GMU Tomorrow, 2 PM, ESPN+

[gregmitch70]

Jan 20, 2024 16:36:43 GMT -5 wgt said:

Up 5 with just over 7 mins and the GM defense showed why their D has been so good. In the first half I felt our terrible shooting was due more to not hitting on good opportunities not their stellar D. Looked like a lid was on the basket for most of that half. Yet down only 6 at the half.

2nd half we got just 4 FTs, made them all. They had 13 more FTs in the 2nd half & outscored us by 8 pts from the stripe in spite of hitting 70% to our 100%.

their D has been so good?  gave up 77 and 75 the last two games

[gregmitch70]

Dukes lose to St Joes by 2, now 0-5.

[bostonbona]

Another frustrating loss with another big scoring drought at a key juncture in second half. Could have used a time out to regroup. Veteran team playing tight with too many defensive lapses near end of shot clock. Little ball movement. A10 teams seem to be prepared for our set offense. Would like to see a faster tempo to take advantage of our depth. Too reliant on Venning. Plays take too long to develop and Venning gets double teamed too often and telegraphs his passes. Of course, Schmidt probably expected more consistent shooting especially from Banks and Assa. A10 appears to have one excellent team in Dayton and several decent teams. Close games come down to coaching and execution. Bona did lose a really solid assistant coach in Curran.

[wgt]

Yes, GM has a strong D allowing only 66 ppg (#3) and was #2 keeping team shooting to .389.

Cherry picking 2 games doesn't represent a team's body of work over 18 games.


Our D also has been good allowing 66ppg and # 2 TREY defense with teams shooting just .306.

[kccgold]

Gotta get to the line more. Best free throw shooting team I think we had in many years but they never get to the line so it’s wasted

[words74]

Lots of analysis & thoughts that there was too much reliance on Venning & that the loss is on Schmidt. The game is not often that complicated. Players need to play defense, get rebounds, limit turnovers & make shots.
From a shooting perspective, Pride, Flowers & Banks were a combined 4 for 21. If they go 9 for 21 - an okay percentage of 43%- we win the game. Many of the shots were makable & some were in & out. Not putting the loss on them. Just as you win as a team , the same is true in losing. However, most games those 3 players will shoot better than 19%.

[Sipowicz]

Not hard to beat BONNIES on defense just make 3 quick passes, usually late with last part of defensive rotation or drive lane when centers hedge.

[ohs73]

In other words, this current Bona half-court offence is too stagnant -- and predictable. It's been noted how much difficulty Venning has when he has to kick out the ball.

And it really bogs down when it's a plethora of bricks launched. When the bricks far out-do the makes, yeesh.

Somehow Schmidt needs an A-Ha moment--hey, your sets aren't working. Get out on the break more, drive to the hoop hard. Break up the monotony, Coach. Earn your greenbacks.

[gregmitch70]

[Swede]

There should NEVER be a play where Venning is more than 10 feet away from the basket. EVER. Yes, he has made a few jump shots and 3-pointers, but his strength is down low. KEEP HIM THERE!!!! If you want to set a pick, do it with someone who is quick enough to execute a pick and roll. How hard is that to figure out?

Same on defense. Don’t have him hedging 30 feet from the basket. Switch and keep him down low to defend. It is mind boggling how this continues to happen!!

[bonnieswin]

My initial impression of this team was right. They are not that good. I was not impressed by Charles Pride and his subsequent performances have basically reinforced that. Was hoping to see more including the freshmen, but we haven't seen them this year with the exception of Rose for about 3 minutes. Not sure where we go from here, but I have to say my enthusiasm has definitely waned.

[coach]

We should blow out the next opponent. We play great every other game.

[MM77]

This team is either red hot on both sides of the ball or ice cold and dull to watch. When they are the red hot team they can beat anyone in the conference, possibly even mighty Dayton, but when they go stagnant and cold any team in the conference can beat them. Never bet on them, or against them. Just close your eyes and pray the good witch shows up for the game.

[bigcat]

Jan 20, 2024 19:14:42 GMT -5 gregmitch70 said:

Evans +16. He makes things happen. He had a rough first few minutes vs GM but so good after that start. Yet we keep inserting Assa into the lineup on days when he is foul prone and not making outside shots. Assa’s defense was as bad as ever. I thought last year he was much more solid on the ball but his stance and mechanics were so stiff and upright vs GM… he picked up so many fouls as guys were blowing by. It was tough to watch, and finally smart for Schmidt to go with Barry most of the second half.

[bigcat]

Jan 20, 2024 16:58:53 GMT -5 wgt said:

Yes, GM has a strong D allowing only 66 ppg (#3) and was #2 keeping team shooting to .389.

Cherry picking 2 games doesn't represent a team's body of work over 18 games.


Our D also has been good allowing 66ppg and # 2 TREY defense with teams shooting just .306.

Our D like our offense has been inconsistent. It was very solid for a stretch of games — including FAU and Akron — but was not good vs Fordham and Mason. Yes we allowed only 69 pts but we have too many instances of opponents blowing down the lane or getting easy buckets. Mason shot 50% in the second half and 58% from deep

We had one bad live turnover today in the 2nd half where Mason got a 2-on-1 and no one hustled back except for Mika, who made the TO. Some of our brain farts are not expected from such a veteran group.