Game 21, 2025-26: at Buffalo (1/23)

[minutefanjsf]

I largely agree on the shooting comment, but Wimbley has recently found his outside shot. His numbers on the year are terrible, but since the start of MAC play, he's 5/14 for 37.5% from 3, so I'm ok with him taking one when he's open. The other guys, especially Danny, absolutely not.

I disagree that they didn't deserve to win. It could have been an embarrassing loss after blowing that big lead, but I'm going glass half full on this one. I'm saying thank goodness for that great 1st half to allow us to stay in the game in the 2nd. And to beat a team higher in the rankings, on their home court, after trailing by 7 late, that's good stuff. They absolutely deserved to win because they picked themselves up off the mat and competed at the end.

These guys are D1 players who from their respective positions should have a three point shot in their arsenals..

I'm sorry. Maybe they should have that shot in their arsenals, but the truth is that they don't. Both the numbers and the eye test bear that out. Although as I said, Wimbley has been better lately so I'm ok with him taking a few.

Career 3pt stats:
Jayden (3 years) : 28.9%
DHS (4 years): 24.0%
Danny (1 year): 17.9%

Play to your strengths and stop this nonsense.

I agree to play to your strengths. Read the rest of what I wrote. If 3/5 of the lineup can't shoot from outside, not just threes, mid range, (two of whom are guard/wing) it makes defending the team way too easy. These guys have to take some of these and hopefully make them or at worst get the offensive rebound. Them not taking these shots contributed to the blanket coverage of Banks at the start of the MAC schedule. Defenses could double him off the ball if those three guys refused to shoot anything but bunnies/layups. Even if they miss, which is likely, defenders have to close out somewhat on them. They can't be taking them in the first 20 seconds of the shot clock though.

[Juice Stand]

Without quoting the whole convo, I just disagree with you on the strategy. There's no reason for those 3 guys to be taking 3's, especially early in the shot clock or late in games. Pump fake the 3 and try to drive or dish? Sure, I love that. We get burned on that constantly. He has Placide on the bench, 2nd on the team in 3pt percentage at 39%, getting barely any time. Mix in a little more of him and I think you solve some of that problem.

Since coming back from that injury, he's averaging only 8 minutes per game and 47.6% from 3 (10 for 21). If a lack of shooting and being able to spread the floor is a problem, then instead of having three bad shooters jacking up shots, put one of your best shooters out there!

[minutefanjsf]

Without quoting the whole convo, I just disagree with you on the strategy. There's no reason for those 3 guys to be taking 3's, especially early in the shot clock or late in games. Pump fake the 3 and try to drive or dish? Sure, I love that. We get burned on that constantly. He has Placide on the bench, 2nd on the team in 3pt percentage at 39%, getting barely any time. Mix in a little more of him and I think you solve some of that problem.

Since coming back from that injury, he's averaging only 8 minutes per game and 47.6% from 3 (10 for 21). If a lack of shooting and being able to spread the floor is a problem, then instead of having three bad shooters jacking up shots, put one of your best shooters out there!

Yes, they need better shooters. And, I agree early in shot clock or late in games you want better shooters taking those shots. Problem is most of the team is one dimensional. If defense is needed, the three who don't shoot well from outside need to be on the court. Respectfully, a pump fake won't work if they are not even covering/closing out on the shooter, which is what happened at the start of MAC play. These guys weren't even looking at the rim. They lost four in row to start MAC because these guys were not taking shots, IMO. Defense takes a hit when Placide is out there. Wembley is a better defender, not as good of a shooter. Better than Jayden and Danny shooting. I'd like to see a three guard lineup with Danny, Banks, and K'Jei, when the offense is stale, too. Banks, Parker, Carabuccia, Wembley, and Bettiol should get some time together on the court.

[Juice Stand]

Jayden averages 27.0 minutes per game, Carbuccia 25.6. Move Jayden to 25 mpg and Carbuccia to 22 and you get another 5.6 mpg to give to Placide, which he deserves in my opinion. He goes from 8 mpg to 13.6, probably gets up another 2 shots in that time and based on his percentages he'll likely make one of them. Our losses have almost all been close losses and that extra make could be the difference. I'll take my chances with that strategy since our defense overall has been a negative and our offense has been a strength. Slightly leaning more in to that strength with a few more minutes for Placide is a strategy I'd fully support.

[skizz]

Didn't deserve to win this one, when you let the worst shooting player in the MAC take 9 shots, including 2 threes'. He's a lay up man the rest of the year and nothing else. What a big embarrassment for Frank if they blew a 20 point game in which we played our best and worst . . . frustrating!

It is insane that Frank allows DHS, Ndjigue, Carbuccia and Wimbley to attempt on average 5 3's a game between the 4 of them. They're all shooting below 25% from 3. As a group they've attempted more 3's than Parker. Total fucking madness that any coach would allow that.

Allows? he can only control so much when they are actually live. When they do take those ill advised 3's he usually yanks them.

[bobolink]

OTOH, when Umass went down by 7 with 5 minutes left, it sure looked like a loss. But DHS hit a huge 3 to get the Minutemen back in it, and perhaps with a little luck they won. DHS scored most of their points in the final minutes, even though he only ranks as the 7th best player on offense.

[minutefanjsf]

Skizz and Bobo^, agree. I think for the most part Frank would rather have Parker, Banks, Placide, or Wembley shooting the threes. If any of them take an ill-advised shot or screw up, they will be yanked as well. As long as the shot is the right shot for the team, it needs to be taken. And, DHS hit one.