(01-03-2018 09:57 AM)Luckeyone Wrote: (01-03-2018 09:51 AM)emu steve Wrote: (01-03-2018 08:57 AM)emu79 Wrote: (01-03-2018 08:53 AM)emu steve Wrote: (01-03-2018 08:07 AM)emu79 Wrote: This team has a trend of playing well the first half (IU, Syracuse, Oakland and Ball St) and falling off the second half.
Lack of a bench??
Interesting in all of these games the first half our opponents did not shot well against our zone. Second half they lit it up. Lack of adjustment on our part?
This is 'above my pay grade' (that old expression).
I don't know if the sub-par second half has do to their adjustment OR our starters becoming tired on the defensive end, and a step slow?
That said, I did NOT consider all of the frosh newcomers a plus. No knock on frosh, but too many freshmen is appropriate for a rebuilding, not contending team.
We have a real hole at backup center (King will be a player in time, but he is a frosh today). We could use another experienced SG.
One could easily argue the difference between this team being 12 - 6 or 13 - 5 and say 10 - 8 is an experienced backup center who can hold the fort when he needs to play 10 - 15 minutes.
To be 12 - 6 or better a team better not have too many holes... And for those who have a love for BSU they did not win 12 conference games last year or the year before. We (some poster) are holding EMU to a difference standard than say BSU.
BSU goes 11 - 7 and 10 - 8 the last two season and posters make them out to be like the great BSU teams of the late 80s (Rick Majerus' teams).
Steve,
After watching BSU yesterday, I certainly don't think they are a high caliber team. I think they are a very good MAC team but not a great MAC team. It's frustrating that the MAC is ripe for the taking for well coached teams. I've also looked at Buffalo and WMU and I believe EMU has more talent than they do. We've been down this road before......
Guys, I don't know basketball as an analyst, e.g., double high post screens, with a baseline cutter receiving the pass, etc. etc.
I think I can analyze things as a knowledgeable fan.
1). I can see when the rotation gets very, very short and players get tired in the second half and shots no longer fall and they are a step slow on closeouts.
2). Lack of ability at certain positions OR skills (3-ball for example).
3). I can see, usually early, if the refs are going to take JT4 out of his game. But to be honest, opposing teams KNOW that getting JT4 out of the game increases their chances of winning. That is the inheritant risk of a big man - teams will try to get him in foul trouble. Shooting guards never foul out.
4). I also know when a team is at a scheduling disadvantage. Last night was one. BSU has been at home for the 7th straight time. HAS to be a big plus shooting at the baskets you shoot at every day!
5). FIVE of six home teams won last night. Three of the home teams ran away with their games in the 2nd half (BSU, CMU, and NIU). Why get upset if your (our) team was one of the 5 who lost on the road, losing to a very good team. Okay to get upset if the team loses at home (looking at you, BG).
6). I also realize that in conference play, things even up. BSU has to come to us and we'll have the advantages. Odds makers who have never seen BSU and EMU play, know you add 3 or 4 points to BSU when they are at home and add the like to EMU when we host BSU. We'd been the favorites if the game last night was in Ypsi.