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Post by usdcoyotes on Dec 6, 2014 8:30:19 GMT -6
Do you have a lineup that you would prefer? [br{ What I'd prefer is consistency. Like I said, we're losing to teams we really shouldn't be. We're better than that. Personally, I'd like to see more even rotation. Whilst I acknowledge those 3 guys are scoring, they're all playing 30+ minutes a game and missing a lot of shots in the process. Our bigs just seem non existent, but what's infuriating is our ability to play defence. I imagine if you looked back over the games this season and watched who was guarding the top scorers on the opposing team, you'd be surprised. Unfortunately, and perhaps coincidentally, there isn't a stat for 'field goals attempts allowed' and 'field goals made' on an individual. I think it would really open people's eyes that these guys playing 3/4 of the game are being scored on consistently. Last time I checked, our defence philosophy wasn't 'lets just try and score more than they score and hope for the best'. This team isn't good enough to out score the opponents so their defense has to be really good and it also hurts that they have ZERO inside presence! No post player and playing small ball will eventually hurt you against a larger team like Youngstown. Need flack back from injury
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Post by kioatee on Dec 6, 2014 8:53:21 GMT -6
Some need to hop off negativity train. The Yotes are fine, we are showing signs of a new era. We aren't going to be a 20 win team with these guys, I hate to say that but we need some help athletically and need some size. We are out sized and have limited defensive presence because of length and athleticism. From what I see Smith has these guys scratching and clawing for wins and they have a lot of heart while doing it. I am proud to see the way they are battling, I think we all need to realize that this group is not our summit league champs(hope they prove me wrong), but they are a group of ambassadors for the Smith era that can be the culture starters for those to come. Having said that I still think we can be a 13-16 win team this year which is by no means a failure.
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Post by Yotes on Dec 6, 2014 11:11:51 GMT -6
We made the big plays that normally would have won the game, but Youngstown kept hitting clutch 3s to answer. I think Smith is doing an incredible job considering what he has to work with, the previous staff did not leave him much at all. This year will be a battle (especially anytime we come against a capable big man like #20 last night), but I really like what I have seen so far and can't wait until we have this staff's recruits start coming in.
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Post by 94grad on Dec 6, 2014 11:52:11 GMT -6
We made the big plays that normally would have won the game, but Youngstown kept hitting clutch 3s to answer. I think Smith is doing an incredible job considering what he has to work with, the previous staff did not leave him much at all. This year will be a battle (especially anytime we come against a capable big man like #20 last night), but I really like what I have seen so far and can't wait until we have this staff's recruits start coming in. Spot on. 2 huge 3's at the end of the game for us and they answered both times with a 3 of their own. It happens- Youngstown went on the road and had an answer every time we got close in the second half. Kept taking the crowd out of it. As noted, their #20 was more than capable and our big man hit the bench early in the second half and I don't recall him returning. Also, I've looked at the box score twice and see we were out rebounded by only 1. Being there, it felt like the bad guys repeatedly kept getting tip ins on the offensive boards. Defensive rebounding should fall under the category of GATA in my opinion. Shots won't always fall, but you should always be able to box out.
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Post by usdcoyotes on Dec 6, 2014 14:43:17 GMT -6
We made the big plays that normally would have won the game, but Youngstown kept hitting clutch 3s to answer. I think Smith is doing an incredible job considering what he has to work with, the previous staff did not leave him much at all. This year will be a battle (especially anytime we come against a capable big man like #20 last night), but I really like what I have seen so far and can't wait until we have this staff's recruits start coming in. The coyotes only lost 2 seniors from last years team and should have won 15-18 games. The 2 games that I have been to so far it looks to me that the guys that play and make an impact on the court are last years players. Bos and Larsen and lately Kasperbaer are very good players. So far none of the new additions to the teAm have done much to help win games. I'm not buying lack of talent at the guard spots, there's no big guys and hunter just isn't the answer at all. I'm waiting to see some of the new guys start contributing and this team could win more games.
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Post by Yotes on Dec 6, 2014 16:24:37 GMT -6
We made the big plays that normally would have won the game, but Youngstown kept hitting clutch 3s to answer. I think Smith is doing an incredible job considering what he has to work with, the previous staff did not leave him much at all. This year will be a battle (especially anytime we come against a capable big man like #20 last night), but I really like what I have seen so far and can't wait until we have this staff's recruits start coming in. The coyotes only lost 2 seniors from last years team and should have won 15-18 games. The 2 games that I have been to so far it looks to me that the guys that play and make an impact on the court are last years players. Bos and Larsen and lately Kasperbaer are very good players. So far none of the new additions to the teAm have done much to help win games. I'm not buying lack of talent at the guard spots, there's no big guys and hunter just isn't the answer at all. I'm waiting to see some of the new guys start contributing and this team could win more games. Yes, the best players are ones that were on the team last year, the new guys weren't exactly highly sought after recruits. They are transfers that we needed to fill out the roster and were snagged VERY late in the recruiting cycle. I'm glad to have them here, but your JUCO transfers aren't usually instant stars. I agree that we do have some good guards on the team, but with little talent underneath we are going to have a rough time this year against anyone with size. I don't know what the old staff was planning to do there, because with Gruis graduating there was very little size left on the roster, but we at least got a stopgap in Hunter. I really hope we get Flack back by the conference slate, we really need some help inside.
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Post by miniravo on Dec 6, 2014 17:01:50 GMT -6
In regards to the winning 13-16 games this year, that would require us to win 10 or 13 of the current remaining 21 games. Say we don’t have a huge chance against Creighton, UNLV and we will probably lose to Montana on the road, that leaves us needing to win 10 or 13 of the last 18 games. By my estimation, that would put us as being probably one of the best teams in the Summit League. Youngstown State was not a good Horizon team, they are picked to be 8th. I went to the Drake scrimmage, we were better than Drake with some lineups. Thoseby had 18-19 in that scrimmage too. If we are not going to be an defensive threat, maybe getting some instant offense into the game would not be a bad idea. Fair enough he hasn’t shot the ball at all well, but he didn’t shoot real well when he get into the Wofford game at the start, look how that ended. Hunter HAS to play more, he is such a problem for guards to score over. We have to remember he didn’t play at Washington State, so how can we expect him to be great right away. He showed some nice signs yesterday, but was pulled out and sat on the bench. Last year we were a team full of sophomores, were similar to what NDSU was about three years ago. We should have nurtured that youth, but we have not. That is what I am most disappointed with right now!
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Post by usdcoyotes on Dec 7, 2014 1:17:20 GMT -6
The coyotes only lost 2 seniors from last years team and should have won 15-18 games. The 2 games that I have been to so far it looks to me that the guys that play and make an impact on the court are last years players. Bos and Larsen and lately Kasperbaer are very good players. So far none of the new additions to the teAm have done much to help win games. I'm not buying lack of talent at the guard spots, there's no big guys and hunter just isn't the answer at all. I'm waiting to see some of the new guys start contributing and this team could win more games. Yes, the best players are ones that were on the team last year, the new guys weren't exactly highly sought after recruits. They are transfers that we needed to fill out the roster and were snagged VERY late in the recruiting cycle. I'm glad to have them here, but your JUCO transfers aren't usually instant stars. I agree that we do have some good guards on the team, but with little talent underneath we are going to have a rough time this year against anyone with size. I don't know what the old staff was planning to do there, because with Gruis graduating there was very little size left on the roster, but we at least got a stopgap in Hunter. I really hope we get Flack back by the conference slate, we really need some help inside. After gruis graduated the coyotes did lose a true center. I always thought sparks, Robertson, flack would get the job done. And they got rid of the keita kid that was 6'10. Never seen him play but heard from last year that he can defend and rebound. He has to aleast be better than the hunter kid and add some depth at the big guy spot! Instead we bring in 8 new players that can't help this years team or next years team win based on what I have watched. This just doesn't get any easier for the next few years. A lot of work to be done yet!
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Post by golfingyote on Dec 8, 2014 8:38:45 GMT -6
Anyone who thought this team was going to be an overnight success has a little something extra in their kool-aid. Good grief, look at the guys we are playing at the 4-5. Friday was my first live game under the Smith regime. I liked what I saw on man to man defense. I haven't seen a usd team play with that kind of defensive intensity since the move to D1. The glaring problems were a lack of quality play from our big men, which forced us into a zone on defense occasionally, and led to alot of second chance points. Was a frustrating game to watch. Hunter is a big body but he is going to be a work in progress, he is very limited offensively, and should be a beast on the boards at his size, but really isnt at all honestly. Roberston plays so hard but takes alot of shots that probably arent necessaril in his comfort zone, but takes them out of necessity since we have zero inside game. This team could REALLY use Flack back. Also, I think Sparks has potential and could develop into a solid contributor by season's end. Our guards were the only thing keeping us in this game, and the constant calls for Thoseby on this board blows my mind. Obviously he can score the basketball, but he is mistake prone and an absolute disaster defensively.
Lastly, lets give Coach Smith some slack and some support. While clearly, the cupboard was not bare when he got here, he also doesnt have anywhere near the roster he would eventually like. He did well to go out and find the players he did given the situation. Brunette and Davis are both solid contributors, and Davis seems to have alot of upside. Is the overall record what we would all like? no. But Smith has these guys compete for 40 minutes, and we have been in every single game so far. Im all in on Smith.
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Post by Cousin Eddie on Dec 8, 2014 10:16:53 GMT -6
Yes, the best players are ones that were on the team last year, the new guys weren't exactly highly sought after recruits. They are transfers that we needed to fill out the roster and were snagged VERY late in the recruiting cycle. I'm glad to have them here, but your JUCO transfers aren't usually instant stars. I agree that we do have some good guards on the team, but with little talent underneath we are going to have a rough time this year against anyone with size. I don't know what the old staff was planning to do there, because with Gruis graduating there was very little size left on the roster, but we at least got a stopgap in Hunter. I really hope we get Flack back by the conference slate, we really need some help inside. After gruis graduated the coyotes did lose a true center. I always thought sparks, Robertson, flack would get the job done. And they got rid of the keita kid that was 6'10. Never seen him play but heard from last year that he can defend and rebound. He has to aleast be better than the hunter kid and add some depth at the big guy spot! Instead we bring in 8 new players that can't help this years team or next years team win based on what I have watched. This just doesn't get any easier for the next few years. A lot of work to be done yet! I would disagree with this in part. We brought in 8 guys, yes. Are they perfect, no. First you need to go back and ask, what did we give up to get them? Players that left are Tavian Pomlee, Rico Thompson, Vlad Stoicoviciu and Bounama Keita. We did not use 8 scholarships to get 8 players. The math doesn't check out. 2 players graduated and 4 scholarship players left. If anybody thinks that the four players mentioned would have been better than the players that were brought in, I have beachfront property available that I will sell you on the cheap. Burnette or Mayot are a wash, at worst, for Pomlee. I would argue they are BOTH an upgrade. We don't know much about Rico, but from my untrained eye, he was an even trade for Harris, but we don't have Harris taking a scholarship for 4 years, so our roster can improve sooner. Vlad was a terrible offer and a wasted scholarship. Keita was tall, but again a total reach of an offer. My completely personal opinion is that he is a wash for Hunter, but Hunter is done after this year and we get to bring in a high school kid to build off of. Hunter was brought in solely for the purpose of bridging the gap this year. We brought in guys to bridge a gap for this year - if we hadn't, this roster would have been decimated. Boots and Joey not only seemed to suffer with talent development, in my opinion, but also had terrible roster management. All of those juniors that were mentioned above are still on the team and are finally getting coached up. To say we have stellar guard play, however, is a stretch in my opinion. I LOVE Casey and Bos, but they are definitely tweeners at this level and we ask a TON from them. Robertson has developed a lot, but he is still over matched at this level. I think the only legit D-1 guys that were recruited by Boots/Joey on the current roster are Bos (did any other D-1 school extend an offer?), Flack and, arguably, Norris (based off the fact that he came from another D-1 program). That's it! Thoseby can also be offered based on coming from Utah State, but as a foreign player that schools take major risks on due to limited film and scouting I discount that. He has done little to justify his place at the D-1 level, in my opinion. All of the above being said, I completely recognize that Smith & Co's job is to develop the talent that we have. I think they are doing that in certain areas, but they definitely have their work cut out for them with the state of the roster they were left with. Regardless, looking ahead to next year, we have the following to look forward to (in no particular order): G-Norris (6-0), Harris (6-0), Dickerson (6-3) G- Kasperbauer (6-0), Power (6-4), Davis (6-4) F-Burnette (6-5), Thoseby (6-5), F-Flack (6-7), Mayot (6-5), Hagedorn (6-8) F-Avila (6-9), Robertson (6-8), Spark (6-8), Jech (6-9) When is the last time that USD had 6 guys on the same roster that were 6'7" or taller!?! This doesn't even account for the fact that we will be looking for at least one more G/F to add next year. I cannot see a scenario where next year, at the very least, this team doesn't look light years better just from the eye ball test. Face it, we are presently WAY undersized, especially without Flack in the lineup. My personal feeling is that the guy that will shock everybody next year will be Dickerson. I imagine a potential starting lineup that could go 6-3, 6-4, 6-5, 6-7, and 6-9. That looks a little more worthy of the Summit League, IMHO. Assuming Flack redshirts this year, we have a nucleus of Flack, Spark, Jech, Hagedorn, Power, Davis, and Dickerson to build around for two more seasons. Assuming there aren't a couple defections going into 15/16 (which I would just accept that there will be based on history), there will be at least one more guy coming in with Jech and Hagedorn next year, then we will have at least 8 more guys that will come in for 16/17. People, the future is bright. Just look at what Smith was able to bring in for 15/16 with Jech and Hagedorn. That was only in about 6 months. Imagine what he will do with a year plus to recruit. Remember that in BBall, you are basically recruiting two years out.
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Post by yote14 on Dec 8, 2014 10:48:15 GMT -6
Smith & Co will be fine. Someone else said it. You cannot expect diamonds from cow pies. Most of these guys are not the answer and quit trying to put JUCO's brought in this year to bridge the gap as failures in recruiting on Smith. Its all he could get at the time.
He has proven himself in his recruits for next year and you can only coach a player up so much. At the end of the day if they are not talented Phil Jackson will not make them a winnner.
I also was extremely frustrated watching this team play defense on Friday but understand its the best they can do with the talent they were given at birth and physical attributes.
If Hagedorn and Jech are horrible then complain. Stop acting like a transfer from Dickinson State was going to be the next MJ but he's not because we are not coaching him up.
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Post by canislatrans on Dec 8, 2014 11:22:56 GMT -6
Nailed it, Cuz!
This is definitely a gap year, but I think the Coaching staff will make it an enjoyable "time filler" so to speak.
Burnette and Mayot, IMHO, are BOTH upgrades over Pomlee. Burnette has offensive skills and Mayot is a "blue collar" type, rebounder, defender. I think they both play a little bigger than 6-5. Burnette, I believe, will produce some positive offensive results, once he settles in. Most of our recent history with JUCO's, their best play is 2nd half of first year and second year (given that is, they produce at all).
Casey K will be interesting to watch this year, he is playing markedly better on the defensive, rebounding side, which allows him to play more minutes and shoot. I wouldn't be surprised to see him score consistently (like the last few games) as a result. We'll see..
Excited to see next year and following with Coach Smith!
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Post by Charlie on Dec 9, 2014 8:44:13 GMT -6
I think it a little comical to see some Yote fans already trying to say Coach Smith won't be successful. I look at the men's team and liken it to the women's team of 2 years ago. They came into a season with a new coach, an almost entirely new roster and were hit hard by the injury bug. That women's team did not win very many games to start the season. I think they lost something like their first 5 conference games. The one thing they did have going for them was they scrapped and clawed and played hard for 40 minutes every single night. Eventually, things clicked and they ended up playing for the Summit League title. 2 years later, they are a force to be reckoned with. Looking at this years men's team, the lack of success thus far is disappointing as a fan because we always want our teams to win, however, the heart and hustle the team displays has me excited to see what the Craig Smith era has in store for USD. Right now, the men are doing the best they can with what they have talent wise but anytime a coach can come in and have his guys play that hard all the time, he is doing something right.
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Post by Yotes on Dec 9, 2014 13:12:24 GMT -6
The people trying to run him down either are sore about Joey leaving or just don't understand how building a team works. If the team looks the same two years from now I'll join right in, but all signs point up here.
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Post by yote14 on Dec 9, 2014 15:31:28 GMT -6
I was a big fan of Joey and the guy put in a lot of work for the U over a long period of time. It would be very hard for us to ever repay that debt to him. However, the current situation of the program is significantly better with Smith. A lot of that is Smith's name and assoication with Miles and past jobs etc.
Thats not Joey's fault that he did not have those connections just a result of being in the USD system for all his coaching career. But anyone that is going to have that attitude towards Smith because of that is exactly what you said a little sore about the situation or do not know the process of building a program.
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