We really miss Jordan.

[RDriesen]

This may have already been mentioned, but I'm not reading anything from last night . We are really missing Jordan. We have no one who is willing to take over a game when it is needed (who can also shoot good). Until we find that player, we are going to struggle in some games we probably shouldn't. I also worry about games in our conference. There are a lot of teams who are similar to Chattanooga and we really struggled against them.

Right now, Pollard is the one trying to take over. And that is great, but teams just foul him too much. We all wish he could shoot better, but he is what he is. We can't be putting the game in his hands at the FT line and that is what is going to happen if he is the only one who is going to try to win the game for us. Teams are just going to keep fouling him.

 

[basketball bud]

Our three top foul shooters Cooke Scoochie and Pollard are a combined 90-146 for a miserable 61%. That's almost 6 misses a game which as we found out yesterday is a recipe for a loss in close games.Pollard has been to the line 60 times and made only 30 hard to believe any college player can shoot that poorly especially one who gets to the line almost 7 times a game. It's a nightmare scenario the player who gets to the line the most can't make them. but this is a team problem. We're just not a good shooting team at least from the three and foul line and with so many new faces a lot of players shooting that don't have good percentages as compared to last year with Sibert D.P. Scoochie and Pollard not to mention a D.D. that at times led the nation in three point percentage and B.W. having solid numbers. Didn't have many players but they played a well as a team could given the circumstances. Of course the team last year played much better defense unlike this year where so many new faces make it hard to get solid stops as yesterday the mocs time after time drove to the basket for easy scores and at times Archie had three freshmen on the court. Unless Pierre steps right in I see problems in conference play as many of the games will be a carbon copy of yesterday's game, within four or five points and if we're leaving ten points at the foul line we may wind up with a lot of close losses.

 

[CATMAN94]

Our three top foul shooters Cooke Scoochie and Pollard are a combined 90-146 for a miserable 61%. That's almost 6 misses a game which as we found out yesterday is a recipe for a loss in close games.Pollard has been to the line 60 times and made only 30 hard to believe any college player can shoot that poorly especially one who gets to the line almost 7 times a game. It's a nightmare scenario the player who gets to the line the most can't make them. but this is a team problem. We're just not a good shooting team at least from the three and foul line and with so many new faces a lot of players shooting that don't have good percentages as compared to last year with Sibert D.P. Scoochie and Pollard not to mention a D.D. that at times led the nation in three point percentage and B.W. having solid numbers. Didn't have many players but they played a well as a team could given the circumstances. Of course the team last year played much better defense unlike this year where so many new faces make it hard to get solid stops as yesterday the mocs time after time drove to the basket for easy scores and at times Archie had three freshmen on the court. Unless Pierre steps right in I see problems in conference play as many of the games will be a carbon copy of yesterday's game, within four or five points and if we're leaving ten points at the foul line we may wind up with a lot of close losses.

Obviously, there are concerns but in comparison to last year, we have at least two more wins against probable NCAA Tourney teams than we did last year at this time (Iowa & Vanderbilt). Also, William & Mary, and Monmouth look very possible RPI-wise but time will tell.

 

[flyer85]

Pierre is the one that is missed. He versatility and perimeter shooting made him a difficult cover and a floor spacer, he was also the best rebounder on the team. Jordan and Charles are similar, although Charles is a better defender.

 

[RDriesen]

We obviously miss Pierre, but I don't agree that Charles and Jordan are similar. Jordan had a mindset that Charles doesn't have. In a close game where we were struggling to score, or make 3's, Charles took 6 shots and 1 three. Sometimes, you have to be selfish. We needed more from Charles last night. There should never be a game where Kyle takes 4 threes and Charles takes 1.

 

[mailman0723]

We obviously miss Pierre, but I don't agree that Charles and Jordan are similar. Jordan had a mindset that Charles doesn't have. In a close game where we were struggling to score, or make 3's, Charles took 6 shots and 1 three. Sometimes, you have to be selfish. We needed more from Charles last night. There should never be a game where Kyle takes 4 threes and Charles takes 1.

I really didn't see where Cooke had very many opportunities to shoot a three. I think if you were to watch the tape on the game you will see we just didn't create very many 3 point opportunities...especially in the first half. So unless you just want him to go one-on-one and throw something up I don't know you could go back on Cooke for that. Coming out of some time outs in second half I think AM set DD up for a couple threes but I don't remember Cooke getting those shots at all.

Not sure how you get him open or involved more but I agree he needs to be more consistent in his scoring. Just an overall piss poor effort by almost everyone .

 

[John H_ list guy]

Pierre is the one that is missed. He versatility and perimeter shooting made him a difficult cover and a floor spacer, he was also the best rebounder on the team. Jordan and Charles are similar, although Charles is a better defender.

I think Jordan was more of a shooter. From the limited time I have seen Cooke on TV, Charles is a scorer. He seems to be athletic, and can create his own shot.

 

[RDriesen]

I really didn't see where Cooke had very many opportunities to shoot a three. I think if you were to watch the tape on the game you will see we just didn't create very many 3 point opportunities...especially in the first half. So unless you just want him to go one-on-one and throw something up I don't know you could go back on Cooke for that. Coming out of some time outs in second half I think AM set DD up for a couple threes but I don't remember Cooke getting those shots at all.

Not sure how you get him open or involved more but I agree he needs to be more consistent in his scoring. Just an overall piss poor effort by almost everyone .

I'm just saying, no matter how it has to happen, Cooke needs to get more shots than Darrell and Kyle.

 

[david85]

There's no question in my mind that Charles needs to be more aggressive. He has shown he can slash, hit the perimeter jump shot, and beat the defense down for the layup. I think he is still figuring things out and adjusting to the dynamics of this particular team. And don't forget that Jordan had a few stretches in his first year when he did not make much of an impact. I also agree with a previous poster who said this team has yet to develop an identity, and it is comprised of a lot of new players, including Charles. So he is part of that process as well. From what I have seen, Charles is a very talented basketball player, and he needs to learn how and when to assert himself offensively. Also, I think Dayshawn Pierre's presence and senior leadership will help the entire team including Charles. Just my thoughts.

 

[basketball bud]

More I look at the stats on this team the more I think once D.P. gets back the lineup is going to shrink even more than it has. Other than Steve none of the freshmen are doing anything offensively including Ryan who can't get on the court after a great first game. Throw Steve out of the mix and the other four freshmen are averaging less than 14 points total, not much a bench even with D.D. and Bobby who add about 7 more a game.I hate to think maybe four starters have to play 30 or more minutes a game like last year but with no contribution from the new players Archie may not have a choice.Kind of disappointed none of the new players other than Steve has stepped up so far to make a big impression. Ryan has a great game then can't back on the court. Weird situation. At least Pierre should give us another double digit scorer and rebounder something we needed badly Saturday night. One thing that may not change is the horrific foul shooting that already cost us one game and looking at the A Ten it will get worse as there's many teams shooting in the 70's and the bonnies are above 80. How do we win close games with that hanging around our necks like a rock? As a team we've missed 80 foul shots in nine games totally unacceptable and we won't win in the A Ten doing that.That also goes for the three point shooting down in the low thirties. Have to say I was ticked that against the Mocs Ryan didn't get in the game, as bad as we needed his outside shooting. Don't know what Archie's point is but he hurt us not getting our best outside shooter in the game at all. Hope whatever is going on gets straightened out before the conference gets started as we need outside shooting badly. See how things shake out in our last game without D.P. Saturday against a sub 200 Furman. We don't wack that team by 20 there's something bad wrong.

 

[Keats'91]

Wow. our best outside shooter... who has a great feel for the offensive side of the court, but looks more clueless than baby D on the defensive side. The Mocs would have taken total advantage of Ryan. Would it have been a wash out .... only if Ryan shot lights out. And then the Mocs cooled off once he left the game.
Look, I really like Ryan's upside. But he has some growing up to do. And I trust Archie on when those lessons have sunk in and Ryan is ready for the 'other' side of the court.

Side note : I do hope that we see the freshman get more minutes in the next 3 games. But in controlled bursts. And not more than 2 at a time (unless they include Big Steve, XW, and someone else...)

 

[sw368407]

I am actually surprised that with some of the freshman in and the length they all provide, why we don't go with a 2-3 zone sometimes. I know Archie is probably trying to get them to learn man to man defense at this level but with the length of all the freshman a 2-3 would be quite effective. I'm just surprised we haven't at least switched to a zone to throw off the other team at times.

 

[edluce]

No zone. Learn how to man up.

 

[MAGYARJM]

We obviously miss Pierre, but I don't agree that Charles and Jordan are similar. Jordan had a mindset that Charles doesn't have. In a close game where we were struggling to score, or make 3's, Charles took 6 shots and 1 three. Sometimes, you have to be selfish. We needed more from Charles last night. There should never be a game where Kyle takes 4 threes and Charles takes 1.

Charles literally didnt touch the ball that often. Many drives by Pollard he would come to the corner open but once Pollard touches the ball he's going to the hoop and once he's going to the hoop he's not passing. This isnt bashing KP, and as another poster pointed out someone had to be aggressive, but after the first couple passes of the possession KP was going up with it even if it was a tear drop from right in front of the foul line.