(01-07-2018 08:53 PM)Dukeman2 Wrote:  Free beer tomorrow

That’s what got the band Kansas started!

(01-07-2018 08:17 PM)JacksonHall Wrote:  I've been supportive of Rowe last year and this year giving him the benefit of the doubt. The quality of player is significantly better this year - so he can recruit. Just wondering if he is being too rigid with his "system" of defensive principles that he keeps talking about. Where did he learn it? Are there examples of quality wins from programs who have played in that style? There are too mismatches, easy layups and wide open 3 point shots being given up. Whatever is going on, it isn't working with the defense they play. I like the attacking style on offense. The guys just need to be better about making layups and shots around the basket.

Honest question- last year JMU was middle of the road in terms of 3 point defense. Is the drop off due to a system change, the change in personnel (i.e. younger perimeter guys who aren't as disciplined) or a change in coaching staff (i.e. no Deane). I'd venture to say probably mostly due to personnel (I think Kent was an underrated perimeter defender), the style of play (more open than last year) and I'll admit maybe the change in the coaching staff has a little to do with it as well. I agree that the defense has been very poor.

Also someone mentioned a trend about the assists on offense. I was afraid with the tough losses the team would start playing more one on one- I think it's human nature for some of these younger guys to try to do too much. It's a combination of that and not converting some easier buckets inside that would count as assists. Bad start to the conference slate and a tough draw for JMU as well. Hope it starts to turn the right direction.

(01-08-2018 10:23 PM)NJDuke97 Wrote:  

(01-07-2018 08:17 PM)JacksonHall Wrote:  I've been supportive of Rowe last year and this year giving him the benefit of the doubt. The quality of player is significantly better this year - so he can recruit. Just wondering if he is being too rigid with his "system" of defensive principles that he keeps talking about. Where did he learn it? Are there examples of quality wins from programs who have played in that style? There are too mismatches, easy layups and wide open 3 point shots being given up. Whatever is going on, it isn't working with the defense they play. I like the attacking style on offense. The guys just need to be better about making layups and shots around the basket.

Honest question- last year JMU was middle of the road in terms of 3 point defense. Is the drop off due to a system change, the change in personnel (i.e. younger perimeter guys who aren't as disciplined) or a change in coaching staff (i.e. no Deane). I'd venture to say probably mostly due to personnel (I think Kent was an underrated perimeter defender), the style of play (more open than last year) and I'll admit maybe the change in the coaching staff has a little to do with it as well. I agree that the defense has been very poor.

Also someone mentioned a trend about the assists on offense. I was afraid with the tough losses the team would start playing more one on one- I think it's human nature for some of these younger guys to try to do too much. It's a combination of that and not converting some easier buckets inside that would count as assists. Bad start to the conference slate and a tough draw for JMU as well. Hope it starts to turn the right direction.

Probably a combo. But I think this is the first year of really seeing the style Rowe wants to play. His team was too slow last year so there was a lot more zone used.

JMU's national rank in 3 point FG% defense and FG% defense in Brady's last year versus this year:

2015-16:
3 point FG% defense - No. 1 nationally at 29.0%
FG% defense - No. 18 nationally at 39.6%

2017-18:
3 point FG% defense - No. 337 nationally out of 351 teams at 39.1%
FG% defense - No. 310 nationally at 46.9%

never saw this coming with the hiring of lou rowe...

If you can't beat them, join them.

I think we should just be happy we have a basketball team and fully fund Olympic sports. If JMU has rarely competed for a march madness spot in twenty years, at least JMU has contributed to the success of other programs like VCU & GMU.

(01-09-2018 12:52 PM)Dukes84 Wrote:  JMU's national rank in 3 point FG% defense and FG% defense in Brady's last year versus this year:

2015-16:
3 point FG% defense - No. 1 nationally at 29.0%
FG% defense - No. 18 nationally at 39.6%

2017-18:
3 point FG% defense - No. 337 nationally out of 351 teams at 39.1%
FG% defense - No. 310 nationally at 46.9%

Just to put it together, here are the offensive rankings for those two years:

2015-16:
Overall FG% of 44.9% - 122 nationally
3 point FG% of 35.9% - 120 nationally

2017-18:
Overall FG% of 42.1% - 293 nationally
3 point FG% of 35.0% - 180 nationally

In conclusion, this year's team defense is awful and on offense, the team is decent from three but lousy overall offensively, meaning their two-point attempt percentage is low. That's somewhat surprising given the number of dribble drives to the basket. They're not finishing at a high enough rate obviously and that could be because they're forcing what's not there (and also missing a fair number of bunnies probably). Need to work on both, but initial focus should be on defense.