+++Boogs @ Cocks+++

[jeramye]

Can someone with a better b-ball iq than me explain what’s going on with Mac this year? Have opposing coaches just “figured him out”? I know I’ve seen a few teams absolutely take away that slip screen alley oop to him. Or is he just playing like ass this season? His three ball is trash (and it’s rarely contested) and he rebounds like a weakling. I’m with Denim and think Ho Daddy needs to start from here till Wiley comes back

everything Denim said plus I'll add that he doesn't look as quick off the floor as last year. He's like 85%, but that missing 15% keeps him from being an elite shot changer now IMO. Last year he erased stuff that most guys can't erase and now he's just doing normal skinny big man type blocks. That elite bounce just isn't quite there IMO.

 

[DufnerFanBoy]

Right now, no one past Jared and Bryce is doing anything consistently. We can’t rely on anyone else besides 1 and 2, and if either of them has an off night or off half, we get behind. We don’t have that third guy to carry us right now. Wiley wasn’t that guy. Chuma should be that guy but isn’t. Dunbar and Doughty aren’t that guy. We’re basically a two-man team right now, and none of the role players are playing well enough to support that two-man group.

I thought we played decently well last night. We have stretches of play where we seem to possess no basketball IQ and then have stretches where we look like the team we expected. And somehow, despite burying ourselves 2-3 different times in each of the last two games, we’ve clawed our way out to take late leads in both and had good looks to win both. Neither have fallen our way.

I think we’re a flawed team because of the reasons stated in the first paragraph, but I still think this can be a quality basketball team. We have to make some adjustments in mindset and how we value possession ($1 to @Gran_Polla ), but I still think this team can get on a roll and rip off 4-5 straight wins. At State won’t be easy, but I don’t think it’s a guaranteed loss. Gotta play smart though.

 

[Denim Vest]

gotta win 3 of the next 4 and get right.

Refs were terrible but good God our bigs are so stupid with how they manage their own fouls. Mac just keeps getting early tick tack fouls and dumb stuff from behind when he's beat. Was screaming this vs UK but our bigs have to keep their position and make people finish over them straight up. Last night we had 6 fouls conceded before the TV timeout and the only time we made a big shoot over us from 5 feet they missed. Yet we kept reaching and getting out of position and generally making bad decisions in the paint defensively. Mac's 5th foul was an all time dumb move too. That's not a good foul if you have 0 on your with 2 minutes left in the game man.

Yeah Ho had a couple dumb ones. Raked Silva at the 3 pt line and barreled into some oaf way in the backcourt coming back on D. Ho actually didn’t know how many fouls he had when he got his 5th.

So frustrating we found ways to win through a lot of this stuff last year though. Haven’t been making winning plays down the stretch. Other team is. Not getting our boog on whatsoever instead making runs just to have a chance instead of putting away the W.

 

[Fatz Geronimo]

Where the fvck are u @Fatz Geronimo

Need his new avatar in here ASAP

5:30 tip and some late work bs eff’d me... by the time I got home and caught up to the game in real time I wanted no part of tronz - college basketball - puppies - or life... so it was best I just stayed away

 

[Fatz Geronimo]

short version: so much blame to go around - but that’s an inexcusable performance and loss

long version: it’s mostly been covered, but it’s hard to point fingers at officiating - or Danjel - or valuing possessions - or any one thing in particular - because they’re all issues

I mean, we want to bitch about officiating but we shot 4 more free throws

we want to bemoan Mac’s lack of size, and the way he/Horace/Malik were officiated compared to Silva but we were only out rebounded by 4

and regardless of any of that - we had wide open looks to win the game...

and we had wide open looks early in the game to keep from falling behind by 8-10 early...

and we had wide open looks in the middle of the game to keep from falling behind by 10 AGAIN after digging out of the first hole...

that’s the most frustrating thing... we don’t have to fix ALL of the issues, just fix a couple... just 1 play to cut an 8 point lead to 6 at the 9 minute mark of a first half instead of letting it be pushed to 10... or pushing a 4 point lead to 6 instead of letting it get cut to 2... it doesn’t matter which mistake is corrected - because there are 10 different guys making 10 different little mistakes at 10 different times

basically, we’re just not a very good team right now... and it’s not because of 1 guy or 1 limitation or 1 coaching decision... last year, we’d Boog for short spurts, and then just hold serve or play to a stalemate or keep things within striking distance so just 1-2 spurts of Boogin’ was all it took to win a game... this year, our Boogin’ spurts are even more impressive than last year - we have more weapons, and can bury you in quicker spurts - but we’re not just holding serve and playing teams even in the other stretches... we’re falling behind and playing catchup

I still think we’ll be fine by March - because the pieces are there... and it’s not going to take drastic changes or improvement... but right now we’re a fvcking mess

 

[jeramye]

Yeah Ho had a couple dumb ones. Raked Silva at the 3 pt line and barreled into some oaf way in the backcourt coming back on D. Ho actually didn’t know how many fouls he had when he got his 5th.

So frustrating we found ways to win through a lot of this stuff last year though. Haven’t been making winning plays down the stretch. Other team is. Not getting our boog on whatsoever instead making runs just to have a chance instead of putting away the W.

Mac had a foul vs UK reaching around a big outside the 3pt line and I nearly broke my foot kicking the sofa. I have no idea why we're so dumb right now.

Our biggest issues to me
- Need consistency from role players or need someone to grow into a true 3rd scoring option that is consistent and that we can count on

- Defensive intelligence mixed in with our helter skelter style. The fouls are stupid way too often. Sometimes you gotta realize the man got position on you and the best you can do is contest without fouling and hope he misses. Period

- The 4 minute strings of offense that are beyond terrible. UK game was end of 1st and start of the 2nd. Last night we started terrible early and then we also had another stretch in the 2nd where I think we either went 0-10 or 1-10 from the field. Can't happen. That's where Chuma or Wiley or someone has to be the guy who can step up and get us something at the rim or in the paint and get us a hoop when we've gone 3 possessions empty.

 

[Fatz Geronimo]

Mac had a foul vs UK reaching around a big outside the 3pt line and I nearly broke my foot kicking the sofa. I have no idea why we're so dumb right now.

Our biggest issues to me
- Need consistency from role players or need someone to grow into a true 3rd scoring option that is consistent and that we can count on

- Defensive intelligence mixed in with our helter skelter style. The fouls are stupid way too often. Sometimes you gotta realize the man got position on you and the best you can do is contest without fouling and hope he misses. Period

- The 4 minute strings of offense that are beyond terrible. UK game was end of 1st and start of the 2nd. Last night we started terrible early and then we also had another stretch in the 2nd where I think we either went 0-10 or 1-10 from the field. Can't happen. That's where Chuma or Wiley or someone has to be the guy who can step up and get us something at the rim or in the paint and get us a hoop when we've gone 3 possessions empty.

it has to be Chuma... and maybe it’s time to come to grips with the fact he’s not gonna be that guy this year

we started out forcing the ball to him in the post... either the very first 2, or 2 of the first 3 possessions, we force fed him the ball on the right block

and I don’t remember doing it again the rest of the game... I’m sure we did - but I don’t remember it

 

[Boytano]

Yeah Ho had a couple dumb ones. Raked Silva at the 3 pt line and barreled into some oaf way in the backcourt coming back on D. Ho actually didn’t know how many fouls he had when he got his 5th.

So frustrating we found ways to win through a lot of this stuff last year though. Haven’t been making winning plays down the stretch. Other team is. Not getting our boog on whatsoever instead making runs just to have a chance instead of putting away the W.

the as a group the HYGs aren't as mentally tough as last year. I like that they expect to win, but to keep making so many mental errors so that they constantly have to dig themselves out of holes both with the score and fouls.

 

[DM8]

Can someone with a better b-ball iq than me explain what’s going on with Mac this year? Have opposing coaches just “figured him out”? I know I’ve seen a few teams absolutely take away that slip screen alley oop to him. Or is he just playing like ass this season? His three ball is trash (and it’s rarely contested) and he rebounds like a weakling. I’m with Denim and think Ho Daddy needs to start from here till Wiley comes back

As others have said, its the injury. He's not 100% where he was last year. He can still be good, but he's not going to be the elite shot blocker he was until he gets that last 10-15% of bounce/quickness he is lacking now. He was rarely ever a consistent offense threat for us last year, his defense was what made him so critical to our success.

 

[DM8]

it has to be Chuma... and maybe it’s time to come to grips with the fact he’s not gonna be that guy this year

we started out forcing the ball to him in the post... either the very first 2, or 2 of the first 3 possessions, we force fed him the ball on the right block

and I don’t remember doing it again the rest of the game... I’m sure we did - but I don’t remember it

I don't understand the approach we are taking with Chuma. He is not going to become a consistent offensive threat unless we run sets for him. He is too passive to get the ball on his own and create opportunities. Either get it to him in the post where he has proved he can be effective or run some back cuts or plays with him set up for dishes he can finish off Jared or Bryce driving. He can score enough points to help us, but its going to have to be off set stuff where he knows its his time to score.

 

[ShenaniganZ]

I don't understand the approach we are taking with Chuma. He is not going to become a consistent offensive threat unless we run sets for him. He is too passive to get the ball on his own and create opportunities. Either get it to him in the post where he has proved he can be effective or run some back cuts or plays with him set up for dishes he can finish off Jared or Bryce driving. He can score enough points to help us, but its going to have to be off set stuff where he knows its his time to score.

We are FUBAR-ING CHUMA

 

[Boytano]

I don't understand the approach we are taking with Chuma. He is not going to become a consistent offensive threat unless we run sets for him. He is too passive to get the ball on his own and create opportunities. Either get it to him in the post where he has proved he can be effective or run some back cuts or plays with him set up for dishes he can finish off Jared or Bryce driving. He can score enough points to help us, but its going to have to be off set stuff where he knows its his time to score.

i think Bruce and the younger Pearl are ready to let him take over, Chuma just hasn't shown he wants it.
("sometimes you just gotta take the pussy" $1 to Sandra Bernhart)

 

[Boytano]

We are FUBAR-ING CHUMA

disagree, chuma is resisting the force

 

[DM8]

i think Bruce and the younger Pearl are ready to let him take over, Chuma just hasn't shown he wants it.
("sometimes you just gotta take the pussy" $1 to Sandra Bernhart)

I agree he is not stepping up, that's why I think we need to run more sets for him. If we throw it to him in high or low post, he knows its time for him to try and score. Same if we drive and have him waiting for a kick for either a 3 or dish for a layup/dunk. He is a matchup nightmare for other teams, but only if he tries to score which he does not do in our typical offensive sets.

 

[MomentInTheSun]

I don't know if there's any way to look it up, but I'd wager that Chuma scores a lot more in the paint when Wiley is on the court then when Mac is. No one respects Mac's offensive game and Chuma was getting straight swarmed every time he made a move inside. Just like with when that happens to Wiley, I'd like to see both of them learn to kick it outside. Guys need to move for them as well on the perimeter to make it effective too

 

[WDE_Tarp]

he can finish off Jared or Bryce

Whoa, whoa whoa pal, this isn't that kind of place. NTTIAWWT.

 

[WDE_Tarp]

I agree he is not stepping up, that's why I think we need to run more sets for him. If we throw it to him in high or low post, he knows its time for him to try and score. Same if we drive and have him waiting for a kick for either a 3 or dish for a layup/dunk. He is a matchup nightmare for other teams, but only if he tries to score which he does not do in our typical offensive sets.

I think the majority of Bruce's offense (and a lot of offenses) isn't necessarily a set designed to score one guy, but repeating motions that you run until someone gets a look. Not saying we don't have any or that we couldn't run a few more, but I think Bruce looks at it from the perspective of "you have to come to me, I'm not coming to you." It may be worse for us in the short run, but will be better in the long run if we can get that chemistry to where it needs to be. JMO of course.

 

[DM8]

I think the majority of Bruce's offense (and a lot of offenses) isn't necessarily a set designed to score one guy, but repeating motions that you run until someone gets a look. Not saying we don't have any or that we couldn't run a few more, but I think Bruce looks at it from the perspective of "you have to come to me, I'm not coming to you." It may be worse for us in the short run, but will be better in the long run if we can get that chemistry to where it needs to be. JMO of course.

Oh, I agree that's what we are doing. I just don't think its working in terms of getting Chuma to be the kind of scorer we need to be. Bruce knows vastly more about basketball than I do and I trust he will figure something out. My unexpert opinion is we won't be very good this year unless we figure out a way to get him to be a consistent 15ppg guy as our third scoring option.

 

[DufnerFanBoy]

short version: so much blame to go around - but that’s an inexcusable performance and loss

long version: it’s mostly been covered, but it’s hard to point fingers at officiating - or Danjel - or valuing possessions - or any one thing in particular - because they’re all issues

I mean, we want to bitch about officiating but we shot 4 more free throws

we want to bemoan Mac’s lack of size, and the way he/Horace/Malik were officiated compared to Silva but we were only out rebounded by 4

and regardless of any of that - we had wide open looks to win the game...

and we had wide open looks early in the game to keep from falling behind by 8-10 early...

and we had wide open looks in the middle of the game to keep from falling behind by 10 AGAIN after digging out of the first hole...

that’s the most frustrating thing... we don’t have to fix ALL of the issues, just fix a couple... just 1 play to cut an 8 point lead to 6 at the 9 minute mark of a first half instead of letting it be pushed to 10... or pushing a 4 point lead to 6 instead of letting it get cut to 2... it doesn’t matter which mistake is corrected - because there are 10 different guys making 10 different little mistakes at 10 different times

basically, we’re just not a very good team right now... and it’s not because of 1 guy or 1 limitation or 1 coaching decision... last year, we’d Boog for short spurts, and then just hold serve or play to a stalemate or keep things within striking distance so just 1-2 spurts of Boogin’ was all it took to win a game... this year, our Boogin’ spurts are even more impressive than last year - we have more weapons, and can bury you in quicker spurts - but we’re not just holding serve and playing teams even in the other stretches... we’re falling behind and playing catchup

I still think we’ll be fine by March - because the pieces are there... and it’s not going to take drastic changes or improvement... but right now we’re a fvcking mess

The most frustrating part is what you mentioned. We have stretches where we miss several shots in a row. Happens to everyone. Maybe our stretches are exacerbated a bit by the amount of 3s we take and the run outs they lead to and some of the lack of valuing possessions, but I don’t see a cold streak as a big deal. But here recently, our cold streaks are usually coupled with not getting stops on the other end. Defensively, we’re just not coming up with stops if we can’t get steals or deflections or blocked shots. We’re not consistently locking down for 25-30 second periods and coming away with a lot of stops. Our defense is plenty good at times, but it’s not consistently good enough. Last year, it probably got overlooked/was underrated how good we were defensively.

At one point in the game Tuesday, South Carolina has made 7 or 8 baskets in a row. Then there was the play where we caused a turnover, started a fast break but couldn’t finish, and it turned into a 12-2 Cock run that we never really recovered from. Those types of runs we have to find ways defensively to stop them at 6 or 8. But we have allowed a lot of double digit runs to happen recently, and that’s probably more of a defensive issue than an offensive/shooting issue.

 

[Fatz Geronimo]

The most frustrating part is what you mentioned. We have stretches where we miss several shots in a row. Happens to everyone. Maybe our stretches are exacerbated a bit by the amount of 3s we take and the run outs they lead to and some of the lack of valuing possessions, but I don’t see a cold streak as a big deal. But here recently, our cold streaks are usually coupled with not getting stops on the other end. Defensively, we’re just not coming up with stops if we can’t get steals or deflections or blocked shots. We’re not consistently locking down for 25-30 second periods and coming away with a lot of stops. Our defense is plenty good at times, but it’s not consistently good enough. Last year, it probably got overlooked/was underrated how good we were defensively.

At one point in the game Tuesday, South Carolina has made 7 or 8 baskets in a row. Then there was the play where we caused a turnover, started a fast break but couldn’t finish, and it turned into a 12-2 Cock run that we never really recovered from. Those types of runs we have to find ways defensively to stop them at 6 or 8. But we have allowed a lot of double digit runs to happen recently, and that’s probably more of a defensive issue than an offensive/shooting issue.

it’s probably anecdotal - but it “feels like” we’re locking teams down for 25 seconds and then somehow giving up a wide ass open jumper or layup at the very end of the clock

I have no idea how we defend so well early in a possession, through multiple rotations and reversals, then fall asleep at the end... because we’re not getting beat by superior 1-on-1 moves - we’re just falling apart late in the clock