A bad 5-6 minute stretch sealed our doom. Can't do that against Wofford. ****

(02-06-2017 09:01 PM)RodShaw2 Wrote:  

(02-06-2017 08:56 PM)etsuandpurdue3 Wrote:  Well chalk this up as a loss. Will take a lot of will power to win regular SoCon now.

a lot more losses on the schedule if they don't start playing better.
in fact looking at the schedule 4-3 would be my guess.

Rod, we can agree on this. As far as I am concerned, we have won 2 quality games this season. We have 3 more quality teams left on the schedule. My guess right now would be ending with 5 conference losses, perhaps 6.

(02-06-2017 08:51 PM)Flippmb Wrote:  Repeatedly drawing charges is a good way for one team to neutralize another more athletic one. I think it ruins the flow and enjoyment of the game. For that reason, I think officials should call the offensive foul only when they are 110% sure. Plus, defensive players who embellish/exaggerate the effect of the contact, should be penalized.

I guess we just have a different philosophy. It *is* the hardest call in basketball. I'm guess I'm old school where the defensive man should have the "right" to maintain his spot on the court, AND to move laterally to match the ballhandler/shooter. I personally think they've given the offensive players far too much leeway; in fact, I totally disagree with the concept of the "protective circle". I know "they" did that to increase offense, but I think it's taken away the ability of defenders to man up anywhere on the court. (And I also would prefer a 1-0 baseball game to a 9-7 one, so maybe that's just me.)

(02-06-2017 09:07 PM)posterformerlyknownasthedoctor Wrote:  

(02-06-2017 08:51 PM)Flippmb Wrote:  Repeatedly drawing charges is a good way for one team to neutralize another more athletic one. I think it ruins the flow and enjoyment of the game. For that reason, I think officials should call the offensive foul only when they are 110% sure. Plus, defensive players who embellish/exaggerate the effect of the contact, should be penalized.

I guess we just have a different philosophy. It *is* the hardest call in basketball. I'm guess I'm old school where the defensive man should have the "right" to maintain his spot on the court, AND to move laterally to match the ballhandler/shooter. I personally think they've given the offensive players far too much leeway; in fact, I totally disagree with the concept of the "protective circle". I know "they" did that to increase offense, but I think it's taken away the ability of defenders to man up anywhere on the court. (And I also would prefer a 1-0 baseball game to a 9-7 one, so maybe that's just me.)

Either way, after I don't know the 3rd.. 4th.. 5th.. charge.. maybe you adjust to how the refs are calling the game. I mean geez fool me once..

(02-06-2017 08:43 PM)posterformerlyknownasthedoctor Wrote:  "3 days in March"

Bump.

We could be anywhere from the 2 seed to the 4 seed in Asheville, with extremely outside shots at 1 or 5. And really, is there that much difference (in the top 4)? I believe I'd rather be playing UNCG than Chatt, as they appear newly-invigorated and serious. AND............**IF** we should be fortunate to win it, I think a 15 seed is our ticket, with an possible shot at a 14 with an extremely strong finish. And that goes for any of the top 4 current teams: ETSU, UNCG, Chatt, Furman. Not likely at this point that any of those can get above a 14, and quite unlikely to be a 16. I guess if Chatt wins out, they might be awarded a 13, depending on how conference tournament upsets go.

Further, we won't be in the NIT, but will have yet another chance in one of the lesser tournaments. Where we apparently belong. We just don't have the poise or killer instinct to be the team we wanted to be with the current personnel.

(02-06-2017 09:22 PM)posterformerlyknownasthedoctor Wrote:  

(02-06-2017 08:43 PM)posterformerlyknownasthedoctor Wrote:  "3 days in March"

Bump.

We could be anywhere from the 2 seed to the 4 seed in Asheville, with extremely outside shots at 1 or 5. And really, is there that much difference (in the top 4)? I believe I'd rather be playing UNCG than Chatt, as they appear newly-invigorated and serious. AND............**IF** we should be fortunate to win it, I think a 15 seed is our ticket, with an possible shot at a 14 with an extremely strong finish. And that goes for any of the top 4 current teams: ETSU, UNCG, Chatt, Furman. Not likely at this point that any of those can get above a 14, and quite unlikely to be a 16. I guess if Chatt wins out, they might be awarded a 13, depending on how conference tournament upsets go.

Further, we won't be in the NIT, but will have yet another chance in one of the lesser tournaments. Where we apparently belong. We just don't have the poise or killer instinct to be the team we wanted to be with the current personnel.

I agree. This team as no killer instinct, and just can't play consistently. Our inside guys played one good game all year, vs. Chattanooga. That was it. I'll be surprised if we stay within double digits at Chattanooga. For some reason, I think we may get UNCG, but we also may stumble to Furman at home, and that may not be a "stumble." Furman is probably just better than us.

This team just doesn't have it, pure & simple. They're not bad, but certainly not what I hoped they would become.

(02-06-2017 09:11 PM)RodShaw2 Wrote:  

(02-06-2017 09:07 PM)posterformerlyknownasthedoctor Wrote:  

(02-06-2017 08:51 PM)Flippmb Wrote:  Repeatedly drawing charges is a good way for one team to neutralize another more athletic one. I think it ruins the flow and enjoyment of the game. For that reason, I think officials should call the offensive foul only when they are 110% sure. Plus, defensive players who embellish/exaggerate the effect of the contact, should be penalized.

I guess we just have a different philosophy. It *is* the hardest call in basketball. I'm guess I'm old school where the defensive man should have the "right" to maintain his spot on the court, AND to move laterally to match the ballhandler/shooter. I personally think they've given the offensive players far too much leeway; in fact, I totally disagree with the concept of the "protective circle". I know "they" did that to increase offense, but I think it's taken away the ability of defenders to man up anywhere on the court. (And I also would prefer a 1-0 baseball game to a 9-7 one, so maybe that's just me.)

Either way, after I don't know the 3rd.. 4th.. 5th.. charge.. maybe you adjust to how the refs are calling the game. I mean geez fool me once..

Oh, agree. ETSU did NOT adapt to the way they were calling it.
And I don't know what Forbes could have or should have done differently. He got burned at least once on the switch-out of Cromer and Long for offense/defense, and I think he should have called a time-out earlier in that long drought. He didn't seem to be on top of every nuance like he usually is. Garcia and Magee got 51 of their 79. It's not like our defense was horrid on them. They're just gunners with the quickest releases around. Merriweather's quick foul trouble really hurt us by him not being fully able to hound either of them in the second half. And to a lesser extent, same with Bradford. Speaking of whom.......he just never could get his archetypical strong second half in gear.

And I really hate to say this, but our demeanor didn't seem as good as usual, and you could see it in the faces on the bench - even in the first half. Don' t know what the problem was, but it seemed the vibe was pretty bad. Maybe the foul calls had something to with that, but it seemed outside of that influence.

(02-06-2017 09:07 PM)posterformerlyknownasthedoctor Wrote:  I guess we just have a different philosophy. It *is* the hardest call in basketball. I'm guess I'm old school where the defensive man should have the "right" to maintain his spot on the court, AND to move laterally to match the ballhandler/shooter. I personally think they've given the offensive players far too much leeway; in fact, I totally disagree with the concept of the "protective circle". I know "they" did that to increase offense, but I think it's taken away the ability of defenders to man up anywhere on the court. (And I also would prefer a 1-0 baseball game to a 9-7 one, so maybe that's just me.)

You're right. It is the hardest call in basketball, and the more that officials reward a player's near-death-experience playacting, the more of those calls the officials are going to have to make. To tell you the truth, I'd be happy (very happy) if they would simply start punishing the embellishments instead of rewarding them.

And, to the contrary, I don't think the freedom-of-movement rules changes give the offense too much leeway. Instead, I think they now emphasize and reward truly skilled defenses (think Virginia) at the expense of teams who used to call in the wrestling coach when they practiced defense.

(I'm with you on the 1-0 baseball game, although some 9-7 games can be just as exciting.)

(02-06-2017 09:11 PM)RodShaw2 Wrote:  Either way, after I don't know the 3rd.. 4th.. 5th.. charge.. maybe you adjust to how the refs are calling the game. I mean geez fool me once..

Good point. And the Bucs have been on the wrong end of the charging calls all year. It's troublesome they hadn't adjusted before this game ever started. No doubt, other coaches around the league have noticed and have been game planning for ETSU accordingly.

(02-06-2017 09:54 PM)Flippmb Wrote:  

(02-06-2017 09:11 PM)RodShaw2 Wrote:  Either way, after I don't know the 3rd.. 4th.. 5th.. charge.. maybe you adjust to how the refs are calling the game. I mean geez fool me once..

Good point. And the Bucs have been on the wrong end of the charging calls all year. It's troublesome they hadn't adjusted before this game ever started. No doubt, other coaches around the league have noticed and have been game planning for ETSU accordingly.

Did some rule change go into place this year to make the charging calls start happening more. Because it is so bull ****. Flopping every where.

(02-06-2017 10:12 PM)BucFan1244 Wrote:  Did some rule change go into place this year to make the charging calls start happening more. Because it is so bull ****. Flopping every where.

Not directly, but it may be a reaction to the freedom-of-movement rules changes made last year, with teams now seeking ways to regain the defensive advantage. [This is an off year for rules changes. The NCAA only makes significant rules changes every other year -- and last year was the year.]

Made the trip over last year and today. Can't believe we still haven't won in that high school gym since '03 (granted the A-Sun absence). I hate to bring up the refs, but it's quite obvious they always seem to have a chip on their shoulder when they call our games. As mentioned on here, SIX charging calls is absolutely absurd. There were probably 30-40 Buc fans in attendance, mostly behind the bench, continuously groaning about the calls (that call on IKE was horseshit). I felt pretty good after the first half. But once again, its like we flipped a switch and turned into a completely different team. Turnovers and a scoring drought. Same story in most of our losses. Desonta in foul trouble was huge, he just didn't have the same confidence in driving the ball after picking up his 3rd.

While I can't really complain about an 18-6 record, I share the same opinion that we just aren't what I thought we would be at this point in the season. We just don't have that IT factor, or maybe consistency is the better word. Although, I still think we can win the league and the tournament. I hope these losses are leaving a bad taste in our guys mouths and they get serious about playing a complete game. I wanted to throw a punch at Magee and the refs. His shot is so ******* unorthodox. Ok, I'll stop ranting.. makes me feel a tad better than pissed

Ok dude

My dark horse to win it all in Asheville - Wofford

If Furman gets by UTC tomorrow, they may very well win the regular season.

Damn.

(02-07-2017 12:07 AM)etsuBucsFan1988 Wrote:  My dark horse to win it all in Asheville - Wofford

Although I can see why one would say that.....naw - they just don't have the horses to win 3 games, at least 2 of which would be against Chatt, Furple, ETSU and UNCG. But yes, stranger things have happened, including in the SoCon tournament.'

Hmmmm.......seems like some particular poster got booted off the board...

(02-06-2017 11:46 AM)bucfan81 Wrote:  I am just hoping Bucs play well for two halves.

Your wish is NOT granted, sire, as we lose the second half by 9.
(And actually, after being up 11 with 1:58 left in the first half, we have a 14-pt. deficit the remainder of the game.)

We outrebounded them by 12, and actually out-shot them overall; but 21 turnovers, the fouls leading them to take 10 more free throws, and Magee and Garcia making 9/16 from 3 (and 10/11 from the line) were more than enough to offset those factors. Bradford 0/6 from the field didn't help.

Wofford shot a higher percentage from 3 than from 2.

After reflecting on this game a few hours......we did not play 'horrible', but "not horrible" isn't good enough, especially when "it's hard to win on the road, Jay". Wofford did what they do very well - and we simply didn't stop them - or react properly to stop them. Or weren't aggressive enough to take care of business.

If this is the production and consistency we get with four senior starters, then I am afraid to think about 2017-18 when we have to bring in half a roster of new folks, including (essentially) every big.

In other words, if Peak Forbes means we can't beat these little private academies, then the hoop dreams of national prominence and "Mid-Major Rankings" are more like pipe dreams.

I really expected more. Last season wasn't all that great, but it was acceptable, because it was the first of a rebuilding year and we had an inherited roster. This year, we might be seeing the ceiling on this system.

(02-07-2017 07:07 AM)Wadood Abides Wrote:  I really expected more. Last season wasn't all that great, but it was acceptable, because it was the first of a rebuilding year and we had an inherited roster. This year, we might be seeing the ceiling on this system.

That is my fear also. We haven't been to the NCAA Tournament in 7 years and the fans are getting antsy. Wofford has been to the tournament 3 times since we have been. This was supposed to be the year, and any objective observer can look at the makeup of this team and see some rough years ahead.

(02-07-2017 12:07 AM)etsuBucsFan1988 Wrote:  My dark horse to win it all in Asheville - Wofford

If Furman gets by UTC tomorrow, they may very well win the regular season.

Damn.

I predict that Furman will beat UTC and will win the regular season. The most difficult game they have left is playing us in JC. The only way we win the regular season at this point is if we win out and hope Furman loses twice. The tournament is still up for grabs. I don't think Furman will win the tournament but they'll have a guaranteed spot in the NIT with the regular season championship.

(02-07-2017 04:08 AM)posterformerlyknownasthedoctor Wrote:  

(02-07-2017 12:07 AM)etsuBucsFan1988 Wrote:  My dark horse to win it all in Asheville - Wofford

Although I can see why one would say that.....naw - they just don't have the horses to win 3 games, at least 2 of which would be against Chatt, Furple, ETSU and UNCG.

I agree about Wofford, they are tough at home but don't play that well on the road and I think the same will translate on a neutral court. I'll give them credit though, their guards can shoot the lights out and they are expert floppers.