Leadership from upperclassmen. We only have two seniors and both are hurt right now. And Ben Dillard, a junior, doesn't seem like a take charge type of guy.

I think back to the time when we had six solid seniors. Richard Hardman's class. Fourth and fifth year seniors. But we can't seem to keep kids around that long to build that type of class. I think that's why we haven't had more success than we've had. That and many of our players have been one dimensional. Not many good shooter, but a few who could rebound a little or play defense. But you can't win consistently against programs like Western who always have good big men and a lot of shooters. We seem to be getting closer, but most of our players are still young. I guess it's tough recruiting against schools that play football. They play off each other. They bring basketball recruits in during football season and football recruits during basketball season. We don't have that luxury.

We have a clutch player (Josh), but he makes a lot of bad decisions and forces things and does not yet let the plays come to him. At tournament time you have to have a play maker, and Josh is that for us on offense, but he is a little maturity away from being there. He will get there.

(02-15-2014 11:19 AM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  We have a clutch player (Josh), but he makes a lot of bad decisions and forces things and does not yet let the plays come to him. At tournament time you have to have a play maker, and Josh is that for us on offense, but he is a little maturity away from being there. He will get there.

Josh is undoubtedly a terrific young player, but here's the question. Near the end of a close game, who do you want taking shots. A 34% three point shooter, or a 47% shooter? Josh is the 34% shooter and Ben Dillard is the 47% shooter. Why aren't we setting up shots for our best three point shooter in those situations? And the other teams know that Josh is going to try and take the shots so they're contesting him pretty good, so why doesn't Ben figure into the equation? Now maybe Ben isn't comfortable with the ball in his hands at crunch time and Josh is, but you've got to play the percentages and get Ben more of those shots IMO.

Good question, Doc.

(02-15-2014 12:04 PM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  Good question, Doc.

At this point, I'll take my chances with Josh "Ice Water" Hagins.

The problem is that we tend to remember spectacular successes and to forget spectacular failures. We remember Mickey Mantles's game-winning home runs, but not when he struck out in the 9th with the bases loaded.

(02-15-2014 12:52 PM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  The problem is that we tend to remember spectacular successes and to forget spectacular failures. We remember Mickey Mantles's game-winning home runs, but not when he struck out in the 9th with the bases loaded.

Did he play for the Trojans?

But in answer to the original question, the main thing we are missing now is healthy bodies. Until we get back to full strength, everything else is up in the air.

(02-15-2014 01:04 PM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  But in answer to the original question, the main thing we are missing now is healthy bodies. Until we get back to full strength, everything else is up in the air.

I agree. No doubt we are one of the top 4 teams in the league when we are healthy.

(02-15-2014 01:09 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(02-15-2014 01:04 PM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  But in answer to the original question, the main thing we are missing now is healthy bodies. Until we get back to full strength, everything else is up in the air.

I agree. No doubt we are one of the top 4 teams in the league when we are healthy.

Seems like we've always been among the top 4 teams (usually #4) whether we're healthy or not.

(02-15-2014 11:29 AM)outsideualr Wrote:  

(02-15-2014 11:19 AM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  We have a clutch player (Josh), but he makes a lot of bad decisions and forces things and does not yet let the plays come to him. At tournament time you have to have a play maker, and Josh is that for us on offense, but he is a little maturity away from being there. He will get there.

Josh is undoubtedly a terrific young player, but here's the question. Near the end of a close game, who do you want taking shots. A 34% three point shooter, or a 47% shooter? Josh is the 34% shooter and Ben Dillard is the 47% shooter. Why aren't we setting up shots for our best three point shooter in those situations? And the other teams know that Josh is going to try and take the shots so they're contesting him pretty good, so why doesn't Ben figure into the equation? Now maybe Ben isn't comfortable with the ball in his hands at crunch time and Josh is, but you've got to play the percentages and get Ben more of those shots IMO.

An important consideration is who is capable of the highest percentage when the game is on the line. Some are better in the first five minutes of the game or after we are down by 25. Others can hit the shot when you most need it.

(02-15-2014 02:41 PM)Ynocpirt Wrote:  An important consideration is who is capable of the highest percentage when the game is on the line. Some are better in the first five minutes of the game or after we are down by 25. Others can hit the shot when you most need it.

Well, if we are just going to play "create your own shot," then it would be Josh. If we are going to get open and hit the man that is open, then it would be Ben.

(02-15-2014 02:41 PM)Ynocpirt Wrote:  

(02-15-2014 11:29 AM)outsideualr Wrote:  

(02-15-2014 11:19 AM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  We have a clutch player (Josh), but he makes a lot of bad decisions and forces things and does not yet let the plays come to him. At tournament time you have to have a play maker, and Josh is that for us on offense, but he is a little maturity away from being there. He will get there.

Josh is undoubtedly a terrific young player, but here's the question. Near the end of a close game, who do you want taking shots. A 34% three point shooter, or a 47% shooter? Josh is the 34% shooter and Ben Dillard is the 47% shooter. Why aren't we setting up shots for our best three point shooter in those situations? And the other teams know that Josh is going to try and take the shots so they're contesting him pretty good, so why doesn't Ben figure into the equation? Now maybe Ben isn't comfortable with the ball in his hands at crunch time and Josh is, but you've got to play the percentages and get Ben more of those shots IMO.

An important consideration is who is capable of the highest percentage when the game is on the line. Some are better in the first five minutes of the game or after we are down by 25. Others can hit the shot when you most need it.

A good stat would be three point average in the last five minutes of a game when the score is within ten points either way. Of course that could be flawed because in that situation, Josh is going to take nearly every shot.

I did not read the thread but health us what is missing