bleedingTNorange
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2012
- Messages
- 74,153
- Likes
- 50,425
just thought i would relay a few interesting quotes and notes from todays luncheon:
1. "I think the biggest thing that we have to do a good job of - I think we are progressing in a lot of areas - but our biggest concern as a staff is turnovers. I think we had 13, 14 and 15 in the last three games. We watched film on it again this morning as a team and staff. They are really unforced turnovers. So that's one area we have to get better at, taking care of the ball more than anything. We're putting ourselves in great positions to win games but we have costly turnovers in tough situations. So that's an area we have to get better in."
2. "I think the biggest plus for us as a staff right now is our team defense. We're finally starting to get to where we need to be in order to be a successful program, to be one of the better defensive teams in the country. One of our goals heading into the season was to hold teams under 40 percent from the field. We had 40.6, I think, in league play. Holding them under 30 percent from 3-point range and I think we're at 31 or 32 percent. Points: 60 or less in league play and I think we're at 61. So, we're making the necessary progress against three really good opponents. Now it's being consistent with that and keep putting forth that work ethic and getting into that mindset where we're trying to get stops every time down. I don't know if we have that mindset right now. I think we're a better defensive team, but we have to get that mindset where we hate for teams to score baskets against us. Once we get that mindset then we'll be making another step."
3. On whether Jarnell Stokes' minutes will increase
"I think so--as long as he's in good shape and understands what is expected on the defensive side of the ball, more than anything. With him, Jeronne, Kenny and those guys, you have guys you can throw the ball inside to and make plays. So you can be safe offensively if you don't know a lot of plays. But from a defensive standpoint it's hedging ball screens, rotating, switching different ball screens, helping recover--those are all different things he has to make adjustments to."
4. On offensive energy and production
"We have to be a great defensive team in order to get where we are trying to go. We tried the 90 points and came up short. I think for us, we have to be a tremendous defensive team, and that's the way it will be as long as I'm a part of this program. On offense, you have to make shots, you work on your game and you get it inside and score the ball. You look at Kentucky. When you get into league play, if you're a good team and you execute what you're trying to do, you're not scoring a lot of baskets just coming down the floor into your offense. If you're a good team on both ends of the floor in league play, it comes down to grinding it out and getting stops and that's what Kentucky did to win the ballgame. Their individuals made plays. That's what it came down to. You have to be able to defend at a high level if you want to be one of the last teams standing.
5. On better defense in league play
"I think the lineup change had something to do with it. In order for us to be a champion, we have to defend. I think in Josh's case, he's a defender by nature. He's a guy who will be a good scorer but he's a defender more than anything. I think Renaldo just brings a different level of energy. But we haven't changed anything defensively. We're just doing the things we talk about, and I've said it before, I never thought defending could be that hard. It's just taking pride in shutting your guy down."
6. Coach Martin also did confirm that woolridge will slide to the 3 to get some minutes there. he said that against smaller teams it may be harder for him to do, but that they will ease him into it and getting used to chasing guys around again as a sf.
.......................................................................
1. "I think the biggest thing that we have to do a good job of - I think we are progressing in a lot of areas - but our biggest concern as a staff is turnovers. I think we had 13, 14 and 15 in the last three games. We watched film on it again this morning as a team and staff. They are really unforced turnovers. So that's one area we have to get better at, taking care of the ball more than anything. We're putting ourselves in great positions to win games but we have costly turnovers in tough situations. So that's an area we have to get better in."
2. "I think the biggest plus for us as a staff right now is our team defense. We're finally starting to get to where we need to be in order to be a successful program, to be one of the better defensive teams in the country. One of our goals heading into the season was to hold teams under 40 percent from the field. We had 40.6, I think, in league play. Holding them under 30 percent from 3-point range and I think we're at 31 or 32 percent. Points: 60 or less in league play and I think we're at 61. So, we're making the necessary progress against three really good opponents. Now it's being consistent with that and keep putting forth that work ethic and getting into that mindset where we're trying to get stops every time down. I don't know if we have that mindset right now. I think we're a better defensive team, but we have to get that mindset where we hate for teams to score baskets against us. Once we get that mindset then we'll be making another step."
3. On whether Jarnell Stokes' minutes will increase
"I think so--as long as he's in good shape and understands what is expected on the defensive side of the ball, more than anything. With him, Jeronne, Kenny and those guys, you have guys you can throw the ball inside to and make plays. So you can be safe offensively if you don't know a lot of plays. But from a defensive standpoint it's hedging ball screens, rotating, switching different ball screens, helping recover--those are all different things he has to make adjustments to."
4. On offensive energy and production
"We have to be a great defensive team in order to get where we are trying to go. We tried the 90 points and came up short. I think for us, we have to be a tremendous defensive team, and that's the way it will be as long as I'm a part of this program. On offense, you have to make shots, you work on your game and you get it inside and score the ball. You look at Kentucky. When you get into league play, if you're a good team and you execute what you're trying to do, you're not scoring a lot of baskets just coming down the floor into your offense. If you're a good team on both ends of the floor in league play, it comes down to grinding it out and getting stops and that's what Kentucky did to win the ballgame. Their individuals made plays. That's what it came down to. You have to be able to defend at a high level if you want to be one of the last teams standing.
5. On better defense in league play
"I think the lineup change had something to do with it. In order for us to be a champion, we have to defend. I think in Josh's case, he's a defender by nature. He's a guy who will be a good scorer but he's a defender more than anything. I think Renaldo just brings a different level of energy. But we haven't changed anything defensively. We're just doing the things we talk about, and I've said it before, I never thought defending could be that hard. It's just taking pride in shutting your guy down."
6. Coach Martin also did confirm that woolridge will slide to the 3 to get some minutes there. he said that against smaller teams it may be harder for him to do, but that they will ease him into it and getting used to chasing guys around again as a sf.
.......................................................................
Last edited:
thumbsup
