holding opponents under 1.0 points per possession. This is encouraging. The offense will come around as roles are solidified throughout conference play.
Four games with McKay, Four games...
- Thread starter cloneteach
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I hope you're right. But the offense and particularly Niang has been quiet since he started. Is he actually hurting our spacing? I don't think so, but lately it seems like we're just ice cold.
I don't know if he has necessarily hurt our spacing, but its a bigger shift than people think IMO. Niang has really NEVER played the 4 at ISU. Yes, its a postion-less offense per se but this is a big shift in lane running on breaks and isolation plays. Last year when Niang is the "5" and he is isolated, there really wasn't much help defense to be had or else there was a wide open shooter. Teams don't have to honor an outside McKay shot. To me, this seems like something Fred is smart enough to get corrected, it just might take some time.
Maybe Niang and Jameel shouldn't play significant minutes TOGETHER. If Jameel's inability to shoot the basketball is TRULY hurting Georges, I would assume it's something CFH has taken notice to right now. I would like someone somewhere to ask CFH about this. If I were a member of the press it would be my #1 question.
It seems like each game so far there have been 1 or 2 plays that he makes and I say, Only McKay could make that play on the team. Either a big rebound in traffic or the and-one dunk like tonight.
The dude is as advertised.
The dude is as advertised.
Well, take it for what its worth but Niang sat most of the last four minutes with McKay on the floor. Hopefully they can co-exist but it might be an offensive/defensive type situation, which is something they haven't even had the option of in the past.
I agree. Fred said it beautifully in his presser that a game like tonight's is a loss the past two years. If we shot as poorly as we did tonight in the two previous years there's no way our defense keeps us in it, yet we ended up with the victory tonight, largely because of McKay and many of the others stepping it up on D. I found myself cheering almost more when we didn't have the ball as when we did from the effort we put in on that side of the ball. Once the offense comes around and starts to click it'll be a whole lot of fun.
He definitely made Nash's night tougher. I wish that he would have been put on Nash earlier...before he got hot. McKay made it tough on him, but Nash hit some crazy tough shots.
One thing about OSU, they basically have two guys and a bunch of role players. ISU is much deeper overall with guys that can score.
One thing about OSU, they basically have two guys and a bunch of role players. ISU is much deeper overall with guys that can score.
I was very, very impressed that he was able to stay in front of Nash further out on the floor, and did a great job with his length of making him either pass or take a tough shot down low. Last night was won with defense, which is a great sign!
Niang's game is sucking because McKay is on the floor? Please.... McKay doesn't make Georges miss all five threes he takes in a game.
Besides, Georges has plenty of experience playing beside a taller, shot-blocking post that isn't an outside threat. The announcers remind us every game.
Besides, Georges has plenty of experience playing beside a taller, shot-blocking post that isn't an outside threat. The announcers remind us every game.
People talked about Matt Thomas and his cold streak. Georges is like 0-12 from 3 in just the last two games
GN has missed a ton of wide open 3s in the last few games. He is not taking bad shots, he is just not making anything for some reason. Last year he had the same issue at some point in time. I think he will come around with a monster game soon, although I don't see it happening against WVU. It would be nice though....
I think we see a lot of games in the 60's and low 70's going forward. This team is not built like last year's team where we could put up 80 a night, but also unlike last year's team we may be able to hold other teams to low 60's a night. McKay, Hogue, Morris, BDJ can all really get after people on defense. Guys can be more aggressive defending on the perimeter knowing McKay can help clean up some of their mistakes. West Virginia will be a real good test for us, and we better come ready to defend and rebound against them.
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
We're really seeing that McKay does affect opposing shooters' mentality, but not just at the rim, because he's so fast and agile all over the court.
It seems like anywhere from 18 feet on it puts a shooter into McKay's range, and they're starting to know it. It's nice to see that disruption from our defense.
It seems like anywhere from 18 feet on it puts a shooter into McKay's range, and they're starting to know it. It's nice to see that disruption from our defense.
