Two Weaknesses Needing a Fix

[Lafayette]

Defense seems to come back in the tourney, and saves us from night where we don't shoot particularly well.

I am more worried about Tarris and Malachi shooting free throws, and inbounding the ball vs pressure.

 

[ucp990411]

Bad time to bring this up probably. But that has happened a lot with Karaban and Ross on this stretch.

Karaban seems to be super hesitant in passing it to him unless he absolutely has to.

Sometimes I am embarrassed to say I go on this site.

 

[UConnTrumbull]

I'm not sure how you can say the defense is fine? We give up a lot of easy shots. Big difference on how Seton guards and how we guard.

It’s been a pretty consistent top 10-15 defense this year. Anomalies happen.

It’s been half a week since we allowed 40 to St. John’s.

 

[HooperScooper]

That missed chance to pass to Mullins made me wonder if somehow Silas doesn’t like him- no basis to think that really, it was just a spontaneous thought.

The issue I have with this is that if you're going to think that over one play then I'm sure every point guard hates every player. Does Demary not like every other player on the roster because I'm sure he's missed other open guys before also. Point guards can't find every open player on every possession. They're going to miss open guys every once in a while. Know what I mean?

 

[gsmooth]

That missed chance to pass to Mullins made me wonder if somehow Silas doesn’t like him- no basis to think that really, it was just a spontaneous thought. I wish Silas would take more shots but he was closely guarded all game

I have felt that all season. I am not sure if it’s personal or not, but there have been many examples of Silas passing the ball to a guarded Solo over Mullins. Truth is, whether it’s running specific sets or a conscious decision to get him the ball, Mullins has to be more involved primarily in second half. He is so good, on most nights he should be a top 2 scorer. We are better if that happens.

Guys can we end this narrative? I realize this is a message board, but this is wild speculation that seems to go beyond what's reasonable and is irresponsible. Yes, Silas missed Mullins a few times. You know what? Silas and others also missed Reed few times on the roll against the man-to-man defense and missed Ball one time when he was at the top of the key against Seton Hall's zone.

At the end of the Providence game at the AMP when Silas was walking the ball up the court with Mullins walking with him, he told Mullins "we're going to you"-I could see it from where I was sitting that day behind PC's bench. Between then and now did Silas discover Braylon stole 2 steak tips off his plate during a team dinner?

 

[Jaydumo20]

I'm not sure how you can say the defense is fine? We give up a lot of easy shots. Big difference on how Seton guards and how we guard.

Yesterday is hard to use to define our defense. Hall had the best offensive game they've had in 5 years. There were plays where we played great defense and they hit crazy shots. Watch the highlights and it'll be more glaring. Ross cut off so many lanes but dudes were hitting crazy Dick Barnett fall backs.

 

[AdamaNation]

Your first point: Solo Ball.

Your second point: maybe…missing open guys happens in a motion-style offense with so many cutters. Seton Hall’s defense is rare in that they apply so much pressure, yet help quick enough to prevent open looks.

That’s why the 4 guard and smaller big lineup makes sense for them.

 

[jonbones220]

• Defending outside with hands at your side is a losing strategy (note: watch the women).
• PG missing wide open shooters too often (especially wide open Mullins).

Silas and Solo miss everyone…. Not just Mullins.

They better figure that out before playing the Dukes,Michigan, Zona Etc. They will expose that!!!

 

[jonbones220]

we have under utilized Mullins all year. There are a few reasons for that. Go back and rewatch film before you try to trigger another false narrative.

This is actually true…. The narrative is to try and get Solo to NBA…. Just not happening. He refuses to guard which usually lead to other guys being out of place on defense. But if your truly watch it and understand that he’s a BIG TIME liability

 

[NewBlood]

Free Throws

Free Throws

Free Throws

If we were a better FT shooting team many of those close wins would be 8-15 point wins and people are feeling very good about a 3 loss team heading into the BET

 

[JakeTheDog]

Silas and Solo miss everyone…. Not just Mullins.

They better figure that out before playing the Dukes,Michigan, Zona Etc. They will expose that!!!

Silas leads the Big East in assists. It’s not particularly close either. I understand you want him to find the open man more but to say he misses everyone is false and ultimately unfair to Silas.

 

[Lafayette]

FT yes, but FT opportunities more. It's one thing to go 5-8 but we need to go 15-19 from the line. Our motion offense is not built for getting fouled, it's built for a quality shot.

When we don't execute it well/whatnot we have a chance to get fouled because we have to create. Solo has this at 1 on the shot clock vs Seton Hall.

But we need to play loose and with the feeling we are the champs. No laziness, standing around and waiting. Our defense seemed to take the night off as while Seton Hall made a lot of 3s, a lot were wide open. And step backs seem makable in the Big East for 2 pts - everyone does. Need a taller defender with a hand much deeper. Ross on their smallest guard would be good.

I think we'll be fine in Milwaukee mostly because this is a shadow of a Marquette team from 2024 or 2025.

 

[ucp990411]

Yesterday is hard to use to define our defense. Hall had the best offensive game they've had in 5 years. There were plays where we played great defense and they hit crazy shots. Watch the highlights and it'll be more glaring. Ross cut off so many lanes but dudes were hitting crazy Dick Barnett fall backs.

Great reference to Dick Barnett!

 

[cp176]

Silas leads the Big East in assists. It’s not particularly close either. I understand you want him to find the open man more but to say he misses everyone is false and ultimately unfair to Silas.

Silas Demary is as good a point guard as we could ask for. I wish that he was a little more selfish but that isn’t his role out there. Not to mention the fact that he is our best defender and it really isn’t close. Ball and Mullins both have to rely on a whole lot of help for the most part defensively and it is possible as long as Reed stays out of foul trouble. I will add that Ross. Getting some real game time is helping both him and us. A lot of energy and he can defend. He has made some good improvement. He is a coachable young man. Our team is very very good. They’re still kids for the most part. There are going to be lots of ups and downs.

 

[Husky Alien]

Defense is fine.

The issues have always been turnovers and FT shooting.

Turnovers - I think is an area we will improve on in March.

FTs - it is what it is. You pretty much have to count on 50% from Tarris who gets to the line more than any other player by far.

I agree with you. The defense isn’t the main issue, it’s turnovers and free throws, especially late.
But here’s the double edge: Reed is a problem at the line at the end of games, no question. Teams know it. In a tight one late, you don’t want the ball in his hands, but if he does get it, you’re holding your breath.
At the same time, we absolutely need him out there. His rebounding, interior presence, and ability to draw fouls are huge. It’s frustrating, but he’s too important to sit. We just have to live with the 50% and hope it doesn’t decide a March game.

 

[Edward Sargent]

Your first point: Solo Ball.

Your second point: maybe…missing open guys happens in a motion-style offense with so many cutters. Seton Hall’s defense is rare in that they apply so much pressure, yet help quick enough to prevent open looks.

Against SHU specifically Silas had enough height advantage over his defender that he should have let if fly at least 3 or 4 times. He and Malachi are good shooters but we are not taking advantage of that. With Braylon there was one time he was alone under the basket with no one on him calling for the ball. Silas seemed determined to get it to Alex - the hot shooter - which he did for a 3.

 

[Edward Sargent]

The issue I have with this is that if you're going to think that over one play then I'm sure every point guard hates every player. Does Demary not like every other player on the roster because I'm sure he's missed other open guys before also. Point guards can't find every open player on every possession. They're going to miss open guys every once in a while. Know what I mean?

yeah overthinking that one salted with some conspiracy theory. The play was to get Alex open which we did and Silas found him for a 3.

 

[djct1999]

Guys can we end this narrative? I realize this is a message board, but this is wild speculation that seems to go beyond what's reasonable and is irresponsible. Yes, Silas missed Mullins a few times. You know what? Silas and others also missed Reed few times on the roll against the man-to-man defense and missed Ball one time when he was at the top of the key against Seton Hall's zone.

At the end of the Providence game at the AMP when Silas was walking the ball up the court with Mullins walking with him, he told Mullins "we're going to you"-I could see it from where I was sitting that day behind PC's bench. Between then and now did Silas discover Braylon stole 2 steak tips off his plate during a team dinner?

No one is suggesting it’s personal. Atleast I am not. Go back and watch multiple games. There are countless times Silas looks right at Braylon and still doesn’t pass to him. Suggesting you know more than anyone is silly or heard something is silly. True or not, the tape don’t lie!!!!!

 

[superjohn]

No one is suggesting it’s personal. Atleast I am not. Go back and watch multiple games. There are countless times Silas looks right at Braylon and still doesn’t pass to him. Suggesting you know more than anyone is silly or heard something is silly. True or not, the tape don’t lie!!!!!

Of course someone is suggesting it's personal.

 

[ColchVEGAS]

Silas and Solo miss everyone…. Not just Mullins.

They better figure that out before playing the Dukes,Michigan, Zona Etc. They will expose that!!!

Silas is averaging 6.5 assists a game with a 2.75 AST/TO ratio. This is just not true. Sure he has missed guys throughout the season, but it is not the norm.

I feel bad that you see him the way that you do. You are missing out on seeing a pretty outstanding PG.