Williams - 6'10" 250lb Jr 28 min 13.8ppg 8.7 Reb 60 blks FG 51.9% FT 59.3% 60 assts, 80 TO's, 36 steals
Oden - 6'6" 215lb Jr 28 min 8.6 ppg 5.4 Reb FG .406(86-212) .314 Three(37-118)
House -6'4" 210lb Sr 26 min 8.3 ppg .464 FG(77-166) .382 Three(42-110)
Butler - 6'5" 205lb Soph 10 min 5.7 ppg .488FG(21-43) .438 Three(7-16)
Okros - 6'6" 215lb Sr 10 min 4.7ppg 3.4 reb .366FG(41-112) .352 Three(32-91)
Bench
Washington 6'4" 190lb RsSr 32 min 9.7ppg .383FG(92-240) .317 Three(44-139)
Turner 6'8" 225lb Soph 13 min 3.3ppg .561FG(32-57)
MGee 6'6" 180lb Fr 8 min 2.5 ppg .455 FG(20-45) .111 Three(1-11)
Although Drexel is one of the worst at making the three in the CAA, they attempt 40% of their shots from three. UNCW attempts 34% of their shots from three. Both teams rely on defense and both have medicore stats on offense. The good news is that UNCW is one of the best in the conference at defending the three and limiting three point attempts, but we have to be careful we dont get what we want and force Drexel to score in the paint.
The entire team is built around Williams. He leads the team in scoring, rebounding, FG%, blocked shots, steals and is second in assists. He also leads the team in FT attempts with more than twice as many as the next closest on the team. Unfortunately for Drexel he only shoots 59% from the FT line.
This sure seems like a game where foul prone Amari Kelly could get in trouble quickly and find himself on the bench for most of the game. When he's on the bench, UNCW struggles. We really don't have anyone besides Kelly who can come close to defending Williams or scoring against him. To make matters worse, Williams hasn't fouled out of a single game and hasn't committed more than two fouls in any conference game, so he's going to be on the court. It's a waste of time trying to get him in foul trouble.
This sure seems like a game where we would fare better if we really picked up the pace by ramping up the press and are intentional about getting out on the break and attacking the basket before the defense gets set. At 6'10" and 250 lbs we can outrun his defensive presence bet we won't be able to get around it in a half court set.
I have to hope our coaches see this as well but it's rare anyone scores more than 70 against Drexel. UNCW hasn't come up with a win in a must win game yet in conference play. So the question is can they go on the road and play with the confidence and intensity they need in a must win game?
I have a good feeling about this one after our last outing against NU as the Tra of old emerged and gave us the level of instensity we need to win.
We limit possessions with our stellar offense. Most of those offensive possessions as you noted end in a 3 point shot. Usually one that is covered and typically a poor selection. Our guys are awesome at covering the arc on offense. A couple guys can always be found standing somewhere around the arc hoping by standing they will get open, usually 1 is in the corner. The scoring defense is not because of our defense in itself. Our Amari doesnt foul much because he just avoids contact. He sells out for the block and alteration and is excellent at it. He has the ability to make you guys bomb away from 3 or from the mid range. The mid range jumper will always be there, so if you hit those youll have no issues scoring. Its a big game for both sides.
Man , we need to come up with something other than Phillips one-on-one at the end of games. He's great, but come on. Literally no one is the least bit surprised. Double overtime.
Thanks for holding the fort down 70s! We really are fortunate to have won. Team needs to play better on both ends. Hope they expand the bench for Saturday just a bit.
(This post was last modified: 02-16-2023 11:07 PM by billthebighawksfan.)
(02-16-2023 10:26 PM)billthebighawksfan Wrote: We really are fortunate to have won. Team needs to play better on both ends. Hope they expand the bench for Saturday just a bit.
Agreed. I think part of the problem is that we have been scouted to death, and people have learned to take away a lot of what had been working so well for us - like the classic "give it to Shy at the end of the game and let him take his man one-on-one for the win" play. Even Ray Charles can see that coming , and teams are just not going to give him the lanes to do what he had been doing. They challenge us to beat them by doing things we haven't been doing all that well.
But the good news for me was that after going down by 15 mid way through the first half, our guys manned up and showed character. And thank goodness for Nick Farrar last night.
(This post was last modified: 02-17-2023 07:14 AM by 70shawk.)
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Men's basketball at Drexel 02/16/2023
