Game 11, 2022-23: North Texas (Springfield, 12/17)
Re: Game 11, 2022-23: North Texas (Springfield, 12/17)
Thanks on the Fernandes sighting.
My feeling is that Gapare will develop confidence, apply his skills and learn to play in the team "system" by getting minutes and that there is no drop off from Martin to him. The opponent needs to guard him unlike Martin and that helps free up other shooters. Martins rebounding won't be missed if you have 2 of Dominguez/Cross/Kante/Wildens on the floor with Gapare.
Many of our fouls against Texas were committed (Thompson/Diggins/Cross) guarding 25-30 feet from the hoop. The way Texas was shooting for the first 3/4 of game, this was unnecessary. Why didn't coaching staff back them off?
My biggest concern is - where is the offensive system or sets? The wheel thing they rely on - where guards and wings circle around in opposite directions above the top of the key for handoffs - hasn't done anything to free up shooters or cutters in all the games I've watched ( 9-10). It's predictable and often leads to turnovers. The deep pass from top of the key into the low post has failed repeatedly for several reasons - 1) bad passes over fronting defender, 2) Wildens/Kante are not particularly good jumpers and Wildens doesn't have good hands, 3) we always play it one on one vs crossing a wing into low post to screen the guy defending our center.
I've asked this before, where is the evidence of smart and varied offensive sets from this coaching staff? Ones that either get guys passes in cutting lanes or open shots from the perimeter. Much of the sad shooting percentage yesterday had to do with our getting almost no open shots.
Guys aren't moving well without the ball, dribble too much and rarely employ pick and roll, give and go or double screens. This to me is ultimately a matter of coaching as opposed to player skill level, athleticism or work ethic.
Aren't these guys paid enough to teach and drill our players in these tactics and techniques?
I'd love to know if I'm reading this wrong. Does anyone think our offensive is designed/called with any sophistication or imagination?
My feeling is that Gapare will develop confidence, apply his skills and learn to play in the team "system" by getting minutes and that there is no drop off from Martin to him. The opponent needs to guard him unlike Martin and that helps free up other shooters. Martins rebounding won't be missed if you have 2 of Dominguez/Cross/Kante/Wildens on the floor with Gapare.
Many of our fouls against Texas were committed (Thompson/Diggins/Cross) guarding 25-30 feet from the hoop. The way Texas was shooting for the first 3/4 of game, this was unnecessary. Why didn't coaching staff back them off?
My biggest concern is - where is the offensive system or sets? The wheel thing they rely on - where guards and wings circle around in opposite directions above the top of the key for handoffs - hasn't done anything to free up shooters or cutters in all the games I've watched ( 9-10). It's predictable and often leads to turnovers. The deep pass from top of the key into the low post has failed repeatedly for several reasons - 1) bad passes over fronting defender, 2) Wildens/Kante are not particularly good jumpers and Wildens doesn't have good hands, 3) we always play it one on one vs crossing a wing into low post to screen the guy defending our center.
I've asked this before, where is the evidence of smart and varied offensive sets from this coaching staff? Ones that either get guys passes in cutting lanes or open shots from the perimeter. Much of the sad shooting percentage yesterday had to do with our getting almost no open shots.
Guys aren't moving well without the ball, dribble too much and rarely employ pick and roll, give and go or double screens. This to me is ultimately a matter of coaching as opposed to player skill level, athleticism or work ethic.
Aren't these guys paid enough to teach and drill our players in these tactics and techniques?
I'd love to know if I'm reading this wrong. Does anyone think our offensive is designed/called with any sophistication or imagination?
Re: Game 11, 2022-23: North Texas (Springfield, 12/17)
Zeke wrote: ↑Sun Dec 18, 2022 4:02 pm Much of the sad shooting percentage yesterday had to do with our getting almost no open shots.
I don't know, sometimes you have to give credit to their D. They were very physical and aggressive, fought thru picks, and had pretty good help D. On the inside stuff we had, we just didn't finish
Aren't these guys paid enough to teach and drill our players in these tactics and techniques?
I'd love to know if I'm reading this wrong. Does anyone think our offensive is designed/called with any sophistication or imagination?
Well, our best player and PG is out, its a totally new team & staff, the guy RagingCager labeled as having the most upside got here a couple days before the season started, we're only 11 games into the season, and I think the staff is still figuring out who can do what. And we're still 8-3, with 3 losses to good, experienced teams, which we still could have won. We'll get there, part of the process.
Your points are all valid, I just think we need to be patient and let the team come together. This program has been down for so long , we're all looking for something wrong. Keep winning and keep working on things in practice and the season should be a good one
Time to Win
Re: Game 11, 2022-23: North Texas (Springfield, 12/17)
Thanks for the comments. I could use more patience. The N. Texas game was very painful and it wasn't all on the coaches.
Re: Game 11, 2022-23: North Texas (Springfield, 12/17)
As I have tried to say over and over (very poorly).
This is a nice team, they are not great, but they are going to be in every game - good/bad/ugly. They are not going to pile up 20+ wins. They may get to 20 but that is probably the ceiling. They are young, they are learning a new system and how to play with each other.
If their core stays put for next year - they will be much better... that said, just enjoy this process. Its going to be frustrating at times, but everything is pointing in the correct direction.
I will take 9-9 or 10-8 Conference today, record right now, and at least 1 conf tourney win.... and I will be very content with the results of this season.
This is a nice team, they are not great, but they are going to be in every game - good/bad/ugly. They are not going to pile up 20+ wins. They may get to 20 but that is probably the ceiling. They are young, they are learning a new system and how to play with each other.
If their core stays put for next year - they will be much better... that said, just enjoy this process. Its going to be frustrating at times, but everything is pointing in the correct direction.
I will take 9-9 or 10-8 Conference today, record right now, and at least 1 conf tourney win.... and I will be very content with the results of this season.
Re: Game 11, 2022-23: North Texas (Springfield, 12/17)
Yeah I’m in the same boat. There are things I’d like to see improve — mostly on the offensive end — but in general I am quite pleased. They give a shit out there and play hard (almost always). The talent level has increased as well.
"I wrote a column and it went national"
Re: Game 11, 2022-23: North Texas (Springfield, 12/17)
The defense and level of effort/intensity is very good, and the talent level is much improved from what we've had the last 8-10 years, but the offense sucks, and based on the talent level it should be much better.
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Re: Game 11, 2022-23: North Texas (Springfield, 12/17)
^Could also mean young, as in experience playing together as a whole..
Re: Game 11, 2022-23: North Texas (Springfield, 12/17)
Fair - bad wording. I meant they have not played together long enough yet.
Re: Game 11, 2022-23: North Texas (Springfield, 12/17)
^ No excuses against SBU on 12/31. As I said in another thread, they play 9 guys; 6 transfers and 3 freshmen.
Re: Game 11, 2022-23: North Texas (Springfield, 12/17)
To paraphrase a former President,it depends on what the definition of ‘young’ is…
They’re ‘young’ as a team as opposed to individual classes. Only three players in the rotation were at UMass last season.
This group has played approximately 1/3 of one season together as a team under a coach who is new to the school.
They’re ‘young’ as a team as opposed to individual classes. Only three players in the rotation were at UMass last season.
This group has played approximately 1/3 of one season together as a team under a coach who is new to the school.
"Win without boasting, lose without crying." -- Julius Erving