Also mixed man to man and 1-3-1 zone with our 2-3 zone.

(01-09-2021 04:06 PM)EagleSam Wrote:  Awesome win. We made it closer than it needed to be at the end with some good ol fashioned missed free throws, but all in all an excellent second half to beat a good team. And doing so with Ty Groce (and a sprinkle of DJ Ballard) as our big man.

I've thought for a long time that our recruiting emphasis on length was a mistake. Akron tried to use that high post to low post pass that plagued us in the past but Montero, Morgan and Gibson have the quicks to to get there before the ball does. The turtle speeded frontcourt of Toure, Thompson and Minnie could not and also saw a bunch of long rebounds go to much quicker opponents. Wingspans and vertical presence are nice but footspeed is far more important to defense. Lets face it, who was the better zone wing, 6'6" Tim Bond or the twin towers of Thompson and Minnie?

Today's starting five, Lowder, McBride, Montero, Morgan and Groce can all create their own shot opportunities and dish the ball as well. I saw three things today that I have not seen from EMU in recent memory: Groce actually executed the pick and roll, we looked to fast break and we actually made some very good passes in the half court set. As Steve has continuously pointed out, you have to shot the three in today's game to be relevant. Today we shot it just well enough to get points but also draw the defense out and allow some nice penetration to the basket. Fun to watch EMU BB play offense for once.

We have some things to work on. Groce needs to use his head more with respect to committing ticky tack fouls and the press bothered us more than it should have given our more athletic lineup. Still I love the guys we played today and the ONLY defense that we can play with that lineup is the zone. Good job Murph.

(01-09-2021 06:06 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  

(01-09-2021 04:06 PM)EagleSam Wrote:  Awesome win. We made it closer than it needed to be at the end with some good ol fashioned missed free throws, but all in all an excellent second half to beat a good team. And doing so with Ty Groce (and a sprinkle of DJ Ballard) as our big man.

I've thought for a long time that our recruiting emphasis on length was a mistake. Akron tried to use that high post to low post pass that plagued us in the past but Montero, Morgan and Gibson have the quicks to to get there before the ball does. The turtle speeded frontcourt of Toure, Thompson and Minnie could not and also saw a bunch of long rebounds go to much quicker opponents. Wingspans and vertical presence are nice but footspeed is far more important to defense. Lets face it, who was the better zone wing, 6'6" Tim Bond or the twin towers of Thompson and Minnie?

Today's starting five, Lowder, McBride, Montero, Morgan and Groce can all create their own shot opportunities and dish the ball as well. I saw three things today that I have not seen from EMU in recent memory: Groce actually executed the pick and roll, we looked to fast break and we actually made some very good passes in the half court set. As Steve has continuously pointed out, you have to shot the three in today's game to be relevant. Today we shot it just well enough to get points but also draw the defense out and allow some nice penetration to the basket. Fun to watch EMU BB play offense for once.

We have some things to work on. Groce needs to use his head more with respect to committing ticky tack fouls and the press bothered us more than it should have given our more athletic lineup. Still I love the guys we played today and the ONLY defense that we can play with that lineup is the zone. Good job Murph.

Good stuff. I thought the Thompson-Toure-Minnie front court was a disaster and turned what should’ve been a great season into an average one, which should’ve cost Murphy his job. The best zone we ever had was with Riley in the middle and Bryant, Harrison, and Ward on the wings. They were stifling. I thought today’s iteration had potential though, with it’s speed. I’d still prefer an actual center so Groce can stay out of foul trouble, but we have to work with what we have.

What’s funny is you’d expect a lineup of guards to shred a press, and yet we struggled with it at the end of the game. Still, I thought Lowder looked excellent with the ball. This is what I was expecting from him when we picked him up, and I hope he builds on this. He attacked the rim with confidence, and we really needed that.

We know Murphy loves going with what’s hot, even when it’s obviously cold, so bet on seeing more of this rotation in at least the next game or two. Tough game on Tuesday against a Toledo squad that already kicked our ass once.

(01-09-2021 06:46 PM)EagleSam Wrote:  

(01-09-2021 06:06 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  

(01-09-2021 04:06 PM)EagleSam Wrote:  Awesome win. We made it closer than it needed to be at the end with some good ol fashioned missed free throws, but all in all an excellent second half to beat a good team. And doing so with Ty Groce (and a sprinkle of DJ Ballard) as our big man.

I've thought for a long time that our recruiting emphasis on length was a mistake. Akron tried to use that high post to low post pass that plagued us in the past but Montero, Morgan and Gibson have the quicks to to get there before the ball does. The turtle speeded frontcourt of Toure, Thompson and Minnie could not and also saw a bunch of long rebounds go to much quicker opponents. Wingspans and vertical presence are nice but footspeed is far more important to defense. Lets face it, who was the better zone wing, 6'6" Tim Bond or the twin towers of Thompson and Minnie?

Today's starting five, Lowder, McBride, Montero, Morgan and Groce can all create their own shot opportunities and dish the ball as well. I saw three things today that I have not seen from EMU in recent memory: Groce actually executed the pick and roll, we looked to fast break and we actually made some very good passes in the half court set. As Steve has continuously pointed out, you have to shot the three in today's game to be relevant. Today we shot it just well enough to get points but also draw the defense out and allow some nice penetration to the basket. Fun to watch EMU BB play offense for once.

We have some things to work on. Groce needs to use his head more with respect to committing ticky tack fouls and the press bothered us more than it should have given our more athletic lineup. Still I love the guys we played today and the ONLY defense that we can play with that lineup is the zone. Good job Murph.

Good stuff. I thought the Thompson-Toure-Minnie front court was a disaster and turned what should’ve been a great season into an average one, which should’ve cost Murphy his job. The best zone we ever had was with Riley in the middle and Bryant, Harrison, and Ward on the wings. They were stifling. I thought today’s iteration had potential though, with it’s speed. I’d still prefer an actual center so Groce can stay out of foul trouble, but we have to work with what we have.

What’s funny is you’d expect a lineup of guards to shred a press, and yet we struggled with it at the end of the game. Still, I thought Lowder looked excellent with the ball. This is what I was expecting from him when we picked him up, and I hope he builds on this. He attacked the rim with confidence, and we really needed that.

We know Murphy loves going with what’s hot, even when it’s obviously cold, so bet on seeing more of this rotation in at least the next game or two. Tough game on Tuesday against a Toledo squad that already kicked our ass once.

Best post ever Sam!

NONE of Ty's fouls today, however, were a result of aggressive play that I can accept. They were the product of being out of position or an act of desperation like going over the back to rebound a missed shot. I am probably Ty Groce's biggest fan as witnessed by my previous posts, but he needs to clean this up.

I have zero problem with Murph pursuing this rotation forward. Besides the four guards he started today, he also has James and Spottsville at the ready as well. Gibson is serviceable and Ballard is just plain annoying to the competition due to his relentless hustle. I still would like to pursue a "40 minutes of hell full court press" with all that speed but that is a coaching decision.

As for Lowder, he is the real deal. He severely injured his wrist in the MSU game and contracted Covid as well, that is the reason for his slow start. Expect more of what you saw today from him.

I've seen enough. EMU basketball is back, baby! Extend him another 10 years.

The smaller quicker lineup worked well against MSU as well. So two takeaways:

Murphy should stick with the smaller quicker lineups.

Murphy should keep the 2-3 but mix up defensive looks with man to man and 1-3-1.

Yes I hope yesterday's game is a coming out party for Lowder.

This is the All-Mac potential I expected to see out of Lowder.