7th striaght loss and 13th straight against D-I competition.
This post was edited on 1/15 7:41 PM by BleedsGreen33
This post was edited on 1/15 7:41 PM by BleedsGreen33
Blew an 18 point lead and lost 66-62
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30 of 36 points in first half come off of 3 pointers, shoot 6-16 from foul line, and neither Loop or Taylor can make a thing. Not a good combination.
FAU did same thing tonight against WKU. But with the 3 point shot and defense 17-18 first half leads disappearing aren't a surprise.
Have to make FT's in games like this, go 6-16 aren't going to win.
Only bright spot again was Nikolic finishing 2nd in rebounds and had 6 assists again. Playing better.
FAU did same thing tonight against WKU. But with the 3 point shot and defense 17-18 first half leads disappearing aren't a surprise.
Have to make FT's in games like this, go 6-16 aren't going to win.
Only bright spot again was Nikolic finishing 2nd in rebounds and had 6 assists again. Playing better.
FIU is absolutely terrible. They were one of maybe 2-3 winnable games we had left on the schedule.
Re: Blew an 18 point lead and losr 66-62
Probably the least talented teams we've ever had.
It would not shock me in the least. Last year after game one I said 10 wins and Smock laughed at me and we got 10 regular season wins. I didn't think it was possible but this year's team is worse.
Probably the least talented teams we've ever had.
Third and Fourth year juniors can't make free throws. Should be near getting their degrees. No possibility
that they will suddenly "grow talent" with another season at MU - -DD needs to tell them to get along with their lives. Two veteran bigs who have "stone hands", can't make layups, passive on defense, in poor position for consistent rebounding, i.e., poor court presence; yet one enters the game and within 30 seconds jacks up a three. Again, sayonara after this season!!
Live by the three, die by the three. No second half adjustments of any note; defensively, our man to man defense was essentially of the "matador" type when they made a run. FIU could not hit the side of a barn from outside but went to the rim with ease. Has DD ever herd of a zone?
In sum, mediocre talent, much of which is D-2 or less in caliber, along with some dubious coaching equals a single digit number of wins this year with a possible school record for number of losses. Projects from overseas who show little or no improvement, whether from Africa, Canada, Europe, etc., still remain "projects", and ensure continuing losing and mediocre basketball seasons!
Hamrick ought to man up and recognize the obvious and reduce all ticket prices for remaining games to general admission prices and let people sit in empty chair backs. But, then again, being that close to such "high caliber major college basketball on display on the floor might just drive a lot of folks back to upper nosebleed section of the HC!
This post was edited on 1/15 8:30 PM by oldeherd
that they will suddenly "grow talent" with another season at MU - -DD needs to tell them to get along with their lives. Two veteran bigs who have "stone hands", can't make layups, passive on defense, in poor position for consistent rebounding, i.e., poor court presence; yet one enters the game and within 30 seconds jacks up a three. Again, sayonara after this season!!
Live by the three, die by the three. No second half adjustments of any note; defensively, our man to man defense was essentially of the "matador" type when they made a run. FIU could not hit the side of a barn from outside but went to the rim with ease. Has DD ever herd of a zone?
In sum, mediocre talent, much of which is D-2 or less in caliber, along with some dubious coaching equals a single digit number of wins this year with a possible school record for number of losses. Projects from overseas who show little or no improvement, whether from Africa, Canada, Europe, etc., still remain "projects", and ensure continuing losing and mediocre basketball seasons!
Hamrick ought to man up and recognize the obvious and reduce all ticket prices for remaining games to general admission prices and let people sit in empty chair backs. But, then again, being that close to such "high caliber major college basketball on display on the floor might just drive a lot of folks back to upper nosebleed section of the HC!
This post was edited on 1/15 8:30 PM by oldeherd
I didn't watch tonight's game but the two last week we pretty much played strictly match up zone. We're pretty good first couple of passes, but quick ball reversals, skip passes, or when opponent was able to penetrate and get to the elbows and draw up our back line they just dropped ball to the block and we had no rotation.
At this point I don't know if threads like this are necessary. We aren't any good, threads to update our losing streak seem redundant. Everyone has pretty much agreed since before the season started that this was going to be a throw away year, yet some still seem surprised that we aren't any good and disappointed that we keep losing.
Agree somewhat, Banker. But in context of throwaway season, one has to look for any "bright" spots, inklings of improvement, etc., upon which to have a glimmer of hope for the future. Look how this team continues to lose, despite claims of "working hard", "improvement in practice", "lots of teaching going on", "doing things the right way", blah, blah, blah.
Yet, the same pattern continues. Losing games the same way over and over again. Unbelievable amount of turnovers game after game, many of which are unforced. Again tonight the Herd gets slaughtered in category of "points in the paint". Maybe part of DD's statement early on that anyone on team should jack up a 3 if they have the shot. Problem like tonight is that when we are hot from 3, we can compete but when three point shooting goes cold, we have NO OTHER ALTERNATIVE. Feast or famine from 3 leads to current 4-13 record!
Who on coaching staff is in charge of centers/big men? How about teaching them to box out? Teaching them how to do a drop step or some offensive moves around the basket? Teaching them how to switch on defense? Guys who struggle with lay-ups, close in shots, etc., should work more on these areas and not worry about if its their turn to launch a "trey".
Look at recent teams. We've had big men, won't mention names, that didn't improve, or marginally improved after 4, even 5 years at MU. Who is going to change that on current staff? We have 1 returning big next year who can barely play now. If he is at a same/similar level next season, do we just say, well its another "throwaway" season? Same applies to others who will return next year - -there has to be some visible improvement in their play early on, or lot of fans will say "here we go again". Can't just really expect dramatic improvement based solely on transfers from D-II or other lower level D 1 programs, or props. Additional recruits will be a necessity, especially when it comes to rebounding, interior defense, and ability to score consistently inside. Right now, Ryan Taylor is ONLY player with a consistent inside game and he is undersized, but talented, and fact that he is only real inside threat causes him to often press and try to do too much. Nikolic can also take the ball from outside to the basket but has no consistent shot whatsoever from anywhere on the floor. Hasn't shown improvement in that area and we are now heading into game 18.
Yet, the same pattern continues. Losing games the same way over and over again. Unbelievable amount of turnovers game after game, many of which are unforced. Again tonight the Herd gets slaughtered in category of "points in the paint". Maybe part of DD's statement early on that anyone on team should jack up a 3 if they have the shot. Problem like tonight is that when we are hot from 3, we can compete but when three point shooting goes cold, we have NO OTHER ALTERNATIVE. Feast or famine from 3 leads to current 4-13 record!
Who on coaching staff is in charge of centers/big men? How about teaching them to box out? Teaching them how to do a drop step or some offensive moves around the basket? Teaching them how to switch on defense? Guys who struggle with lay-ups, close in shots, etc., should work more on these areas and not worry about if its their turn to launch a "trey".
Look at recent teams. We've had big men, won't mention names, that didn't improve, or marginally improved after 4, even 5 years at MU. Who is going to change that on current staff? We have 1 returning big next year who can barely play now. If he is at a same/similar level next season, do we just say, well its another "throwaway" season? Same applies to others who will return next year - -there has to be some visible improvement in their play early on, or lot of fans will say "here we go again". Can't just really expect dramatic improvement based solely on transfers from D-II or other lower level D 1 programs, or props. Additional recruits will be a necessity, especially when it comes to rebounding, interior defense, and ability to score consistently inside. Right now, Ryan Taylor is ONLY player with a consistent inside game and he is undersized, but talented, and fact that he is only real inside threat causes him to often press and try to do too much. Nikolic can also take the ball from outside to the basket but has no consistent shot whatsoever from anywhere on the floor. Hasn't shown improvement in that area and we are now heading into game 18.
I can't understand why we keep throwing up the 3s when we DO NOT have a true "3" point shooter. We will be lucky to win a total of 10 games this year. DD needs to expand his recruiting out of the tri state area. I know our team doesn't comprise of local talent at this point. But recruiting local players will not give you a winning program.
Austin Loop is 33rd in the nation in 3-point shooting percentage. He's a true 3-point shooter.
He's the only true 3-point shooter we have, though.
This post was edited on 1/16 7:49 AM by Pioneer_PA
He's the only true 3-point shooter we have, though.
This post was edited on 1/16 7:49 AM by Pioneer_PA
i hate to break it to some of you, but we are historically terrible at basketball...
in 91 years we have made the NCAA tournament 5 times (0-5). we have been ranked in the AP poll 2 times ever ('71-72 and '55-56). we have an all time winning percentage of .571 (1315-988). we have 6 regular season conference championships and 3 conference tournament championships...
people used to talk about how Marshall was a "basketball school" back in the day when football was bad. no, not really....
in 91 years we have made the NCAA tournament 5 times (0-5). we have been ranked in the AP poll 2 times ever ('71-72 and '55-56). we have an all time winning percentage of .571 (1315-988). we have 6 regular season conference championships and 3 conference tournament championships...
people used to talk about how Marshall was a "basketball school" back in the day when football was bad. no, not really....
The all-time winning percentage you cite would, in and of itself, refute the statement that we are "historically terrible." I would say we are historically mediocre. You are correct that our basketball tradition is not nearly as great as some make it out to be. Essentially, we are completely irrelevant on the national level.
Give me a 41% 3-Pt shooter any day, at any level.
But we have to have more around him to win. Its all about roles and yes, this team needs Loop to play out of the role he is suited for, which is a spot up shooter and not much else.
There were no revelations last night. We made shots in the first half, we missed them in the second, and we turned it over too much because our only true PG is playing his first year of American ball, and Taylor is having to force things outside of his comfort zone, too. Nikolic is showing strides...taking better care of the ball. Just a learning process.
Like I said, nothing that wasn't forseen coming into this season.
But we have to have more around him to win. Its all about roles and yes, this team needs Loop to play out of the role he is suited for, which is a spot up shooter and not much else.
There were no revelations last night. We made shots in the first half, we missed them in the second, and we turned it over too much because our only true PG is playing his first year of American ball, and Taylor is having to force things outside of his comfort zone, too. Nikolic is showing strides...taking better care of the ball. Just a learning process.
Like I said, nothing that wasn't forseen coming into this season.
People that remember us as a basketball school stop in the early-mid 80s. Take away 30 years of nothing that has followed and it makes that record look better. Also, they weren't so far gone from the national ranking and the good teams of the early 70s.
I hope not...........
## Player gp-gs min avg fg-fga fg% 3fg-fga 3fg% ft-fta ft% off def tot avg pf dq a to blk stl pts avg
21 NIKOLIC, Aleksa 17-10 437 25.7 27-108 . 25.0 6-32 . 18.8 8-13 61.5 13 63 76 4.5 32 1 65 48 2 17 68 4.0
In his last 5:
27.9% FG% (2-11 from 3) - 27 assists and 18 Turnovers (Slightly better)
I hope I'm wrong but I don't see him ever competing against mid/high level PGs.
from where he was at the beginning of the season is night and day. for a lot of freshmen, especially the type of freshmen we get at marshall, there's a huge step up from high school to college level. alex is dealing not only with adjusting to that gap, but also adjusting to entirely new country, culture, language, etc.
his last few games:
3-9, 6 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 turnovers, 1 steal
3-9, 9 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 turnovers, 1 steal
0-6, 0 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 turnovers, 3 steals
5-14, 10 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 turnovers, 1 steal
1-5, 2 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 6 turnovers, 4 steals
since christmas he's averaged 5.4 points per game, 6.8 rebounds per game, 5.6 assists per game, 2 steals per game, and 3.6 turnovers per game, isn't terrible at all. he has to cut down on the turnovers, which he has really since the akron game and he has to shoot better, but he's really gotten so much better.
havent been able to make a game for a while since i coach basketball, but Nikolic could only get better... the player i saw could not go left needs time and space to get his shot off and even then its a prayer... and the most telling thing was he would be wide open and they would not pass the ball to him unless they had to, even when the ball needed reversed from they would look to pass it right back to where it came from... im sure hes a great kid but he just doesnt have it... i think this system will work just gotta get the right players for it... elmore, browning, and kelly should be upgrades
If Nikolic is still our PG 3 years from now then Dan has failed miserably and we will be searching for yet another coach.
Has the kid gotten better? Sure. He was bad. Really bad. However his improvement is not good either. He is not a D-I PG. Sorry.
Has the kid gotten better? Sure. He was bad. Really bad. However his improvement is not good either. He is not a D-I PG. Sorry.
Elmore had 23+ offers that might be more than 3/4ths the team combined. Nicolic is a joke, he doesn't help the team at all only hurt. The kid couldn't start in the MEC (Mountain East Confererence. UC, Wv state, concord.). I'm very optimistic for next year with Elmore at the 1 browning 2, Loop or Smith 3, Kelly or taylor at the 4-5. Very small lineup, but with the system, could be west liberty like and run people out.
My major concern is can Dan get enough good players. Like all sports it is a personnel driven game and we don't have enough good players.
I won't judge DD on this years results but this is an odd hire.....we go all in on Mike, but take Dan who is a rookie CBB coach at 67 years who stated he doesn't need the money.........so, if this ends in a big cluster then we have trashed the BB program into oblivion.........talk about high risk....high reward. Hope Hammy has a healthy Plan B.
conference only stats he's 11th in the league in rebounds, 3rd in the league in assists, 8th in the league in assist/turnover ratio, and since christmas is averaging 6.9 points per game, 6.7 rebounds per game, 5.3 assists per game.
I too believe that he is developing into a fine PG. With his height advantage and LONG arms, he has a distinct advantage on most that would go against him. It is obvious that the coaching staff loves him and is working hard with him. He will be a very good PG if he continues to improve at the rate he has been improving. I really like his upside.
Alexsa showed what he can do in the first half of the FAU game. And he'll get even better than that. As for blowing 18 point leads, I saw our best teams do that with only three minutes to go and get beat at Morehead TWICE!!!!!!
I can't believe that some of you guys don't think Alexsa will ever be good. At times, he reminds me of a young Mike Di'Antoni. Good Lord, boys, this kid has only been in this country about five months! Please give him a season to adjust to the American game and get in the weight room.
It's been my experience that ALL freshman hit "the wall" midway through January. So many games played at much faster speed. Happens to American kids. Imagine how that translates to a foreign kid who has additional adjustments to cultural, social and academic pressures.
Yeah, once people got some film on him, I'm sure they're starting to take away things in his comfort zone & making him do things he isn't comfortable or confident in doing. Happens to all freshmen in college & rookies in the nba
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