Yesterday was different

[RazorAg]

First, overall, I feel like most.  I expect us to win at home, and I worry about us on the road.  And under Mike, I agree, our road performance, overall, is unacceptable even though our play on the road has improved significantly the last 10 or so times we've been there.

That said, yesterday was not a typical home game experience.  First, Dayton is a solid team that should be at least on the bubble this year.  We needed to play well to win, and we did.  But, not in typical fashion.

Generally, our success at home is attributed to much better shooting and more forced turnovers.  Yesterday, though, we made some significant changes in our player rotation, and our offensive and defensive execution was much different, too.  Offensively, we were crisp in the halfcourt for the most part no matter if Dayton was in man or zone.  Dayton is a good defensive team, and that showed up in the second half, but they had no answer in the first half, and played well enough in the second half to remain in complete control the whole game.  There were no ball-stoppers.  For the most part, there was good spacing.  There were multiple, nice resets by Jabril Durham.  Very rarely did we jack bad shots.  Focus was clearly to go through Portis.  Hit the offensive glass very well.  Literally, the only thing that frustrated me offensively were the few times Madden showed his bad habits, but those were insignificant.

Defensively, we were much more disciplined.  We didn't switch as much (although still too much to my liking).  We rotated well.  We controlled the defensive boards.  Our timely press was effective.  Good effort and execution yesterday.

Now, it wasn't perfect, and at times frustrating due to unforced errors (we had an uncharacteristic 16 turnovers), but my point, again, is that wasn't your typical Mike Anderson home win.  Hats off to Mike for making adjustments and getting his players to fix the important things that led to a bad loss a week ago.

Moving forward, we have some decent mid and low majors coming into Verizon and Bud Walton.  I expect us to take care of business with similar player rotations, which I really like.  I like the balance between the two units.  Early on, I liked the energy that Williams brought to the second unit along with Watkins, but I think I like his fit with the first unit better now having seen it.  I'm indifferent on whether Bell or Madden starts, but I like those guys split up.

Georgia will be tough, and most should expect a loss, not b/c of "Homegame Mike" but b/c Georgia is a talented team and is at home.  Tennessee looks like a better opportunity to win away from Bud Walton, but they will be decent at home (beat KSU the other day).
12/14 9:52 AM | IP: Logged

[Deep Shoat]

If Mike is willing to keep working on these kinds of adjustments, my complaints about him will be few and far between.

Yesterday, we won without great shooting.  Against a good team.  We won without forcing a ton of turnovers, with half court D.  Our press was situational, and, as you said, effective. 

All in all, I liked what I saw yesterday.

[Hoggish1]

RazorAg, your post was on the mark.

I saw a difference, too.  We seemed to have an idea what we wanted to do with Portis and followed through.  Portis was also much more aggressive.  If that continues, we will be far better positioned to win some SEC road games.

Madden needs to stop doing crazy things in traffic.

I like the play of Moses.  He's learning the game.  When will he and Portis play together consitently?

[ErieHog]

RazorAg, your post was on the mark.

I saw a difference, too.  We seemed to have an idea what we wanted to do with Portis and followed through.  Portis was also much more aggressive.  If that continues, we will be far better positioned to win some SEC road games.

Madden needs to stop doing crazy things in traffic.

I like the play of Moses.  He's learning the game.  When will he and Portis play together consitently?

On the last bit-- never.

They're just not going to play together, with any consistency, short of some foul trouble issues with Harris and Williams in the same game.

[Marshfieldhog]

If we really are a contender in the SEC we will beat Georgia, gotta beat some decent teams on the road to contend.

[lefty08]

If we really are a contender in the SEC we will beat Georgia, gotta beat some decent teams on the road to contend.

Yep our entire season hinges on the first of 18 conference games. Its gotta be a MUST win

[opineonswine]

We played a VERY solid first half.  I liked the player rotations as well.  J. Williams played really solid in all phases of the game.  Defense was outstanding in that first half.  I thought the traps in the half court were also very effective.  Hadn't seen those this year until yesterday.

In the second half we let up some but still played well enough to maintain the first half lead.  I didn't like the player rotations in the second half.  Not sure why he didn't repeat what worked so well in the first half.  I don't think Nick Babb even played in the second half and he was solid running the point in the first half.

All in all, it was a solid performance against probably the second best team we've played.

[ricepig]

Yep our entire season hinges on the first of 18 conference games. Its gotta be a MUST win

I believe he said contender, nothing about our season. I think we need the win for confidence and the psychological benefits.

[lefty08]

I believe he said contender, nothing about our season. I think we need the win for confidence and the psychological benefits.

I stand by what I said....

[Atlhogfan1]

We played a VERY solid first half.  I liked the player rotations as well.  J. Williams played really solid in all phases of the game.  Defense was outstanding in that first half.  I thought the traps in the half court were also very effective.  Hadn't seen those this year until yesterday.

In the second half we let up some but still played well enough to maintain the first half lead.  I didn't like the player rotations in the second half.  Not sure why he didn't repeat what worked so well in the first half.  I don't think Nick Babb even played in the second half and he was solid running the point in the first half.

All in all, it was a solid performance against probably the second best team we've played.

Yep.  Still waiting for that complete game.  It was a very good first half. 

[Breems]

Ball movement and spacing seem to have improved tenfold in that game. The offense and our players had a purpose with the ball. This led to more open looks and less of players forcing bad shots.

[ricepig]

Ball movement and spacing seem to have improved tenfold in that game. The offense and our players had a purpose with the ball. This led to more open looks and less of players forcing bad shots.

Due to less dribbling, agree?

[VirginiaHog]

Yes, somefhing was different.
It was said last week in another post that a big diff between this team and Nolans great teams was the unforced "opportunistic" traps. In other words when the other teams offence is in motion, they would out of nowhere trap a guy on the sideline. For the first time since mike was hired i seen that yesterday. It was exciting to see.

[ErieHog]

Ball movement and spacing seem to have improved tenfold in that game. The offense and our players had a purpose with the ball. This led to more open looks and less of players forcing bad shots.

The ball moved better, but I was still underwhelmed by the spacing.   

[HF#1]

Biggest difference to me was that the ball wasn't getting stuck in Madden's hands.  We pretty much ran the offense through Bobby and everybody else complimented him.  Which is the way it should be when you have a player like Bobby. 

We still have a hard time not looking at the scoreboard and keeping the pedal to the metal.

[HF#1]

I also want to add that we ran some beautiful half court offense on more than one occasion.  Some may even call it set plays. 

The baseline dunk by Bobby was perfectly executed by everyone involved.  Against a zone no less.

[ricepig]

I also want to add that we ran some beautiful half court offense on more than one occasion.  Some may even call it set plays. 

The baseline dunk by Bobby was perfectly executed by everyone involved.  Against a zone no less.

I love high/low movement, it seems there is always an open look with ball movement.

[HF#1]

Portis is a deadly pick and pop player.  His 12-15 footer is money.  This should be our "go-to"

[hogfan10]

I believe he said contender, nothing about our season. I think we need the win for confidence and the psychological benefits.

Are the not one in the same. If we're not a contender, we won't be in the big tournament.

[Pig Worshipper]

I love high/low movement, it seems there is always an open look with ball movement.

Portis still could do more down low. That's the only area of his game that is lacking. It's a little bit harder for him than the 15-footer but it would complete his game in preparation for the NBA, in my opinion.

[Biggus Piggus]

In the second half we let up some but still played well enough to maintain the first half lead.  I didn't like the player rotations in the second half.  Not sure why he didn't repeat what worked so well in the first half.  I don't think Nick Babb even played in the second half and he was solid running the point in the first half.

This. Glad you said it. I tried, and some idiot accused me of being biased against MA.

[lefty08]

This. Glad you said it. I tried, and some idiot accused me of being biased against MA.

I guess I'm an idiot now, why don't u act like a moderator, and grow up. Every thread I read from you is that coaching is the problem, how else would I take your opinion on MA?

[HF#1]

I thought Bob Knight made some great points about Portis and the NBA.  He said that if Portis goes after this season, he'd likely end up in the D-League as a late first rounder or early second rounder.  If he stayed another year, developed even more, it would make his move to the NBA easier. 

He said that the NBA is the most selfish organization in sports in regards to college players.

[The_Iceman]

Portis is a deadly pick and pop player.  His 12-15 footer is money.  This should be our "go-to"

It helps when Portis can run it with a player who actually can pass and has a decent feel for the game like Durham, and not you know who.

[HF#1]

It helps when Portis can run it with a player who actually can pass and has a decent feel for the game like Durham, and not you know who.

Indeed