -

1) Why does it seem on MU missed baskets, the other teams gets a near-fast break opportunity the other way every time.

2) Why on opponent missed baskets, the other team has: 
a) two guys waiting for the rebound
b) a guy crashing in for a thunderous dunk
c) when MU has position, the ball bounces off the rim 10 feet out from the basket to the opponent
d) when MU finally is in position to get a rebound, they have total butter fingers and cant secure it

[Magnum]

Good summary.  -19 though on the glass makes things super difficult though.  It's definitely a weakness but we have to work a little harder.

Kur and Oso had 3 rebounds combined, so that really hurt. Kur wasn't as disruptive on defense as usual and Oso seemed to be playing below the rim all night. It looked like UCONN did a good job getting bodies on them.

[GoldenEagles03]

Not enough talent on MU to win 2 games in the tourney.

Win your opening game and that's pretty much maxing out their ability and fans should be satisfied.

They have the most Top 25 wins in the country.  Not a fan of the AP Poll? Well, they have the 2nd most Q1 wins in the country.  Could they lose in the 1st weekend?  Sure. But you gotta be a real idiot to think they can't win 2 games...and that might be generous.

[MarquetteMike1977]

Another way of looking at it is UCONN was the home team, they made 88% from the line while MU made 65%. If both teams shoot their season averages it's a one possession game.

Agree. Or If MU shoots the 88% from the line  and UConn the 65% then MU wins by 1 or 2 points. MU wins 77 to 75.

[Magnum]

Agree. Or If MU shoots the 88% from the line  and UConn the 65% then MU wins by 1 or 2 points. MU wins 77 to 75.

Even better!!

[Shooter McGavin]

They have the most Top 25 wins in the country.  Not a fan of the AP Poll? Well, they have the 2nd most Q1 wins in the country.  Could they lose in the 1st weekend?  Sure. But you gotta be a real idiot to think they can't win 2 games...and that might be generous.

I agree with you completely but the guy you are responding to is a complete douche.  Why bother responding and even more so quoting him?  Let it go until the mods rightfully ban the guy. 

[GoldenEagles03]

I agree with you completely but the guy you are responding to is a complete douche.  Why bother responding and even more so quoting him?  Let it go until the mods rightfully ban the guy.

I'm relatively new to the muscoop community so I'm unaware of who reacts like that after a loss. I don't have enough experience with him to call him an idiot but reacting like that after the 3rd loss this calendar year is ridiculous.

This team is good.

[brewcity77]

I'm relatively new to the muscoop community so I'm unaware of who reacts like that after a loss. I don't have enough experience with him to call him an idiot but reacting like that after the 3rd loss this calendar year is ridiculous.

This team is good.

NLW is just a troll. My advice, put him on ignore and never give him a second thought. It will make your experience here much better.

[Jockey]

I'm just trying to figure out if this is a schematic thing, or just the guys we have right now? Does our chaotic defense just get us out of position?

I think you covered it all. Those are the top 3 reasons to me.

[tower912]

There have been a few times in the Providence and UConn games where two MU defenders,  usually including Kur, are flying at the shooter after a hand off at the top of the key.

Having two defenders jumping ay a 3pt shooter hurts rebounding.  Having your center do it hurts rebounding more.

This is an occasional oops, not a larger systemic one.

[GoldenEagles03]

NLW is just a troll. My advice, put him on ignore and never give him a second thought. It will make your experience here much better.

Noted

[GoldenEagles03]

I think you covered it all. Those are the top 3 reasons to me.

I think it's a pretty easy fix but it will take time to correct.  They just cant get buried underneath the rim and that'll fix most of the issues.  They have the personnel to rebound and I think they will.

One thing to be happy about is that they are causing a lot of misses. The defense is solid. I've already seen improvements from Justin rebounding defensively. The past few weeks he has really gone to grab misses rather than waiting for the ball to come to him. I think they'll be fine.

[MuggsyB]

I think it's a pretty easy fix but it will take time to correct.  They just cant get buried underneath the rim and that'll fix most of the issues.  They have the personnel to rebound and I think they will.

One thing to be happy about is that they are causing a lot of misses. The defense is solid. I've already seen improvements from Justin rebounding defensively. The past few weeks he has really gone to grab misses rather than waiting for the ball to come to him. I think they'll be fine.

May I ask what "VIOLENCE" at the bottom of your posts is in reference to?

[Jockey]

Obvious.

[Jockey]

I think it's a pretty easy fix but it will take time to correct.  They just cant get buried underneath the rim and that'll fix most of the issues.  They have the personnel to rebound and I think they will.

One thing to be happy about is that they are causing a lot of misses. The defense is solid. I've already seen improvements from Justin rebounding defensively. The past few weeks he has really gone to grab misses rather than waiting for the ball to come to him. I think they'll be fine.

I don't know If I agree about the personnel &  the makeup of this team.  You make a great point about causing a lot of misses and I think one of the byproducts of that is that we don't have enough people to rebound. Neither of our bigs are good rebounders. In fact, they are very poor rebounders. A combination of bad hands, a lack of positioning, and a lack of strength. Sanogo was clearly a man among boys last night.

Kur and Osa aren't going to get stronger over the next 4 weeks. The solution is getting the guards to rebound more on the defensive boards - but is it worth the trade-off to give up open shots? I don't think so, Even getting massacred on the boards, we were able to come within a couple points late in the second half.

I think there are a couple keys for next year. 1) get Osa & O-Max stronger, and 2) get a strong inside presence from the portal.

I was joking with my wife during the game that I hoped UConn made every shot so I didn't get so frustrated over giving up offensive rebounds all the time. I don't wanna feel that way again next year.

[MuggsyB]

I agree Jockey but it's still a bit of a conundrum to me.  I've always felt rebounding was about 70% tenacity and effort.  I feel in our case the effort is generally there but the fundamentals are somewhat problematic.   As another poster stated we can deal with Sanogo grabbing 15 rebs but not Tyrese Martin matching him.  Illinois pounded us on the glass without Cockburn.  My basic take is we aren't particularly adept at boxing out and often try to grab the rock with one hand.  No one denies we don't have Moses, Barkley, and Rodman but we're certainly capable of not getting obliterated by 20+.

[MU82]

May I ask what "VIOLENCE" at the bottom of your posts is in reference to?

It's a favorite word of Shaka. He says it to the team to motivate them to play physically.

[MuggsyB]

It's a favorite word of Shaka. He says it to the team to motivate them to play physically.

Oh....I had to mute that all-access game but I guess I don't pay attention to huddles.