Chief’s Briefs - Xavier Edition

[HuskyHawk]

A great crowd at Gampel erupted in the second half as the team finally recognized their two best offensive players are Hawkins and Sanogo. Mr Hawkins brings us back with 26 points in the second half in a wire type game but we fall just short. We lost this game early.

After Hawkins and Sanogo led us back in the game, Danny benches both and Xavier ran off 5 points, and then moved the lead back to 11. What don’t we understand about riding the hot hand? But then we finally did learned that until late turnovers killed us.

We are approaching February and this team still doesn’t know it’s identity other than we don’t quit. Our centers are shooting over 58%, yet Danny still has failed to institute the double big, despite playing a zone defense.

What’s also became apparent is against physical teams one Big just doesn’t cut it. Xavier penetrated with ease and got second shots. We need to clog up the lane.

Jackson takes 8 shots to open up the game while Hawkins took 1. A woman reporter pressed Andre last game about why he wasn’t more offensive and I wonder if tonight’s out of character opening was some response to that?

Newton put some points on the board the first half and ending up with 21 points, kept us in the game until Hawkins got hot.

A very tough lose, Xavier repelled our runs. I think Danny needs to learn the early timeout at the start of the game. We dug too deep a hole.

I don’t think “one big” is the issue. Xavier is the only team with two. What I consistently see is our guys 1-4 get overpowered. Jackson is athletic, but not strong. Karaban is a freshman who needs 10 pounds of muscle. Newton and Hawk do ok, but often face stronger guys. Alleyne is one of the few who can tussle with them.

Obviously we had other issues. I think Alleyne needs to start for Jackson going forward but I doubt that Hurley will do it. Jackson is the weakest link on the team. Can’t score and plays poor 1 v 1 man D.

Hawk is a special offensive talent. Sanogo played terrific defense, challenging shots all over the court. Newton played the way we need. Karaban had an off game. Alleyne played well and brought real energy.

 

[Chief00]

Good analysis. Nice effort by Newton, but we really need a solid point guard.

In a 3 point loss Newton’s 5 turnovers hurt as did Jackson’s uncharacteristic opening. Calhoun would have benched Andre after a minute or two of play and put him back in later. By not going Double Big, despite playing a zone at times limited Clingan to just 7 minutes. Sheer insanity. However Danny is looking at things the window is closing on having a successful season if he doesn’t make the starting Double Big change soon.

 

[Chief00]

I don’t think “one big” is the issue. Xavier is the only team with two. What I consistently see is our guys 1-4 get overpowered. Jackson is athletic, but not strong. Karaban is a freshman who needs 10 pounds of muscle. Newton and Hawk do ok, but often face stronger guys. Alleyne is one of the few who can tussle with them.

Obviously we had other issues. I think Alleyne needs to start for Jackson going forward but I doubt that Hurley will do it. Jackson is the weakest link on the team. Can’t score and plays poor 1 v 1 man D.

Hawk is a special offensive talent. Sanogo played terrific defense, challenging shots all over the court. Newton played the way we need. Karaban had an off game. Alleyne played well and brought real energy.

I agree our guys get overpowered playing 4 out and 1 in. That’s the simple reason we need another Big in their playing more than the 7 measely minutes that he played last night. Clingan is one of our best players and that minute allocation defines insanity. Since we get overpowered, the solution isn’t giving less minutes to our strongest guy (Sanogo) but rather playing them together. We have to play zone a lot anyways since some of our guards can’t stay in front of their man on defense.
I just don’t see what you do in Alleyne. Jackson played terrible the first 5 minutes last night but his production is what it is for the season shutting top scorers down, rebounding and providing assists.

 

[UConniki]

I was discussing this exact same issue with a couple of my sons tonight, Hurleys lucky Clingan wanted to stay home and be near his family so the chances of him leaving are probably very low. 34 minutes for Sonogo and 7 for Clingan, and Johnson had 0, That’s coaching malpractice.

 

[Chief00]

I get what you mean but we held Freemantle and Nunge to below their season averages. I was actually really happy with how we guarded both of them. We really just got killed by their guards being so hot from 3 (they finished 10/20 from 3 as a team). Double big wouldn't have really helped us there.

I also wonder either Sanogo or Clingan could guard Jerome Hunter consistently. Hunter is a bad matchup for us and seemed to get a lot of free layups in both games, ending up with 15 in the first match-up and 11 tonight

Our Bigs do more than hind there own (Clingan and Sanogo), the problem is we need them both in there to cover for all the guards who get best.

 

[Chief00]

We did NOT lose this game early. We cut it to one five different times. We are simply unable to perform with the game on the line. Until they do it, they can't.

I think we had both problems last night. Digging a deep hole early and despite Newton’s 21 points on the comeback, he had 5 turnovers compared to 4 assists.
Hawkins is our best offensive weapon and benching him and Sanogo together with about 11 minutes left killed our comeback momentum.

Danny has been a mid major coach until UConn and he seems uncomfortable playing with 2 Bigs, which many successful D1 teams use with ease. I guarantee you he will never be as successful as he could be if he doesn’t change that.

 

[NickDanger]

We did NOT lose this game early. We cut it to one five different times. We are simply unable to perform with the game on the line. Until they do it, they can't.

What are you talking about? If the biggest early deficit had been only 13 instead of 17, UConn wins by 1!

 

[Chief00]

Again with the double big nonsense

They can’t defend with both clingan and sanogo on the floor. That’s very obvious

Your 4 out dudes are getting killed on defense. They are not staying in front of the ball. The reality is we need a strong back line to mitigate the penetration damage.

It is amazing to me after the conclusive failure of the 4 out and 1 in scheme on both offense and defense, somehow that convinces you even more the double big won’t work without any evidence because after 4 successful minutes against PC we have not seen it.

Having a center and a power forward is not a unique experimental concept. For a lot of good basketball reasons it is how many strong teams are constructed. Think Bill Walton and Maurice Lucas.

 

[GHSWolverines]

While we all mull over what should be the starting lineup or what combinations work best, if things don't change we will be lucky to finish 11-9 in league play.

 

[bigknight3]

I don’t think “one big” is the issue. Xavier is the only team with two. What I consistently see is our guys 1-4 get overpowered. Jackson is athletic, but not strong. Karaban is a freshman who needs 10 pounds of muscle. Newton and Hawk do ok, but often face stronger guys. Alleyne is one of the few who can tussle with them.

Obviously we had other issues. I think Alleyne needs to start for Jackson going forward but I doubt that Hurley will do it. Jackson is the weakest link on the team. Can’t score and plays poor 1 v 1 man D.

Hawk is a special offensive talent. Sanogo played terrific defense, challenging shots all over the court. Newton played the way we need. Karaban had an off game. Alleyne played well and brought real energy.

Sanogo let down and gave up uncontested shots several times.

 

[PAHusky]

Your 4 out dudes are getting killed on defense. They are not staying in front of the ball. The reality is we need a strong back line to mitigate the penetration damage.

It is amazing to me after the conclusive failure of the 4 out and 1 in scheme on both offense and defense, somehow that convinces you even more the double big won’t work without any evidence because after 4 successful minutes against PC we have not seen it.

Having a center and a power forward is not a unique experimental concept. For a lot of good basketball reasons it is how many strong teams are constructed. Think Bill Walton and Maurice Lucas.

Your referencing a Bill Walton lineup is pretty revealing. Two bigs is not the answer. It doesn’t solve our defensive problems and it definitely doesn’t help offensively. Clingan should 100% get more minutes, but it should be with Sanogo on the bench. He needs the post to himself anyways and Sanogo can’t play outside ten feet again.

Also having trouble getting excited about Hurley “figuring some things out” in this game. It’s the end of January and we’re 2-6 in our last 8. One or two more games “figuring it out” and they’re going to be figuring out what beach they’re on for spring break

 

[my2cents]

I was at last nights game, in person, you see better what's the problem.
Two bigs is definitely the answer. Why? Because our "bigger" guards can't keep quicker guards in front them. So, they give them some space, and "boum" they reign threes down on our heads , or if we "jam" them, they go right by.
With Clingan in there ( the guy is gigantic in person), the penetration stops at about 8 ft., fewer trys at point blank with him in there. He doesn't block every shot, but he intimidates every shot.
Plus his rebounding, with Sanogo, would prevent easy put backs by the opposition.

 

[imno1]

Again with the double big nonsense

They can’t defend with both clingan and sanogo on the floor. That’s very obvious

Since they never play together is it really that obvious?

 

[Seamus84]

X didn’t guard him at all. They gave him 15 feet of space and packed the lane so he took 4 wide open 3’s and missed them all. If he made even two of them, which he does sometimes, we’d be having a different conversation.

IMO, he had to take those shots. Otherwise, we are basically playing 4 on 5.

I turned it on at 9-0 as well so didn’t see AJax misses. If they’re giving him enough space (I realize 15ft may be an exaggeration) why didn’t he drive to basket and force the defense to defend or foul? He’s got a decent enough handle and can obviously jump/ challenge any defender. But again, I didn’t see the plays so I may be unfairly judging. What did you guys think as you saw it in real-time?

 

[JustbrewitMan]

In a 3 point loss Newton’s 5 turnovers hurt as did Jackson’s uncharacteristic opening. Calhoun would have benched Andre after a minute or two of play and put him back in later. By not going Double Big, despite playing a zone at times limited Clingan to just 7 minutes. Sheer insanity. However Danny is looking at things the window is closing on having a successful season if he doesn’t make the starting Double Big change soon.

I appreciate your tenacity on this, I really do. But it's a fool's errand.

The double-big will not substantially improve our defense vs. the all teams that matter. For example. Xavier's ball movement is just too good and their bigs are too mobile. A Sanogo/Clingan combo would have gotten absolutely abused.

And on offense, it will do nothing but clog up the lane. Last night was the first game since our skid where we got good dribble penetration, which opened up our flow. How did that happen? We deliberately pulled Sanogo out from the post on many sets.

Are you going to pull both Clingan/Sanogo out of the lane so that this will happen? If so, how do you think that will go?

 

[Mooch82]

I get what you mean but we held Freemantle and Nunge to below their season averages. I was actually really happy with how we guarded both of them. We really just got killed by their guards being so hot from 3 (they finished 10/20 from 3 as a team). Double big wouldn't have really helped us there.

I also wonder either Sanogo or Clingan could guard Jerome Hunter consistently. Hunter is a bad matchup for us and seemed to get a lot of free layups in both games, ending up with 15 in the first match-up and 11 tonight

I agree with that...they weren't the issue today. I was more just replying about the double bigs not being a good matchup defensively; I think this is probably the one team in conference where it is.

Agreed on Hunter though - probably too quick for Sanogo. Although he was also too strong for Karaban...so I would have been fine giving it a shot. Hunter has killed us both games. Versatile player and finishes strong/crafty near the basket.

 

[Edward Sargent]

I agree our guys get overpowered playing 4 out and 1 in. That’s the simple reason we need another Big in their playing more than the 7 measely minutes that he played last night. Clingan is one of our best players and that minute allocation defines insanity. Since we get overpowered, the solution isn’t giving less minutes to our strongest guy (Sanogo) but rather playing them together. We have to play zone a lot anyways since some of our guards can’t stay in front of their man on defense.
I just don’t see what you do in Alleyne. Jackson played terrible the first 5 minutes last night but his production is what it is for the season shutting top scorers down, rebounding and providing assists.

I don't know Chief, AJax just didnt bring enough on the defensive end to offset his offensive deficiencies. Also last night he had two assists and 2 rebounds - thats not enough to allow him to take 12 shots

 

[Billy Jack]

I appreciate your tenacity on this, I really do. But it's a fool's errand.

The double-big will not substantially improve our defense vs. the all teams that matter. For example. Xavier's ball movement is just too good and their bigs are too mobile. A Sanogo/Clingan combo would have gotten absolutely abused.

And on offense, it will do nothing but clog up the lane. Last night was the first game since our skid where we got good dribble penetration, which opened up our flow. How did that happen? We deliberately pulled Sanogo out from the post on many sets.

Are you going to pull both Clingan/Sanogo out of the lane so that this will happen? If so, how do you think that will go?

Spot on.

 

[Chief00]

I don't know Chief, AJax just didnt bring enough on the defensive end to offset his offensive deficiencies. Also last night he had two assists and 2 rebounds - thats not enough to allow him to take 12 shots

I had thought it might have been the interview after the last game that prompted his uncharacteristic play but another poster thought Hurley was trying to intentional post him in his matchup. Either way he’s got to let the game come to him on the offensive side. The only three guys we should be running plays for to start the game are Hawkins, Sanogo and Clingan. The rest of the guys take the offense in the flow,

 

[jdb50]

The Jackson is going to be a scorer experiment is going to be our undoing. It is never going to happen. He needs to focus on playing better defense and rebounding more. This was another game where at the game the opposing team looked stronger physically at almost all positions. This is why we can not stop 3's and 4's from making shots inside the 3 point arc. They are tougher.
In the first half Hurley put in DC and Miller took Nunje out and had Freemantle defend Clingan. Xavier went smaller but with their other forwards being strong they did fine.
We pressed on Xavier inbounds early in second half and they ran the same play 3 times to get the ball out of the corner. Where are the coaches correcting the players?
When Hurley subs in Clingan, Diarra, Allyene and or Joe C all at once it is a bad thing. He needs to get starters and rest but not all at once.

 

[Chief00]

Spot on.

We have lost 6 of the last 7 games playing 4 out and 1 in. Yet, we can’t even try the double big that countless teams have done very successfully over the years. Instead, we have one of our top 3 players playing 7 minutes. That’s not how you win, as the results have proven. People need to let go of this failed concept, which doesn’t align with our talent.

 

[NotADime89]

I was discussing this exact same issue with a couple of my sons tonight, Hurleys lucky Clingan wanted to stay home and be near his family so the chances of him leaving are probably very low. 34 minutes for Sonogo and 7 for Clingan, and Johnson had 0, That’s coaching malpractice.

Ehhh I wouldn't call not giving Clingan many minutes last night coaching malpractice. Clingan didn't play well at all last night on either end of the court, Nunge is a tough matchup for him. Sanogo played really well in the second half so he stuck with him. If you were watching you could tell it just wasn't Clingan's night

 

[Billy Jack]

We are approaching February and this team still doesn’t know it’s identity other than we don’t quit.

Actually the teams body language and their energy level was terrible late in the first half. They were hanging their heads and nit paying attention to what X was doing as X transitioned from defense to offense.

I thought that in the second half they absolutely did rediscover their identity. They pressure zones changing between different looks gave them renewed energy and out them in attack mode. Shot selection became much better as they took what the defense was offering instead of trying to drive to the basket on every possession as they did in the first half. If they continue to approach each game as they approached the second half, they will have an identity and they will be very successful.

What’s also became apparent is against physical teams one Big just doesn’t cut it. Xavier penetrated with ease and got second shots. We need to clog up the lane.

Xavier’s offense was successful because they hit 50% of their 3’s, which was playing over their heads even for a great shooting team like them. Had they hit their normal 40% on 3’s, we would have won the game.

Only 32 of their 82 points were scored in the paint. What 2 bigs would have done would have done would have been to clog up the lane for our offense, which scored 26 points in the paint - almost equal to X’s 32 which you say were accomplished with ease.

 

[Billy Jack]

We have lost 6 of the last 7 games playing 4 out and 1 in. Yet, we can’t even try the double big that countless teams have done very successfully over the years. Instead, we have one of our top 3 players playing 7 minutes. That’s not how you win, as the results have proven. People need to let go of this failed concept, which doesn’t align with our talent.

Clingen did not play well last night. I certainly did not want to see more of him. He committed 2 fouls in 7 minutes. At that rate, he wouldn’t have lasted more than 17 minutes. He missed both of his FTs. In general he was not particularly effective.

 

[methodology]

I turned it on at 9-0 as well so didn’t see AJax misses. If they’re giving him enough space (I realize 15ft may be an exaggeration) why didn’t he drive to basket and force the defense to defend or foul? He’s got a decent enough handle and can obviously jump/ challenge any defender. But again, I didn’t see the plays so I may be unfairly judging. What did you guys think as you saw it in real-time?

It was all of 15ft maybe more. It was comical and he was content with jacking shots and when he did drive it was an ugly floater/push shot he put up. He is afraid of contact it seems to me

 

[gsmooth]

It was all of 15ft maybe more. It was comical and he was content with jacking shots and when he did drive it was an ugly floater/push shot he put up. He is afraid of contact it seems to me

Afraid of contact? Possibly, you might be correct. But I think he is afraid of shooting much more especially when he gets to the lane. It's like when he gets to the lane he would rather do anything else on the court but shoot. It doesn't come naturally for him or come at all for him for that matter. The way Colby Jones shoots when he gets in the lane is the way I would want AJax to shoot and that should be his prototype model to try to emulate.

 

[PAHusky]

We have lost 6 of the last 7 games playing 4 out and 1 in. Yet, we can’t even try the double big that countless teams have done very successfully over the years. Instead, we have one of our top 3 players playing 7 minutes. That’s not how you win, as the results have proven. People need to let go of this failed concept, which doesn’t align with our talent.

Chief let go of the 4 out 1 in hate. Forget about the guards here and realize that the only chance our bigs have at being effective offensively is if the floor is spaced enough to allow them room to operate in the post without immediate double teams, which AS definitely can't handle and DC is less effective against. Playing two bigs on offense clogs up the lane, as both AS and DC are most effective in the low post and neither is an amazing passer. You're getting too hung up on the three point shooting aspect of this and you're advocating for the wrong thing.

It also doesn't address our offensive issues at all. If we stay in man and go two bigs, the other team is going to just pull AS or DC out of the middle of the court and/or try to run PnRs at them all day until they get a switch they like. AS can not guard smaller fours, and we can't afford to get both AS and DC in foul trouble.

DC needs to play more. The answer is putting AS on the bench more, not playing them together.

 

[tentoes4rings]

Great summary as usual. Agree too big a hole. Had no confidence we were going to pull a seton hall and only lead at the end. Heck we couldn’t even get a shot off when needed. Hurley is allergic to the 2 bigs. Jackson a liability when in a half court set offense. If DC was my son he may already be in the portal.

Right. DC has played only 7 minutes in each Xavier loss.

 

[Billy Jack]

AJax has no touch. On one shot in particular he penetrated and was above the rim to lay it in but it rolled out. No wonder he dunks as often as he can. Very frustrating.

 

[Chief00]

Clingen did not play well last night. I certainly did not want to see more of him. He committed 2 fouls in 7 minutes. At that rate, he wouldn’t have lasted more than 17 minutes. He missed both of his FTs. In general he was not particularly effective.

I get it, you don’t want to use a 7-2 freshman center that Bill Walton raved about, while seeing him play three games. What does Bill Walton know about playing the center position?