(02-03-2020 07:44 AM)NJDuke97 Wrote:  I hope for Lou and JMU and the players on the team that they experience a few things before year end-

1) the longest winning "streaks" this team has had even when they have been playing "ok" are 2-3 games- that in itself tells you all you need to know about the Rowe era. Roll off 5 or 6 in a "Rowe" to get back to close to the middle of the conference.

2) multiple wins in the CAAT

3) continued development and playing time of younger guys- I'm particularly interested in seeing more from Harvey, Richey, and Flowers and obviously Wooden as a starter, Christmas regaining some of his early season confidence, and Parker continuing to develop and overcoming his free throw and outside shooting woes.

JMU has made their decision that Rowe will finish the season. Even if the team can achieve the 3 things above Rowe likely will not be the coach next year and I think that's fair but at least the end of the season will be somewhat successful and I think that will help JMU MBB, Rowe, and the players moving forward. Also finishing above .500% would be a decent way to end the Rowe era. Again- none of these are what we should aspire to be or where we need to be as a program but they have dug themselves a huge hole and it would be a lot better than the season being a complete failure of the 20 loss variety.

Rowe does the first 2 things and he'll be retained.

I noticed Pinkard didn't play against UNCW Saturday. His usage this year has been odd. Is/was he injured?

He gets 25 total minutes in Nov-Dec pre-CAA and then all of a sudden he becomes one of the first off the bench throughout January to getting no time starting in February. Very strange. Maybe he's hurt/ill????

Parker has not changed his approach at the line. Watch him. One dribble with right hand, one dribble with left hand, clank/brick/splat. I don't know if that is him just being stubborn to keep doing the same thing or lack of direction by the coaching staff to get him to alter his approach at the line or what. And no, changing his routine at the line does NOT guarantee any difference. But, one thing is for sure, the same ol' same ol' just ain't workin'. 36 of 76 at the line. 47.4% is terrible for anybody. And, especially for a guy who could/should have the ball in his hands late in games when protecting leads (I mean, I know we don't protect many leads late in games, but you know what I mean :>).

(02-03-2020 01:20 PM)Wear Purple Wrote:  Parker has not changed his approach at the line. Watch him. One dribble with right hand, one dribble with left hand, clank/brick/splat. I don't know if that is him just being stubborn to keep doing the same thing or lack of direction by the coaching staff to get him to alter his approach at the line or what. And no, changing his routine at the line does NOT guarantee any difference. But, one thing is for sure, the same ol' same ol' just ain't workin'. 36 of 76 at the line. 47.4% is terrible for anybody. And, especially for a guy who could/should have the ball in his hands late in games when protecting leads (I mean, I know we don't protect many leads late in games, but you know what I mean :>).

He also shoots 24% from 3 point land. Atrocious

(02-03-2020 01:43 PM)olddawg Wrote:  

(02-03-2020 01:20 PM)Wear Purple Wrote:  Parker has not changed his approach at the line. Watch him. One dribble with right hand, one dribble with left hand, clank/brick/splat. I don't know if that is him just being stubborn to keep doing the same thing or lack of direction by the coaching staff to get him to alter his approach at the line or what. And no, changing his routine at the line does NOT guarantee any difference. But, one thing is for sure, the same ol' same ol' just ain't workin'. 36 of 76 at the line. 47.4% is terrible for anybody. And, especially for a guy who could/should have the ball in his hands late in games when protecting leads (I mean, I know we don't protect many leads late in games, but you know what I mean :>).

He also shoots 24% from 3 point land. Atrocious

Following him back on the recruiting trail, I recall he had the same issues as a high school senior

(02-03-2020 02:24 PM)Bawlmer Duke Wrote:  

(02-03-2020 01:43 PM)olddawg Wrote:  

(02-03-2020 01:20 PM)Wear Purple Wrote:  Parker has not changed his approach at the line. Watch him. One dribble with right hand, one dribble with left hand, clank/brick/splat. I don't know if that is him just being stubborn to keep doing the same thing or lack of direction by the coaching staff to get him to alter his approach at the line or what. And no, changing his routine at the line does NOT guarantee any difference. But, one thing is for sure, the same ol' same ol' just ain't workin'. 36 of 76 at the line. 47.4% is terrible for anybody. And, especially for a guy who could/should have the ball in his hands late in games when protecting leads (I mean, I know we don't protect many leads late in games, but you know what I mean :>).

He also shoots 24% from 3 point land. Atrocious

Following him back on the recruiting trail, I recall he had the same issues as a high school senior

He's a driver and distributor, which I have no problem with. He obviously needs to get better at the FT line (and change his approach IMO). I don't mind the occasional 3. I mean, even with a poor percentage he has to at least show he'll take it to make the opposing defense honest which in turn can help his lanes to drive, which is what he does best in terms of scoring.

A slight surprise to me, Parker actually has the 2nd most FT attempts on the team. Just a little ahead of Banks and of course far behind Lewis. I guess it makes a little sense considering he does drive to the glass often. And, he's a target to foul as well (unfortunately).

But, I have to remind myself he is still not even through his 2nd season in a JMU uni. Hopefully, he will improve over his final 2 seasons - and, if a coaching change is on the horizon, I hope Deshon is open to new leadership who can hopefully (there's that word again) better develop his game. He needs someone to completely tear down his shooting technique and build it back up from scratch. I thought that was something Oppenheimer was supposed to bring to the table, but not seeing it.

I don't necessarily see a lot from that game that's going to turn the season around, unfortunately. The same patterns (not making free throws, giving up a big lead, giving up a lot of second half points, Wilson being less impactful in the second half) were evident against a down foe. I found it interesting, though, that Rowe made a point to say after the game that Lewis, perhaps finally, realized that he can add value as a facilitator and not force the issue with respect to scoring. In other words, let the game come to him. Richey seemed a bit more confident. You can see why he hasn't been playing, though. One thing he does bring to the table is basketball IQ. He recognizes the right play and is a willing passer, as Matt Brady used to say. All of the freshman are still very much developing players with a long way to go.