a simple opinion

[ballz2thewall]

we won't be able to consistently control a hot shooting team[half-court or running] until,

we have a post up guy down low.  secondly, a point guard.

korliss williamson is the only reason we were able to do so and go so far.  harris is the closest thing we have to hanging beef.  kingsley is next, mostly in style of play.

the exception would be to mimic last night's cyclone roster with each starter shooting double figures consistently, while protecting the ball.

[HF#1]

People keep saying this but during the game folks on social media kept whining that we don't have shooters.  So apparently with no inside play and no shooters, we have little talent?  Makes no sense to me. 

We played a really good team in a really hostile environment.  We aren't the only team they will do that too.

[ballz2thewall]

People keep saying this but during the game folks on social media kept whining that we don't have shooters.  So apparently with no inside play and no shooters, we have little talent?  Makes no sense to me. 

We played a really good team in a really hostile environment.  We aren't the only team they will do that too.

yes, iowa state is very good and played like it. i'm not really commenting on the loss, but what we need to consistently compete.  by compete, i mean in those cases where our shooting isn't matching the opponent's scoring pace, using last nights game as context.

[Breems]

1.) "Control" a hot-shooting team
2.) Korliss

[dsims2k3]

1.) "Control" a hot-shooting team
2.) Korliss

Exactly.

[ErieHog]

yes, iowa state is very good and played like it. i'm not really commenting on the loss, but what we need to consistently compete.  by compete, i mean in those cases where our shooting isn't matching the opponent's scoring pace, using last nights game as context.

The problem is that last night game is not context;   we've been outshot and won a good number of games the past few years-- and even last night,  there were stretches where we played decent offensive basketball, and tried to claw back into a game that we had no business getting back to a 11 point game.

We do  'consistently compete';  heck, we win pretty consistently, and have been a relatively game squad even in games that we lose.

[ballz2thewall]

The problem is that last night game is not context;   we've been outshot and won a good number of games the past few years-- and even last night,  there were stretches where we played decent offensive basketball, and tried to claw back into a game that we had no business getting back to a 11 point game.

We do  'consistently compete';  heck, we win pretty consistently, and have been a relatively game squad even in games that we lose.

i agree with you erie.

but i also think that without consistent low-post play, we will not get what we want from our team.  the low-post is the great equalizer - money in the bank regardless the style of play. it's either there in and of itself, or draws attention that free's up and spurs on others.

it is also the safety valve when team shooting is off.

tournament play requires it.

with our present personnel, i'm suggesting roll play harris and kingsley in that spot.

[ErieHog]

i agree with you erie.

but i also think that without consistent low-post play, we will not get what we want from our team.  the low-post is the great equalizer - money in the bank regardless the style of play. it's either there in and of itself, or draws attention that free's up and spurs on others.

it is also the safety valve when team shooting is off.

tournament play requires it.

with our present personnel, i'm suggesting roll play harris and kingsley in that spot.

Low post play isn't the solution to our problems, because our problems aren't bad offense.  We score the basketball pretty darn well, by most objective metrics.

Our problems are mostly defensive.

[ballz2thewall]

Low post play isn't the solution to our problems, because our problems aren't bad offense.  We score the basketball pretty darn well, by most objective metrics.

Our problems are mostly defensive.

i don't really agree, fully. 

some of our problems are on defense, yes.  when we face a hot team, we have to play some defense with our offense.  that is best accomplished with inside play.  it shore's up a couple of things.  one, our guys are set up on offense, to better set up for a press on defense during the throw-in after we score.

second, despite our running style, there are times when we do need to keep other teams from shooting.  this is paramount when the other team is hot, or when we're off the mark. using the low-post slows the game, helps secure better shots, and controls pace and keeps the ball out of the opposing offense's hands.

nolan is a good reference here.  nobody understood guard play better.  but, he lacked developing a quality inside game, consistently.  if lee wilson hadn't had 4 productive minutes against duke, we wouldn't have won that game. [notwithstanding korliss' play for the entire year].

i mean; why not have low-post play? 

there's no inside-out without it.  the occasional slash and trash is about all that will happen unless there's some go-to money inside.

[Hogberry Snortcake]

Hogville:
"...the closest thing we have to hanging beef."

[ErieHog]

i don't really agree, fully. 

some of our problems are on defense, yes.  when we face a hot team, we have to play some defense with our offense.  that is best accomplished with inside play.  it shore's up a couple of things.  one, our guys are set up on offense, to better set up for a press on defense during the throw-in after we score.

second, despite our running style, there are times when we do need to keep other teams from shooting.  this is paramount when the other team is hot, or when we're off the mark. using the low-post slows the game, helps secure better shots, and controls pace and keeps the ball out of the opposing offense's hands.

nolan is a good reference here.  nobody understood guard play better.  but, he lacked developing a quality inside game, consistently.  if lee wilson hadn't had 4 productive minutes against duke, we wouldn't have won that game. [notwithstanding korliss' play for the entire year].

i mean; why not have low-post play? 

there's no inside-out without it.  the occasional slash and trash is about all that will happen unless there's some go-to money inside.

Why not?  Because we don't have the personnel for it, because it takes away from teaching time that we're trying to focus on other aspects of the game, and because offense, again, is not our issue.   We don't need new ways to score the basketball.     That's spending a great deal of effort, for minimal reward.     Never invest a dime for a penny's worth of return, when you can get the same return on a nickle.

A basketball team with limited time and a given set of personnel is not going to do all things, equally well.    There are correctable things, like defensive rotations, better reading of screens on defense,  getting back in transition,  and closing out on jump shooters that are far more easily accomplished, and that will have better rates of return.

[code red]

I think it real simple.....we are a finesse team...period.  When your big is out shooting 3's behind the arc then your a finesse team.  Unfortunately Mike won't play half court defense....IMHO...he needs to start implementing some.... esp on the road.  Our prolific rebounding maybe a premature assessment.  And maybe just maybe SMU is garbage.

[ballz2thewall]

Why not?  Because we don't have the personnel for it, because it takes away from teaching time that we're trying to focus on other aspects of the game, and because offense, again, is not our issue.   We don't need new ways to score the basketball.     That's spending a great deal of effort, for minimal reward.     Never invest a dime for a penny's worth of return, when you can get the same return on a nickle.

A basketball team with limited time and a given set of personnel is not going to do all things, equally well.    There are correctable things, like defensive rotations, better reading of screens on defense,  getting back in transition,  and closing out on jump shooters that are far more easily accomplished, and that will have better rates of return.

well then; i'd say we'd better always be equally as hot as our opponents; matching possession to possession, shot to shot.

all in good spirit, i should add:)