Going 0-3 in any kind of tournament is tough.

Coach K gets a T after the game

Happy its over, happy we can watch every game from here on out, tough losses all week though.

(11-24-2023 03:59 PM)inductchuck16 Wrote:  Going 0-3 in any kind of tournament is tough.

Yeah, yesterday I was hoping maybe we’d sneak this one out.

Last couple seasons we’ve found ways to under-achieve. Hopefully TK doesn’t go into his predictable shell now & start only playing 7 guys just to try & preserve some Ws that mean little. This isn’t a MAC regular-season type squad at all (inside game is still pretty weak—my God, where would we be without Simmons?), but maybe if we’re deep & experienced come tournament time in Cleveland we can be the team that over-achieves for once & pull off 3 wins in 3 nights.

Just saw the score, dang close 76-74. Wright with a big goose egg in the points column and Maddox with only 6. He hits his average and we win.

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Poor foul shooting and late game turnovers did us in.

I watched the first half live, but had to go away, so I spun up the replay when I got home. Made sure I didn't know anything. Nice to be able to stop, back up, and do my own replays. They did have two guys today and their replay machine must have thrown a rod as it wasn't as animated as it was.

That said, disappointment is the word that comes to mind. Three games, no wins. As I type this New Mexico is smoking Pepperdine by around 20 with 11 minutes left. I expect UC Irvine to win as well. I think we played the three best teams in the tournament. Good. It doesn't matter, all that does is the three days in Cleveland.

In at least two of the three games they beat themselves. But they are young, and new at this level of play. There is still a lot to like. I think these were three pretty good teams, and this type of game and competition will pay off down the road.

As far as today, as someone so accurately said above - free throws and turnover did them in. 8-14 from the line, and how many were 1 and 1s and missed the front end, especially at the end? We did out board them 36-30, 10 on the offensive side, that's progress. 6 from Moss and Wight (good and needed), 5 for Cochran, and 4 for Wilson. Only 1 for Simmons and Brcic.

44 points in the paint for the good guys to 34 for Indiana St. Second chance points Toledo 15 to 4. Fouls were about even team wise, but they had 3 starters with 4 fouls, and one with 3. That's a good place to be. Their starting 5 were the only ones with over 10 minutes. A 40, 37,36,35.

Indiana St. chucked up 26 three's, making 9, for 34%. Toledo, on the other hand, only attempted 14, making 4 (28%) going 1-8 in the second half. Along with their 57% from the line.

With a few minutes to go they were up 5, had them in foul trouble and probably a bit gassed, then made some really bad decisions. Simmons chucked up a 3 when it was in no way shape or form necessary. They all took shots they shouldn't have taken. Then missed foul shots. But it's over, learn and move on.

Now that we have had a few games to watch these guys and see what we have, I think you have to like what we see. This is Moss's team, he is the leader. If he keeps doing what he's doing, he is a solid player and will only get better. I hope he can be a consistent scorer once they scout him enough.

Dante will be a consistent go to scorer, help at guard, and be the pest that he can be. Needs to quit forcing things when they are not there.

Tyler had a much better game tonight, which is great to see. A co-captain I believe, so anther leader, and a very talented one at that. I think he's wound up wanting to do too much, especially because of what happened last year. Like Dante, don't force things. He had 2 of our only 5 assists tonight (he's a good passer too). Dante with 2 as well. Indiana St. had 12.

Wilson has shown flashes of how fun he is going to be. 4 boards tonight as an example. He one of those sneaky dudes who drive you nuts. Looks like he will develop into the point guard we all hope he will be. Let's see what he looks like come March when there are no longer Freshmen.

Before his career is over, we are going to really like Javan Simmons. I'm sure somebody can correct me, but I don't remember a power forward with the post up game as he gives us right now. He's a beast once you get him the ball in the low post. And he has intensity to boot. I'm really surprised he's only averaging 3.2 rebounds a game, only 1 tonight.

Wight and Brcic gave us 3 points (all Brcic), 7 boards (6 Wight), and 5 fouls. That's about all you need to know about the big guys as far as the stats.

Lewis had a really good game tonight. 19 minutes, 5-7 from the field, 1-1 from 3, 2 boards, and a steal. But 2 turnovers.

Andre had 7 points, 3 boards, in 18 minutes, and has been more aggressive driving the basket to his game. That's a positive from a matchup standpoint.

As disappointing as this tournament was as far as wins, there are reasons to be optimistic. We have Juniors and Freshmen. If not this year (NO - DON'T SAY THAT), next year should be real fun.

I forgot; the refs sucked. :-)

One thought I about officiating

I used to work with one

Tough job and not enough of them. Need more people to take on the job


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(11-24-2023 09:44 PM)indianasniff Wrote:  One thought I about officiating

I used to work with one

Tough job and not enough of them. Need more people to take on the job


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No excuses, Toledo lost all three games that were winnable at crunch time. Need to play better down the stretch but hopefully a learning experience that will pay dividends down the road. Toledo by far had the toughest schedule as they played the Top 3 teams in the Tournament while NM, UCI, and IS did not have to face one another. TK said on the post game that Toledo was at a major disadvantage having to play late games against West Coast teams NM & UCI the first two nights Neverless, it is what it is and now Toledo gets to come home and play 4 of their 6 last non conference games at home against quality competition before MAC play begins.

I wonder if Coach K will change the starting lineup just to shake things up. The key of course is to see who is on the floor at the end of the game but sometimes a bit of a change helps out. Last year he made a switch and put Dante into the starting lineup several games into the season and the team seemed to do a lot better. Cochran already gets starter type minutes but would he be even more effective if he started?

(11-25-2023 10:55 AM)Rocket75 Wrote:  I wonder if Coach K will change the starting lineup just to shake things up. The key of course is to see who is on the floor at the end of the game but sometimes a bit of a change helps out. Last year he made a switch and put Dante into the starting lineup several games into the season and the team seemed to do a lot better. Cochran already gets starter type minutes but would he be even more effective if he started?

I suppose I should consider what the other team is putting on the floor but taking the initiatice and trying to dictate the game a bit? I like the idea of starting with the strongest defense. Which, Cochran or Maddox?

(11-25-2023 12:34 PM)eastisbest Wrote:  

(11-25-2023 10:55 AM)Rocket75 Wrote:  I wonder if Coach K will change the starting lineup just to shake things up. The key of course is to see who is on the floor at the end of the game but sometimes a bit of a change helps out. Last year he made a switch and put Dante into the starting lineup several games into the season and the team seemed to do a lot better. Cochran already gets starter type minutes but would he be even more effective if he started?

I suppose I should consider what the other team is putting on the floor but taking the initiatice and trying to dictate the game a bit? I like the idea of starting with the strongest defense. Which, Cochran or Maddox?

Are you switching Cochran for Maddox .... or Cochran for Wilson. I think Wilson starting keeps his growth curve going upward. Off the bench, particularly when it's not clear what you're going to get is a tough call.

(11-25-2023 04:37 PM)cleveland Wrote:  

(11-25-2023 12:34 PM)eastisbest Wrote:  

(11-25-2023 10:55 AM)Rocket75 Wrote:  I wonder if Coach K will change the starting lineup just to shake things up. The key of course is to see who is on the floor at the end of the game but sometimes a bit of a change helps out. Last year he made a switch and put Dante into the starting lineup several games into the season and the team seemed to do a lot better. Cochran already gets starter type minutes but would he be even more effective if he started?

I suppose I should consider what the other team is putting on the floor but taking the initiatice and trying to dictate the game a bit? I like the idea of starting with the strongest defense. Which, Cochran or Maddox?

Are you switching Cochran for Maddox .... or Cochran for Wilson. I think Wilson starting keeps his growth curve going upward. Off the bench, particularly when it's not clear what you're going to get is a tough call.

Lol, I'm still trying not to say "Dennis," let alone remembering Wilson.
Fair point. Early in the year, train up the new or get what experience is availble running smoothly. K has quite a challenge this year.

I'm encouraged the team was in these games. As long as they gell and don't finger point, I think it's going to be a strong team.

Lost 5 of first 14 games in 2022-23 season.

Boca, far different team this year, the lost's could pile up a lot faster this year ? Let's talk about starting center Ben Wright stats at W & M. and this year at UT

20-21 , freshman, 16/13 gm's, 19 mins a game, 4.4 avg, 3.4 rebounds
21-22, soph., 32/32 gm's, 25 mins a game, 11.6 avg. 5.5 rebounds
22-23 , Junior, 33/33 gm's, 26 mins a game, 10.9 avg. 5.2 rebounds
In the past not a strong FG pct., weak FT shooter

23-24, Junior, 6/6 gm's, 16 mins. game, 2.8 avg., 2.8 rebounds .

His playing time is well down, mins has been decreasing. But for now can't replace his height on the defensive end nor his experience. If a change in the starting lineup occurs, who steps up to the starting position if Wright is benched ?

(11-25-2023 08:56 PM)Springboromark Wrote:  Boca, far different team this year, the lost's could pile up a lot faster this year ? Let's talk about starting center Ben Wright stats at W & M. and this year at UT

20-21 , freshman, 16/13 gm's, 19 mins a game, 4.4 avg, 3.4 rebounds
21-22, soph., 32/32 gm's, 25 mins a game, 11.6 avg. 5.5 rebounds
22-23 , Junior, 33/33 gm's, 26 mins a game, 10.9 avg. 5.2 rebounds
In the past not a strong FG pct., weak FT shooter

23-24, Junior, 6/6 gm's, 16 mins. game, 2.8 avg., 2.8 rebounds .

His playing time is well down, mins has been decreasing. But for now can't replace his height on the defensive end nor his experience. If a change in the starting lineup occurs, who steps up to the starting position if Wright is benched ?

I say leave the big kid alone. He'll come around and have his share of quality games, particularly down the stretch. He's a senior, he'll be OK.

Yes I probably would agreed, leave him in the starting lineup, hoping he can give coach some more points and rebounds. No one on the bench that could replace him except Lorentsson ?

(11-25-2023 10:55 AM)Rocket75 Wrote:  I wonder if Coach K will change the starting lineup just to shake things up. The key of course is to see who is on the floor at the end of the game but sometimes a bit of a change helps out. Last year he made a switch and put Dante into the starting lineup several games into the season and the team seemed to do a lot better. Cochran already gets starter type minutes but would he be even more effective if he started?

I think the next 6 games can be used to try different combinations on the floor to see what lineups seem to work well both offensively and defensively. The goal should be to have a set rotation ready for January when MAC play begins.

According to the roster, Brcic is 6'10" and 225. Wight is 6'9" and 220. Wight listed as a junior and Brcic a frosh. We need more out of both of them. Andre is listed at 6'8" and 215. This is what the season is for, developing the new guys. It's all about March and Cleveland.

I saw a Mid-major top 25 poll today, but it was from an individual, not the usual suspects which were not updated as of yet. This guy (I follow him on Twitter) has all three teams we just played in the top 25, FWIW. All were good teams, good tests, and will help down the road even though they lost.

Next up George Mason at 5-1 with their loss to Charlotte. Saturday at home at 7 pm.

(11-27-2023 03:10 PM)Screwball Wrote:  According to the roster, Brcic is 6'10" and 225. Wight is 6'9" and 220. Wight listed as a junior and Brcic a frosh. We need more out of both of them. Andre is listed at 6'8" and 215. This is what the season is for, developing the new guys. It's all about March and Cleveland.

I saw a Mid-major top 25 poll today, but it was from an individual, not the usual suspects which were not updated as of yet. This guy (I follow him on Twitter) has all three teams we just played in the top 25, FWIW. All were good teams, good tests, and will help down the road even though they lost.

Next up George Mason at 5-1 with their loss to Charlotte. Saturday at home at 7 pm.

It's not easy finding equitable competition at the high school level if you're 6'10". Unless they really had a terrrific AAU competition, I think it's reasonable their game is a bit less mature than a freshman PG. That's a play by ear how much responsibility to put on Brcic, no?