(01-17-2018 10:28 AM)J.B. Wrote: Wow. Those numbers are just pure embarrassment. All CAA opponents should be licking their chops to step on the floor against this team.
Not quite... If you want to look at +/-, its going to tell you one story, but you also need to look at the entirety of a team's work.
With adjusted defense, for example, as a team, and defense is a team aspect, Drexel is in the middle of the CAA pack at 108.7. While they are near the bottom right now in conference play, there are two games that you can point at for the root cause of that: William & Mary and UNCW.
Their offense is improving. They are controlling the ball. Their TO% is down to 14.8%, 3rd in the conference, and a significant improvement. Their 3 point shooting stinks, but their 2 point shooting is at 53.3%. Again, a significant improvement.
Now, what do they have to do?
1. They need to control the defensive boards better. They are giving up too many defensive rebounds.
2. They need to control opponents' post men. The last 3 games, they've been beaten up down low.
The return of Tyshawn Myles should help both of these. Austin needs to play soft right now because there is not much behind him. They also need to consider doubling a strong post man when he gets the ball. Let a pesky little guy bang around at the ball and make their lives more difficult.
3. Recognize they are not a 3 point shooting team. They need to work the ball inside. Drive. Play to their strengths, and shoot more sparingly when they get open looks, or hit streaks. Once the streaks end, its time to start working the ball inside again. Whether we admit it or not, Kari's departure hurt us. Badly. And it all had VERY bad timing.
This isnt a Bruiser Flint defensively coached team. He will, however, probably be unemployed again before long, so hey, wanna kick the tires on his effectiveness? We can always talk about getting fired twice in 5 years' time..
This also isnt the Women's team. They are having a terrific season and deserve attention, but that does not mean we cannot stand by our men's team.
They are not the Squash Team. Its a shame the administration doesnt treat them like they are.
Its not easy to support a losing team, but hey, this is my third year as a season ticket holder, and roughly my 25th year as a Drexel fan. I never turned my back on this team when we didnt make a single tournament appearance under the previous regime, and I dont plan on turning my back on them now.