I suspected we'd play like **** tonight.
- Thread starter Mntneer
- Start date
I didn't, when we were down 15, I turned on Black Mass (great movie). My son came down and told me they suddenly started playing tough, with purpose, and were leading early in the 2nd half. Paused the movie and watched the last 5 minutes.
It was interesting to see that 1) Williams had the game he needs to have more often. 2) Officials, while not going overboard with the whistle in the first half seemed to hit it more in the second. 3) Foul shots down the stretch were huge. Very big and important win tonight. Losing would have stung.
It was interesting to see that 1) Williams had the game he needs to have more often. 2) Officials, while not going overboard with the whistle in the first half seemed to hit it more in the second. 3) Foul shots down the stretch were huge. Very big and important win tonight. Losing would have stung.
Very good win and I'm still in a little bit of shock over it. I'm not sure how we won as ISU played very well except for free throws. We did have a different offensive strategy being the guards attempting to attack the basket and we got some very good scores and free throws from it. We still need better inside game with Holton being out. Macon and Watkins did nothing on the inside. Adrian played well but it wasn't an inside presence.
I hope this was a breakout game for Esa. He looked pretty confident in the 2nd half. Impressive performance.
I'm not calling it a breakout game because it was still an average game for a two time poy out of Ohio. But he did have some good moments. Did you notice he played some 4 and is it possible he is better offensively with a bigger guy on him?
He definitely finished better last night and seemed strong inside which was a fist this season. I don't know a lot about how he played in high school but playing the wing at this level with a talented, equally big, quick defender has to be a big change for him. He needs to work on some go-to moves to attack the basket from the wing. I think playing inside might be a little more intuitive for him.
Niang had two rebounds and 8 turnovers. That was huge in their house where only Baylor had beaten them. Whoever was guarding him did a fantastic job. Except for shooting, their best man was struggling.
Nathan and Esa guarded him the most but that isn't why he only had two rebounds. His turnovers were due to team defense and stupid decisions Niang made several times. Nathan did have a few deflections which goes to your point though.
His rebounds are limited by the way he is boxed out. He was frustrated the whole game except when he was shooting over shorter guards. He is a shooting machine and probably the shooter this year.
I agree he was boxed out from getting offensive rebounds but he was mostly playing the perimeter on offense and the majority of rebounds come from the defensive end. We don't "defend" and box out on the offensive end so it doesn't matter who is guarding him. I'm not taking away the impact our team had on having him have some issues but you are off base as it pertains to a rebounding stat and whether or not he is being boxed out from getting offensive rebounds. Try and understand before reacting like you normally do. I am only trying to help and don't really want to have a conversation with you.
Esa had his best game mainly because he wasn't asked or try to do things he's not ready to do yet...like dribble drive or jump shots. He caught a couple of passes off penetration by our guards and threw them down hard. That's what he can do. I think he will evolve in to a much better John Flowers (although I loved Flowers, don't take that as a dis on Flowers). Devin got off to a slow start, but something seemed to click with him and he suddenly found an interest in rebounding and dominating the boards again. Dax was flying around the court like he had during the first half the season. Tarik and Paige....can't say enough about them two. They are the heart and soul of this team. And Adrian has been playing really well the past 3-4 games. If we can just get Macon to play better.....watch out.
Understand. As normal, you are going to make the call of what is bad or good. What gave you the impression that I said we did a good job of boxing out on offense?
BB defense 101 - you box out the man behind you. It can accomplish nothing to box out the person in front of you. I understand why you don't want to defend such asinine "suggestion". You may want to look at the people on the board as having basic knowledge of which we speak. You are not required to correct every entry. Pleas continue your input, but do not expect everyone to capitulate to your beliefs. And please don't take this as a put down. It is just a positive and honest point to share with you.