The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

[DogMania]

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde best describes this Team. One moment this team looks like the one we expected to see then the next they're playing like they lost their minds.

I'm sure Hurley and his staff are scratching their heads as to what it will take to fix this sans the addiction of McNeeley which is unforseen.

The one persistent problem is the inability to keep players from driving the paint. The team D breaks down way too often resulting in drives to the hoop and a ton of fouling. The fouls come either from poor on the ball D or a result of players scrambling when the team D gets blown up. But there are stretches where they force tough shots or turnovers.

As for their motion offense, it often lacks the precision we saw last season and simply doesn't generate the good looks it is designed to produce. Then they have some stretches where it all clicks.

We can see they are capable, for the most part, but are simply not consistent, including the little things, rebounding, taking care of the ball, knowing where their feet are and the sideline, etc.

On a side note, pertaining to the "for the most part" Mahaney had a very productive game, especially on offense running the point. I must confess, that I felt he was a mis-recruitment for the point guard position, but today he made some quicker decisions and knocked down some impressive shots. He even made some nice plays on the defensive end of the floor. With that said, he simply needs about 10 to 15 more pounds of muscle, be a step quicker and improve his lateral movement, things that can't be addressed this season. And I'm just not sure Ball, Reed, Ross, Stewart or Nowell can be coached to keep themselves between their man and the basket and to stop fouling, though the latter seems contagious with just about all the players. Aren't they taught to anticipate where their man is going, move their feet, know when to help and not to help and not bring their arms down?

This team certainly makes some exciting plays that gives us all hope, but the persistent negative things they do are simply offsetting those things. I'm hoping McNeeley's return will have a positive domino effect, which I think can vanquish Mr Hyde and get the team back on the incremental improvement road. Just don't feel that this team can overcome some of their shortcomings to win the last 6 games of the post season. I hope I'm wrong. If they play their A game they can beat anyone. We need to see them start the improve each game trend to believe that the 2023 and 2024 magic carpet ride can be ridden again in 2025.

 

[bendm]

You spelled strange wrong both times, that’s very stange

 

[DogMania]

You spelled strange wrong both times that’s very stange

Thanks, fixed it. Stange that I didn't notice it.

 

[superjohn]

We're bad defensively but our offense may be even more problematic than the defense lately. We have these explosive stretches every game and then go through 5 minute stretches where we never score a single field goal. Everything seems difficult for us because everything is based off of movement and there are so few shots right at the rim, we arent getting anything easy...which takes me back to a thread I started over two weeks ago after the Nova game where Tarris Reed only had 3 field goal attempts and made all three of them.

I get that Samson is playing well but he's not a scorer and he's not a rebounder, two things we need desperately and need even moreso with no McNeeley. Tarris got 10 field goal attempts vs. Butler and made 6 of them but in the Nova, Georgetown, Creighton, and Xavier games he had a combined 9 field goal attempts. That's insane to me, we've all seen what he can do around the rim with his scoring and rebounding and for some reason he's been completely neutered. It feels like we're wasting him.

 

[freshler40]

We're bad defensively but our offense may be even more problematic than the defense lately. We have these explosive stretches every game and then go through 5 minute stretches where we never score a single field goal. Everything seems difficult for us because everything is based off of movement and there are so few shots right at the rim, we arent getting anything easy...which takes me back to a thread I started over two weeks ago after the Nova game where Tarris Reed only had 3 field goal attempts and made all three of them.

I get that Samson is playing well but he's not a scorer and he's not a rebounder, two things we need desperately and need even moreso with no McNeeley. Tarris got 10 field goal attempts vs. Butler and made 6 of them but in the Nova, Georgetown, Creighton, and Xavier games he had a combined 9 field goal attempts. That's insane to me, we've all seen what he can do around the rim with his scoring and rebounding and for some reason he's been completely neutered. It feels like we're wasting him.

We take too long to set the offense, lot of dribbling to no effect it seems, then a late shot clock shot. Our centers are part of the early high key set up, then drift back into obscurity. Nice to see Johnson much more engaged last evening with a strong effort all around. He provided great rim protection but with our guards getting beat repeatedly the fouls add up.

 

[AdamaNation]

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde best describes this Team. One moment this team looks like the one we expected to see then the next they're playing like they lost their minds.

I'm sure Hurley and his staff are scratching their heads as to what it will take to fix this sans the addiction of McNeeley which is unforseen.

The one persistent problem is the inability to keep players from driving the paint. The team D breaks down way too often resulting in drives to the hoop and a ton of fouling. The fouls come either from poor on the ball D or a result of players scrambling when the team D gets blown up. But there are stretches where they force tough shots or turnovers.

As for their motion offense, it often lacks the precision we saw last season and simply doesn't generate the good looks it is designed to produce. Then they have some stretches where it all clicks.

We can see they are capable, for the most part, but are simply not consistent, including the little things, rebounding, taking care of the ball, knowing where their feet are and the sideline, etc.

On a side note, pertaining to the "for the most part" Mahaney had a very productive game, especially on offense running the point. I must confess, that I felt he was a mis-recruitment for the point guard position, but today he made some quicker decisions and knocked down some impressive shots. He even made some nice plays on the defensive end of the floor. With that said, he simply needs about 10 to 15 more pounds of muscle, be a step quicker and improve his lateral movement, things that can't be addressed this season. And I'm just not sure Ball, Reed, Ross, Stewart or Nowell can be coached to keep themselves between their man and the basket and to stop fouling, though the latter seems contagious with just about all the players. Aren't they taught to anticipate where their man is going, move their feet, know when to help and not to help and not bring their arms down?

This team certainly makes some exciting plays that gives us all hope, but the persistent negative things they do are simply offsetting those things. I'm hoping McNeeley's return will have a positive domino effect, which I think can vanquish Mr Hyde and get the team back on the incremental improvement road. Just don't feel that this team can overcome some of their shortcomings to win the last 6 games of the post season. I hope I'm wrong. If they play their A game they can beat anyone. We need to see them start the improve each game trend to believe that the 2023 and 2024 magic carpet ride can be ridden again in 2025.

Yes. We look like we are defending against our own vaunted offense. We look lost anytime a player steps toward the paint or baseline. It’s been hard to watch. It’s a very young team and Alex was never a defensive maven. Remember opposing bigs and swings would target him. Now he’s like our 3rd best defender. Sam just spazzes out. Last night was his best game against a legit big. Really wanted Fremantle in the portal but injuries scared me. Diarra is looking like a star stuffer who is our alpha. He is. But he’s limited and knows that. I am not being pollyanish but they will be leagues better sooner than later. Stewart’s issue has been consistency he’ll go for 12 and lock his guy down next game. Ross??? I don’t see it. Mahaney? Let’s pray. Reed? He can be the most important piece not called Liam. Playing tough won’t make us tough guys though. So we slack the bulk we’ve had the last few years. What this team wouldn’t do for Whaley to be back. The only thing is this year is wild across the top 25 though I suspect we drop to. 25 if not out on Monday. It hurts but Duke and Flagg look like the ones to beat.

 

[jibsey]

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde best describes this Team. One moment this team looks like the one we expected to see then the next they're playing like they lost their minds.

I'm sure Hurley and his staff are scratching their heads as to what it will take to fix this sans the addiction of McNeeley which is unforseen.

The one persistent problem is the inability to keep players from driving the paint. The team D breaks down way too often resulting in drives to the hoop and a ton of fouling. The fouls come either from poor on the ball D or a result of players scrambling when the team D gets blown up. But there are stretches where they force tough shots or turnovers.

As for their motion offense, it often lacks the precision we saw last season and simply doesn't generate the good looks it is designed to produce. Then they have some stretches where it all clicks.

We can see they are capable, for the most part, but are simply not consistent, including the little things, rebounding, taking care of the ball, knowing where their feet are and the sideline, etc.

On a side note, pertaining to the "for the most part" Mahaney had a very productive game, especially on offense running the point. I must confess, that I felt he was a mis-recruitment for the point guard position, but today he made some quicker decisions and knocked down some impressive shots. He even made some nice plays on the defensive end of the floor. With that said, he simply needs about 10 to 15 more pounds of muscle, be a step quicker and improve his lateral movement, things that can't be addressed this season. And I'm just not sure Ball, Reed, Ross, Stewart or Nowell can be coached to keep themselves between their man and the basket and to stop fouling, though the latter seems contagious with just about all the players. Aren't they taught to anticipate where their man is going, move their feet, know when to help and not to help and not bring their arms down?

This team certainly makes some exciting plays that gives us all hope, but the persistent negative things they do are simply offsetting those things. I'm hoping McNeeley's return will have a positive domino effect, which I think can vanquish Mr Hyde and get the team back on the incremental improvement road. Just don't feel that this team can overcome some of their shortcomings to win the last 6 games of the post season. I hope I'm wrong. If they play their A game they can beat anyone. We need to see them start the improve each game trend to believe that the 2023 and 2024 magic carpet ride can be ridden again in 2025.

The last 6 games? My concern is getting run off the floor by Marquette and St. John’s, 2 teams playing with incredible confidence and on big time winning runs. They are drooling at the chance to play us.

 

[JustbrewitMan]

Where did you hear the rumor about the unforeseen addiction of Liam McNeeley? If true, that’s horrible news!

 

[FfldCntyFan]

The last 6 games? My concern is getting run off the floor by Marquette and St. John’s, 2 teams playing with incredible confidence and on big time winning runs. They are drooling at the chance to play us.

So what would you recommend?

 

[Gurleyman]

I don’t know if we are schizophrenic so much as just not all that talented without McNeeley. I didn’t foresee him being so indispensable, but it is what it is. Our starting lineup - whether it includes Ross or Stewart - has three players we can’t count on for points, and the two we count on can’t really create their own shots.

We thought about AK taking a leap and being All-American, but he’s not first team all-conference. Love him, but he has to play off people and just doesn’t have enough in his bag to be a lead dog. Ball has taken a nice leap as a scorer, but is still limited, and Mahaney hasn’t been what we hoped (yet - knock wood the light is coming on).

McNeeley was trending towards being an elite player in this league who made the pieces fit better, but we don’t have a top 10 player in this conference right now. If you watched yesterday’s game with no preconceived bias and picked a five person lineup based on talent, it’s probably 4 Xavier guys and Solo.

 

[jibsey]

So what would you recommend?

From what I have seen we can be competitive with those top end BE teams with Liam. I don’t think anyone fears us with him and without him we could get blown out by Marquette and St. John’s, just my take. When I say “blown out” I mean getting down 10 through most of the game with little chance of winning. But when he comes back the team could reassert itself for a post season run, it’s what we all hope will happen. But is there anything you have seen that suggests that is a possibility without him?
We’ll find out soon.

 

[giddyup]

Team is poorly constructed and we are back to the woes of pre-championship Hurley. In retrospect, a squad with the most dominant center in CBB (or 2nd) with three other NBA quality players on the floor made Danny a genius. Reminds me of Brady and Bill. His super sophisticated offense struggles without superstar players, and his D falls apart with less athletic players. Is what it is.

 

[jake14mw]

Interesting take. I really see it quite differently. It looks to me like a team playing at a consistently good not great level. Close games against the poorest teams in the conference and the better teams in the conference. It seems like the biggest question is, can they be coached to play better defense or are they just not capable of playing high level defense. The offense is the same, it's just that they don't have the incredible talent they had last year.

 

[Gurleyman]

Team is poorly constructed and we are back to the woes of pre-championship Hurley. In retrospect, a squad with the most dominant center in CBB (or 2nd) with three other NBA quality players on the floor made Danny a genius. Reminds me of Brady and Bill. His super sophisticated offense struggles without superstar players, and his D falls apart with less athletic players. Is what it is.

Who is Brady in this analogy? Clingan? He played 12 minutes a game for our first title.

Newton, Spencer, Hawkins, Jackson, and Sanogo weren’t considered NBA talent when they got here. Castle was - but he was injured early and was a role player here. Clingan wasn’t a sure fire NBA talent either when he arrived.

The roster is ok with a healthy McNeeley and Mahaney resembling what we saw yesterday - still not as good as last year, of course. But that’s a tough standard. Compared to two years ago, Ball is a lot like Hawkins was. McNeeley-Diarra fills the same roles as Newton-Jackson a little differently. Junior Karaban is better than freshman Karaban, to in theory offset some of the drop off at the 5. That team had some good bench production with Alleyne-Joey C-Clingan, which is where Mahaney-Ross-Stewart need to lift their game a bit (and getting Reed back involved).

McNeeley and Ball could be giving us our best 2-3 scoring combo that we have had during this run. Jackson and Castle have been defensive guys and role players on offense.

 

[AllHusky]

Mahaney gave me real hope as a playmaker with his performance against Xavier. Ball was ok as an initiater. Hass, Ball and Mahaney in any combination can get the job done. Would like to see less dribbling and earlier aggressive attack of the defense, don't allow opponent to settle in. This echoes what number of posters have noticed/commented on.

I think the effect of AK's recent ding(ankle) is overlooked, and had better be tended to when it can.

Can the flip switch for one of Nowell, Ross or Stewart? Stewart the most likely candidate, and at the same time the most perplexing. He'll get the minutes he needs to show progress, but I'm not hopeful. Nowell is not going to get the minutes he needs, and not sure that unless a disaster strikes, whether he is necessary. That leaves Ross, who really brings nothing except a breather for somebody. If Liam is 100% and Mahaney continuing to progress, he and Nowell are superflous.

Looks like a tight rotation of Hass, Mahaney, McNeeley, Karaban, Ball, Johnson and Reed when it is go time. Gotta find a way to energize Reed. Team defense with this group has to improve. Offensive chemistry should begin anew once McMeeley solidly in rotation. I won't guess how far we can go riding this rotation of 7, but it has potential to be pretty darn good. Hoping for one more contributor, but not counting on it.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

From what I have seen we can be competitive with those top end BE teams with Liam. I don’t think anyone fears us with him and without him we could get blown out by Marquette and St. John’s, just my take. When I say “blown out” I mean getting down 10 through most of the game with little chance of winning. But when he comes back the team could reassert itself for a post season run, it’s what we all hope will happen. But is there anything you have seen that suggests that is a possibility without him?
We’ll find out soon.

I'm not sure that our prospects against Marquette, St John's or anyone else is worth worrying too much about. This team isn't what in September we had expected to see. Life happens.

Shy the final five minutes in Hawaii against Dayton, this team has shown effort (if not effective or efficient effort) and has been in every game, with a lot of things not falling our way.

Worst case scenario, we don't threepeat but we should be in a position next season to make a pretty nice run.

Team is poorly constructed and we are back to the woes of pre-championship Hurley. In retrospect, a squad with the most dominant center in CBB (or 2nd) with three other NBA quality players on the floor made Danny a genius. Reminds me of Brady and Bill. His super sophisticated offense struggles without superstar players, and his D falls apart with less athletic players. Is what it is.

Wow.

If our fate is where we are today and where we will be the next few seasons I imagine there are only ~350 or so programs that would be willing to trade fates with us in a heartbeat.