The team now sits at 7-4 this season and 32-15 since Gates took over. After Cuonzo got fired if you would have told any of us that would have been the record at this point AND we had a top 10 recruiting class AND we already had a top 50 player signed for 2025 ALL of us would have taken that gladly without ANY hesitation. Yet, here we are with quite a few (definitely not all) complaining.
Yesterday was disappointing. I have watched Seton Hall play several games. They barely beat Monmouth. EVERY other P5 school thumped them. They shot better against us and hit more threes than they have against ANYONE this season. Seton Hall is NOT a tourney team. But, at this moment RIGHT NOW neither are we.
Defense. People are saying the defense is bad. Come on. That is recency bias. The defense was bad yesterday. Before Yesterday the most points surrendered by this team was 79 to Arkansa Pine Bluff in a game they won by 22. They held ku to 73. If you think for a second the dirty birds did not want to run this team out of the gym I want some of what you are smoking. The defense is not terrible. It is actually much better than last year.
Rebounding. They lost the rebounding margin by 2 yesterday. They still give up some offensive rebounds. But, they are better.
Offense. They scored 87 yesterday. They hit 50% from 3. They made 19 free throws. They only had 13 turnovers. the offense was not bad.
So, what has it been? Lineups. Many said Pierce isn't what he was hyped to be in the preseason. He has not hit shots. But, he has played in tough spots in several games and has played pretty well defensively. There were multiple stops when he was in against Memphis. Same in the Minnesota game. He brings length, athleticism and can guard multiple positions. He was a key to the come back yesterday. (And his shot finally started falling) Why Gates has not used his length more is surprising. Grill was given a long leash earlier. His shot started falling. Carter has a very long leash. His shot is not falling. Pierce allows this team to play the way it will in the future. He SHOULD be given more of a chance because he will be here next year.
Can't explain subs. I made a mistake posting that Bates was taken out yesterday when he was hot. I did not realize he had 2 fouls. But, the subs for him were Robinson ( have not problem with) and Tonje (He has not played regularly). Again, Lewis and Pierce have anchored some comebacks and been good defensively. Shots had not fallen, but they had played well together. To me at least, going to Tonje instead of those two made no sense. Having a lineup with Majak and Shaw in at the same time does not help either.
Again, this team as it is NOW, is not what it will be at the end of the year. But, to get to a good team by the end of the year, Pierce HAS to be developed. Butler has to play minutes. Robinson has to play minutes.
All is not lost. It just isn't great right now. But, I will take this because I remember bad basketball. I can delay some gratification now for a much better product later.
M-I-Z!!!
Yesterday was disappointing. I have watched Seton Hall play several games. They barely beat Monmouth. EVERY other P5 school thumped them. They shot better against us and hit more threes than they have against ANYONE this season. Seton Hall is NOT a tourney team. But, at this moment RIGHT NOW neither are we.
Defense. People are saying the defense is bad. Come on. That is recency bias. The defense was bad yesterday. Before Yesterday the most points surrendered by this team was 79 to Arkansa Pine Bluff in a game they won by 22. They held ku to 73. If you think for a second the dirty birds did not want to run this team out of the gym I want some of what you are smoking. The defense is not terrible. It is actually much better than last year.
Rebounding. They lost the rebounding margin by 2 yesterday. They still give up some offensive rebounds. But, they are better.
Offense. They scored 87 yesterday. They hit 50% from 3. They made 19 free throws. They only had 13 turnovers. the offense was not bad.
So, what has it been? Lineups. Many said Pierce isn't what he was hyped to be in the preseason. He has not hit shots. But, he has played in tough spots in several games and has played pretty well defensively. There were multiple stops when he was in against Memphis. Same in the Minnesota game. He brings length, athleticism and can guard multiple positions. He was a key to the come back yesterday. (And his shot finally started falling) Why Gates has not used his length more is surprising. Grill was given a long leash earlier. His shot started falling. Carter has a very long leash. His shot is not falling. Pierce allows this team to play the way it will in the future. He SHOULD be given more of a chance because he will be here next year.
Can't explain subs. I made a mistake posting that Bates was taken out yesterday when he was hot. I did not realize he had 2 fouls. But, the subs for him were Robinson ( have not problem with) and Tonje (He has not played regularly). Again, Lewis and Pierce have anchored some comebacks and been good defensively. Shots had not fallen, but they had played well together. To me at least, going to Tonje instead of those two made no sense. Having a lineup with Majak and Shaw in at the same time does not help either.
Again, this team as it is NOW, is not what it will be at the end of the year. But, to get to a good team by the end of the year, Pierce HAS to be developed. Butler has to play minutes. Robinson has to play minutes.
All is not lost. It just isn't great right now. But, I will take this because I remember bad basketball. I can delay some gratification now for a much better product later.
M-I-Z!!!
