(01-31-2021 04:32 PM)Dukester Wrote:  Has turned the program into a contender before February of his first year year with JMU.

Right now JMU has to be considered top three with NE and HU.

The team is getting contributions from just about every player.

They look like a team. They are getting to know each. Rolls are developing, and understood.

Everyone seems be improving. Other players taking advantage of attention given to Morse and Lewis.

They've played maturely the last 3 games to maintain control of games in the second half.

Their defense the last 5 minutes versus Drexel was huge.

With the outside shooting this team has, it will allow them to be more competitive against better opponents.

They box out as well as an JMU team I can recall. Multiple ball handlers. Many steals.

A confident coach, and a confident team. This team is in the mold of their head coach - which is usually the case.

6 games in 11 days next up on the schedule.

Love it!

Still feeling the same 1/3 of the way into season two.

Coach B

If we would have paid upwards of $1 million we would have beat UVA by double-digits!

(12-08-2021 02:24 PM)Bawlmer Duke Wrote:  If we would have paid upwards of $1 million we would have beat UVA by double-digits!

And if we paid $2 million we would of won by 20.

I'll say this, he can certainly coach half court defense. That was the best half of defense I've ever seen a JMU team play.

Now, realizing there are always different opinions/philosophies on these things, I would have fouled UVA when we had the 3 point lead and only seconds on the clock. I wouldn't have ever allowed them to get off a 3 point shot with the possibility to tie the game. Put them on the line for a one on one or a two. We get the ball and win by one, or they foul and put us on the line.

Pete Gillen sure was intent on ruining the last few moments shrieking about fouling. Byington seemed to say in the press conference that he had trouble communicating with players due to the crowd noise.

(12-08-2021 03:03 PM)BSKB 24 Wrote:  I'll say this, he can certainly coach half court defense. That was the best half of defense I've ever seen a JMU team play.

Now, realizing there are always different opinions/philosophies on these things, I would have fouled UVA when we had the 3 point lead and only seconds on the clock. I wouldn't have ever allowed them to get off a 3 point shot with the possibility to tie the game. Put them on the line for a one on one or a two. We get the ball and win by one, or they foul and put us on the line.

I think Byington commented that he and the coaching staff wanted that but it was hard to shout it to the players with how loud the stadium was and no timeouts.

(12-08-2021 03:03 PM)BSKB 24 Wrote:  I'll say this, he can certainly coach half court defense. That was the best half of defense I've ever seen a JMU team play.

Now, realizing there are always different opinions/philosophies on these things, I would have fouled UVA when we had the 3 point lead and only seconds on the clock. I wouldn't have ever allowed them to get off a 3 point shot with the possibility to tie the game. Put them on the line for a one on one or a two. We get the ball and win by one, or they foul and put us on the line.

I know Pete was saying that as well. I might of done it on the possession before the missed FT, but not with under 4 seconds when he eventually tossed up the midcourt shot as time expired. 3.5 seconds on a rebound with no timeouts - not many teams will accomplish that. It can happen, but I'd guess the odds are in the 10% range at best.

My concern with the fouling was they had a lot more height then us and would of had a good shot at the rebound. If UVA had made the first shot, missed the second and tapped it out for a three, we could of actually lost.

that was a must foul (early) at the end... looked like maybe they were trying to catch up to him for a foul, but then backed off as he started to put up a shot - learning point for the young bucks

(12-08-2021 03:25 PM)Anders Wrote:  

(12-08-2021 03:03 PM)BSKB 24 Wrote:  I'll say this, he can certainly coach half court defense. That was the best half of defense I've ever seen a JMU team play.

Now, realizing there are always different opinions/philosophies on these things, I would have fouled UVA when we had the 3 point lead and only seconds on the clock. I wouldn't have ever allowed them to get off a 3 point shot with the possibility to tie the game. Put them on the line for a one on one or a two. We get the ball and win by one, or they foul and put us on the line.

I think Byington commented that he and the coaching staff wanted that but it was hard to shout it to the players with how loud the stadium was and no timeouts.

Yeah, he did say that.

mmm..i think you've got to send that message before Strickland's FT brick... they should have all known to foul ASAP

(12-08-2021 03:26 PM)Dukester Wrote:  

(12-08-2021 03:03 PM)BSKB 24 Wrote:  I'll say this, he can certainly coach half court defense. That was the best half of defense I've ever seen a JMU team play.

Now, realizing there are always different opinions/philosophies on these things, I would have fouled UVA when we had the 3 point lead and only seconds on the clock. I wouldn't have ever allowed them to get off a 3 point shot with the possibility to tie the game. Put them on the line for a one on one or a two. We get the ball and win by one, or they foul and put us on the line.

I know Pete was saying that as well. I might of done it on the possession before the missed FT, but not with under 4 seconds when he eventually tossed up the midcourt shot as time expired. 3.5 seconds on a rebound with no timeouts - not many teams will accomplish that. It can happen, but I'd guess the odds are in the 10% range at best.

My concern with the fouling was they had a lot more height then us and would of had a good shot at the rebound. If UVA had made the first shot, missed the second and tapped it out for a three, we could of actually lost.

Yeah I'd agree with this, I'd rather a half court shot than a one and one when they have a seven footer and we don't have anyone close to that. Obviously opinions will vary and sounds like Byington wanted the foul but it worked out.

Either way, Strickland really stood out to me doing a great job of making it a nearly impossible half court shot instead of a much easier running uncontested shot. Didn't get down on himself for missing the free throw, just went straight to great defense to seal the W.

Yeah - Strickland is a mature good defender, as appears might be the case with Ihenacho.

While a lot of times I cringe with some of Morse's shots, he seems to excel & improve late in games. The guy loves the big shot and he seems to make a lot of them late in games.

(12-08-2021 03:25 PM)Anders Wrote:  

(12-08-2021 03:03 PM)BSKB 24 Wrote:  I'll say this, he can certainly coach half court defense. That was the best half of defense I've ever seen a JMU team play.

Now, realizing there are always different opinions/philosophies on these things, I would have fouled UVA when we had the 3 point lead and only seconds on the clock. I wouldn't have ever allowed them to get off a 3 point shot with the possibility to tie the game. Put them on the line for a one on one or a two. We get the ball and win by one, or they foul and put us on the line.

I think Byington commented that he and the coaching staff wanted that but it was hard to shout it to the players with how loud the stadium was and no timeouts.

Yep, exactly, when UVA had the ball neither coach was going to be heard by their players, and he did mention wanting this. Maybe coach needs to work on some hand signals for future games.

The defense, rebounding and intensity were amazing. I mean, we held UVA to only 14 points for an entire half of basketball, and Coach B was disappointed it wasn't 11 (almost except for a last second 3). Thats insanely good.

(12-08-2021 03:52 PM)Dukester Wrote:  Yeah - Strickland is a mature good defender, as appears might be the case with Ihenacho.

While a lot of times I cringe with some of Morse's shots, he seems to excel & improve late in games. The guy loves the big shot and he seems to make a lot of them late in games.

Agree! Falden has made a big shot late in games too this year. He did so last night. I believe he and a Olson combined for the last six points last night.

What's great about Mark is there is no need for excuses while he would of had every reason to use them.

New Coach during peak of Covid.

Turned over roster without being able to recruit in person or bring recruits to Campus.

Had the most games missed to Covid in the CAA.

Took over a last place team and won the conference in his first year.

Turned Matt Lewis into a team player.

Fast forward to this year -

Lose POY and put a strong team on the floor that beat a top 50 UVA.

Team seems to improving.

Excitement for the Men's program is growing exponentially.

Good stuff for sure!!!!!