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Post by Ace78 on Jan 18, 2024 11:18:59 GMT -6
Nice game from Cam last night. I was impressed by his quickness and his movement off the ball. I also noticed the improvement of the offensive flow when Ben was in the game. There was a lot less standing around and more movement. Chuck and Tanner also had a great game, with a few minor miscues.
Kenny and Antonio played well, but sure would like to see less passing mistakes resulting in turnovers. Those turnovers really take away momentum at key times when we could be building bigger leads. Surprisingly, rebounding is also a big concern. Offensive rebounding was almost non-existent (reminded me of the Lickliter days). Overall, a lot more energy and effort shown from the whole team! Maybe they will get back on track and make some surprises happen? The talent on this team certainly appears to be there!
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Post by municup14 on Jan 18, 2024 11:34:03 GMT -6
Our offense went stagnant when Strawbridge came in for Bailey, plus Thomas has been one of our better 3 point shooters lately
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Post by austinace on Jan 18, 2024 12:32:49 GMT -6
One of the ESPN announcers mentioned that he had been to several UE practices and that Hafner gets the job done Mon-Fri on the practice court and he just needs to bring it on game day. He also said that Hafner is a really good player and it’s only a matter of time until he brings his skills to the games and when he does UE will be a much better team. I thought Hafner played his best game of the year last night and getting the post game belt showed I was not the only one. He adds a lot of quickness to the shooting guard position and has one of the best catch and release shots on the team. Is his Dad’s shadow holding him down? Possibly but once Cam breaks through we will be glad he’s here. I agree with this, especially from the offensive side - there is no doubt that Cam had one of his better games (if not his best game) even if the stat line doesn't jump out. However, on the defensive side, there were at least a couple of times (and I'm sure a lot more) where it appeared that Cam was supposed to be the man guarding Isaiah Stafford (#19) and he was nowhere in the vicinity when the ball was kicked back out to Isaiah (who ended up with 31 points). I would love to break down the tape on these possessions. Was Cam doubling down and helping on defense? Why was he like 20-feet away from him on these couple of occasions (and presumably more) that come to mind? Not sure all the players that we had guarding #19 but I know that Cam was assigned to him some of the time and I thought his defense and the team's defense was suspect on Isaiah at the very least. So, this is one area that I would like to be addressed and possibly answered on why we were sagging so far off of him on defense as he was lighting us up. We should have made someone else step up and beat us IMO. Am I missing something here or did others see it the same way?
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Post by aces44 on Jan 18, 2024 14:19:10 GMT -6
One of the ESPN announcers mentioned that he had been to several UE practices and that Hafner gets the job done Mon-Fri on the practice court and he just needs to bring it on game day. He also said that Hafner is a really good player and it’s only a matter of time until he brings his skills to the games and when he does UE will be a much better team. I thought Hafner played his best game of the year last night and getting the post game belt showed I was not the only one. He adds a lot of quickness to the shooting guard position and has one of the best catch and release shots on the team. Is his Dad’s shadow holding him down? Possibly but once Cam breaks through we will be glad he’s here. I agree with this, especially from the offensive side - there is no doubt that Cam had one of his better games (if not his best game) even if the stat line doesn't jump out. However, on the defensive side, there were at least a couple of times (and I'm sure a lot more) where it appeared that Cam was supposed to be the man guarding Isaiah Stafford (#19) and he was nowhere in the vicinity when the ball was kicked back out to Isaiah (who ended up with 31 points). I would love to break down the tape on these possessions. Was Cam doubling down and helping on defense? Why was he like 20-feet away from him on these couple of occasions (and presumably more) that come to mind? Not sure all the players that we had guarding #19 but I know that Cam was assigned to him some of the time and I thought his defense and the team's defense was suspect on Isaiah at the very least. So, this is one area that I would like to be addressed and possibly answered on why we were sagging so far off of him on defense as he was lighting us up. We should have made someone else step up and beat us IMO. Am I missing something here or did others see it the same way? I’m rooting like crazy for Cam, bc it must be something to look up and see your Dad’s jersey in the rafters; but he legitimately had about 8 good minutes last night. He can shoot it when on balanced and squared up, but his lateral movement is not good. His footwork is usually a mess on the defensive end of the floor and hasn’t shown the ability to bother the man he’s guarding in any meaningful way. He can get downhill, but if he missed that 3 (like he has most of the time this year) and Bailey (I think) misses the 3 when Hafner passed it to him under the bucket, we wouldn’t be having this convo I hope he is ultimately the answer at the shooting guard spot, but it starts and stops with his ability to stay in a stance and move laterally. Countless players look great in straight lines and many more have earned a career with their lateral movement.
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Post by daddysboy on Jan 18, 2024 14:39:52 GMT -6
The assessments I see on players and their performance is laughable. I truly don’t know if most viewers/fans know about player roles or team dynamics. There’s just a lot of banter and it’s coming from an unknown perspective. One that’s wrapped in bias and immediate fondness.
Cam has struggled all year. I believe because he’s not been put in a position to succeed, not because his skill set. But the fact is he’s had a tough go of it, and lost his starting spot because of it. But he knocks down the one play they call for him, makes a dynamic pass to an oddly wide open Chuck and now he’s back! Maybe, I hope, but giving him the belt to me was a confidence booster more than anything.
Everyone wants everyone to be Chuck. Laughable. I think Chuck should start, no doubt. But if we had 5 guys on our starting five that looked to score and not pass every time, who is often is in the wrong position defensively, we would have an even bigger problem. North Carolina had that last year, started the season and didn’t even make the tournament. Pitino has a hard enough problem with that and he’s at Kentucky.
Not understanding the role Antonio, Kenny, Bobe even Toumi (when he isn’t making his shots) has on this team is not understanding team basketball. Antonio, is the only athletic PG. In a PGs league, he’s needed. Kenny, was all conference on a 5 win team, for most of the season last year had the highest usage in the country, but this year has taken a back seat and focused on defense (probably will be on the all defensive team), did you see the tweet Ben had about Kenny. Bobe was in the tops of 3p% last year in the Valley. Went right back to the bench when the new crew shows up, now has been asked to contribute as best he can, that takes mental strength. And Toumi is the exact same player he was last year, but now he’s hitting those shots and all is good.
Rags is the coach. If he’s learning or not, it’s his decision. And understand, he has more to lose on these decisions then you do. So until we get this loaded 5 star roster some want, we have what we have and should focus on celebrating these guys.
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Post by acescott on Jan 18, 2024 14:41:34 GMT -6
Stafford lit us up for 31 points, tied his career high. His other 31 pt. game was two years ago, playing for USI. He played JuCo last year. USI could have him and Swope still playing for them... instead they have neither.
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Post by 65pointgame on Jan 18, 2024 14:50:51 GMT -6
#1 - agree with AustinAce about Cam's defense on Stafford as he was sagging off too much, but I believe that is on the coaches for not changing their defensive scheme. They should of instructed him to stay on Isaiah like glue and let the other 4 players beat us.
#2 - why don't we get 50/50 balls? Gave up too many 2nd chance points. Tanner is great with keeping balls alive for us, Hughes not bad, but the other guys don't seem to put themselves in position to get the loose balls. Sometimes it is just a matter of putting a body on a guy, no matter where you are on the court, when their offense puts up a shot.
#3 - Bailey can create, but has tunnel vision. He is 8th on the team in assists -- only 17 on the year. Factoring in assist per minute played, he still ranks low. Last night Hughes picked and rolled to the basket several times with an open lane, but Bailey drove the ball instead of giving it off to Josh. If he learns to draw the double team, then dish it off for an easy bucket, he will be a much better player.
#4 - Cuff is a great team player. When he is on the bench and a time-out is called, he rushes out to the middle of the court to give encouragement to the other players. Bailey could learn a lot from him in this respect -- sometimes it is about the body language.
#5 - Josh picks and rolls to the basket, but occasionally would like to see a pick and pop. He can hit the 3 and we need to take advantage of it. I noticed early on last night, Valpo was sticking on him like glue (because of his 7-10 3pt shooting vs Missour St. in the previous game.)
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Post by Atlanta Ace on Jan 18, 2024 15:32:38 GMT -6
Just an observation. Early games when we had breakout stretches and were scoring in the 80s and 90s, Toumi was involved as was Strawbridge and Thomas. But not necessarily together. In the last 6 games when they play together (which is often) you get the sense, they are just on cruise control. Don't play bad but not going to change or impact the game. Set on 72mph. OK if the other team is driving at 67, but not going to pass anybody. Sort of, what you see is what you get. Just sayin! Welcome to the board stanm.
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Post by austinace on Jan 18, 2024 15:55:14 GMT -6
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Post by austinace on Jan 18, 2024 15:55:35 GMT -6
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Post by austinace on Jan 18, 2024 15:56:12 GMT -6
Jevin's radio highlights:
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Post by 65pointgame on Jan 18, 2024 21:12:18 GMT -6
During one timeout, Roosevelt was having a lengthy conversation (seemed to be a spirited one) with a ref. Anyone know what that was about? It appeared to be initiated by the ref.
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Post by E-Villan on Jan 18, 2024 21:24:50 GMT -6
I saw that as well. That is really the first time I have noticed one of our staff getting in a refs ear. Not so much last night, but Ford's staff Saturday night and especially Prohm during the Murray game was riding the refs all night. No idea how much impact it has, but it just seems we don't get the benefit calls. At one point in both halves Saturday, Missouri State had 7 less fouls than us.
I haven't gone back, but I would like to watch the replay of that out of bounds call late that they reviewed and still didn't overturn it. What they showed at the Ford did not look like we touched it.
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Post by 6thman on Jan 18, 2024 22:01:38 GMT -6
someone on ESPN said they been to the Aces practice and Cam was on Monday thru Friday. My understanding is the equipment is the same as the Ford thats in the practice facility I wonder if the difference is in background. the stand fade to black background compare to the walls in the athletics facility is brighter and cleaner. Just wondering if it is messing with his ability in measuring the distance.
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Post by aceloverlarry on Jan 18, 2024 22:24:08 GMT -6
I haven't gone back, but I would like to watch the replay of that out of bounds call late that they reviewed and still didn't overturn it. What they showed at the Ford did not look like we touched it. I was sitting right in front of where that occurred, and I clearly saw us deflect it. I thought the Ford Center replay made it look like after we deflected that it may have deflected off of the nearby Valpo player as well. I guess after review they determined it did not.
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