Chief’s Briefs - Memphis Edition

[Chief00]

40 foul shots attempts to 24 - really bad officiating. And then the big T. I don’t know what Hurley said or did to deserve that in Overtime, but was it any different than what he had been doing all game? Why did the official take it upon himself to determine the game outcome rather than the players?

One guy back from last year’s starting lineup, but we took Memphis to OT after being down 12 points with 3+ minutes left. McNeeley and Ball hit big shots.

What is apparent is our starting 5 designed for Euro Ball Utopia did not handle pressure well nor did guys create their own offense or defend well. The starting lineup has had poor chemistry all season. What this game made clear is the starting lineup handicaps we gave and overcame during the cupcake games won’t work against good competition.

We did not run our offense through Alex Karaban, a big mistake given the mistakes others made.

Honestly, my starting lineup would be Reed, Ball, Karaban, Diarra and McNeally. Stewart and Ross first guys off bench.

Reed and Stewart came off the bench with “Starters” in foul trouble and what we found out was they played like “Starters”. They combined for 29 of our 40 1st half points, and 11 of our 17 first half rebounds.

 

[jibsey]

I’m thrilled with what Reed will do for us this season now that we’ve seen this. Now it’s chess pieces. Maybe Nowell is the answer against strong athletic guards.

 

[Chief00]

I’m thrilled with what Reed will do for us this season now that we’ve seen this. Now it’s chess pieces. Maybe Nowell is the answer against strong athletic guards.

Mahaney is not a point guard at this level. He is a shooter, most likely coming off the bench finding his spots.

 

[Huskybass]

Our starting Center doesn't do nearly enough to start. Reed has to be the starter the rest of the way. It's not even a question anymore.

 

[GHSWolverines]

My take aways
1. This was our first true test. Memphis is physical and athletic
2. TR needs to start with SJ coming off the bench.
3. I am still a believer in AM but he got exposed today.
4. I liked our grit to come back the way we did.
5. Dan Hurley hurt us with the T. Very bad timing by him.

 

[Zonepress]

40 foul shots attempts to 24 - really bad officiating. And then the big T.

One guy back from last year’s starting lineup, but we took Memphis to OT after being down 12 points with 3+ minutes left. McNeeley and Ball hit big shots.

What is apparent is our starting 5 designed for Euro Ball Utopia did not handle pressure well nor did guys create their own offense or defend well. The starting lineup has had poor chemistry all season. What this game made clear is the starting lineup handicaps we gave and overcame during the cupcake games won’t work against good competition.

We did not run our offense through Alex Karaban, a big mistake given the errors mistakes others made.

Honestly, my starting lineup would be Reed, Ball, Karaban, Diarra and McNeally. Stewart and Ross first guys off bench.

Reed and Stewart came off the bench with “Starters” in foul trouble and what we found out was they played like “Starters”. They combined for 29 of our 40 1st half points, and 11 of our 17 first half rebounds.

Agreed officiating wasn’t great
But let’s be honest, Memphis got to the line more because they were more aggressive and consistently beat the guards off the dribble
This could easily have been at 15 point loss of not for a few great plays
I’m sure that scene will improve The ceiling is not very high. They don’t get better guard play.

 

[EBonz30]

Ya I mentioned the same starting lineup in the chat- just too obvious- Mahaney defensively was the main reason why we fell behind by 12

 

[REB1094]

3 thoughts -

1. You will lose nearly all games where you give up 40 FTAs
2. Tarris Reed will be a BE POY contender next year
3. Teams will be wise to play us hyper physically. We have 2-3 players that can handle pressure, and 2 come off the bench

 

[Chief00]

Agreed officiating wasn’t great
But let’s be honest, Memphis got to the line more because they were more aggressive and consistently beat the guards off the dribble
This could easily have been at 15 point loss of not for a few great plays
I’m sure that scene will improve The ceiling is not very high. They don’t get better guard play.

I think it all goes back to the bad starts due to a poorly designed starting lineup. It was bad during the cupcake games, but we coukd overcome and win by 40.

 

[Chief00]

Another issue is Samson just doesn’t seem to
learn the game. How fouls are called.

 

[GHSWolverines]

did not run our offense through Alex Karaban

I agree. AK is a great facilatator and makes great decisions on when to shoot

 

[Hunt for 7]

This was a tough one. Hurley cannot get a T in that situation. I thought after two you are out of the game but he was still on the bench after getting his second. I mean two horrible T’s one on Samson also, we are not good enough to win if we are going to make these kind of gaffs.

 

[ValleyGuy]

Imagine having you Maui trip and Thanksgiving ruined cause Dan can’t keep his composure.

 

[Kitaman]

This experience will let the newbies know what opponents bring every game. Memphis looked like a top 10 team for most of the game.

Every night there will be a Hunter (any position) because we are Champions.

Its King of the Jungle challenge night after night, some player making their name against us.

Tonight we proved we will be able to handle all challenges. Memphis caught us early and inexperienced (as a team). I'm satisfied.

 

[UConnJim]

The problem with Johnson on the floor is that there is no physical inside presence that can score and that forces the guards to create or beat their man off the dribble. That doesn't appear to be Mahaney's strength.

 

[GHSWolverines]

This was a tough one. Hurley cannot get a T in that situation. I thought after two you are out of the game but he was still on the bench after getting his second. I mean two horrible T’s one on Samson also, we are not good enough to win if we are going to make these kind of gaffs.

An assistant got the first T

 

[Hi-Low]

Bench Technical, Samson J Technical, Dan Hurley Technical.....act like champs guys, bad calls happen....don't be dumb & make it worse. When has a ref ever reversed a foul call because a coach went nuts....never I assume. Time and place for that Dan, that wasn't the time.

Can't give away points against real teams and expect to win

 

[rgw]

I agree with the starting lineup issues. Slow start every game this year.
Why did Stewart not play more in second half? Really bad T really bad

 

[GHSWolverines]

The problem with Johnson on the floor is that there is no physical inside presence that can score and that forces the guards to create or beat their man off the dribble. That doesn't appear to be Mahaney's strength.

Reed needs to start.

 

[Karmacop]

Tonight we proved we will be able to handle all challenges. Memphis caught us early and inexperienced (as a team). I'm satisfied.

I like the optimism, but there are about 25 teams better than Memphis, some of them MUCH better. If we can't even beat Memphis, I'm not sure that bodes well for the season generally. Some of the other top 10 teams are already clicking at a high level, including some with numerous freshmen and new faces (Duke for example), so that's not an excuse here.

Look, there's nothing wrong with a ceiling of Sweet Sixteen or Elite Eight. We're so spoiled here. But I think it needs to be acknowledged that without SIGNIFICANT improvement from 3-4 of our main players, that's where we're at right now.

 

[GHSWolverines]

I like the optimism, but there are about 25 teams better than Memphis, some of them MUCH better. If we can't even beat Memphis, I'm not sure that bodes well for the season generally. Some of the other top 10 teams are already clicking at a high level, including some with numerous freshmen and new faces (Duke for example), so that's not an excuse here.

Look, there's nothing wrong with a ceiling of Sweet Sixteen or Elite Eight. We're so spoiled here. But I think it needs to be acknowledged that without SIGNIFICANT improvement from 3-4 of our main players, that's where we're at right now.

I am not thinking final 4. But it is only the 5th game of the season.

 

[Husk1esB2B]

I feel proud. the fight that carries us to OT shows our true championship mentality. We won’t win every ncaa games but if someone try to bring us down, they better put a hell of fight. And official is awful, terrible way to end a game like this, all officials show

 

[Karmacop]

I am not thinking final 4. But it is only the 5th game of the season.

Agreed, and improvement can happen. But it was only Memphis's fifth game too, so that's even. Right now, they're the better team. So are about 15 others.

Other teams that we'd like to be competing with are also early in the season, but look MUCH better than UConn. So all I'm saying is we've got a lot of catching up to do to be elite, since those teams (Gonzaga, Duke, Auburn, etc.) look like they're already there (even though it's only game 5-6 for them too).

 

[c29328]

Giving up 82 in regulation is not a recipe for success. Looks like they can come together and find the points but I am less convinced they can find the stops.

 

[GHSWolverines]

Giving up 82 in regulation is not a recipe for success. Looks like they can come together and find the points but I am less convinced they can find the stops.

Memphis has guards who can attack the rim. We don't.