Comments from TK. J Simmons and S. Wilson:


*Said that the MAC/Sun Belt Challenge should only be played once in December and not a second game in the middle of the league season. No other Conference Challenge plays two games per season.

*Only regret for the App St game was not having S. Wilson handling the ball in crunch time as he is most reliable player with the ball.

*Thought the team showed improvement Saturday and continues to get better. Cannot have 14 turnovers even in a double overtime game against a quality opponent.

*Continues to stress to his 3 Juniors (Moss, Maddox, and Cochran) for better and more consistent discipline on the defensive end. Thinks that will be a major key to their success going forward.

*Thinks the next 3 games against OU, Akron, and BG are critical to where Toledo ends up Seeding wise come Tournament time.

*Both J. Simmons and S. Wilson talked about how fun it was playing in a high-level game like the App State game, They also commented that despite the loss, the experience will benefit the team in Cleveland when each possession will be so critical.

Thanks for this BBJ.

I don't see anything to argue about. Wilson has stepped up recently - that's a good sign. Moss leads the team in assists with 72. Wilson with 51 with a little less playing time. But, Moss also leads the team in TOs, with 59. Wilson with 28. Makes me remember Ray J - how would he look right now? Doesn't matter. I stopped to eat somewhere a week or so ago and he was on the TV. Still love his runner. These guys learned that from him, but they haven't mastered it yet.

The App St. game is one I think they should have won. Puked a 9 point lead. Too many TOs, bad decisions, and couldn't catch a break either. Doesn't matter - like the guys said - this will benefit the team. Too bad they couldn't get deeper in the bench - for a game that to be honest - doesn't mean squat. Coach is also right, the next three games will determine where they seed for Cleveland - but it really doesn't matter. They have to win three games - period. Those App St. guys said both those teams deserve to be at large bids - but we know that ain't gonna happen.

There is time to improve and learn, even some of the guys who are struggling. They have played a brutal schedule and were never outclassed. This is a good team - different than we are used to - but the potential is there. At least enough to win the tournament IMO. The players and coaches know this. Git'r done guys.

One more thing, thinking of losing Ray J - Simmons won't be here at some point either. What a baller!

(02-12-2024 07:46 PM)Screwball Wrote:  Thanks for this BBJ.

I don't see anything to argue about. Wilson has stepped up recently - that's a good sign. Moss leads the team in assists with 72. Wilson with 51 with a little less playing time. But, Moss also leads the team in TOs, with 59. Wilson with 28. Makes me remember Ray J - how would he look right now? Doesn't matter. I stopped to eat somewhere a week or so ago and he was on the TV. Still love his runner. These guys learned that from him, but they haven't mastered it yet.

The App St. game is one I think they should have won. Puked a 9 point lead. Too many TOs, bad decisions, and couldn't catch a break either. Doesn't matter - like the guys said - this will benefit the team. Too bad they couldn't get deeper in the bench - for a game that to be honest - doesn't mean squat. Coach is also right, the next three games will determine where they seed for Cleveland - but it really doesn't matter. They have to win three games - period. Those App St. guys said both those teams deserve to be at large bids - but we know that ain't gonna happen.

There is time to improve and learn, even some of the guys who are struggling. They have played a brutal schedule and were never outclassed. This is a good team - different than we are used to - but the potential is there. At least enough to win the tournament IMO. The players and coaches know this. Git'r done guys.

One more thing, thinking of losing Ray J - Simmons won't be here at some point either. What a baller!

I am not sure about Simmons ever leaving as he talked openly about his special relationship he has with his position coach Jeff Massey. I remembered when Toledo signed him, Simmons said that Massey was like a second father to him. Wilson also talked glowingly about his position coach, Justin Ingram. They both talked about how playing basketball in urban Columbus and Detroit respectively helped shaped what they called their "dog" personalities. These 2 players are going to be the face of the Program in a couple of years!

Turnovers are mostly related to bad decisions and lack of concentration

Bad decisions are made when you are tired

When you are tired you lose concentration

This game was a microcosm of the failures in Cleveland. Not preparing bench to provide meaningful second half minutes that leads to wilting under pressure.

TK, do you want the dance? Prepare the whole roster for the big moment and give them an opportunity to shine.

You do not want to travel to a Sunbelt game in February? This game was prep for a big moment. Your team and your coaching staff need it

(02-13-2024 08:51 AM)indianasniff Wrote:  Turnovers are mostly related to bad decisions and lack of concentration

Bad decisions are made when you are tired

When you are tired you lose concentration

This game was a microcosm of the failures in Cleveland. Not preparing bench to provide meaningful second half minutes that leads to wilting under pressure.

TK, do you want the dance? Prepare the whole roster for the big moment and give them an opportunity to shine.

You do not want to travel to a Sunbelt game in February? This game was prep for a big moment. Your team and your coaching staff need it

So true

Down the stretch, I think TK will go back to his old ways and give the 5 starters for minutes on the court in lieu of playing the bench more. Andre and Lewis will be getting the bench minutes. I only see 7 players only rotating now. He wants those wins and can't trust the bench as he had done earlier in the season.

(02-15-2024 08:47 PM)Springboromark Wrote:  Down the stretch, I think TK will go back to his old ways and give the 5 starters for minutes on the court in lieu of playing the bench more. Andre and Lewis will be getting the bench minutes. I only see 7 players only rotating now. He wants those wins and can't trust the bench as he had done earlier in the season.

Pat Riley "Use eight, rotate seven ,play six, trust five." Who Tk's 8/7/6/5 for the stretch run and MAC tourney?

The trust 5 - Moss, Maddox, Cochrane, Simmons, Wilson
Play 6 - Lorentsson
Rotate 7 - Lewis
Use 8 - Ford or Brcic?

(02-17-2024 12:51 AM)Sleepy Wrote:  

(02-15-2024 08:47 PM)Springboromark Wrote:  Down the stretch, I think TK will go back to his old ways and give the 5 starters for minutes on the court in lieu of playing the bench more. Andre and Lewis will be getting the bench minutes. I only see 7 players only rotating now. He wants those wins and can't trust the bench as he had done earlier in the season.

Pat Riley "Use eight, rotate seven ,play six, trust five." Who Tk's 8/7/6/5 for the stretch run and MAC tourney?

The trust 5 - Moss, Maddox, Cochrane, Simmons, Wilson
Play 6 - Lorentsson
Rotate 7 - Lewis
Use 8 - Ford or Brcic?

If TK uses the bench more we lose more. There is a reason the bench players don’t play as much. The coaching staff sees the players everyday in practice. Many of them are freshmen and aren’t quite ready for more minutes.
I understand that we want to keep our starters fresh but just playing inexperienced players more minutes in games, isn’t going to necessarily mean we will win more.
IMO we are a team in transition. We’re still in the mix to win the league championship.
8 to 9 good players would be great but we are not there yet.

Amen to that, TK will play the cards that he was dealt with.

This works well in tight games twice a week. Three tight games in three days requires more depth. There has been only rare opportunities to get more guys in this year, since the league is more balanced. Lewis is a dependable shooter and I am glad to see him in routinely. I think Ford has what it takes to be in more and Lorentsson has done an incredible job coming in for tight spots hitting the 3’s. I would like to see Lorentsson and Grgur get more minutes to focus on getting in position on the offensive boards to get some points off offensive rebounds. One game in the tournament with Simmons in foul trouble is a problem. I am glad Cochran rebounds like he is 6’6”. Coach K definitely has a solid group of guys on the floor most of the game. Hats off to this team doing so well after losing so much scoring from last year.

As far as not getting tired out in Cleveland. Maybe don't have a million shoot arounds. It seems like they're on the floor for 8 hours a day. Even morning shoot arounds on gameday is excessive to me in a scenario like that. Maybe like 20 mins and free throws but I know I'd be dead after 24 hours of huckin em up.

Do basketball players at his level look at game film like football players do ?

I would hope so.