Game 3, 2013-14: Youngstown State

cam9219 · Post by **cam9219** » Sun Nov 17, 2013 11:39 pm

Really only have a few things to add:

This whole zone offense problem thing is overblown. Youngstown State was only in zone for a few possessions at most. Maxie is our go-to in these situations in the high post when they can get it there so far. When the defender comes up to close out he usually is putting the ball on the deck and getting to the rack. Another non-issue is the press, we didn't even really use it that often today. Not sure what people are seeing.

Crowd today looked a ton bigger than what was announced. I was happy with the student section. We pretty much filled the section plus a pretty sizeable overflow into the GA side. For Youngstown State up against NFL? That's major progress from what we have had in my time here. I agree on the noise/energy though. Not near where it was for the LSU game Tuesday and hope that changes as we keep trending upwards.

Cady needed a ton more touches on the block in the halfcourt. From what I recall, he only got the ball on the block once in the first half and he scored on a lefty hook/scoop. That spin move on the left baseline is LETHAL. Love how he has been using the reverse layup and the rim to create a more uncontested look around the basket.

Chili & I looked up at the video board with about 12-13 minutes to go and notice Chaz has 7 points. We both say you know he is going to finish with 15 as normal when all is said and done. What do you know? He goes for 19 with a lot of late buckets/FT's.

Not really digging some of the tone from posts in postgame response. We took care of business today against a decent team. Sure, we didn't run away with it, but methodically built a lead and kept the lead after the opening minutes. We withstood all their mini runs and didn't let anything faze us. Remember having to beat NIU in the final minute last year?

Blutrane93 · Post by **Blutrane93** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 12:08 am

^If people think our zone offense is fine, there's not really much I can say to convince you otherwise. The people who are saying it's fine may not have watched us be consistently surprised by it and ineffective against for the previous 6 years, though.

The one thing I will say is that we have exactly one guy we can put in the high post against- and it's Sampson, not Maxie. Maxie is built to be a baseline cutter who receives a pass and goes up right up with the ball, not the guy who gets it at the foul line in triple threat position and then has to make a decision to pass, shoot, or drive. I love Maxie, but not when Maxie has to create off the dribble or shoot midrange. Maxie usually turns the ball over when dribbling in traffic. On the other hand, if it's drilled well enough, I love the idea of this year's version of Sampson there. The fact that it was Maxie and not Sampson who was in the high post does not instill me with confidence that we've spent a lot of time thinking about this, although I did see Sampson there a bit against AIC.

At some point, the scouting report will dictate that coaches run zone against us. It will force us to make outside shots, which we're not great at, take Cady out of one-on-one low post position, and be more effective at shutting down our dribble penetration which we'll have to pass out of with skip passes instead of going straight to the rim. Why opposing coaches don't do this is beyond me- but then again when BC's Donahue openly wondered about Cady's skill level maybe we're giving too much credit to their advanced scouting capabilities.

JPBoSox2 · Post by **JPBoSox2** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 12:20 am

xlgman wrote:I still reflexively giggle and chuckle, "oh my goodness" every time I rewatch that dunk. And I can't seem to stop watching it. I think ktabz and I have probably account for 500 of the 1400+ views so far. It is a serious disservice to that poor guy. Non one deserves that.

I'm guessing that clip is going to pass Matt Glass's screen against URI in popularity around here.

The difference is the time of year. The Glass screen / Lowe game-winner was at the end of the season and thus was #1 (if I recall correctly) on Top Plays. This one occurred on a Sunday in November and ESPN insists on having about 8 NFL plays on the top 10 at this time of year. Fingers crossed...

UMASS2010 · Post by **UMASS2010** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 1:23 am

JPBoSox2 wrote:
xlgman wrote:I still reflexively giggle and chuckle, "oh my goodness" every time I rewatch that dunk. And I can't seem to stop watching it. I think ktabz and I have probably account for 500 of the 1400+ views so far. It is a serious disservice to that poor guy. Non one deserves that.

I'm guessing that clip is going to pass Matt Glass's screen against URI in popularity around here.
The difference is the time of year. The Glass screen / Lowe game-winner was at the end of the season and thus was #1 (if I recall correctly) on Top Plays. This one occurred on a Sunday in November and ESPN insists on having about 8 NFL plays on the top 10 at this time of year. Fingers crossed...

for those unfamiliar...get familiar.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYSDWvemADU

Matt Glass: the prize recruit of T.Ford's nationally ranked recruiting class. Lets all take a moment of silence for that recruiting class... http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entr ... 6/34192750

harbo · Post by **harbo** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 1:51 am

ESPN just showed Giants highlights, including one of UMass product Victor Cruz. And we will see another UMass product coming up later in the show.

da-da-dun, da-da-dun

Ron Burgundy · Post by **Ron Burgundy** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 2:00 am

Put checked in at #3 for the weekend on SC top plays.....

harbo · Post by **harbo** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 2:01 am

Number 3 for the weekend!!! Beat out four other hoops plays.

Top 2 deserve to be there.

Ron Burgundy · Post by **Ron Burgundy** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 2:07 am

I'd like to point out that the top 2 plays were deserving, the UCF catch and the Auburn finish.......both of which took place on Saturday, making Putney's dunk the top play of Sunday. I'm working for you Put

JAR · Post by **JAR** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 7:02 am

Not sure I expected this, but you know Put's dunk was big when it hits urban social media.

http://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/v ... XAt7yw6Yo6

EBox · Post by **EBox** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 7:20 am

Anyone have a link to the Sportscenter Broadcast of it?

Old Cage · Post by **Old Cage** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 7:28 am

This says it all:

http://www.basketusa.com/news/192309/la ... ney-umass/

njumass08 · Post by **njumass08** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 8:28 am

HAHAHA. That's hilarious.

njumass08 · Post by **njumass08** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 8:31 am

The Putney dunk was also on the first page of the ESPN mobile website this morning.

Juice Stand · Post by **Juice Stand** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 8:33 am

I defended the crowd after the LSU game, but yesterday's was pretty bad. No energy in the room at all. Granted, they didn't play great in the first half, but I certainly expected more.

The floor slapping thing, I think its fun and gets the crowd/themselves going, but if they do it all the time, then it's just a gimmick. You can tell when it gets them amped up and they actually believe in it and create a turnover, but there were a few plays that just felt forced. One time in particular was late in the game, maybe 5 or 6 minutes remaining, they all slapped the floor when the team had already gotten into their half court set and gave up a wide open 3. I hope the coaching staff has talked to some players about this.

I'm a huge fan of the way this team is playing. They have a great inside/out combination and don't take a lot of 3's. I follow the school of thought that 3's are fools gold, and you're much better off (especially with talented big men and new enforcement of fouls) to go to the rim and maybe get an old fashioned 3 point play.

78 · Post by 78 » Mon Nov 18, 2013 9:22 am

Regarding attendance, I never want to compare us to BC in anything, but did want to point out that the Eagles drew 1,653 for their big win yesterday against Florida Atlantic. So, things could be much worse.