http://www.toledoblade.com/DavidBriggs/2...world.html

(01-31-2018 06:45 AM)SylvaniaRocket Wrote:  http://www.toledoblade.com/DavidBriggs/2...world.html

Toledo's last Men's NCAA BB entry lost 3 MAC games.

I'm choosing to believe that he'll be right.

Given all of the factors, it was a bad loss. And now it's over. The game at Akron will be a good test of how resilient the Rockets are. They did bounce back from those back-to-back losses against Marshall & Wright State--both ugly games, as well--to put together a 10-1 run over the next 11 games, so it is possible. I don't think Willie Jackson would have been the "answer" last night--maybe in a 3 or 4 point game, but we were down double-digits for about 33 minutes of the game; even so, he was IMO clearly missed. If he can't go again on Saturday, somebody needs to step up from the bench. And if it happens, that would be a cool thing.

(01-31-2018 08:25 AM)bcunn3128 Wrote:  I'm choosing to believe that he'll be right.

Given all of the factors, it was a bad loss. And now it's over. The game at Akron will be a good test of how resilient the Rockets are. They did bounce back from those back-to-back losses against Marshall & Wright State--both ugly games, as well--to put together a 10-1 run over the next 11 games, so it is possible. I don't think Willie Jackson would have been the "answer" last night--maybe in a 3 or 4 point game, but we were down double-digits for about 33 minutes of the game; even so, he was IMO clearly missed. If he can't go again on Saturday, somebody needs to step up from the bench. And if it happens, that would be a cool thing.

Alderson seems to be getting in the mix a bit more and is gaining confidence on the offensive end. He may be Lauf 2.0 with some scoring ability.

Toledo came into the game as the best 3 point shooting team in the MAC by a ton; top 10 nationally. That covers up a lot of deficiencies and is tough to maintain. I'd rather be the best defensive team.

Coach K should have given Willie Jackson's minutes to Gordon. He hardly ever plays but when he does he is solid. The rotation would have been the same for everyone else and Gordon has a big body that would have helped inside. Come tournament time players #10 and #11 (Rose and Gordon) may be needed. Depth is often the key when there are games with little rest between them.

(01-31-2018 09:44 AM)DetroitRocket Wrote:  Toledo came into the game as the best 3 point shooting team in the MAC by a ton; top 10 nationally. That covers up a lot of deficiencies and is tough to maintain. I'd rather be the best defensive team.

Agreed. When the shots are going in, we look really good (e.g. the BGSUcks game). However, being the best defensive team is better for the long run.

(01-31-2018 10:51 AM)inductchuck16 Wrote:  

(01-31-2018 09:44 AM)DetroitRocket Wrote:  Toledo came into the game as the best 3 point shooting team in the MAC by a ton; top 10 nationally. That covers up a lot of deficiencies and is tough to maintain. I'd rather be the best defensive team.

Agreed. When the shots are going in, we look really good (e.g. the BGSUcks game). However, being the best defensive team is better for the long run.

Tell that one to Golden State.

(01-31-2018 10:51 AM)inductchuck16 Wrote:  

(01-31-2018 09:44 AM)DetroitRocket Wrote:  Toledo came into the game as the best 3 point shooting team in the MAC by a ton; top 10 nationally. That covers up a lot of deficiencies and is tough to maintain. I'd rather be the best defensive team.

Agreed. When the shots are going in, we look really good (e.g. the BGSUcks game). However, being the best defensive team is better for the long run.

I talked to coach K about our defense, he is still of the mind set, he, can win with his offense. They do practice defense, but, I feel it isn't a high priority on their bucket list. We will see how they due on Saturday.

Game strategy has moved in the direction of efficient offense plus respectable defense wins. Few teams , with rhe notable exception of Virginia, have a defense first mentality. Coach K is pretty in line with today's approach for better or worse. My add is that good rebounding makes average defense look good, and lousy rebounding makes it seem bad, as we all saw last night.

It is important to remember that halfway through the MAC season, the Rockets are 7-2, the second best record in the conference. They still have a two game lead on Ball State and WMU (technically a three game lead with the head to head tiebreaker) in the West. They didn't win 7 games in a row by accident. They just need to start a new winning streak!

Next 4 games are very winnable at Akron, Home to Northern IL., at Miami and Home to Ohio. 4 wins would put us in a very good MAC Tournament Seeding position at 11-2 heading down the home stretch. However, there are no guarantees as Horizon League Leader, Wright State found out last night on the road at Cleveland State!

let's start with 1

Beat Akron

I’m thinking they bounce back in a big way, (no pun intended).