Most telling stat of the season....

**isunorth** · 03-19-2009, 12:59 AM

Originally Posted by CyDude16

You have a good point thats why i believe thats part of the reason we struggled. DG has shown at moments he can be that guy, but he is still a bit small. If he can bulk up and if Colvin can come in and do some good things I think there are bright things ahead of us. If Buck can become a bit more grounded and control, we could have potential slashers in the paint. But we need to improve our conditioning and athleticism i think is the biggest key for next year. But im no coach like PolyCy.

I'll admit I didn't watch that much of the team this year. (Unfortunately, living in Minneapolis we're usually stuck watching two powerhouses like Indiana and Northwestern go at it

.)

However, the few games I did watch I felt like DG could get past the initial defender, but wasn't much of a threat after that. Absolutely no threat to finish (although I felt like he could have got to the line way more than he did) and no threat to dish to anyone but Brackins (that, of course, isn't really DG's fault).

I'm no coach, but I've played a lot of basketball and you can acheive a lot of success offensively just by making the defense move. Eventually, something will open. Either an open jump shot, a backdoor cut, big man in good post postition, etc, etc. When I watched our team this year I felt like all the other team had to do was pack it in and try to contain Brackins. We had one legitimate scoring threat on the floor. That's no contest for a D1 team and a D1 coach.

In all honesty, it doesn't take much for that to change. One or two other scoring threats (someone like Gilstrap) can change the whole landscape. Even one other player that opposing teams/coaches have to respect makes an enormous difference. Make them move and force them to make decisions. Good things will happen.

**Ficklone02** · 03-19-2009, 01:00 AM

Originally Posted by CyDude16

Please explain how we can fade in the 2nd half at certain points. Sure other teams doubled on CB, but we should have players that can be athletic enough to force the issue, and make things happen, and then CB can get open more. I do believe conditioning is a factor, I can't tell you what happens at practice and niether can probably 99% of all isu fans, but i do believe there should be an adjustment in conditioning, and strength. But again thats my opinion, you can respectfully disgree, i wont be mad. But basketball is over, so its time to start thinking about football more.

You just said it....we need more athleticism. We all know that, which is the reason behind our inability to attack the basket and put pressure on our opponents. Conditioning is a separate issue....I think our guys were in plenty good shape, but we struggled in the second half due to our opponents making adjustments that we could not counter due to our lack of options. I'm not offended if somebody disagrees with me, but if you are looking towards football...then just do it, and don't post here. For me, I'm interested in discussing what took place in a respectful manner.

**singsing** · 03-19-2009, 01:06 AM

The stat that really jumped out at me all season was the number of shots our opponents we're getting per game compared to us. Rebounding and getting into the passing lanes a little more are a couple things I hope Greg addresses in the off season. Looking forward to next season with the incoming players, redshirted players, and our existing team with another year of maturity. Hope they're all in the weight room right now.

**Ficklone02** · 03-19-2009, 01:16 AM

Originally Posted by singsing

The stat that really jumped out at me all season was the number of shots our opponents we're getting per game compared to us. Rebounding and getting into the passing lanes a little more are a couple things I hope Greg addresses in the off season. Looking forward to next season with the incoming players, redshirted players, and our existing team with another year of maturity. Hope they're all in the weight room right now.

Rebounding was definitely an issue....problem being, we chose to not be a good rebounding team by not sending many guys to the offensive boards. Don't get me wrong, I understand guys like Lucca are not going to be effective rebounders...but this category certainly needs some attention. One thing I'm uncertain about is why we don't jam the outlets, which would allow us to send another guy to the offensive boards. I would like to know the strategy there....and why we choose to be so conservative. Sure we don't want to give up fastbreak points, but IMO playing so conservatively really puts us at a disadvantage.

**cyfanman** · 03-19-2009, 07:50 AM

Turnovers, turnovers, turnovers

**LoyalSonForever** · 03-19-2009, 09:14 AM

Originally Posted by CyDude16

Please explain how we can fade in the 2nd half at certain points. Sure other teams doubled on CB, but we should have players that can be athletic enough to force the issue, and make things happen, and then CB can get open more. I do believe conditioning is a factor, I can't tell you what happens at practice and niether can probably 99% of all isu fans, but i do believe there should be an adjustment in conditioning, and strength. But again thats my opinion, you can respectfully disgree, i wont be mad. But basketball is over, so its time to start thinking about football more.

The thing that stood out for me was how we panicked late in close games. Talk about deer in headlights! When CB was doubled, we just didn't have that one player this season that could make plays and will us to win the close ones.

**cyclonenum1** · 03-19-2009, 10:07 AM

This "most telling stat" indicates to me that we are getting out-coached during halftime.

I love all the reasons people on this site have for this stat...poor conditioning, lack of talent, etc. Clearly, those things may play a role...but again, the head coach is directly responsible for these items...as well as making in game (and half time) adjustments.

I hold GM directly responsible for everything in the program...I will give him credit for things he has done well (like recruit CB) and I will give him blame for those things that he is not doing well (like retaining players...WJ in particular).

I find it comical how some of you are quick to give him credit for recruiting WJ but not a bit of blame for WJ leaving...something good happens and you say it is a sign that GM is a great coach...something bad happens and it is "bad luck" or something else...but never GM's fault.

**cybirdie** · 03-19-2009, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by cyclonenum1

This "most telling stat" indicates to me that we are getting out-coached during halftime.

I love all the reasons people on this site have for this stat...poor conditioning, lack of talent, etc. Clearly, those things may play a role...but again, the head coach is directly responsible for these items...as well as making in game (and half time) adjustments.

I hold GM directly responsible for everything in the program...I will give him credit for things he has done well (like recruit CB) and I will give him blame for those things that he is not doing well (like retaining players...WJ in particular).

I find it comical how some of you are quick to give him credit for recruiting WJ but not a bit of blame for WJ leaving...something good happens and you say it is a sign that GM is a great coach...something bad happens and it is "bad luck" or something else...but never GM's fault.

Here come the GM fanatic wolves to his rescue...I was told by a certain poster on here that we do have the athletes. Funny how opinions change when the coach publicly admits otherwise isn't it! We stunk in all statistical categories, there isn't one overriding stat which proves otherwise. I State is just that a one man team, no disrespect to the hard working walk-ons intended (their mustard just didn't cut it)!

**gocubs2118** · 03-19-2009, 10:36 AM

Originally Posted by cyclonenum1

This "most telling stat" indicates to me that we are getting out-coached during halftime.

I love all the reasons people on this site have for this stat...poor conditioning, lack of talent, etc. Clearly, those things may play a role...but again, the head coach is directly responsible for these items...as well as making in game (and half time) adjustments.

I hold GM directly responsible for everything in the program...I will give him credit for things he has done well (like recruit CB) and I will give him blame for those things that he is not doing well (like retaining players...WJ in particular).

I find it comical how some of you are quick to give him credit for recruiting WJ but not a bit of blame for WJ leaving...something good happens and you say it is a sign that GM is a great coach...something bad happens and it is "bad luck" or something else...but never GM's fault.

Thats just stupid. I realize that he is the head coach but not everything is his fault. Is it his fault that Mike Taylor acted like a child? Is it his fault that pretty much everyone left after Morgan was fired? I'm guessing you thinks it will be his fault when Barnes committs to Duke.

**cybirdie** · 03-19-2009, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by gocubs2118

I'm guessing you thinks it will be his fault when Barnes committs to Duke.

Yes it will be his fault, dude needs to seal the deal. I'm betting everyone has had a boss that demanded results or else. He needs to get big time guys to be a big time coach, not just mid major luck with big men shooting the 3 ball. I certainly hope he has some sort of strategy to fix this in under 9 years, seriously. Sometimes a coach just isn't suited to a particular time and place, look no further than former K-State coach & current Creighton coach the mid major phenomenon Dana "Mr. Bad Mustache" Altman!

**cyclonenum1** · 03-19-2009, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by gocubs2118

Thats just stupid. I realize that he is the head coach but not everything is his fault. Is it his fault that Mike Taylor acted like a child? Is it his fault that pretty much everyone left after Morgan was fired? I'm guessing you thinks it will be his fault when Barnes committs to Duke.

Mike Taylor...McDermott recruited him. Maybe he should have done some better due diligence on the front end. Or better yet, maybe he should have done a better job of nipping the situation in the bud before it escalated after he was on campus.

Morgan's team...McDermott should have done more to re-recruit these guys. I'll bet if you gave him truth serum today he would admit this...because he has admitted that he underestimated the importance of talent in the Big 12. He let a lot of talent basically walk away with apparently very little effort exerted to try and retain it. I think he arrogantly thought he didn't need these kids and that they were maybe not good kids and that he could bring in his MVC type kid and style of play and win in the Big 12.

If McDermott is not held accountable to some degree should Barnes go elsewhere then how can you say he is accountable for the kids we do get? We have a bunch of built in advantages to get Barnes...if we don't get him it is a stain on McDermott. Now, should he be canned based upon this one thing if it should come to pass...no, certainly not.

All I'm saying is that you can't have it both ways...you can't in one hand say McDermott is a great recruiter and use WJ as an example and then slough off the WJ transfer on WJ being a selfish idiot (or any of the other names he has been called) while assessing no blame to McDermott and claiming he is "snake bitten" or been "dealt a bad hand".

**cybirdie** · 03-19-2009, 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by cyclonenum1

Mike Taylor...McDermott recruited him. Maybe he should have done some better due diligence on the front end. Or better yet, maybe he should have done a better job of nipping the situation in the bud before it escalated after he was on campus.

Morgan's team...McDermott should have done more to re-recruit these guys. I'll bet if you gave him truth serum today he would admit this...because he has admitted that he underestimated the importance of talent in the Big 12. He let a lot of talent basically walk away with apparently very little effort exerted to try and retain it. I think he arrogantly thought he didn't need these kids and that they were maybe not good kids and that he could bring in his MVC type kid and style of play and win in the Big 12.

If McDermott is not held accountable to some degree should Barnes go elsewhere then how can you say he is accountable for the kids we do get? We have a bunch of built in advantages to get Barnes...if we don't get him it is a stain on McDermott. Now, should he be canned based upon this one thing if it should come to pass...no, certainly not.

All I'm saying is that you can't have it both ways...you can't in one hand say McDermott is a great recruiter and use WJ as an example and then slough off the WJ transfer on WJ being a selfish idiot (or any of the other names he has been called) while assessing no blame to McDermott and claiming he is "snake bitten" or been "dealt a bad hand".

The mods definitely want this sensical thread bearing accountability to the head coach buried...thanks for the HN censorship!

**Angie** · 03-19-2009, 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by cybirdie

The mods definitely want this sensical thread bearing accountability to the head coach buried...thanks for the HN censorship!

Please tell me exactly where a mod has even posted in this thread? And then tell me when you've moderated this site to develop such a vast working knowledge of the process?

**photomuse** · 03-19-2009, 01:58 PM

I think everyone is right except for the "lack of conditioning" crowd. I don't think it had anything to do with conditioning, unless you count mental conditioning. We actually played quite a few guys and people didn't seem noticeably tired at the end of games. The reasons, as people have pointed out, were that:

a) Teams didn't take us seriously and then after they were yelled at during halftime, they took it to a higher gear that we couldn't match.

b) We had a mental problem in that when we hit a little dry spell (especially in the second half of games) it seemed like it spiraled out of control and everyone kept missing. Part of this was probably due to a)

c) Teams made adjustments at half time to shut down Brackins and whoever option B was that night. Our team never found an option C in this situation because we either aren't talented enough or don't have a winning attitude/swagger. They then wilted under pressure.

**fcmc** · 03-19-2009, 08:29 PM

Originally Posted by LoyalSonForever

The thing that stood out for me was how we panicked late in close games. Talk about deer in headlights! When CB was doubled, we just didn't have that one player this season that could make plays and will us to win the close ones.

It's not like Brackins was clutch either.
He cost us the Hawaii game with the last second foul.
And he never became the go to guy down the stretch to carry us to victory.