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Post by ohs73 on Feb 11, 2024 10:27:52 GMT -5
With all the sloppiness using Venning as the focal point, it's little wonder that as of now, the Bonnies' half-court offence is conceivably the worst in the A10.
No rocket science here. Whatever Bona tries to accomplish over the time line is having a hard go at achieving positive results.
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Post by bonnieswin on Feb 11, 2024 11:06:12 GMT -5
As posters have noted or hinted, it was clear (again) yesterday which team was better prepared, and as the game went on, outcoached, offensively and defensively. For one thing, they had a dozen easy cuts and lay-ins to basket and we had maybe two, but then we've shown almost no movement to basket--except one on ones--all season. People have complained in past about Schmidt being "stubborn," which can be good or bad, but this year, bad. All the claims in past that "he always draws up great plays coming out of timeouts" and "usually has us off to fast start in 2nd half" largely missing. But what also bugs me is: In this day and age, if you watch or read about a lot of post-game pressers in various sports, it is not unusual at all to hear head coaches take part of the blame for bad game. Bigtime NFL coaches are often humble and honest enough to often say, "We did not prepare well enough" or "coaches need to do better" or even "I needed to do better job." Have you EVER heard a word of this from Schmidt? It's always on the players--"they did not execute well enough" or "our guys got outhustled" or some such. That arrogance probably also played a part in partial benching of Mika for not one but four games.
Many here have claimed all year, and still assert, that "we have great talent." If that is true--and we can debate that--what is the explanation for how we are playing? Don't use the usual "we just need time to play together" when 6 of the key players were here last year and the two main players brought in were 4 year starters elsewhere. And most A10 teams are a ragtag bunch of veterans, transfers and freshmen.
That said, would LOVE to see team take off over the next month or so.
Amazing to see the anti Schmidt sentiment here. I've never been a huge fan of his and stated it at times in the past and used to be berated for it. Funny how that has changed. I will grant that Mark has done a good job making this program relevant over the last decade, but have always been convinced that we would never really get any further than what we've achieved under him. Yeah, it will be a gamble with whoever we choose as our next coach, but I for one, welcome that direction when the time comes.
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Post by bigcat on Feb 11, 2024 11:15:29 GMT -5
This team has GOOD talent and depth… not great. Other than Mika and Chuck we have no studs or potential stars. Chad has improved but he should NEVER be the focal point of our offense. You do not play through a guy who cannot read/pass out of double teams decisively and accurately. It is the easiest type of bball play to stop. Chad is trying to make the right play but it’s not his game.
So there have been little to no adjustments offensively throughout the season by the coaching staff. Stubbornness— “we’re still trying to mesh all the new players”, is what we keep hearing. That being said, the defensive lapses are even more mind boggling. We play solid D at times and have had some remarkable efforts vs Akron, FAU, etc.
When players and teams struggle on the offensive end it often bleeds info the defense. That seems to be what’s happening early in games. When we hit some shots or have a big play/dunk the defensive intensity increases but at that point we are often behind by double digits!
The Iron man 2.0 team was good at compartmentalizing offense from defense. When Lofton and Holmes were in looooong shooting slumps they seemed to give more effort on D. You seldom saw the mental lapses we get from this team.
I know we like to put all the blame on coach. That’s wrong. He’s not going anywhere and he’s a good coach. It has not been Mark’s best season but he is not the one falling asleep on D or clanging jump shots. What he does control is playing time and strategy. Both are out of whack.
We need to start relying more on guys who give the best effort and performance on D — like Evans and Flowers — and not shooters who cannot shoot or won’t shoot (Banks, Assa) and who cannot defend at a high level. If coach feels Banks and Assa are superior defenders he is dead wrong … and/or his assistants are “yes men” or just as blind.
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Post by chrismoses on Feb 11, 2024 12:04:41 GMT -5
The ROI for Schmidt has run its course. He does just enough to rile up his defenders to champion the need to keep him. He has done a great job and someday deserves an induction ceremony. Doesn’t mean the school shouldn’t look to replace him. Expectations need to be clear. With Mark, they’ve never been established other than he gets a raise for the same results. I don’t think anybody else on the potential radar will come in and elevate the program. The current situation is the peak. The rules have changed and what used to be illegal can now operate openly. The school doesn’t have the pockets to compete long-term, nor is this a plea to the fan base to pony up additional funds. The program could be in the same competitive position using the funds they are overpaying Schmidt for a less expensive coach and higher NIL funds for similar results. In the meantime, he should face treason charges for the UMASS hostage negotiation crisis. The charade cannot continue. There’s a lot to unpack right here
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Post by atlbonnie87 on Feb 11, 2024 12:41:13 GMT -5
FOOD FOR THOUGHT : AFTER 11 A10 Games Last years team : 7-4 in A10 / 13-11 overall This years team : 5-6 in A10 / 14-9 overall Considering the significant upgrade in TALENT that is this year's team, the data would seem to indicate that COACH is not having his finest hour ... Trying real hard to believe that Mark will "right the ship" - but the eye-test tells me the product he is currently putting out there will finish in similar fashion to last year's Dumpster fire ... (Hope I'm wrong) Was thinking about this yesterday also. This year’s team (on paper) is so much better than last, yet somehow they’re probably going to finish right around last year’s 8-10 mark. We’ve seen 20+ games so far. They absolutely are who they’ve been. Cannot see how they finish better than maybe 10-8 in conference. Probably 9-9. I look at last year’s roster — coupled with Banks/Assa performances this year — and absolutely marvel how they even won as many games as they did. Then you consider how much talent was added this off-season. Clearly one thing is true: either Schmidt had one of his finest seasons to even be competitive last year. Or just an incredibly awful year so far this season. There’s absolutely no reason these teams should be finishing with nearly the same record.
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Post by gregmitch70 on Feb 11, 2024 13:17:00 GMT -5
FOOD FOR THOUGHT : AFTER 11 A10 Games Last years team : 7-4 in A10 / 13-11 overall This years team : 5-6 in A10 / 14-9 overall Considering the significant upgrade in TALENT that is this year's team, the data would seem to indicate that COACH is not having his finest hour ... Trying real hard to believe that Mark will "right the ship" - but the eye-test tells me the product he is currently putting out there will finish in similar fashion to last year's Dumpster fire ... (Hope I'm wrong) Was thinking about this yesterday also. This year’s team (on paper) is so much better than last, yet somehow they’re probably going to finish right around last year’s 8-10 mark. We’ve seen 20+ games so far. They absolutely are who they’ve been. Cannot see how they finish better than maybe 10-8 in conference. Probably 9-9. I look at last year’s roster — coupled with Banks/Assa performances this year — and absolutely marvel how they even won as many games as they did. Then you consider how much talent was added this off-season. Clearly one thing is true: either Schmidt had one of his finest seasons to even be competitive last year. Or just an incredibly awful year so far this season. There’s absolutely no reason these teams should be finishing with nearly the same record. Just go back and re-watch first 4 minutes of yesterday's game. Dukes come out and first three or four possessions they get three easy lay-ins on cuts to basket, fully prepared for our usual defense. Our first four possessions you see the usual dribble dribble outside, no cuts, then have to go one on one--apparently not prepared for Dukes defense. Assa at clock buzzer has to hoist one. Pride forces a tough drive in traffic (and fortunately makes it). Then more dribble dribble so Moses has to force a drive and pull up 10 footer which just misses. Next trip down starts same way and Moses has TO--and Schmidt lifts him inside 4 minutes to insert the great Banks. Poor Moses was just trying to get something going with no plays or cuts in the offing.
We are currently 12th in league in assists. Venning with 0.9 assists per 40 minutes is easily worst in league among major starters--hard to find anyone with less than 1.7--and also easily worst assists/TO ratio.
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Post by bub on Feb 11, 2024 13:21:38 GMT -5
The great Hall of Fame Knick Bill Bradley was quoted in an article last week that "When I go to a game, I always like to count the number of passes that are made after the ball passes half-court. The objective in basketball is to maximize player movement and ball movement that rewards unselfishness"
We use a third of the shot clock dribbling the ball past the half court line and then dump it into either Venning or Noel Brown where the ball dies a slow death. It is not a coincidence that Venning leads the team in turnovers by a significant amount and Brown is 4th on the team playing only 12 minutes a game. Meanwhile our two best three point shooters, Mika and Pride are 4th and 5th in three point shots attempted. What is going on?
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Post by wgt on Feb 11, 2024 14:12:18 GMT -5
Its natural to have greater criticism of a team following a loss. The failures are easy to point out.
An overriding theme on the Band Wagon has been our lack of consistency and the failure of some players to reach expectations.
Both sides of the ball have been picked apart citing our deficiencies. Most criticism has been well deserved. However I have read a few points this season that are exaggerated or inaccurate.
We have played 11 conference games loosing 6. Of the 32 Div 1 Conferences, the A10 is arguably ranked # 8. Very competitive. This is how our in game performances have stacked up within our conference.
#9 PPG 73.7
#5 TREY % 36%
#8 FG% .455
#4 PPG Allowed 66.9
#2 FT% .774
#12 Assists 12.6
#3 TO Margin (10.6 TOs a game)
#4 TRY% Defense .315
#6 Rebound Margin +2.2
#5 Offensive Boards 10.4
#7 Blocks 3.83
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Post by gregmitch70 on Feb 11, 2024 14:53:29 GMT -5
Mika remains 3rd in all of A10 in three point pct at 46%. Pride also very fine at 41% and Moses at 38%. So what's the problem? They are each only taking about 4 treys per game. Assa, shooting 30%, has shot just about as many--and Banks at 31% has shot 4.6 per game.
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Post by dadster81 on Feb 11, 2024 15:04:35 GMT -5
FOOD FOR THOUGHT : AFTER 11 A10 Games Last years team : 7-4 in A10 / 13-11 overall This years team : 5-6 in A10 / 14-9 overall Considering the significant upgrade in TALENT that is this year's team, the data would seem to indicate that COACH is not having his finest hour ... I look at last year’s roster — coupled with Banks/Assa performances this year — and absolutely marvel how they even won as many games as they did. Then you consider how much talent was added this off-season. Clearly one thing is true: either Schmidt had one of his finest seasons to even be competitive last year. Or just an incredibly awful year so far this season. There’s absolutely no reason these teams should be finishing with nearly the same record. Quoting two posters, I was thinking the same thing. The two best players on the court yesterday just joined the team this year. And Brown has been a solid contributor most games. What happened to the returning players, including the two former starters coming off the bench? Their shots just look (most of the time) awful, or they are scared to shoot. Like many of you, I had high hopes for this year. Lets pray they find their shooting this week at practice, or it is going to be an ugly finish.
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Post by bonaballa1 on Feb 11, 2024 16:03:39 GMT -5
Dambrot absolutely schooled Schmidt in both matchups. The Dukes cut up the Bonnies defense and took advantage of Chad hedging. It left huge gaps in the paint that Duquesne exploited all game.
Usually it’s Schmidt who has the advantage over Dambrot, but this was a reversal.
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Post by ddsmugs on Feb 11, 2024 16:14:04 GMT -5
The positives of our centers hedging is negated by the negatives. Being undersized at the forward position takes our biggest players away from the basket not a fan. Wouldn't mind seeing our two centers trying to play together...may be a nice wrinkle.
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Post by bigcat on Feb 11, 2024 16:42:41 GMT -5
Its natural to have greater criticism of a team following a loss. The failures are easy to point out. An overriding theme on the Band Wagon has been our lack of consistency and the failure of some players to reach expectations. Both sides of the ball have been picked apart citing our deficiencies. Most criticism has been well deserved. However I have read a few points this season that are exaggerated or inaccurate. We have played 11 conference games loosing 6. Of the 32 Div 1 Conferences, the A10 is arguably ranked # 8. Very competitive. This is how our in game performances have stacked up within our conference. #9 PPG 73.7 #5 TREY % 36% #8 FG% .455 #4 PPG Allowed 66.9 #2 FT% .774 #12 Assists 12.6 #3 TO Margin (10.6 TOs a game) #4 TRY% Defense .315 #6 Rebound Margin +2.2 #5 Offensive Boards 10.4 #7 Blocks 3.83 Good info but I do not understand the point of your post? Of course there will be more criticism after a loss … and even more after a bad loss which happens every week with this team. Yes the A10 is competitive but that’s what we want. The stats are pretty middle of the road or bad (except FT, 3PFG and points allowed) and that’s where the Bonnies stand. Just curious… What claims by posters are exaggerated or inaccurate? Most people are saying the same thing: - Mika and Chuck don’t get enough shots - The ball goes into the post too often - Banks plays too many minutes for his production - SBU is unprepared/out-coached in 1st half - Evans should get more PT
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Post by Sipowicz on Feb 11, 2024 17:38:45 GMT -5
Have read many comments on the game, agree with many. Came walking out of the RC after the game and heard the same muttered by a few I was thinking, how can this team beat V C U twice but lose to Duquesne twice? Many are saying execution and scouting were huge, perhaps,but does that mean Dambrot is a better coach than Odom? Not necessarily. Cannot believe the Dukes only had one more rebound than the BONNIES, sure seemed like ALOT more. The difference between the Rams and Dukes is Duquesne's physically bigger upfront. Duquesne starts 6'10" 235 MAHORIC & 6-7 250 WILLIAMS. Sure the BONNIES have CHAD then BONNIES have 6-6 210 ASSA. Granted PRIDE rebounds well but you cannot expect for CHARLES to bang with the big boys. Even BARRY was not that effective. The BONNIES went with the same starting line up basically against both teams and got different results. BONNIE guards seldom front the opposing teams' guards on drives and allow them to get down the lane ahead of them, if CHAD is stuck out hedging they go in for a lay up, if CHAD comes at them they dump it off for an easy put in. BONA guards just are not physical enough. Backdoor cuts have been killing this team all year, very first Duquesne score was this, and they repeated it throughout the game. How does a back up player F DRAME double his scoring average and almost triple his per game rebounding average? I did not think there was a college player who could take the ball out of CHAD 's clutches but it has happened 3 times now in the last 2 games. The BONNIES also cannot afford key players having off nights, but come on MOSES PLANUTIS twice in 4 minutes stepping on the out of bounds line! As stated by others, way too much perimeter passing and dribbling on offense. When this team lets the shot clock get down to 5 or less seconds, it's the standard fall away jumper clanging off the front of the rim creating a breakout for the other team.
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Post by kccgold on Feb 11, 2024 17:43:50 GMT -5
Have read many comments on the game, agree with many. Came walking out of the RC after the game and heard the same muttered by a few I was thinking, how can this team beat V C U twice but lose to Duquesne twice? Many are saying execution and scouting were huge, perhaps,but does that mean Dambrot is a better coach than Odom? Not necessarily. Cannot believe the Dukes only had one more rebound than the BONNIES, sure seemed like ALOT more. The difference between the Rams and Dukes is Duquesne's physically bigger upfront. Duquesne starts 6'10" 235 MAHORIC & 6-7 250 WILLIAMS. Sure the BONNIES have CHAD then BONNIES have 6-6 210 ASSA. Granted PRIDE rebounds well but you cannot expect for CHARLES to bang with the big boys. Even BARRY was not that effective. The BONNIES went with the same starting line up basically against both teams and got different results. BONNIE guards seldom front the opposing teams' guards on drives and allow them to get down the lane ahead of them, if CHAD is stuck out hedging they go in for a lay up, if CHAD comes at them they dump it off for an easy put in. BONA guards just are not physical enough. Backdoor cuts have been killing this team all year, very first Duquesne score was this, and they repeated it throughout the game. How does a back up player F DRAME double his scoring average and almost triple his per game rebounding average? I did not think there was a college player who could take the ball out of CHAD 's clutches but it has happened 3 times now in the last 2 games. The BONNIES also cannot afford key players having off nights, but come on MOSES PLANUTIS twice in 4 minutes stepping on the out of bounds line! As stated by others, way too much perimeter passing and dribbling on offense. When this team lets the shot clock get down to 5 or less seconds, it's the standard fall away jumper clanging off the front of the rim creating a breakout for the other team. Getting beat back door doesn’t bode well for Davidson next weekend either, they have a tradition of running a back door cut offense
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