Senior Gut Check Time

69MG · Post by **69MG** » Sat Mar 15, 2014 9:54 am

I posted this after the RI game and it didn't change. They were tight and almost everyone played like they had to win the game singlehandedly. Selfish plays, forced shots and not looking for the open man. Maybe a few days off and a lot of film study will help. I sure hope so.
Regardless, I'm going to ABC tomorrow and thank the guys for our best season since 1998. We have reached step 1, making the dance. Let's see how far we can take it.

NilesGold · Post by **NilesGold** » Sun Mar 16, 2014 6:42 am

^ I disagree, but I don't have the energy to write out a long argument. The short version is that I think Cady has been the same player all season, teams have adjusted to him as the season has gone on, in particular by double teaming or zoning. It's been extremely effective because Cady can't pass out of double teams. Teams are also putting more focus on boxing Cady out on the offensive glass and stopping UMass from driving which had been giving Cady openings for easy baskets and offensive rebounds.

Aside from Chaz in the STL game, all three seniors have played TERRIBLE in each of the last 3 games. For all three games, which includes good stats from Chaz in the STL game and garbage time in the GW game, the three had a combined 20 turnovers to 25 assists, 31% FG (27-87) and 26% 3ptFG (10-38).

twisters tavern · Post by **twisters tavern** » Sun Mar 16, 2014 7:32 am

ktabz16 wrote:ummm cady lalanne doesn't need a gut check? he was a contender for a10 player of the year after 10 games. how'd he do last night? night before? the kid's disappearing act would make Houdini proud. rip me all you want, it won't change the truth.

This. His offense has regressed and his defensive lapses are maddening. I do think he plays hard, but that is not enough at this level.

UMassFan99 · Post by **UMassFan99** » Sun Mar 16, 2014 7:36 am

I don't feel like the kid plays hard. He's 6 foot 10 and gets like 6 boards a game. He also doesn't seem to hustle. The contrast versus earlier in he season is one thing, but the lack of hustle is what disappoints me.

I think he will develop in the off season, it's just too bad he can't make a major impact now.

NilesGold · Post by **NilesGold** » Sun Mar 16, 2014 7:39 am

I really don't see the lack of effort from Cady that others do, at least not in the last 5 or so games. Everytime I see him he's fighting for position and rebounds in the paint.

PTrainXL · Post by **PTrainXL** » Sun Mar 16, 2014 8:39 am

Def regressed the stl Louis play tells it all- earlier in year he would have dunked that

Stl game he got an inch off the ground

NilesGold · Post by **NilesGold** » Sun Mar 16, 2014 11:56 am

^ It's possible that the players are a bit run-down from the season. UMass used a short bench and played at a very fast tempo all year. Maybe part of the reason Esho played so well the last two games is because he's the most rested of the 7 key players, he played the least minutes on the season and also missed some game and practice time with that head injury.

MassDynasty321 · Post by **MassDynasty321** » Sun Mar 16, 2014 12:16 pm

The fact that anyone on here can talk shit about Cady with the way Sampson and Putney have been playing recently is seriously baffling to me.

Cady didn't have good numbers against GW because he was on the bench. And we get POUNDED on the boards by their two bigs. But yeah, it's all his fault.

Cool_Hand · Post by **Cool_Hand** » Sun Mar 16, 2014 12:23 pm

I don't see energy, nor do I see Cady as the major problems. Cady's play doesn't impact others much. He is a soft-spoken red shirt sophomore. I think a lot of the criticism that should be placed on the feet of DK and Chaz is often misdirected because people love and tend to be protective of them. Plus, its the coach and the guards that need to keep big men engaged by keeping them involved. That's tough when the PG is playing an iso game all the time.

Also, energy usually wanes when a team is looking for answers and things are going poorly. That's natural. I think this will play with enough passion.

I think the biggest difference is that this team was playing team ball in the beginning of the year. They made the extra pass. Cuts and passes were much more crisp. Chaz was playing much more disciplined.

The gut check they need is stop playing for ESPN Sports Center. To stop playing for highlights and heroics. To maybe stop listening to people from home whispering in their ears (I'm speculating here, but it happens a lot. Players, especially seniors often use their last bits of limelight to showcase their skills for agents and scouts).

They have to play and win with discipline and fundamentals, not just heroics. They cant play to hang around all game and then wait for Chaz to take over the game like he's Jordan or Kobe. And Chaz has to stop playing like he is Jordan or Kobe. And Putney has stop using every possession as an opportunity to posterize someone.

They had a couple extra days. I hope DK showed them some film from the BYU game and compared it to new film. Maybe have a team bonding night. Show a sappy team oriented sports movie like Remember the Titans.

This team can get smoked in game one. Or it could make a final four run. It all depends on attitude and commitment to trust each and play as a team and that starts with Chaz at the point.

UMass87 · Post by **UMass87** » Sun Mar 16, 2014 1:01 pm

Cool_Hand wrote:... He is a soft-spoken red shirt sophomore...

Cady's a junior he didn't redshirt. The soft-spoken part is right and I also think he is probably a guy with a pretty gentle nature which isn't always helpful for a center. IMO Cady is tentative because he hates picking up fouls.

NilesGold · Post by **NilesGold** » Sun Mar 16, 2014 1:12 pm

^ Cady sat out a year as a non or partial qualifier, so he's the age of most seniors. Cady's demeanor kind of reminds me of Lari Ketner. A big guy and people were always complaining that he wasn't mean or aggressive enough.

Cool_Hand · Post by **Cool_Hand** » Sun Mar 16, 2014 1:28 pm

UMass87 wrote:
Cool_Hand wrote:... He is a soft-spoken red shirt sophomore...

Cady's a junior he didn't redshirt. The soft-spoken part is right and I also think he is probably a guy with a pretty gentle nature which isn't always helpful for a center. IMO Cady is tentative because he hates picking up fouls.[/quot

That's another thing about Cady. We have no depth there. I sure DK has coached him to stay out of foul trouble. Maybe it is habit forming.

We have have a nice 3 guard rotation w/some promising youth. Lot of wing option. But TB and Sampson are not answers in the middle. Cady needs to be a little cautious.

Big_John_Studd · Post by **Big_John_Studd** » Fri Mar 21, 2014 4:03 pm

Chaz, Put and Samp folded like a cheap tent when it mattered this year. Good riddance to all three of them.

Marshmont_63 · Post by **Marshmont_63** » Fri Mar 21, 2014 4:10 pm

Absolutely pathetic performance today. No excuses. It's a fact not an opinion. Can't refute it. IM SO F*CKING FRUSTRATED AND I DON'T EVEN GO TO UMASS. I go to BC but have been a diehard minuteman fan for years. I really thought the seniors would show up today and play an amazing game. Boy was I wrong

Not Trigger · Post by **Not Trigger** » Fri Mar 21, 2014 4:10 pm

Here we go with the annual let's blame the seniors, we're better without them posts. The buck stops one place and one place only.