Attacking the S & P

[Goose]

TAMU

My point is that it is very hard for guys to stick out based on the top three guys. I do not think is a major issue, but there has been guys playing solo more than the past 1.5 years. These are college kids and a lot of money on the line. Going into next year there is going to be a lot of gap room available.

I am not saying this is big chemistry problem, but do think the non big three are playing less team ball than previous games.

[MuggsyB]

Did you play thru HS ball or college ball too?

HS

[mug644]

Goose

I don't see it as an issue of NIL money. I think Stevie's absence is giving Chase an opportunity, and, not surprisingly, he's trying to stake a claim on continued playing time. Truthfully, he might be trying to show up Joplin, as if Ross might fill that O-Max gap better than Jop has done.

And Stevie helps space out the offense well, with his cuts and availability on the perimeter.

Someone's mention of Jop trying to be like Carmelo is an interesting insight. Even when he was hitting threes last night, I felt he still tried too much back-in, 1 on 1 ball.

I am hopeful, maybe even optimistic about Sean, as I do feel he has changed and progressed from last year. He still looks like he's trying too hard (maybe due to his pace, it seems that way?) and dribbles too much. But, he does seem to be making better choices.

Overall, I see these guys trying to succeed in their roles, and with Stevie out, their roles have slightly changed. And so, understandably, they want to expand their roles. I don't see it as an NIL-influenced chemistry issue.

[Newsdreams]

HS

How often did your team go medieval?

[Herman Cain]

Move the ball to the open man Spread the floor . Cut well and Make 3s.

It is very hard in this league to get to charity stripe on the dribble drives. The refs are letting the guys play physical ball.

[MuggsyB]

How often did your team go medieval?

Rarely.  We were mediocre and the coach was an imbecile.

[Goose]

I do not think there is a nil issue at all. My point is that the guys that are not that the big three are the biggest guys stalling the offense by excessive dribbling. IMO, it has hurt the flow of the offense. That I do think has hurt the on floor chemistry. I 100% believe these are not connected, but there has been some on court frustration.

As for the nil money, it is real life changing money for the top players. Any college kid that would not care about that is a rare person, imo. I would not fault any kid that wants to change their life by playing college basketball.
I do not think there is jealousy of guys being paid substantially more and that is a good thing.

I mentioned that there will be a lot of gap room next year and someone is likely to do well. If I were in charge, I would have hard time determining who the right guys are to get paid. Fortunately I am not in charge because I would be hitting the transfer portal hard.

[real chili 83]

We have a pretty good shot if we score more points.

[The Sultan]

One very big thing that is now part of college sports, these guys are playing for nil money. I think we have seen more individual play from guys not making real coin yet and that has hurt the chemistry. Ross, Sean and Joplin are not making big three money and they will possibly be the core next year.

IMO, being a coach is far harder today. There is a big gap in pay at MU, and most schools, and guys are playing like contract years. Now, I do not think it is a major problem, but more individual play leads me to my theory.

I think this is a big stretch.  When the offense bogged down last year, it looked similar. This isn't about too much one-on-one play. It's about defenses packing it in and not respecting the outside shot.

I am not saying this is big chemistry problem, but do think the non big three are playing less team ball than previous games.

I don't see this at all.

[Goose]

Sultan

You may be right. I just think it is harder today because it is not just playing for playing time anymore. Imo, the transfer portal and landscape of college sports has changed so much and I think guys dreaming about a payday is a normal thought process.

As for the offense bogging down, I do not agree completely. I do believe we have seen more individual plays and guys pressing those plays.

[kclem]

To prevent the sagging and packing of the lane, we need to hit the threes. Spacing and ball movement will lead to good shots, but we need to make them at a good percentage. I was encouraged to see Ben Gold and Joplin make them last night. That will help pull the forwards out, but we also need to have better 3 point shooting from our guards/small forwards. Kam Jones and Tyler Kolek are great, but the rest are struggling. Chase Ross, Stevie Mitchell, Tyre Norman, Zaide Lowery, and Sean Jones are a combined 19 for 97 so far this year. Just slightly under 20%. I wish we had a guard on the bench that was a great shooter, even if he wasn't long and athletic, to come in against the zones and sagging defenses.

[Jockey]

How would you experts attack the sag and physicality we will see from numerous teams in the BEast?  I think there are times where we over drbble and play too fast and impatiently in the h-court.  I understand wanting to play with a fast tempo but I believe this team should be able to get quality shots vs any of our opponents. My take is we should move Oso around more.  It doesn't always have to be a high pick & roll or a straight low post catch.  Anyway, where do you see our best options/areas to score vs this particular defense?  Because I'm pretty sure we'll see it fairly often.

Where else can he play? He brings the ball up court. He plays at the FT line. He plays on both wings.

Maybe the concession stand so he can deliver drinks?

[Lennys Tap]

One very big thing that is now part of college sports, these guys are playing for nil money. I think we have seen more individual play from guys not making real coin yet and that has hurt the chemistry. Ross, Sean and Joplin are not making big three money and they will possibly be the core next year.

IMO, being a coach is far harder today. There is a big gap in pay at MU, and most schools, and guys are playing like contract years. Now, I do not think it is a major problem, but more individual play leads me to my theory.

Agree 100% that we've seen much more of people trying to make individual plays off the dribble this year than last. Also a lot of 3s taken by poor shooters early in the shot clock. Don't know whether this is by design or if you're right about the $ aspect but I think it's happening.

[Shooter McGavin]

Agree 100% that we've seen much more of people trying to make individual plays off the dribble this year than last. Also a lot of 3s taken by poor shooters early in the shot clock. Don't know whether this is by design or if you're right about the $ aspect but I think it's happening.

This stuff is so easy to see in real time and in film sessions that I'm sure Shaka is addressing this after every game.  I think he sees these players make these plays/shots in practice every day and understands that it will happen in games with more experience especially with the younger guys.  He wants them to take wide open shots whether it's early or not.  How else can you get better and more confident?  How else can you develop so you are ready to contribute when it matters?

Shaka knows his team.  I don't think this is NIL related or if it is it's only 5%.  Shaka will have this team playing for each other and they all know based on Omax going first round that winning basketball helps get everyone where they want to go and the money they all want to make. 

As far as dribbling possibly too much, Sean Jones, the main culprit people are talking about, is built for that.  He is quick enough to probe the lane and kick it out.  Despite his size he is shifty enough to get some layups with that action as well.  I, like other posters, think when he develops a floater he will be dangerous.  He also took a mid range jumper last night that look good but rimmed out that I think will work for him in the future.  He will ultimately be fine from range IMO as well.  I'm pretty sure must be making these shots in practice with regularity.

MU is an imperfect team that has enough talent to continue to get better and I think Shaka will have them playing at their best when it matters, NIL or no NIL.

[Goose]

Shooter,

Trust me, this is simply me being curious. Let's say you are a sophomore in college playing D1 basketball and you knew 2-3 of your teammates were making a combined $800k (made up number) and they likely were not back next year, would you have any interest in upping your pay the next year? If so, would it influence how you played?

[brewcity77]

Why are we attacking Standard and Poor's? 

[Shooter McGavin]

Shooter,

Trust me, this is simply me being curious. Let's say you are a sophomore in college playing D1 basketball and you knew 2-3 of your teammates were making a combined $800k (made up number) and they likely were not back next year, would you have any interest in upping your pay the next year? If so, would it influence how you played?

Oh, I agree that it is something that could creep in to a team dynamic.  I'm not not dismissing it and saying you are wrong.  I just think with this particular team from what I've seen, heard and read that it's not likely a factor in their play. I admit I could be wrong.  Your point is valid one going forward on future teams IMO and probably many other  current teams in the NCAA. 

[Dr. Blackheart]

As far as holding the ball too long, MU is the 11th fastest team offensively. Defensively, MU is the 4th slowest.

What posters are describing (dribbling too much) is sagging to deny the rim and daring players to shoot. There is that Death Valley problem with a four or five man out offense.

Look at Kam this year from two: He is shooting .500 vs. .643 last season. Versus A/B opponents, he is shooting .479 versus .632. And we know other players shooting problems, especially from three. MU has been scouted.

As to NIL selfishness, one need not to look further than Omax to see how unselfish play helps one get drafted in the first round.

[The Sultan]

As far as holding the ball too long, MU is the 11th fastest team offensively. Defensively, MU is the 4th slowest.

What posters are describing (dribbling too much) is sagging to deny the rim and daring players to shoot. There is that Death Valley problem with a four or five man out offense.

Look at Kam this year from two: He is shooting .500 vs. .643 last season. Versus A/B opponents, he is shooting .479 versus .632. And we know other players shooting problems, especially from three. MU has been scouted.

As to NIL selfishness, one need knock look further than Omax to see how unselfish play helps one get draft in the first round.

Yep yep and yep. I think people are seeing drives to the hoop being less effective this year and interpreting it as "too much one-on-one."  But I don't think the offense is that much different. The defenses are. 

[Shooter McGavin]

Yep yep and yep. I think people are seeing drives to the hoop being less effective this year and interpreting it as "too much one-on-one."  But I don't think the offense is that much different. The defenses are.

Agree Dr B and Sultan.  And I think Shaka figures it out.  There is enough talent on this team to come up with solutions. 

[Uncle Rico]

Agree Dr B and Sultan.  And I think Shaka figures it out.  There is enough talent on this team to come up with solutions.

Porter Moser would figure it out. 

[The Sultan]

Porter Moser would figure it out. 

Probably already has.

[tower912]

He would have Oso with the ball at the top of the key, have motion and cutting around him, and if he didn't find a pass he likes, fire up 18 foot jumpers.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Probably already has.

Yep. Beat Providence by 21.

[rocket surgeon]

            use oso more iike the sac kings use sabonis-kind of like the traffic control cop. 

      players cutting past and around him setting mini picks

      options to pass and cut, drive, turn and shoot if he had a "mid-range" jumper. 

      tk and kam cutting past oso-creating more options

            tk and kam are our only real 3 point shooters, sometimes jop if he's on of course.  when jop is hot from the 3, he is one of the better, but we haven't seen enough of the hot