Our offense

[shock-it-to-me]

the one thing I like about Hatch's game is that once he catches the ball, he either shoots if if open or makes an immediate sharp pass. He's really the only one who doesn't pound the ball and look and look for something.

[RoyalShock]

At about the 2:00 mark

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOAUzfI43sc

"Point guard brings the ball up the floor, dribbling across the timeline. The wing half-heartedly makes a cut from the freethrow line extended and the point lobs him a pass.

The wing holds the ball, holds it, holds it. Dribbles across the top of the key to the other wing.

Looks inside. Holds it, holds it, holds it.

The point guard comes back to the top of the key and takes the ball. The wing sets a weak pick. The point dribbles across the top of the key.

Holds it, holds it ...."

I can't watch that here at work, but your play-by-play describes pretty well what I'm seeing.

When I played in high school, we had specific points in the offense where we would either feed the post or pass the ball to a player that was expected to be open for a shot, usually after coming off a screen (against man-to-man, of course). Other than feeding the post, I'm not seeing the points in our offense where shooters are expected to be in a position for an open shot. If the problem is execution, then we have a long way to go.

I freely admit that I probably don't have an understanding of what Marshall's offense is designed to do. If it requires ball-handlers to create shot opportunities, then I can see where the shots are supposed to come from. I'm not criticizing the system - yet.

I guess I don't remember how things changed as last season progressed. It doesn't look that different to me. I do remember our offense looking pretty good against LSU and UAB early in the season. Of course, we had more experienced players last season, which could be the reason.

To end on a positive note, if this team can focus for two halves and start executing the offense to Marshall's satsifaction (not missing several layups a game would be nice, too) then I think we are a serious candidate to win the MVC tourney.

:wsu_posters:

[Capitol Shock]

Remember that this teams M.O. is one that can't shoot very well...carried over from last season. Teams were and have been willing to give us open looks from outside because we couldn't hit.

This season, opponents are again packing it in and allowing outside looks and Clevin is feasting on it. Problem is that it's not equating to W's yet. When teams start coming out to guard out back court instead of collapsing on our front court you'll see JT, RC and GS produce big.

The wins are going to start coming in bunches. This is one of the best teams in the Valley.

[DoubleJayAlum]

Is it possible that Marshall has just decided to adopt a slow-it-down, grind it out style this year, a la SIU? I watched the game last night and that's what I saw. You have some very physical interior players that are very, very good rebounders. A grind-it-out, physical style would really seem to support their rebounding skill set, allowing for put-backs and tip-ins. It also shortens the game and limits the opposing offense's number of possessions, which can be critical to keep big, physical guys from running out of gas.

I realize such a style may not be as popular (Cold has been pretty outspoken on the SIU style in the past), but it could be a successful style choice with the type of players you have, especially on the interior IMO.

[SubGod22]

In some cases you're right DJA. Marshall will play the style he feels gives him the best chance to win. But he's not afraid to speed things up and has talked about pushing the ball more. Against some of these talented and more athletic teams he was wise to slow it down some. However, I don't think all games will be played at that pace.

[Maggie]

Is it possible that Marshall has just decided to adopt a slow-it-down, grind it out style this year, a la SIU? I watched the game last night and that's what I saw. You have some very physical interior players that are very, very good rebounders. A grind-it-out, physical style would really seem to support their rebounding skill set, allowing for put-backs and tip-ins. It also shortens the game and limits the opposing offense's number of possessions, which can be critical to keep big, physical guys from running out of gas.

I realize such a style may not be as popular (Cold has been pretty outspoken on the SIU style in the past), but it could be a successful style choice with the type of players you have, especially on the interior IMO.

You may be right to an extent. I think that CGM probably wanted to slow the game down against teams like GU and MSU – I didn’t get a chance to see or listen to the Texas Tech game so I can’t really comment.

As for the offensive issues this team has – right now I, like some others, believe that it is because the focus in practice has probably been defense and rebounding. WSU has to get that sorted out first to CGM’s satisfaction then the offense should come. Regarding SIU’s style of play – I am one of the few that don’t mind it so much because I like strong, physical defensive teams.

[DoubleJayAlum]

[You may be right to an extent. I think that CGM probably wanted to slow the game down against teams like GU and MSU – I didn’t get a chance to see or listen to the Texas Tech game so I can’t really comment.

I'm not sure its possible to make Georgetown any slower. They play about as slow as it gets... :D

[Maggie]

[You may be right to an extent. I think that CGM probably wanted to slow the game down against teams like GU and MSU – I didn’t get a chance to see or listen to the Texas Tech game so I can’t really comment.

I'm not sure its possible to make Georgetown any slower. They play about as slow as it gets... :D

Good point. :)

[1979Shocker]

the one thing I like about Hatch's game is that once he catches the ball, he either shoots if if open or makes an immediate sharp pass. He's really the only one who doesn't pound the ball and look and look for something.

On the post game show Marshall said that Hatch got poked in the eye. But instead of telling the ref, Hatch just keep on playing. Marshall didn't like it that Hatch didn't say anything about the eye to the refs. It was like playing 4 on 5. Hatch only played 4 minutes, so the eye must have been affecting him.

[rjl]

We don't seem to be getting many transition buckets, nor really many that happen with over 15-20 left on the shot clock. We need to be able to take advantage of the potential numbers mismatch when we get a defensive rebound and push it up the court better than we've been doing.

That said, it was nice to see AJ finally warm up on offense last night. Maybe one of the things we need is some more confidence in more players.

[C0|dB|00ded]

HCGM is NOT a fan of UglyBallTM. HCGM likes to win and intimidate the other team, but will not build his entire coaching and recruiting strategy around turning the game into a brawl. In his own words he recruits athletic "makers".

In the 2005-2006 season, HCGM's team averaged .448, .362, .692 from field, 3-point, and free-throw line respectively. High-scoring games included a 90, 93, 94, 98, 98, and 101 point performance. Their PPG was 73.4, scoring margin +12.2, rebounding margin +5.4.

In the 2006-2007 season, HCGM's team averaged .477, .360, .625 from field, 3-point, and free-throw line respectively. High-scoring games included a 90, 108, 109 point performance. Their PPG was 74.9, scoring margin +13.4, rebounding margin +6.6.

SIU-C

In the 2005-2006 season, Carbondump's team averaged .413, .334, .686 from field, 3-point, and free-throw line respectively. High-scoring games included none. I consider high-scoring to be 90+. SIU-C had one 80 point game against Eastern Washington. Their PPG was 60.4, scoring margin +3.9, rebounding margin +0.8.

In the 2006-2007 season, Carbondump's team averaged .448, .366, .693 from field, 3-point, and free-throw line respectively. High-scoring games included none. Their "scoring outburst" of the season included a 76 pt. performance against E-ville and SwoMo. Their PPG was 62.9, scoring margin +6.8, rebounding margin +1.6.

P.S.

A fairly unknown statistic has SIU-C at a hand-slap and body/hip-check margin of +infinity.


T


...8)

[WUwolf]

Eventhough i havent had a chance to watch all of the games,i wonder why we dont do more back door and back picks.Our athleticism and perimeter quickness should give us a solid advantage against most teams that we will face.It seems that if we are getting almost exclusive man to man thrown at us it would certainly keep the defense guessing while playing to our strength.Hit em where they aint and make em guard us where they caint!!!!!!

[rrshock]

We don't seem to be making many transition buckets, nor really many that happen with over 15-20 left on the shot clock.

Fixed.

They seem to get alot of open layup attempts, they just don't make them.

[Aargh]

Stutz and Durley are getting a lot of doubles when they get the ball. Durley's tendency seems to be trying to drive through the double. Stutz's tendency seems to be trying to avoid getting stripped.

Right now Durley probably has a "drive first" mentality. Stutz seems to have a "think first" mentality. Neither has the experience to recognize where the double is coming from, what player should be open, or the mindset to immediately pass to an open player. It's also possible that other players aren't recognizing where they should be if their defender is the double-down player.

That stuff takes time and experience to develop.

These aspects should improve once Valley play starts. Scouting is incredibly better with Valley teams than OOC teams. Doubling tendencies can be studied and perimeter players coached to be in the right spots. Post players can be coached to look for perimeter players in those spots.

Some inside-outside game will reduce the doubles and then we can expect point production in the paint. Another thing that would help points in the paint is a scoring threat at PF. RC is a great rebounder, but opponents are going to play him pretty loose when the Shox have the ball.

[Rosewood]

We don't seem to be getting many transition buckets, nor really many that happen with over 15-20 left on the shot clock. We need to be able to take advantage of the potential numbers mismatch when we get a defensive rebound and push it up the court better than we've been doing.

That said, it was nice to see AJ finally warm up on offense last night. Maybe one of the things we need is some more confidence in more players.

We have had a fair number transition bucket chances that turned into blown layups. There is no excuse for that and simply clearing up that could very well make a world of difference.