Execution on both ends
While watching the 2nd half debacle against Ohio, I was watching what was going on out there. Honestly, you could look at guys going 1 on 1 in sets and that in itself was a problem. They had to know that they had to reverse the ball and get post entries and work inside out. Obviously that was a problem against a team that clogged the middle and had a freak shot blocker. Still, I saw guys that were passively guarding their man and not locating the ball at the same time (ball and man defensive principle). That made life way too easy and that is a fundamental defensive tenet. I'm not going to single out guys, but Talley ain't one of them. He plays the right way. Okay, I'll say it, there's 6 guys that play defense out there normally: Talley (always!), Pugh even if he makes a mistake is fast and works hard, Jackson, Big Ced (could be tougher), Hickson gives all he can and Ogbodo (could be tougher). It looks like Gettys tries out there and has some success, but against smaller guys, has problems. He can score and pass though. If it takes a zone for this club for half the game with so few #'s, so be it. It also looked like the full court pressure wasn't what you would like, if you're going to do it. When they sold out early in the year against a good ODU club, they looked good but it takes depth. A token 3/4 court is fine, if you play fundamental D after that. That however requires good half court execution. That's the issue for this club. If they slow down which they will have to do at times, the half court O will have to get better.
They are going to have to decide how they're going to stop Hofstra and score enough against the Pride. That's going to be hard. The Pride are scoring 80 plus per game and just won by 28 on the road. Whatever D they use, I want to see all out effort and focus. And, I want to see paint touches in the half court after reversals. Big Ced needs the rock and needs it often now to get his confidence up. His post moves are nice and his high post J is good plus is willing to pass back out as well. Three balls are VERY easy after that as well-it's a simple catch and shoot squared up that's way easier. There's times that dribble penetration is required, but good teams pass the ball well and reverse it in the first 10-15 seconds, at least, if a quick drive or transition 3ball isn't there. Where's the screen and roll game been with Big Ced and Craig or Jordan? There's talent to play .500 ball in this league. It's up to the players and coaches to make that happen. The Pride is the first chance for improvement win or lose.
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