(01-23-2020 02:48 PM)tigers0830 Wrote: (01-23-2020 02:31 PM)macgar32 Wrote: (01-23-2020 01:01 PM)tigers0830 Wrote: (01-23-2020 10:57 AM)macgar32 Wrote: (01-23-2020 09:34 AM)tigers0830 Wrote: I don't think they were better, but they sure were a lot more fun to watch. This years team is flat out painful to watch and they have slowly gotten worse as the season has gone one, which is concerning.
They have not gotten worse...
Teams now realize who we are offensively.
Teams are just making us score over them. Don't get beat on drives to the basket even if that means surrendering open shots and don't foul.
Only guy on this team who can score over people is DJ. Everyone else struggles to score over defense. Guys are going to have to start pulling up in the lane for short jumpers and quit forcing wild shots when they get into the paint because disciplined teams are not going to foul.
Look at the numbers. The numbers tell a lot. From the start of the season through the UT game averages are: 79.8 pts, 45.8% FG; 34% 3pt; 15 TOs. Since the UT game: 75.8 pts, 37.1% FG; 16% 3pt; 20 TOs.
Looking at that you can't sit there with a straight face and say this team hasn't regressed. These numbers since the UT game are trending downward
You can even break it down to individual players. Boogie, Baugh, Tyler, Lomax (mostly since being inserted into the starting lineup) have all regressed from the first half of the season. Some have regressed more than others ie Boogie. Lester get's a pass right now has he missed 6 or 7 games so there isn't much to go on for his early numbers. The only 2 players that have stayed consistent or progressed as the season has gone on are DJ and Precious.
Even if you don't look at numbers you can just use your eyes and tell since the UT game this team has regressed. This isn't the same team that went to UT and pulled out a W in that environment. This isn't the same team that beat a solid NC State team. This isn't the same team that went to Portland and went toe to toe in the first half against a very good Oregon team.
Now all of this can be fixed obviously, but the trends are heading in the wrong direction for this time of the year.
First off...They have played against better teams since the UT game and as I said the team is doing the same thing they have always done. Difference is the other team has a plan for them and they understand the strengths and weaknesses of the players.
They aren't playing worse...Other teams just know how to guard them now and we haven't made adjustments to put players in positions to succeed.
Ummm they have played 2 top 50 teams since the UT game (Wichita St, Cincy) played 3 in the first half (UT, NC State, Oregon). So not much difference in the schedule there. If you want to go top 100 teams it's 4 both ways. The schedule isn't the issue.
The numbers say they are regressing (playing worse). The eye test shows it as well.
Turning it over 5 more times per game since the UT game isn't doing what they have always done. Shooting considerably worse from 3 isn't doing what they have always done.
Like you can literally sit and watch this team since the UT game and see a regression in how they are playing. It's not hard to see. Last night was something that had been building since that UT game. From TOs, to too much 1 on 1, to missed ft's, and you can go on and on.
Are the results worse absolutely...
But it is not because the players are regressing...It is because they aren't getting the looks they used to get so they press and make mistakes. Teams know who we are and our what out players are capable of now. No more unknowns for opposing coaches. The problem is our team isn't being taught how to overcome how the other team is playing us because we run a talent based offense.
IT IS RARE WE GET A FAST BREAK.
Teams understand who Precious is and have adjusted on how to guard him. Teams don't let us run...We used to have a problem giving up a ton of offensive rebounds but that doesn't happen as much because teams aren't really crashing the boards because they don't want to give us an opportunity to run.
Our half court offense has stunk all season outside of the NC. State game in non buy games
If decent teams don't turn it over and don't allow us to run we struggle. UAB was murdering us until they started turning it over regularly.
South Florida had us down but they turned it over 22 times. Teams know if you put Memphis in the half court they will struggle and they are making adjustments in order to make that happen.
In Non Buy games...We shot 42.3% early and are shooting 41.3% now.
3 Point shooting is down From 34 - 27
11.4 Assists Before 14 now
14.8 TOs before 17 Now
Defensively
Shooting % 39.1 allowed before 38.4 now
3Point% 32.5% before 37.2% now
Forced TOs 11.8 before 12.7 now
Fouls 17.6PG before 17.3 now