Trent has in the past but he looks to me (not an MD) like he might be playing more hurt than he's letting on besides being nearly our only PG since Belo has not gotten his legs yetHas anyone attempted one?
Trent has in the past but he looks to me (not an MD) like he might be playing more hurt than he's letting on besides being nearly our only PG since Belo has not gotten his legs yetHas anyone attempted one?
What two games? For the month of February DMW is 8 for 28 from the field and that is 28 percent. That is what he is a shooting from the field as well for the season. This is the norm for him most of the time and I don't expect that to change after 6 seasons. It's pretty clear RJ has more upside especially on offense.Teams are focused on Plummer and doubling Kofi on the bounce and fouling him. Kofi needs to hit his free throws and someone besides Plummer needs to step in and make those shots to loosen the D. Lately that looks like RJ but the issue is defensively out side of Kofi we lack size to defend the post. That goes for both RJ and DMW. I know DMW does well for his size though it's not ideal. I really wish Hawk or BBV could play D and hit from the wing at close to 40 percent. We are feeling the effects of a few of the transfers we needed at the 4 going elsewhere. I think RJ can help on offense but defense will be an issue for our undersized guys against guys like Liddell and Hall.Just two games ago DMW was driving and scoring. Grandison has had some good driving games as well. Relax. They are both slumping. I'm more concerned about their lack of effort.
I am not expecting DMW to suddenly be a prolific scorer. Don't get me wrong. I am not holding my breath. He has a role that he plays and it generally does not involve a ton of points. Having said that, he has shown an ability to drive and get to the basket. Why he doesn't do it more often is beyond me. Maybe it's the Indiana game I am remembering where he had a really nice drive to the basket, which would have been 3 games ago.What two games? For the month of February DMW is 8 for 28 from the field and that is 28 percent. That is what he is a shooting from the field as well for the season. This is the norm for him most of the time and I don't expect that to change after 6 seasons. It's pretty clear RJ has more upside especially on offense.Teams are focused on Plummer and doubling Kofi on the bounce and fouling him. Kofi needs to hit his free throws and someone besides Plummer needs to step in and make those shots to loosen the D. Lately that looks like RJ but the issue is defensively out side of Kofi we lack size to defend the post. That goes for both RJ and DMW. I know DMW does well for his size though it's not ideal. I really wish Hawk or BBV could play D and hit from the wing at close to 40 percent. We are feeling the effects of a few of the transfers we needed at the 4 going elsewhere. I think RJ can help on offense but defense will be an issue for our undersized guys against guys like Liddell and Hall.
You're right. We don't have a mid-range game. That may change next season with Luke, Rodgers and Melendez. We'll have wings with a lot more size. Right now it seems like a Kofi dunk or a 3 pointer. Rutgers showed how lethal the mid-range game can be. But right now the MSU game becomes extremely important. We have to remember the first time we played them we didn't have Kofi.Why do we never try any short 2-pt shots? It's Kofi or launch a 3. That's way too predictable, and it's easy to see what happens when one of those options doesn't work.
I think they don't unless they happen to have an athletic advantage on the opponent guarding them. At times they may and then they will drive. In this conference that may not be most nights for most of them. That's why BU wants long athletic wings. This is another skill set RJ may have an edge over opponents more often due to his explosive athleticism and quickness. Someone needs to drive besides just Trent and Plummer. I know Belo and RJ can on most nights with the skills they have that give them an advantage on offense. Defense playing 4 guys that are really guards is what causes issues. I'd be curious to see how a line up with 3 guards that can drive and shoot along with Kofi and BBV to stop are stronger wings from posting up could do.I am not expecting DMW to suddenly be a prolific scorer. Don't get me wrong. I am not holding my breath. He has a role that he plays and it generally does not involve a ton of points. Having said that, he has shown an ability to drive and get to the basket. Why he doesn't do it more often is beyond me. Maybe it's the Indiana game I am remembering where he had a really nice drive to the basket, which would have been 3 games ago.
My point was that we do have players that can do this. I have no idea why most of them don't.
I agree. In h.s., DMW had all the offensive moves. I've never understood why he has limited himself to defense and rebounding.I am not expecting DMW to suddenly be a prolific scorer. Don't get me wrong. I am not holding my breath. He has a role that he plays and it generally does not involve a ton of points. Having said that, he has shown an ability to drive and get to the basket. Why he doesn't do it more often is beyond me. Maybe it's the Indiana game I am remembering where he had a really nice drive to the basket, which would have been 3 games ago.
My point was that we do have players that can do this. I have no idea why most of them don't.
Where you are at now is where I’ve been since the off season. Illinois is a good team and when the shooting is on a very good to great team. I always was worried about who would replace Ayo as the alpha as far as closing games but also just pure leadership. We haven’t found that guy. And Curbelo being hurt hasn’t done this team any favors. Unfortunately, it has led to more bad Belo moments than good ones overall, and we haven’t been able to see the growth that everyone reasonably expected.I had convinced myself we were an extremely well rounded team, built for a Tournament run … I know am forced to think we can only win consistently if we shoot well. I’d love so much to be proven wrong, but we likely have to shoot lights out to win in East Lansing. Hope we do.
Yes, but when your All-American is shooting over 60% from 2, the team needs to understand that is always the best shot. I know the coaches and players know that, but in the flow of the game they seem to forget sometimes. That 3 point opportunity is a lot better if Kofi is touching the ball more often.I actually agree with the analytics that those are the best shots. But I think you have to have some ability to do other things to make the offense less predictable, or to just get some points on the board and build confidence/swing momentum when the long range shots just aren't going in.
Maybe, but Underwood is all about getting layups/dunks or threes. Long twos are lower percentage shots and generally aren't as efficient a method of generating points as short twos or threes. This is also at the heart of his defensive philosophy.You're right. We don't have a mid-range game. That may change next season with Luke, Rodgers and Melendez. We'll have wings with a lot more size. Right now it seems like a Kofi dunk or a 3 pointer. Rutgers showed how lethal the mid-range game can be. But right now the MSU game becomes extremely important. We have to remember the first time we played them we didn't have Kofi.
DMW seemingly never fully recovered from the ACL tear his senior year of HS. Obviously it's structurally sound and he has played on it injury-free for 6 years since then, but he never regained the scoring prowess he showed previously.I agree. In h.s., DMW had all the offensive moves. I've never understood why he has limited himself to defense and rebounding.
This is 100% correct, but even if you look at the NBA, which is much more heavily driven by analytics, you see a place for mid-range jumpers and floaters. For some shooters, that is a highly efficient shot. In that particular circumstance, analytics says you let the player take the shot. I agree you should prioritize 3s and close 2s, but think the idea that you should only take those kinds of shots is a misapplication of analytics.Maybe, but Underwood is all about getting layups/dunks or threes. Long twos are lower percentage shots and generally aren't as efficient a method of generating points as short twos or threes. This is also at the heart of his defensive philosophy.
That’s true and difficult to understand why. He has good lateral quickness and we saw how high he can jump when he blocked that shot a few games back. Maybe he lost some of the quick twitch? Not sure.DMW seemingly never fully recovered from the ACL tear his senior year of HS. Obviously it's structurally sound and he has played on it injury-free for 6 years since then, but he never regained the scoring prowess he showed previously.
Belo, often. And Fonso.Has anyone made a mid range jumper since Ayo left? That is sorely missed
The smaller guards other than Belo (because he doesn't pick up his dribble) either shoot 3's or (not enough) go to the rim. They are afraid of the bigger guards blocking their shots from behind in recovery to pull up short of the rim and shoot.Belo, often. And Fonso.
Could be confidence, too. He may have not had the confidence to develop or use that aspect of his game as a freshman fresh off the injury and by the time that was no longer an issue, he already had his role. Maybe?That’s true and difficult to understand why. He has good lateral quickness and we saw how high he can jump when he blocked that shot a few games back. Maybe he lost some of the quick twitch? Not sure.
Fonso had 2 or 3 really nice penetration drives last evening that ended in successful short pull-ups or layups.The smaller guards other than Belo (because he doesn't pick up his dribble) either shoot 3's or (not enough) go to the rim. They are afraid of the bigger guards blocking their shots from behind in recovery to pull up short of the rim and shoot.
Yeah. These in between floaters or whatever they are from the forwards have to stop.Fonso had 2 or 3 really nice penetration drives last evening that ended in successful short pull-ups or layups.
and yet he also says the rim gets smaller for the 3's on the road ... I don't think he minds good 2's. There was one possession where one of our guards last night took a two just inside the 3 point line. THAT he does NOT like.Maybe, but Underwood is all about getting layups/dunks or threes. Long twos are lower percentage shots and generally aren't as efficient a method of generating points as short twos or threes. This is also at the heart of his defensive philosophy.
Belo, Plummer, even Kofi a few times. It’s not BU’s favorite offensive outcome, though…Has anyone made a mid range jumper since Ayo left? That is sorely missed
So I have never been to East Lansing For a game before. just curious about opinions on the following:I will be driving from the burbs of Chicago bright and early Saturday to East Lansing.
It would make the trip fantastic if we can play with some F'ing energy and let a W
Have never been to The Breslin Center or even the old Jenison Fieldhouse. From TV it appears the student fans like to jump up and down in place like the Duke Blue Devil fans. Other than that, it's Greek to me ... Glad you three are going to represent Illinois Loyalty.So I have never been to East Lansing For a game before. just curious about opinions on the following:
1. What is the environment like within the building? Going with my 2 teenage boys, Should we be prepared to get crap from MSU fans? We don't find dishing it back but good natured.
2. Best places to grab food in the East Lansing area near the stadium?
3. Anything else that may be worthwhile To know...
TY