CSNbbs

Why did we have such a hard time with their trapping 1-3-1 defense? Was that MTSU's normal defense, or did they gameplan specifically for us?

It seemed like we did very little to even force the issue, and instead, we played right into their hands by slowly passing the ball around near half-court.

Obviously, it's easier said than done, but the 1-3-1 has so many weak spots, particularly near the basket and corners.

It was frustrating to watch us be so passive on offense and not try to aggressively break the press, especially when we're a team that allegedly likes to play fast anyway.

It was even more painful to watch us slowly bring the ball up the court after a rebound and give MTSU enough time to set up in their zone.

I'm probably a Swing apologist, but I thought he could have helped the team by floating to the weak spots of the zone and making a few quick, hockey-assists. However, he looked a half-second slow early in the game, but I think that was mostly rust made glaringly obvious via the defensive pressure.

I would have liked to have seen this lineup:

PG Watts
SG Frazier
F Williams
F Swing
C Washington

What are your thoughts?

Swing was mostly a no show yesterday. He had 4 turnovers in 17 minutes. Haase benched him after a bad turnover. I am guessing that he didn't bench him for the entire game on purpose, but once he took him out, we started playing better and he didn't want to mess up what was working.

After I do some calculating, I will have some +/- numbers on which lineups worked

(01-12-2014 01:30 PM)Memphis Blazer Wrote: [ -> ]After I do some calculating, I will have some +/- numbers on which lineups worked

Based on numbers that played out in the game with the lineups used. Not a true indicator at all of what other lineups could have been more effective.

I agree it would have been nice to have a shooter leaking to the corners to take an open look or at least dribble and pass.

With us playing both our guards essentially side-by-side almost to try and prevent more turnovers, our only true shooter on the court (Frazier) was relegated to pass and catch, catch and pass. A lot of the big shots he made were when he had to create his own space and drilled a shot with a hand in his face.

Adding Swing would have at least put another shooter on the floor to give that opportunity in the open spots.

Two more threes hit my Swing and that would have been the end of that press.

5 Alihodzic/Menhinti
4 Washington/Rucker
3 Williams/Swing/Purifoy
2 Frazier/Madison/Rideau
1 Watts/


We have the same problem from last year, only Watts seem to take care of the ball. Last season it was QT and Hoopy who shown true point guard abilities.

What you are seeing this year with Frazier and Watts is what you would have seen if Jekore Tyler hadn't made bad choices and played most of the season with QT.

Jekore Tyler turned the ball over a lot more per minute than Frazier does.

I don't think Hoopy ever played a minute at point guard.

Also, the point guard situation from last year does not compare to this year's situation. Last year we had zero production and zero play making from our PGs.

This year our primary playmaker is the PG, we just need to cut down on a few careless turnovers.

(01-12-2014 02:08 PM)Memphis Blazer Wrote: [ -> ]Jekore Tyler turned the ball over a lot more per minute than Frazier does.

Not sure I'd say "a lot" more.

Jekore Tyler's junior year he turned it over .14 times a minute.

Chad Frazier so far this year has turned it over .135 times a minute.

If Watts continues to mature as quickly as he has, you will likely see him starting by the end of the season, at the expense of Swing. You'd have a starting five comprised completely of Haase recruits.

(01-12-2014 02:19 PM)FNblazer Wrote: [ -> ]If Watts continues to mature as quickly as he has, you will likely see him starting by the end of the season, at the expense of Swing. You'd have a starting five comprised completely of Haase recruits.

I'd rather see Swing slide over to the forward position over Rucker in the starting line-up.

However, if Swing came off the bench with the mindset of being a scorer instead of a facilitator, I'd be okay with that.