Why???

[bnewt]

Uk should have had a huge advantage inside with Moreno, Milan and nydae......so why did they not get the ball inside for easy scores I stead of shooting contested shots?
Is this clown coach going to have the 7 '5 kid outside too?
Just don't understand why pope doesn't understand the fundamentals of the game

 

[HolySmokes]

Ours bigs are kind of soft. Might as well keep shooting threes. That's the only way we win this year. The only way. Will get ugly down low when we start facing grown men and real teams.

I put Moreno and Eloy Vargas on the same level. Good backups like somebody stated in the gamethread.

 

[ScWildcat3]

We shot 63% from 2 on 35 attempts. What more you want.

 

[SenseMaker_Cats]

We shot 63% from 2 on 35 attempts. What more you want.

Not a bad stat at all but the OP is talking about post play I believe. Which is lacking at this point.

 

[fisherscatfan]

Ours bigs are kind of soft. Might as well keep shooting threes. That's the only way we win this year. The only way. Will get ugly down low when we start facing grown men and real teams.

I put Moreno and Eloy Vargas on the same level. Good backups like somebody stated in the gamethread.

Moreno seems like a good guy and glad he’s on the team. He really just makes me scratch my head though. He makes you wonder if he plays because he is expected to by others so he does. Doesn’t want to disappoint somebody so he plays basketball. Not because he loves it for himself.

He can’t dramatically change his athleticism but he can up his motor. He appears to lack the desire/commitment to maximize who he can be. If someone can get him to flip that switch on he has the potential.

 

[KYAnywhereEverywhere]

Moreno seems like a good guy and glad he’s on the team. He really just makes me scratch my head though. He makes you wonder if he plays because he is expected to by others so he does. Doesn’t want to disappoint somebody so he plays basketball. Not because he loves it for himself.

He can’t dramatically change his athleticism but he can up his motor. He appears to lack the desire/commitment to maximize who he can be. If someone can get him to flip that switch on he has the potential.

The regular Moreno bashing is something I have a hard time understanding. There's plenty of times already this year where if Moreno ain't getting rebounds, ain't no one on the team getting rebounds. He's the only guy on the starting lineup that seems to care about the glass at all.

 

[SenseMaker_Cats]

The regular Moreno bashing is something I have a hard time understanding. There's plenty of times already this year where if Moreno ain't getting rebounds, ain't no one on the team getting rebounds. He's the only guy on the starting lineup that seems to care about the glass at all.

Depends on what you call bashing. If you’re talking about being ugly and nasty about him I agree. If you’re just talking basketball and realize he plays with zero fire or intensity, I’d disagree. Right or wrong that’s going to aggravate some folks.

Some talk about him needing strength or stronger hands. I disagree. To me it’s a lack of focus and intensity. I’d be willing to bet if you put a ball in his hands and told him you’d give him a million dollars if you couldn’t knock the ball out of his hands, you’d never knock the ball out of his hands.

As far as his post play. That’s not all his fault. I think it’s pitiful that our 7 foot center (often times against smaller competition) has to get points by “driving” to the basket instead of receiving the ball on the block.

 

[yoshukai]

The regular Moreno bashing is something I have a hard time understanding. There's plenty of times already this year where if Moreno ain't getting rebounds, ain't no one on the team getting rebounds. He's the only guy on the starting lineup that seems to care about the glass at all.

Yeah . The Moreno hate vs the Kam Williams love is just perplexing to me .

 

[yoshukai]

Uk should have had a huge advantage inside with Moreno, Milan and nydae......so why did they not get the ball inside for easy scores I stead of shooting contested shots?
Is this clown coach going to have the 7 '5 kid outside too?
Just don't understand why pope doesn't understand the fundamentals of the game

It’s “modern basketball “. We certainly aren’t the only ones doing it.Not saying it’s sensible or that I like it ,but the trend is to get your big man out of the middle and open up driving lanes for others.

Also , this era of big men don’t want to planted under the rim fighting for position all the time . They want to handle the ball in the offense like the other players.

They won’t come to a place that does that with their big men .

 

[HolySmokes]

Moreno seems like a good guy and glad he’s on the team. He really just makes me scratch my head though. He makes you wonder if he plays because he is expected to by others so he does. Doesn’t want to disappoint somebody so he plays basketball. Not because he loves it for himself.

He can’t dramatically change his athleticism but he can up his motor. He appears to lack the desire/commitment to maximize who he can be. If someone can get him to flip that switch on he has the potential.

Agreed. Hes just a little to easy going during the games. Shaq has always said most big guys aren't mean. Edey has a edge. Somto plays mad as hell. Moreno could imo be way more useful just from playing with a little more attitude and aggression.

I like him. He does good. Kind of like McBride last night. Just show a little emotion. But I cant say too much I would probably not even be able to run up the court in front of 20,000 fans. Anxiety would kill me so I'll give him a break. Never know what goes through these guys head. He seems to really not want any attention on him. Very passive so I get it.

 

[HolySmokes]

Yeah . The Moreno hate vs the Kam Williams love is just perplexing to me .

Kam looked yucky last night. Ill give him a few before I say hes not good. Im hoping he can get some confidence.

 

[Haggin_Hall_1983]

Uk should have had a huge advantage inside with Moreno, Milan and nydae......so why did they not get the ball inside for easy scores I stead of shooting contested shots?
Is this clown coach going to have the 7 '5 kid outside too?
Just don't understand why pope doesn't understand the fundamentals of the game

Its simple. Our bigs under both Cal and Pope do not post up aggressively. Having a big with a size/strength advantage that can also reliably make free throws = the Joe B Hall 3 point play.

 

[Haggin_Hall_1983]

We shot 63% from 2 on 35 attempts. What more you want.

Yes but scoring from your center in the post collapses the defense, creating wide open 3 point shots. It also creates and ones = 3 point play. Added bonus: the opposing bigs get into foul trouble.

 

[HolySmokes]

Its simple. Our bigs under both Cal and Pope do not post up aggressively. Having a big with a size/strength advantage that can also reliably make free throws = the Joe B Hall 3 point play.

Patrick Patterson the last one I felt like could post up on the block and get a bucket almost every time. I could have my memory wrong about him tho. He seemed to be unstoppable but that was probably because during that time we didn't get many players like him. Always thought he was a manchild.

 

[Catman100]

Pay attention to this regarding Moreno:
When he gets a rebound he likes to hold it immediatelty in one hand. I'm the man and this ball is mine.
It is a bad habit that I have been noticing for a while now.

Last night early in the second half, he pulled that and it was immediately stolen from him and JMU hit a 3.
This kid is not the second coming of Shaq, and he better learn to secure the ball with both hands.

 

[ScWildcat3]

Not a bad stat at all but the OP is talking about post play I believe. Which is lacking at this point.

It’s not easy posting up with 4 guys who will crash on you. We had open looks just didn’t hit early. That’s basketball.

 

[fisherscatfan]

Agreed. Hes just a little to easy going during the games. Shaq has always said most big guys aren't mean. Edey has a edge. Somto plays mad as hell. Moreno could imo be way more useful just from playing with a little more attitude and aggression.

I like him. He does good. Kind of like McBride last night. Just show a little emotion. But I cant say too much I would probably not even be able to run up the court in front of 20,000 fans. Anxiety would kill me so I'll give him a break. Never know what goes through these guys head. He seems to really not want any attention on him. Very passive so I get it.

Exactly. It’s comical how people perceive talking about a solid D1 player seeming to lack the motor to realize his ultimate potential as “bashing”.

Moreno has stated goals of playing in the NBA. His effort level is not where it needs to be if he wants to play as 1 of the best 400-500 players in the world—even smaller number when you factor in the true bigs in the league.

 

[tls]

Its simple. Our bigs under both Cal and Pope do not post up aggressively. Having a big with a size/strength advantage that can also reliably make free throws = the Joe B Hall 3 point play.

It's not that they don't post up aggressively per se, it's that none of them have a strong low post game

 

[SenseMaker_Cats]

Yeah . The Moreno hate vs the Kam Williams love is just perplexing to me .

I see little of either on here. I think there’s so little actual basketball discussion on here anymore that some think any criticism is hate and any praise is love.

 

[yoshukai]

I see little of either on here. I think there’s so little actual basketball discussion on here anymore that some think any criticism is hate and any praise is love.

Yeah . I spend most of my time on the ksr and HOB boards and sometimes what is posted on the 3 boards runs together in my mind ,lol.

 

[yoshukai]

It's not that they don't post up aggressively per se, it's that none of them have a strong low post game

Low post skills are going the way of the dinosaur.

 

[SenseMaker_Cats]

Low post skills are going the way of the dinosaur.

Very true but to me if you’re playing JMU or an SEC team, if you have the advantage, you should exploit it. Doesn’t mean he should park his butt there the whole game but he should be able to get you an easy basket from time to time. IMO

 

[mustnotsleepnow]

Patrick Patterson the last one I felt like could post up on the block and get a bucket almost every time. I could have my memory wrong about him tho. He seemed to be unstoppable but that was probably because during that time we didn't get many players like him. Always thought he was a manchild.

KAT and Cousins were basically automatic as well.

 

[HolySmokes]

KAT and Cousins were basically automatic as well.

Well yea I guess I automatically went to the time period before we had NBA all stars and franchise players lol. Of course they were automatic. They were unstoppable lol.

Feed Cousins Patterson and Orton in 2010 that's a championship. Never needed freaking Jodie meeks when you have John Wall Eric Bledsoe Patrick Patterson and Cousins on the same college team.

Of course Jodie would of helped them shooting. Add LeBron to the Durant warriors and he would help them. 2010 is on Cal like the rest of them.

 

[Bernie4blue]

Perfect example of Moreno's softness was missing a layup on the first play of the game. Why not just dunk that ball??

 

[theBlues]

I just wanted to say something about Kam Williams. I like Kam and I think he can be a very good player but I've never expected him to take a leap this year like some apparently do; the reason is he hasn't been able to work on his game during the off season. He had surgery last season and is just now coming back. He's got the same game he had last year but now he's rusty. He's the one guy I'm certain will be better later in the year. Now we've just got to be patient with him but we shouldn't really expect his best college ball this season.

 

[wildcatdon]

Kam looked yucky last night. Ill give him a few before I say hes not good. Im hoping he can get some confidence.

He has been inactive for ten months with a foot injury. Have you not been following? It takes a while to get back in game shape. Give it a rest. Some of you people. Just wow.

 

[Ednunn]

Perfect example of Moreno's softness was missing a layup on the first play of the game. Why not just dunk that ball??

Better get some mean about him if gonna play Nba.

 

[HolySmokes]

He has been inactive for ten months with a foot injury. Have you not been following? It takes a while to get back in game shape. Give it a rest. Some of you people. Just wow.

??? Why do you think I said ill give him a few before saying.

 

[bbnkat02]

Pay attention to this regarding Moreno:
When he gets a rebound he likes to hold it immediatelty in one hand. I'm the man and this ball is mine.
It is a bad habit that I have been noticing for a while now.

Last night early in the second half, he pulled that and it was immediately stolen from him and JMU hit a 3.
This kid is not the second coming of Shaq, and he better learn to secure the ball with both hands.

Pope's philosophy is like Pitino's....he wants tip outs to create fastbreak points. It's not wrong, but fastbreak has evolved- it's not quite the same. And you can't use it as effectively against teams like JMU who play like they do. JMU isn't a great team- but they're one of those teams who will frustrate the piss out of you with their playstyle. And they shoot well. If they make a run, they could knock somebody off in the opening round. That being said- It was the one thing I liked about Cal, even late Cal, he would chew your *** for not going up for a rebound with two hands. Tip outs are great, but against small speedy teams you're risking tipping it out to them for an open shot.

 

[TFCat11]

Moreno seems like a good guy and glad he’s on the team. He really just makes me scratch my head though. He makes you wonder if he plays because he is expected to by others so he does. Doesn’t want to disappoint somebody so he plays basketball. Not because he loves it for himself.

He can’t dramatically change his athleticism but he can up his motor. He appears to lack the desire/commitment to maximize who he can be. If someone can get him to flip that switch on he has the potential.

Probably the most accurate description of Moreno I’ve seen anywhere, and it’s 100% on point!

 

[bbnkat02]

Low post skills are going the way of the dinosaur.

This. Even the NBA doesn't value it much anymore. They want transition offense and 3s. And rebounding on 3s requires more tipouts and long range rebounding.

 

[KYSouthpaw]

Exactly. It’s comical how people perceive talking about a solid D1 player seeming to lack the motor to realize his ultimate potential as “bashing”.

Moreno has stated goals of playing in the NBA. His effort level is not where it needs to be if he wants to play as 1 of the best 400-500 players in the world—even smaller number when you factor in the true bigs in the league.

I agree. I like the kid, and he's a solid player; he just has a low motor. I'm not sure if he can suddenly play with a high motor, though.

 

[sefus12]

Not a bad stat at all but the OP is talking about post play I believe. Which is lacking at this point.

Of course it's lacking. Moreno isn't great in the post and has pretty weak hands. Not a great combination for low post scoring.

 

[bnewt]

Depends on what you call bashing. If you’re talking about being ugly and nasty about him I agree. If you’re just talking basketball and realize he plays with zero fire or intensity, I’d disagree. Right or wrong that’s going to aggravate some folks.

Some talk about him needing strength or stronger hands. I disagree. To me it’s a lack of focus and intensity. I’d be willing to bet if you put a ball in his hands and told him you’d give him a million dollars if you couldn’t knock the ball out of his hands, you’d never knock the ball out of his hands.
to get in
As far as his post play. That’s not all his fault. I think it’s pitiful that our 7 foot center (often times against smaller competition) has to get points by “driving” to the basket instead of receiving the ball on the block.

Exactly
Having your center handle the ball out front and having to dribble to get in scoring position is stupid. Just asking for turn over

Yes but scoring from your center in the post collapses the defense, creating wide open 3 point shots. It also creates and ones = 3 point play. Added bonus: the opposing bigs get into foul trouble.

If only the coaches could understand this simple philosophy

 

[bnewt]

Perfect example of Moreno's softness was missing a layup on the first play of the game. Why not just dunk that ball??

He tried and missed what should have been an easy 3 point play

 

[K_TIME]

I mean...why are we getting size in Moreno, Kepnang, Ndyai if all you're going to do with yur bigs is have them set picks at 3pt line?

Just go get a SF and stretch the floor with a weapon vs. bigs who don't have shooting/passing/ball handling skills

 

[JonathanW2]

Ours bigs are kind of soft. Might as well keep shooting threes. That's the only way we win this year. The only way. Will get ugly down low when we start facing grown men and real teams.

I put Moreno and Eloy Vargas on the same level. Good backups like somebody stated in the gamethread.

Not even close. Vargas SUCKED!!!! My kids thought his name was “Dammit-Vargas” because I would say that at least once every game in his 7min of action. As a 3rd-4th year player.

Moreno has 1 season +2 games and is already way better!!!! Different kind of player, but he’s at the WCS, Richard’s level at the same point in their careers.

 

[Ash Williams]

Patrick Patterson the last one I felt like could post up on the block and get a bucket almost every time. I could have my memory wrong about him tho. He seemed to be unstoppable but that was probably because during that time we didn't get many players like him. Always thought he was a manchild.

Terrence Jones
KAT
Anthony Davis
Bam Adebayo
Julius Randle