Players are counting too much on DK

[CAVPUT]

Players now work together year round. IMO, adding DK and altering the offense while ZZ was still rehabbing has put them behind schedule. Then Santi missed a lot of practice just as the season was starting.

As long as the team attitude and locker room culture is favorable I believe that they can be playing very well by March.

I think that it’s been a difficult adjustment more so than a lack of confidence. Some past scoring leaders have maybe been complacent or are a little lazy asserting themselves. If something can be figured out to counter the low center of gravity posts from backing in our post defenders this could still be a highly successful full season. I think that having so many junior and senior leaders will help tremendously. If the key players were less mature then the losses could compound and the final results would be very average or worse.

As you pointed out, this is a veteran team. Loads of experience. Hate to say it, but I just don't trust several players on this team to show up consistently enough to make a deep run in March. I can't really buy into this all about them being deferential to Knecht. We've seen it happen before he arrived. Don't know what it is. Maybe the style that Barnes plays just grinds players down mentally and physically? Maybe it would have been wise to force feed the young players early on to spread the minutes out? No idea, but I've just decided to take it game by game and enjoy them. Enjoy the Knecht show and forget about league titles or tournament runs. If it happens, great, but I simply don't expect anything different this year than in prior years when it comes to March.

 

[Hoosierbilly]

Barnes hasn't had enough time to drum out the ability to be a big time scorer.

 

[KTrain]

Some players need to have a low shot volume. I don’t mind those guys deferring to DK. Santi needs to be more willing to shoot when he’s open. Still passing up too many open shots. Even JJJ needs to be more willing to shoot. His shooting has been bad lately, but he’s gotta be willing to take the open shot. Otherwise, it’s 5 on 4.

I agree with low volume for some, I think Gainey & JJJ fall in this category, if you miss your 1st, three pointer your next needs to be wide open or at the end of clock. Try to drive and get one or get to the line to get your mojo back , if you have missed your first 2. I feel Mashack, Aidoo Estrella & Awaka just take them in the flow of the game anyway, hopefully the bunny misses was an anomaly . Santi & ZZ & DK need to shoot when their open and look for their shot in the last 5 seconds of the shot clock.

 

[oldaaucoach]

Players now work together year round. IMO, adding DK and altering the offense while ZZ was still rehabbing has put them behind schedule. Then Santi missed a lot of practice just as the season was starting.

As long as the team attitude and locker room culture is favorable I believe that they can be playing very well by March.

I think that it’s been a difficult adjustment more so than a lack of confidence. Some past scoring leaders have maybe been complacent or are a little lazy asserting themselves. If something can be figured out to counter the low center of gravity posts from backing in our post defenders this could still be a highly successful full season. I think that having so many junior and senior leaders will help tremendously. If the key players were less mature then the losses could compound and the final results would be very average or worse.

This is what I see as the key to the whole season. This has been the glaring problem in every loss this year. So how do you address it?

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

This is what I see as the key to the whole season. This has been the glaring problem in every loss this year. So how do you address it?

I’m not a coach, but possibly try pushing pace and wearing them down. Work the refs to see if they’ll call some fouls on the bully ball offense or maybe recognize that there’s a 3 second rule (maybe have your low post camp out in the paint for 10 seconds daring the refs to call it). Work with Awaka to counter the push without fouling out. Double team down low and guard the 3PL with the others - concede the mid range.

Sometimes you build a roster with a certain style in mind and the inconsistent rules interpretations year to year and game to game (and half to half) make it a lost cause.

Since offensive fouls have all but eliminated from NCAA basketball, smart coaches with the heavy players are going to exploit it this year and until something changes. I can’t imagine it not being legislated out - it’s really ugly, boring, non-entertaining basketball.

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

Tonight's results is this thread's killer