Game 23, 2023-24: Rhode Island (2/11)

[bottom line]

Think what our record might be if we had a decent backup for Josh. IMO that has been a huge problem all season. If either Mason or Majok had anything at all they would be used. Let's hope Frank brings in a couple of quality bigs for next year.

[eldonabe]

My theory is that Frank is so intense that these guys tighten up because they don't want to be the guy that blew it. In the final sequences where they were doinking free throws left and right, Frank routinely screamed his head off at guys after the misses. You could see and hear it clearly in the arena, not sure if it came across on TV. I'm a Frank Martin fan and have no problem with his style most of the time, but he needs to find another way to motivate and support his players when something like that happens. Who is the "players coach" on this team that can pull someone to the side and bring them up after Frank chews them out?

*Edited to add that Frank admitted in the postgame radio show that he doesn't spend enough time on late game situations and said that will be a focus moving forward.

You might be able to persuade me into that theory. Kind of like beaten dog syndrome if you will.

I agree that this looks better than last year (and many prior years for that matter). That said, this team does not play tight very well at all. They storm back to make a game close then it turns into a Three Stooges episode - they have a lead with 5 minutes to go and should be able to just drive the speed limit and close, then Larry, Moe, and Curly take the fucking wheel again and hope for the best.

I am not blaming the players, not even a little. This is 100% on Frank - one hundred percent. I am glad he has acknowledged and s going to work on it.


When I used to coach, I ran 20-30 minutes of late game scenarios at least 2 times per week - and in the playoffs that was always the last thing I ran through in the practice before every game. It is so important to understand how to handle those situations - whether it is milking clock properly, or having a handful of "one-off" plays when you are playing catch up. Even knowing how to foul people properly is important. My teams lost plenty of close games over 20+ years, but we rarely lost because we beat ourselves. I know I am being an asshole about this stuff, but it is so important to the game.

That Mason game still pisses me off.... they got really lucky that Mason was just dumber then they were that night.

[NilesGold]

Ndjigue: C+: Maybe one of hits worst games as he hasn’t had many as his missed dunk was extremely frustrating (just lay it in) and his defense was less than stellar (even though House clearly was a challenge for anyone).

Are you high? He had a bad blown layup, but aside from that he was great. Great defense on House, no turnovers, hit his only 3pt attempt.

[NilesGold]

Somewhat surprised to see that Curry had 13 shot attempts (only made 4 of them), tied for most on the team... it didn't feel like quite that many. He's pretty exciting at times, and on occasion the team benefits from his aggressive shot hunting, but I think for the most part they would benefit from him being a bit more judicious with his shots.

Cross on the other hand seems a bit gun-shy and at times over dribbles into heavy traffic or forces a pass, when he might be better served to take the open shot. Sometimes it seems like Cross doesn't want to take what the defense gives him, like he thinks if he doesn't have to work for it, he shouldn't take it.

[natwam2547]

Curry has become pretty lethal from three, but he had some wild layup attempts that weren’t even close as well.

[LS71]

I listened to Frank on the post game show. I thought he was right on in his observations. Took responsibility for what he felt he could’ve done better during the last 5 minutes.

He talked about the 1st half-nobody setting picks…too much standing around…good things happen when guys move without the ball. He addressed that at the half and the guys played much better/smarter in the 2nd…most of it anyway . He basically is challenging Josh…to step up…he wanted big(ger) time hoops…here it is… He talked about across still working to get back to what he was pre-I jury and the challenges he has to accept…was never the focus on offense at his other schools.

It’s clear to me that he gets that building the program is a multi-season process…better to do it right than to try do it fast.

Curious…did any of you see how URIne’s David Green got injured? He was their leading scorer in the 1st half.

[69MG]

^ First, to answer a comment about Frank yelling at players at the end of the game after a missed FT. He said he called a time out after Curry missed the first one. He didn't want Curry to stay at the line thinking about the miss. He talked about fouling URI WHEN Curry made the second free throw that would put us up 3. He was trying to help Curry's confidence. It didn't work, but at least he tried.

Green came down funny on his leg after making a layup. Just a freak thing.

I agree with Eldon that Frank has to devote more time on end of game scenarios. I don't consider the young guys as "inexperienced" anymore. They have played over 20 D1 games.

[NilesGold]

Curry has become pretty lethal from three, but he had some wild layup attempts that weren’t even close as well.

From 3pt, he's shooting 25% on the season, 29% during conference play.

[natwam2547]

Lethal might not have been the correct term. He started 2-4 and made 2 in a row at one point. Combine that with the Loyola game where he hit a bunch to get us back in it is probably what I'm blurring in my mind. Confident is probably the more accurate term. I was more or less just referring to your post about not realizing he took 13 shots.

[Upstate10]

I think that Davis will make a huge leap next season. He is so close right now and the game slowing down like it will year 2 is huge for a shooter.

[WillHerndonFan]

Ndjigue: C+: Maybe one of hits worst games as he hasn’t had many as his missed dunk was extremely frustrating (just lay it in) and his defense was less than stellar (even though House clearly was a challenge for anyone).

Are you high? He had a bad blown layup, but aside from that he was great. Great defense on House, no turnovers, hit his only 3pt attempt.

Let’s not judge cannabis users! So the stating guards of Fortnight, House and Weston scored 45 points combined and somehow Jayden had nothing to with their production. We got shredded in both games this year by The URI guards. I watched the game in-person and the tv replay and nothing changed my mind. Jayden is a good defensive player especially as a true freshman but he struggles against stronger and or longer guards. If Jaden puts on another 10-15 pounds and develops as a shooter then this kid is a potential first team A10 player by his senior year.

[WillHerndonFan]

My theory is that Frank is so intense that these guys tighten up because they don't want to be the guy that blew it. In the final sequences where they were doinking free throws left and right, Frank routinely screamed his head off at guys after the misses. You could see and hear it clearly in the arena, not sure if it came across on TV. I'm a Frank Martin fan and have no problem with his style most of the time, but he needs to find another way to motivate and support his players when something like that happens. Who is the "players coach" on this team that can pull someone to the side and bring them up after Frank chews them out?

*Edited to add that Frank admitted in the postgame radio show that he doesn't spend enough time on late game situations and said that will be a focus moving forward.

You might be able to persuade me into that theory. Kind of like beaten dog syndrome if you will.

I agree that this looks better than last year (and many prior years for that matter). That said, this team does not play tight very well at all. They storm back to make a game close then it turns into a Three Stooges episode - they have a lead with 5 minutes to go and should be able to just drive the speed limit and close, then Larry, Moe, and Curly take the fucking wheel again and hope for the best.

I am not blaming the players, not even a little. This is 100% on Frank - one hundred percent. I am glad he has acknowledged and s going to work on it.


When I used to coach, I ran 20-30 minutes of late game scenarios at least 2 times per week - and in the playoffs that was always the last thing I ran through in the practice before every game. It is so important to understand how to handle those situations - whether it is milking clock properly, or having a handful of "one-off" plays when you are playing catch up. Even knowing how to foul people properly is important. My teams lost plenty of close games over 20+ years, but we rarely lost because we beat ourselves. I know I am being an asshole about this stuff, but it is so important to the game.

That Mason game still pisses me off.... they got really lucky that Mason was just dumber then they were that night.

Though I would like to blame Frank 100% for what happens at the end of games, it always comes down to players being mentally strong when it matters most. I don’t think Archie Miller is responsible for Jaden House of URI practicing end game scenarios as the kid said fuck it and said I am not losing this game. Need Cross, Diggins, Cohen and or Thompson to step up when the game gets tight

[WillHerndonFan]

Lethal might not have been the correct term. He started 2-4 and made 2 in a row at one point. Combine that with the Loyola game where he hit a bunch to get us back in it is probably what I'm blurring in my mind. Confident is probably the more accurate term. I was more or less just referring to your post about not realizing he took 13 shots.

Though Curry may not have a high 3 point %, this guy scares URI as he played well in the first game and solid in the second game. As I said before, Curry is the most dynamic scorer on the team but Frank values defense over offense and that is why Curry’s minutes are up and down. Hate to say it. But this guy will likely end up transferring when And NIL deal presents itself.

[Jackson96]

Re: Ndjigue — he did get beat 2-3 times on backdoor cuts, something that’s happened a few times this year. I’ve almost made comments about in previous games but I don’t really think anyone needs me posting about backdoor cuts in their life. Part of those cuts is probably him being a freshman and part of it is probabkh the aggressive scheme we play most of the time.

He’s a good player (with some things to work on sure) — not sure he will ever score enough to make a 1st team all conference, but he gets to a lot of loose balls and is a bit of agitator out there.

Re: Curry he’s shot 6-for-26 over his last 3 games after he had that stretch where he really seemed to be turning a corner. Part of that is probably him being a freshman and part is probably teams making him a focal point in their scouting.

He’s a good player (with some things to work on for sure) and brings a dynamic with his speed that we don’t have, otherwise. He’s playing plenty of minutes as a freshman — almost 20 a night. I recognize the landscape has change in regards to transfers, but to say he is a likely transfer is silly to me. Everyone might transfer — that’s the world — but we have no idea, really.

[eldonabe]

Though I would like to blame Frank 100% for what happens at the end of games, it always comes down to players being mentally strong when it matters most. I don’t think Archie Miller is responsible for Jaden House of URI practicing end game scenarios as the kid said fuck it and said I am not losing this game. Need Cross, Diggins, Cohen and or Thompson to step up when the game gets tight

Ummm.... you are making my point.


Everyone is blasting Shanahan for not telling everyone about the OT rules to they could make the right decision. Most of the players didn't know the OT rules in the playoffs. Who's fault is that?

This stuff is no different... At this level of hoops, most of these kids dominated their HS games and had few opportunities or need to play through last minute tight games. You need to teach them - you know, that whole "coaching" thing.

Of course these players need to execute, but Frank should be telling them -- "boys, use some clock, but drive to the basket and get to the foul line and maybe get a 3 point play". Too many empty possessions where they are jacking up contested three's in those situations. The other team NEEDS a stop, you make it easy bombing 3 pointers. I bet their 3PT percentage in those situations is under 20% - maybe close to 10%. Getting to the line and making 1 FT is better than the horseshit they are doing now.

Making it worse is Frank does not have a goto guy - so it seems to be shoot by committee - or whoever happens to have the ball with 4 seconds left on the SC.