Games 5 & 6, 2024-25: Temple & Florida State (11/23,24)

[Quann]

Loss tomorrow. Loss Wed to Harvard. Maybe we beat NJIT? Absolute dogshit basketball.

[DanaDingle3]

With the way Frank was talking up this team and its defense in the preseason, I was expecting a lot more. The defense does not look particularly good, and that is maybe the team's best trait? I'm starting to question whether Frank's style wins at this point. Last year's team was likeable and easy to root for, but we don't have a Keon or Matt Cross this year. This is going to be a very underwhelming season if we are only beating up on the UNHs and NJITs on the schedule before A10 play. Things have to change soon.

[69MG]

I agree with Dana ^. I was expecting a swarming, tough defensive team, but we can't stop anybody. We all knew outside shooting would be an issue. I, for one, thought that other parts of our game would make up for it. Hasn't happened. This could be a long season.

[vanmeter]

We lost 2 1st team A10 players. I understand that as it happens everywhere. The problem
Is that we added nobody

[GOODY]

I agree with Dana ^. I was expecting a swarming, tough defensive team, but we can't stop anybody. We all knew outside shooting would be an issue. I, for one, thought that other parts of our game would make up for it. Hasn't happened. This could be a long season.

The three new bigs hopefully get better or yep , long season !

[BillGASox1]

Like others have alluded to, we need a basketball coaching, too. Don't need a screaming, hollering, cursing
buffoon, but rather a teacher, and positive persuader. Look at the coaching styles of UConn v. UMass, then compare
their respective successes. No brainer, positive coaching provides a breeding ground for high performing athletes!

[NilesGold]

With the way Frank was talking up this team and its defense in the preseason, I was expecting a lot more. The defense does not look particularly good, and that is maybe the team's best trait? I'm starting to question whether Frank's style wins at this point.

Frank is toast. He knows way more about basketball than we do, but the problems with this team were obvious to all of us in the pre-season and adjustments that should help are obvious to us, but Frank either doesn't see them or he's unwilling to make them.

It remains totally inexcusable that Rivera starts over Jayden (and plays heavy minutes). And It's mind-blowing that Frank ever thought Abdelgowad was a better option than Muhammad.

Poor team shooting - check
Lack of offensive shot creation - check
Marqui Worthy not good enough to be back-up PG - check
Diggins not good at creating his own offense - check
Curry inefficient scoring the ball - check
No post threat on offense - check
Daniel Rivera a terrible shooter and not capable of playing on the perimeter - check

[LS71]

I can’t believe that I’m saying this but to me the football game was more enjoyable than the basketball game.

[tdmass]

^ Then you must've had a "blast" if you had the women's game on too . . . a Trifecta!

[TheInsider]

We lost 2 1st team A10 players. I understand that as it happens everywhere. The problem
Is that we added nobody

I look at it as we had 2 first team all A10 and with some luck only finished 4th and got run in the first game of the A10 tourney.. if you need 1st team guys to do that, there's not a lot of hope going forward. I like Frank like I like Don.. just think the game has passed their styles.

[Juice Stand]

This is who we are. We all saw the lack of shooting as a problem coming in to the season, and there's no question that it's a serious weakness. The only way it changes is if Rahsool finds a way to make shots on the road and if Nate blossoms (very quickly) into a dependable outside threat.

My disappointment from yesterday is that Frank very loudly stated that he was going to shake up the starting lineup. Well, he trotted out the same 4 as usual and only swapped Shahid in for Malek, who was apparently ill and unable to play, so who knows if he would have made the switch if Malek was healthy.

Frank after Hofstra: "What I have to evaluate is how we're starting games. That's three games in a row where we're down 20 [points] before you can take a deep breath," Martin said. "I'm not into ‘let's clap because we played hard to get back into the game.’ We have to figure out the first six or seven minutes of a game. That's three in a row that that starting lineup just didn't do their job."

Frank after Temple: "“We always try hard when we’re down 15, why can’t we try hard when the game starts?"

You're the damn coach, you get to decide who plays and for how long. Make changes.

[Juice Stand]

Frank is toast. He knows way more about basketball than we do, but the problems with this team were obvious to all of us in the pre-season and adjustments that should help are obvious to us, but Frank either doesn't see them or he's unwilling to make them.

It remains totally inexcusable that Rivera starts over Jayden (and plays heavy minutes). And It's mind-blowing that Frank ever thought Abdelgowad was a better option than Muhammad.

Poor team shooting - check
Lack of offensive shot creation - check
Marqui Worthy not good enough to be back-up PG - check
Diggins not good at creating his own offense - check
Curry inefficient scoring the ball - check
No post threat on offense - check
Daniel Rivera a terrible shooter and not capable of playing on the perimeter - check

Good recap that sums up my, and probably many others thoughts on what we've seen so far from the team and coaching staff. Really disappointing stuff so far.

[LouMass]

Do they not know how to pass the ball? This team makes more handoffs than Army football.

There are some good players, and I don't know much, but it looks like very little effort to play to any strengths they have.

[Merlin Samuels]

Frank Martin is a spring chicken compared to Len Hamilton. Maybe the least outdated wins today?!

[Floyd]

We lost 2 1st team A10 players. I understand that as it happens everywhere. The problem
Is that we added nobody

I look at it as we had 2 first team all A10 and with some luck only finished 4th and got run in the first game of the A10 tourney.. if you need 1st team guys to do that, there's not a lot of hope going forward. I like Frank like I like Don.. just think the game has passed their styles.

And don't forget Rahsool was co most improved player and Curry was on all rookie team.

I was glad Foster got some time yesterday. I like his size on the wing and if he can provide some outside shooting along with Nate, it will help. Frank really lit into Foster yesterday and he was just taking in instruction and nodding yes and didn't sulk. Rahsool seemed a little subdued yesterday, wonder if the pressure of trying to do too much is getting to him. Seems he's better as a catch & shoot guy vs trying to create his own offense and handle the ball in a pg role.

Just hope they can figure it out before the season implodes. Let's start today and get a W!