So what's wrong with coach saying this is a tourney team and then expecting players to live up to and perform at that level....players believe that coach expects us to be in the tourney, then we need to step up our game and get there. I think we're saying the same thing
Maryland 92, Illinois 91 OT POSTGAME
So what's wrong with coach saying this is a tourney team and then expecting players to live up to and perform at that level....players believe that coach expects us to be in the tourney, then we need to step up our game and get there. I think we're saying the same thing
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sbillini
- st petersburg, fl
Last post on this...i promise. I think the original point is getting lost...
If the coach truly believes that, then by all means he should say it. The challenge (and fine line) is when he/she doesn't believe that. That's when good coaches need to manage expectations. But blindly saying "we're a tournament team" when you don't believe it is a recipe for problems.
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
I didn't say Smith was in the dog house. You have my post confused with a different poster.
I think BU really thinks this is a tournament team or he wouldn't be saying that...and I think it's fine to say we're making progress and when it's all said and done we're a tournament team....but the OP was that the coach could say with some work we'll be a tournament team...and we're suppose to read between the tea leaves that he really doesn't think that it's likely to happen ......I was saying if we're suppose to interpret that to mean the coach doesn't think they will make the tourney then the players could interpret the same....and that wouldn't lend much confidence or faith that the players could make enough progress to get into the tourney...which IMO is BS...again I think we're saying the same thing......anyway I'm done
How does losing in overtime to Maryland and Northwestern mean this team can't go to the tournament? Have some faith, this young team is playing above early season expectations.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
I said MS might be in BU's doghouse and I meant less playing time b/c of missed defensive plays....but , as BU said in his Savoy house radio deal tonight, MS is fine...adjusting as all frosh do and he will work thru it ...said MS was up clapping on the bench and supporting his teammates...
Coach is a breath of fresh air compared to the stagnant odors of the past....I really feel we will see long tourney runs and maybe the thing we all want ....a national championship with BU leading the way...
IllFanInMi
I
Guest
Kipper and Black are both indecisive when the receive the ball. This offense will click when our post players understand they have to shoot or pass within a 2 or 3 count....not dribble, dribble, head fake, stop, turn, head fake, stop, then pass or shoot. In their defense our cuts and movement are not quick and precise yet, so several times they are left holding the ball with bad options.
Strides were made in the second half of this game. They will get there.
Personally, LeRon has been a beast in the post, and provided are only true post up threat. He has been very patient, setting up his defender and dropping high percentage jumpers on them, shooting over most of his defenders due to height disadvantage. A lot of post players will back down their man, and if a guard doubles down they kick. I’m glad we have LeRon!
Illiniaaron
- Geneseo, IL
Just an observation, I really like the aggressiveness of the Illini offense compared to recent seasons. I think we've seen as many successful drives to the basket this year through nine games as we've seen the past two years combined.
Agree. That seemed to be the problem early against Maryland, the are tall and long armed as a team and made shooting at the rim a hard task.
Leron has made a ton of his shots and is our only post threat but he is playing sloppy and he is a hole overtime we through him the ball he is going to shoot. He is playing well but his decision making is hugely suspect.
I agree LeRon has a nice game, but he doesn't look comfortable in the pinch post. He's so back to the basket, that he doesn't look ready to make the quick call about how to proceed. I suppose part of that is he's going to draw defenders, but to me, that just means he's not passing enough, or quickly enough. Not sure how you work on court vision, but he needs work there IMO.
Deleted member 29907
D
Guest
We have got to be a threat at the short corner to the basket against a zone - otherwise the extended zones we've seen will kill us. There was one pass down to Finke from the FT line that was a perfect example. Put someone down there to draw the D away from AJ and Alstork at the 3Pt line. Finke, LB or KN. See 2:10 in the highlight vid. We need to occupy the close baseline to make them defend closer to the basket.
DB11Headband
- Chicago Burbs
This. Outside of 5-stars, most freshman are going to struggle-especially during the early parts of the season. MS was able to rely upon his superior speed, strength, and athleticism in high school to dominate. That is no longer the case, and it'll take some time for him to get used to that. Still have extremely high expectations for him, as I think he will be our best player in the coming years.
Agreed. If it's ball first (which it was) and then body, no foul should be called. Refs have been bad the last 3 games especially, which I guess is because in wins it's ignored.
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
Your personal affection for (and connection to) Smith is very clear, but if you want to be honest with yourself you should admit what everyone else, including BU, can see.
Smith has struggled and looked uncomfortable once the competition increased the last three games. Nobody is knocking his obvious talent, but the curve for freshman in the BIG is steep. More time and his continued commitment and he will be fine.
I'm glad to see you say that. Every single person on this board loves Mark Smith and is pulling for him. We KNOW he is a stud. But it is also understood that there are learning curves and ups and downs. I don't think one person has lesser expectations or excitement for him today than they did on day 1 of the season. We also know that Underwood is going to play the hot hand. As soon as refs stop calling weak hip checks on him, a deep 3 ball drops and he follows with an "and 1" everything will be right back on track.
All you have to do is look at the Advanced stats thread by TownieMatt for the MS explanation. He isn't playing well compared to others. His PER is the lowest among contributing players. His win shares are not good either with his defense being graded the lowest of the group and his offense only being slightly higher than Damonte, Trent, or Tejon. There is no solid footing for him playing over AJ, Damonte, Kipper, or Alstork. You could possibly make a case for him over Frazier/Tejon but those guys are playing much better defense, have better A/T stats, and actually are outrebounding MS. I am sure he will be fine but he isn't a savior type freshman. Give him time to develop. He is on an exponential course given his still fairly recent focus on basketball.
FeelYourPaign
- So Cal
That's exactly right :thumb:
Leron makes some tough shots and has been gaining confidence in doing so. He had one turnover against Maryland.
my hope for Leron is that he does more good than bad
my hope is that the more experience he has with this offense, the less he panics when they double him and that he doesn't get lost out there within the offense flow
also include the improvement of his weak side defense
kcib8130
- Parts Unknown
Late to the party, but...
1. i dogged Alstork before the weekend games for his play through the first 7 games. I take it all back. He is a great defender when he wants to be.
2. Don't have knee-jerk reactions to this game or any others. Just because X played better than Y in one game shouldn't change the lineup going forward.
3. I hope Underwood coaches here for a hundred more years.
1. i dogged Alstork before the weekend games for his play through the first 7 games. I take it all back. He is a great defender when he wants to be.
2. Don't have knee-jerk reactions to this game or any others. Just because X played better than Y in one game shouldn't change the lineup going forward.
3. I hope Underwood coaches here for a hundred more years.
MS did not have the experience of a lot of AAU ball and may take some time to develop. We shouldn't be unrealistic about that time table. Trust that BU will bring him along as fast as possible. You can learn from the bench as well. Don't like our record so far but are very competitive with teams rated much higher. These guys will get better and better. Only team that looks vastly superior is MSU.
FeelYourPaign
- So Cal
I'm a little confused/surprised by all of the mentions that Mark Smith's weak point is defense and the suggestion that he is behind because he didn't play AAU. I have the impression . . . no personal knowledge at all . . . that nobody in AAU plays defense anyway. So, did that really hurt him?
Or is the point of no AAU more that the speed and skill of those players is higher than high school and even if they don't play intense defense, playing against bigger stronger players is what is requiring an adjustment?
Or is the point of no AAU more that the speed and skill of those players is higher than high school and even if they don't play intense defense, playing against bigger stronger players is what is requiring an adjustment?
Agreed. Last year’s team was only 1 or 2 wins from making the dance. Hit .500 in conference and we’re likely in. Would need a couple signature wins along the way, as well.
I’d love to see him learn to pass out of the double before the help defender closes on him.