Game 14, 2013-14: Saint Joseph's

EBox · Post by **EBox** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 6:45 am

The Feb 1 rematch vs St. Joes in Philly is going to be quite the grudge match. That'll be one hot ticket if the Hawks win the next few conference games. It could be right up there with one of our hardest games especially if Roberts is back on the court. Hawk Hill is a hard place to win and I'm sure last nights game is something St. Joe's will not forget...might make for a great road trip.

NilesGold · Post by **NilesGold** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 7:21 am

Even great teams have a few bad games, but this is now four lackluster games in a row for UMass.

On the bright side, I'm pretty sure 8 turnovers is a season low and a +9 TO margin is probably a season high. Esho is playing great basketball.

As others have said, Cady and Sampson were just awful the entire game and Putney was equally bad in the first half before playing better in the 2nd. Maybe sitting most of the 1st half threw Cady off his game? Sampson just isn't the same guy he was at the start of the season, maybe his hip is bothering him again? Gordon made several short jumpers/floaters, but looking at the box score I don't remember him taking 10 shots and missing 6. Defensive rebounding was poor again.

I think someone else mentioned defensive intensity being the key. I agree, if this teams wants to stay a top 25 team and do well in postseason I think the defense they played in that last 2 minutes of the game has to be played at every possession. Guys will get tired, freshmen will need to play several minutes, but over the course of the game it's the only way we'll play our best.

EDIT: And Gordon got away with a double dribble (off of the full-court press and steal) late in the game that led to a Trey 3pter. If not for that the game might have been completely different.

shovelhd · Post by **shovelhd** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 7:39 am

EBox wrote:The Feb 1 rematch vs St. Joes in Philly is going to be quite the grudge match. That'll be one hot ticket if the Hawks win the next few conference games. It could be right up there with one of our hardest games especially if Roberts is back on the court. Hawk Hill is a hard place to win and I'm sure last nights game is something St. Joe's will not forget...might make for a great road trip.

Excellent points. I watched it on TV. The shots of Frankentelli and the bench were priceless. They were PISSED.

I don't think we can play defense like the last two minutes all game every game. Did we play more like that earlier in the season? Yes. Could that have anything to do with the way we are playing now? I think so. Our OOC schedule was really tough and that wears on you. I also think the long gaps between games and the absence of Lou Roe are factors. Let's hope Chaz's back is OK.

On to the Bonnie's.

Refuse2Lose83 · Post by **Refuse2Lose83** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 7:44 am

NilesGold wrote: Maybe sitting most of the 1st half threw Cady off his game?

Don't think that was the case, he sat most of the 1st half against LSU and dominated the 2nd against much tougher post players.

uz2b-len · Post by **uz2b-len** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 8:00 am

UMass87 wrote:jdawg - DG has a terrible handle and a terrible shot. That said, he and Trey Davis play different positions so I'm not sure what the comparisons are about. My DG question from tonight was why DK had him on Bembry rather than Galloway. I'd be interested in hearing the answer on the coaches show if anyone cAn ask it.

Because we had three guards on the floor and one of them had to guard Bembry. DG is the obvious choice for that due to size and athleticism.

Refuse2Lose83 · Post by **Refuse2Lose83** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 8:01 am

shovelhd wrote:
EBox wrote:
I don't think we can play defense like the last two minutes all game every game. Did we play more like that earlier in the season? Yes. Could that have anything to do with the way we are playing now? I think so. Our OOC schedule was really tough and that wears on you. I also think the long gaps between games and the absence of Lou Roe are factors. Let's hope Chaz's back is OK.

On to the Bonnie's.

I thought our defensive intensity for the majority of the game was pretty good, much better than it was against Miami. Our press from the beginning was a little more in your face, they pressured the ball (as much as they could with the way the refs were calling it), and DK was into it, so you know it was an emphasis. Obviously, the last 2 minutes was a different level but they were really working, sprinting to the ball and in passing lanes. Maxie was other-worldly on the press, it's a whole different defense when he was out there. St. Joe's last possession we played text book defense, did not let Galloway get a touch and forced someone else to beat them. We HAVE to keep pressing like that, we get teams to take quick shots and play faster than they are used to ad it allows us to get out and run...which is our best offense right now.

Speaking of offense that is where my concern lies. DK did a great job putting in his sytem prior to the season/games starting but now others have the book on what we want to do and they're packing the paint. They know how and where DG likes to drive, same with Put and Sampson. DK needs to adjust, specifically running sets to get certain guys the ball. We've all complained at one point with Putand/or Samp taking bad shots or shots when they are cold. Well, that's what DK's system calls for, not necessarily bad shot but it relies on the players making the decisions. Which for the most part I am fine with since we are a mature team, but he needs to start running stuff for certain players, mainly Chaz, Maxie and Cady.

This is what St. Joe's did a lot better than us last night. Martelli ran sets to get the ball/shots for his best players or the guy who had the hot hand: Galloway, Bembry and Kanacevic. They ran sets were they usually had a man or two screen away from the ball to get these 3 the ball where they like it and/or open shots for them. DK can't just rely on his pass and kick actions as we've seen, teams will pack the paint and force us to beat them with the 3 ball. As we saw last night, aside from the press, we made our runs when some hit a 3 ball. Cady needs some screens to get the ball deeper in the paint and not have 3 guys on him when he catches. They ran a set once in the 1st half when Chaz screened for Cady and it led to 2 of his 4 points. Maxie points are all coming off of his effort, if DK can get some screens for him to get the ball on the baseline, high post or even low post (turn and face) with some isolation, there's not many players in the A-10 or country that can hang with him right now. As far as Chaz, he's does a great run (most of the time) creating his own shots, but his life would be a lot easier if he could get the ball after coming off a screen or two and if done correctly then defenders will be chasing to guard him which will open up the screeners. Thi definitely can be done when Trey is in the game, just play Chaz off the point at times. DG would even benefit from some curl screens to free him up for his floater.

Blutrane93 · Post by **Blutrane93** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 8:13 am

xlgman wrote:I've been as concerned as anyone about our drop in play lately but if you can't feel happy about that win and focus on the positive after a game like that, then you've lost all perspective.

13-1 against a top 10 schedule. Our 9th top 100 win, which is the most in the country. An AP ranking of #19. Clutch end of game heroics from some really entertaining players.

Guys, wake up and smell the roses and stop pissing in my champagne.

Too late to share anything that hasn't been said. I'll just highlight the post that best represents my feelings. Spot on, as usual, XLGMan. Go UMass!

Chris20 · Post by **Chris20** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 8:13 am

Carter is killing us right now. It's not as though he's just out there and not producing much, it's the alarming number of negative plays. He simply can't elevate enough to have any business driving the basket against teams that have reasonable size. It's insane. He keeps doing it. I know he's a big kid but he needs to learn what his game is and isn't.

Overall it's been ugly, but I can't help but be impressed with the fact that we are winning games with the play we are getting from our starting frontcourt right now. I know Put scored in the second half, but we know that isn't reliable.

Trey D is playing with urgency and giving us big minutes. The best lineup right now is Trey, Chaz, Esho, Put, and either Cady or TBerg - depending on whether you like offense or defense.

AlPatino · Post by **AlPatino** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 8:20 am

Even in our heyday 90's we often played ugly games but won. It's REFUSE TO LOSE 2.0 Chaz edition.

13-1 can't complain.

Refuse2Lose83 · Post by **Refuse2Lose83** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 8:22 am

Samp is pressing some, one thing you do have to say about him is he doesn't let his poor offense affect his defense. Hes been very consistent defensively and on the boards.

***For those who missed the game or want to watch/dvr it again, the game is being replayed today on SNY at 3pm.

MajBugman · Post by **MajBugman** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 8:25 am

I have to admit. I turned off the game when they were down late to save me from throwing my iPad accross the room. I am the reason they won. I will continue to turn off the game if they are down late from here on out.

Juice Stand · Post by **Juice Stand** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 8:30 am

Maxie's steal and dunk with a minute to go was the #7 play on Sportscenter last night. Neil Everett's call: "Maxie Esho? That was Maxie Effort!". Perfect nickname for how that kid plays.

As for commenting on the game itself, I was only able to catch the second half and I thought the team played well. Basketball is a game of runs, and people tend to over react when the opponents go on a run. St. Joe's run came with 10-6ish minutes to go and ours came to start the 2nd half and end the game. Our energy and intensity seemed great to me, and that's the #1 most important thing I look for from this team.

Chris20 · Post by **Chris20** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 8:33 am

One thing to remember, St. Joe's played a great game. They shot the 3ball very well, and Halil K was just incredible. Very tough player to stop. Size, skill, smarts. He was feeling it last night and was the best player on the floor.

We got their best, didn't play our best, and found a way to win. That's what good teams do at home.

kdogg8173 · Post by **kdogg8173** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 8:43 am

Is it lackluster play or a regression to the norm? They probably aren't as good as they were the first 10 games but then again they probably aren't as bad as the last 4 either. I'm expecting an uptick, but just not to where they were before. And since they're still winning an uptick is great.

Even with the mediocrity on the floor, nobody was more mediocre than Tom Penders. Get that guy a red bull.

thecaptain · Post by **thecaptain** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 9:03 am

Juice Stand wrote:Maxie's steal and dunk with a minute to go was the #7 play on Sportscenter last night. Neil Everett's call: "Maxie Esho? That was Maxie Effort!". Perfect nickname for how that kid plays.

god i hate neil everett.