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Post by fightsd on Feb 23, 2024 21:18:43 GMT -6
I'll guess we'll just have to agree to disagree on most of this. I remember after Smith's first two years there was a lot of making fun at the GATA stuff. Didn't hear a lot of that after the next couple years. And let me be clear, I'm NOT saying that Peterson is Smith. And I'm ambivalent about the GATA stuff. Would Todd Lee have found a way to win a couple extra games these last two years? Yeah, probably. Lee is a good game coach and has more experience. But where would that get us? There was never a long-range plan, there was a complete disinterest in recruiting high school kids (and in some cases, a flat-out refusal to do so). The biggest indictment of Lee's process is that this year Peterson had to go to the portal to get their three best players. How bad would they be if he didn't bring those three in? Where was the leftover talent? I'd just rather let Peterson see if he can build a program. The first year was an attempt to see if he could wring out one more year of experienced, yet small and unathletic team. This year is a complete re-start. Now if Peterson can't keep guys in Vermillion or the young guys don't develop, then it will probably be time to move on. But I don't see how they are anywhere near that decision. I'm not ready to move on at this point either, but I'm pretty tired of the "it's still Todd Lee's fault" excuse. Find a way to win with what you've got. Last place should be unacceptable regardless of the circumstances.
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dbyote
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Post by dbyote on Feb 23, 2024 21:28:23 GMT -6
It only takes one good recruiting class for the light switch to turn. Hopefully it happens sooner rather than later. It's not like we're completely overmatched from a talent standpoint. We're not top of the league but we have underperformed our individual talent.
This year we have simply done everything little thing that causes a team to lose. We've shot off all of our fingers and toes at this point. Maybe that improves with experience or a missing piece that can bring it together. I've thought all along that were in desperate need of a floor general and an athletic wing that can shoot and drive to the basket. Wouldn't hurt to have a big guy that can shoot further than 4 feet from the basket too.
The makeup of this team is like a quilt made of cut up t shirts right now....patched together and it shows. We'll know a lot more 2 years from now. It's just hard to watch at this point in time.
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dbyote
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Post by dbyote on Feb 24, 2024 13:35:20 GMT -6
Just when I think we are playing half decent defense we go and leave dudes 8 feet to shoot for about 6 straight possessions. Brutal
At least we paired it with an offensive drought. It's no wonder we can't win
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jmgg
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Post by jmgg on Feb 24, 2024 13:55:30 GMT -6
Just when I think we are playing half decent defense we go and leave dudes 8 feet to shoot for about 6 straight possessions. Brutal At least we paired it with an offensive drought. It's no wonder we can't win Watching the men's team play this year qualifies as Cruel and Unusual Punishment. They give you hope in nearly every game, and then dashes it. The good thing is -- most of the team is returning and they SHOULD improve. The bad thing is it might be that -- most of the team is returning. I have hope for one thing. It's a rudderless ship right now where everything might change if they get just one really good player with leadership abilities. There IS talent in this group.
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Post by fightsd on Feb 24, 2024 13:56:46 GMT -6
Just when I think we are playing half decent defense we go and leave dudes 8 feet to shoot for about 6 straight possessions. Brutal At least we paired it with an offensive drought. It's no wonder we can't win Watching the men's team play this year qualifies as Cruel and Unusual Punishment. They give you hope in nearly every game, and then dashes it. The good thing is -- most of the team is returning and they SHOULD improve. The bad thing is it might be that -- most of the team is returning. I have hope for one thing. It's a rudderless ship right now where everything might change if they get just one really good player with leadership abilities. There IS talent in this group. How do we know most of the team is returning? The transfer portal gets pretty attractive for good players on bad teams.
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jmgg
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Post by jmgg on Feb 24, 2024 14:37:51 GMT -6
Watching the men's team play this year qualifies as Cruel and Unusual Punishment. They give you hope in nearly every game, and then dashes it. The good thing is -- most of the team is returning and they SHOULD improve. The bad thing is it might be that -- most of the team is returning. I have hope for one thing. It's a rudderless ship right now where everything might change if they get just one really good player with leadership abilities. There IS talent in this group. How do we know most of the team is returning? The transfer portal gets pretty attractive for good players on bad teams. You don't and you've got a point. I guess I'm living in or dreaming that I'm living in the past.
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jmgg
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Post by jmgg on Feb 24, 2024 14:56:54 GMT -6
Congrats to the men's team. The way this season has gone as late, this win will heal some wounds.
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Post by captaincoyote on Feb 24, 2024 22:12:58 GMT -6
Congrats to the men's team. The way this season has gone as late, this win will heal some wounds. I hope you are right, but we’ve thought that several times.
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Post by gopheryote on Feb 25, 2024 7:32:25 GMT -6
I'm not as down on MBB as many of you are. The style of play is fun to watch, defensive positioning has gotten better, and even `game-planning for specific opponents has improved. The main issue is that they haven't learned to repeatedly win/close out tight games. Looking forward, there is size and athleticism (though I will grant some of that is on the bench this season), and a very likable coach who can recruit.
I think the winner of the USD/ORU (DU?) game makes it to the semi's - if they don't give up on the season.
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Post by 90yote on Feb 25, 2024 9:53:21 GMT -6
Hapoy for the players and staff. Good to finally win a close one. Holt has been fantastic these last 2-3 weeks.
I've sat in the club the past couple of games, and the size/length/athleticism issue really jumps off the floor from that close. Gopher, you are right that much of the athleticism is on the bench. They generally have two (and sometimes three) guys on the floor that are disadvantaged with size and athleticism. It makes it very difficult. And these guys have value...Paul can shoot it and defenses have to account for him. That has value. Max is a great story and can do little things that really show up. He had a few possessions like that yesterday. But both guys have real trouble finishing at the rim and preventing guys from scoring at the rim at the other end, though in their defense they are often guarding guys who are bigger and they have improved, particularly Paul.
I really like Isaac, and he's shown flashes of being a real good player in this league, but yesterday he turned it over within a second the first two times he touched the ball, and in the second half he allowed Trey Phipps (just a standstill shooter) to get downhill on him twice for and-1's. He's got a small frame, and he will need to get stronger. But he shows signs of being able to create and be a stone-cold shooter. But he's a freshman, and sometimes it shows.
Late in the first half, Holt and Stewart were on the bench at the same time, and after one real ugly possession they both headed to the scoring table. 😆 They are the creators, and hopefully they return next year. Holt is working on an MBA in the business school.
I'm with gopher on being more optimistic for the future. I can see some positive things happening. Again, I don't think yesterday's win means much for this season. But, there is not another team in this league that I feel they are overmatched by. But at the very least, that was a nice feel-good win yesterday.
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lynn
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Post by lynn on Feb 25, 2024 12:35:25 GMT -6
Does anyone know why Coleman is redshirting this year?
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Post by 90yote on Feb 25, 2024 12:56:56 GMT -6
Does anyone know why Coleman is redshirting this year? I don't know for sure, but I suspect it was to get him stronger. My opinion is that he's just too small, but hopefully I'm wrong and he can contribute.
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Post by elcoyote on Feb 25, 2024 22:38:39 GMT -6
Does anyone know why Coleman is redshirting this year? I don't know for sure, but I suspect it was to get him stronger. My opinion is that he's just too small, but hopefully I'm wrong and he can contribute. With all the talk about athleticism, he's as explosive as anyone in the league. Problem I noticed with him last season was the lack of an outside game. I would imagine that's what's been his focus this season in practice. If he can develop into a three-point threat his size won't matter much.
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dbyote
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Post by dbyote on Feb 26, 2024 10:57:20 GMT -6
I don't know for sure, but I suspect it was to get him stronger. My opinion is that he's just too small, but hopefully I'm wrong and he can contribute. With all the talk about athleticism, he's as explosive as anyone in the league. Problem I noticed with him last season was the lack of an outside game. I would imagine that's what's been his focus this season in practice. If he can develop into a three-point threat his size won't matter much. You can't be a good guard in our league unless you are at least a decent threat to shoot. He was absolutely no threat. Great handle though.
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