While i didn't have the opportunity to watch the Bearcats-St. Johns game, and having watched the end of the UConn game and its near implosion, should Mick consider going small for clear end game situations in order to break presses. Something to the effect of:

Cash, Vaughn, Dixon, Lance and any of the bigs (since they all shoot FTs at about the same clip).

i know Vaughn and Dixon aren't great ballhandler but they are in there for FTs purposes. Dixon is a solid defender as well. i know that we play Jaquon at the pg but he's a combo guard and Dixon is a better FT shooter so he gets the nod. Basically after watching this team nearly give up a 10pt + lead, i think Mick needs to address this. Plus, Cash needs more end game experience since he'll have to shoulder more responsibility going forward.

Defensively you give up size and rebounding but this is strictly for end game situations where we have a lead and where the opposition is pressing. Because we have more defensive speed on the floor i also recommend applying some soft pressure as a matter of taking more time off the clock and disrupting a teams ability to set up the offense.

Here is what are message needs to be at the end of the game....Give it to Deonta and Deonta do NOT pass the ball....good god I can't believe how close we got to that happening again....but yeah I agree with you....I would have Yancy as are big in....although he obviously isn't the greatest of free-throw shooters I trust him the most if he somehow got the ball in a fouling situation....but Deonta just hang on to that ball late....

i just dont understand why our bigs and frankly everyone seems to have brick hands when the game is on the line late.. put 4 of your best ball handlers out there... and a big guy.. but unless the 5 others cover your 4 good handlers you dont throw the length of the court..

(02-15-2010 01:31 AM)cincy swagg 23 Wrote:  Here is what are message needs to be at the end of the game....Give it to Deonta and Deonta do NOT pass the ball....good god I can't believe how close we got to that happening again....but yeah I agree with you....I would have Yancy as are big in....although he obviously isn't the greatest of free-throw shooters I trust him the most if he somehow got the ball in a fouling situation....but Deonta just hang on to that ball late....

I think an issue with the press break at the end of the game is that the Cats appear to get the ball into the guy they want to (Vaughn) but then tend to hold the ball at tha point thinking the other team will foul immediately. That is leading to traps that Vaughn can't see over and no space to create passing lanes as the rest of the players collapse to the ball. If they would look to inbounds and then push the ball with space they could move the ball from player to player. Vaughn needs to lean to pump fake up and throw bounce passes as he is too small to throw the ball over a defender. Constantly has his passes tipped leading to a turnover.

Yeah good point....maybe I need to check this out a little better, but maybe they should also try setting more screens or something I don't know....just keep practicing this end of the game stuff and stop giving us bearcat fans near heart attacks....

Honestly, if I'm the opposing coach, I would press the whole game and play zone in the half court. Can't believe my eyes when I see teams playing us M2M. We've never proven we can effectively beat the zone; even a mediocre one.

To Eroc's point though, yeah, you gotta have your smaller lineup in as they are the best ball handlers and foul shooters. Yancy does not belong in the game at the end because he cannot make FTs. And certainly no Toyloy. If you must have a big, go with Thomas.

(02-16-2010 01:28 PM)bearcatjim Wrote:  Honestly, if I'm the opposing coach, I would press the whole game and play zone in the half court. Can't believe my eyes when I see teams playing us M2M. We've never proven we can effectively beat the zone; even a mediocre one.

To Eroc's point though, yeah, you gotta have your smaller lineup in as they are the best ball handlers and foul shooters. Yancy does not belong in the game at the end because he cannot make FTs. And certainly no Toyloy. If you must have a big, go with Thomas.

Honestly, when it comes to the bigs, it might come down to who is in the least foul trouble/hasn't fouled out.

Finally, we can't just leave it to Vaughn. His handle isn't good enough. Frankly, the only reason why i have him in during late game situations is because he shoots 80% at the line. He was having trouble beating UConn's pick and roll defense when Gavin Edwards was hedging. if you are a ball handler that can't be causing you problems.

BTW, i'm not a vaughn hater like some on the board. if anything i'm a vaughn sympathizer. Here's hoping that he finishes strong...

(02-16-2010 01:28 PM)bearcatjim Wrote:  Honestly, if I'm the opposing coach, I would press the whole game and play zone in the half court. Can't believe my eyes when I see teams playing us M2M. We've never proven we can effectively beat the zone; even a mediocre one.

To Eroc's point though, yeah, you gotta have your smaller lineup in as they are the best ball handlers and foul shooters. Yancy does not belong in the game at the end because he cannot make FTs. And certainly no Toyloy. If you must have a big, go with Thomas.

Thomas is 31 of 58 on FTs for 53.4%
Gates is 32 of 60 for 53.3%

Gates can at least hold onto the ball if he happens to get it.

(02-16-2010 01:45 PM)levydl Wrote:  

(02-16-2010 01:28 PM)bearcatjim Wrote:  Honestly, if I'm the opposing coach, I would press the whole game and play zone in the half court. Can't believe my eyes when I see teams playing us M2M. We've never proven we can effectively beat the zone; even a mediocre one.

To Eroc's point though, yeah, you gotta have your smaller lineup in as they are the best ball handlers and foul shooters. Yancy does not belong in the game at the end because he cannot make FTs. And certainly no Toyloy. If you must have a big, go with Thomas.

Thomas is 31 of 58 on FTs for 53.4%
Gates is 32 of 60 for 53.3%

Gates can at least hold onto the ball if he happens to get it.

ironically, and i dont' know what his FT % is, but i think Toyloy's FT stroke is the best out of all three. RE: Thomas' FT shooting, i can't believe a guy as tall as him shoots it so short so consistently. Aim for the BACK of the rim big man!!!

(02-16-2010 01:45 PM)levydl Wrote:  

(02-16-2010 01:28 PM)bearcatjim Wrote:  Honestly, if I'm the opposing coach, I would press the whole game and play zone in the half court. Can't believe my eyes when I see teams playing us M2M. We've never proven we can effectively beat the zone; even a mediocre one.

To Eroc's point though, yeah, you gotta have your smaller lineup in as they are the best ball handlers and foul shooters. Yancy does not belong in the game at the end because he cannot make FTs. And certainly no Toyloy. If you must have a big, go with Thomas.

Thomas is 31 of 58 on FTs for 53.4%
Gates is 32 of 60 for 53.3%

Gates can at least hold onto the ball if he happens to get it.

It's pretty crazy that Thomas has only played maybe half as much as Yancy but has shot as many free throws... Says a lot about Yancy's offensive struggles.

(02-16-2010 01:54 PM)cincy11 Wrote:  

(02-16-2010 01:45 PM)levydl Wrote:  

(02-16-2010 01:28 PM)bearcatjim Wrote:  Honestly, if I'm the opposing coach, I would press the whole game and play zone in the half court. Can't believe my eyes when I see teams playing us M2M. We've never proven we can effectively beat the zone; even a mediocre one.

To Eroc's point though, yeah, you gotta have your smaller lineup in as they are the best ball handlers and foul shooters. Yancy does not belong in the game at the end because he cannot make FTs. And certainly no Toyloy. If you must have a big, go with Thomas.

Thomas is 31 of 58 on FTs for 53.4%
Gates is 32 of 60 for 53.3%

Gates can at least hold onto the ball if he happens to get it.

It's pretty crazy that Thomas has only played maybe half as much as Yancy but has shot as many free throws... Says a lot about Yancy's offensive struggles.

Yeah, I couldn't believe that either. All those fadeways . . .

Toyloy is 50% - 17 of 34.

Yeah, like I said, if you HAVE to have a big man, then I'd still take Thomas at the line. The % may be the same, but I have a lot more confidence in him making one than Yancy or Toyloy.

I think I'd just go all small though. Cash, DV, Lance, Bishop, and maybe Dion. Gotta be able to break the press and make the FT's, period.

When Thomas bends his knees on the FT attempt, his form is outstanding. Thing is, he usually seems to forget to do it on his first shot. Its there. He just needs to remember to do it every time.