at Murray State - 12/1/2022 - 7:00 PM - ESPN+

[Adunk33]

Yes I’m betting more screens and curls for our shooters.

Thinking about this more, most on here enjoy seeing Mal run the offense at the one. However, he's proven to be a solid shooter coming off screens as you say. Not many offenses have their PG coming off ball screens. So that begs the question- how can we have our cake and eat it too?

Maybe Knight takes over at the 1 to allow Mal to come off screens. Seneca had the ball a ton down the stretch, which led to closing the gap to force OT. Sen had the assist to Malachi for the game tying bucket.

 

[jamminjamarsmiley]

I have to agree with some of the comments above that our offense is slow and not up tempo, however I think Pedon knows that is how this group has to play to win games. One of my frustrations with Danny boy's teams were that we tried to get into these "track meets", and often that led to us getting blown off the floor. Yes, we'd end up scoring 70 points, but would give up 80+. That style doesn't work IMO without really good talent across the board.

I looked at the box score from last night, because to me my gut feeling was that in the 2nd half, we seemed fairly efficient with our possessions. So I took the time to break it down.

First Half:
Possessions : 31
Points: 27
Points per possession: .87
Second Half:
Possessions : 29
Points: 35
Points per possession: 1.2
OT:
Possessions : 8
Points: 5
Points per possession: .62

GAME:
Possessions: 68
Points: 67:
PPP: .98

Now, this is based on the KenPom formula for how to calculate possessions, so it may not be 100% exact but close. Usually if you hit 1PPP, you're doing very well. It certainly seems like a boring/slow/bad offense, and it has been bad at times, but last night, specifically in the 2nd half, it seemed like they started clicking. Will it continue - who knows? but with this group of guys, I am pleased with the offense if they perform like they did in the 2nd half. It all starts with Seneca getting to the lane and getting easy buckets. Like many have said, we can't just stand on the perimeter. I am encouraged by what we saw last night, and look forward to seeing if they can build upon it on Sunday.

 

[cubird]

Not to be Debbie Downer...It appeared on Knights last shot he drew the double team and Lewis was open on the same side for a 3. He is strong with the dribble which allows him to bully inside. Think he is still figuring out how deep to drbble b4 shooting or passing it back out.

 

[SgtHulka]

Not to be Debbie Downer...It appeared on Knights last shot he drew the double team and Lewis was open on the same side for a 3. He is strong with the dribble which allows him to bully inside. Think he is still figuring out how deep to drbble b4 shooting or passing it back out.

Knight drove, drew defenders and turned and kicked several times this game. He missed that one tho

 

[Redbird222]

I have to agree with some of the comments above that our offense is slow and not up tempo, however I think Pedon knows that is how this group has to play to win games. One of my frustrations with Danny boy's teams were that we tried to get into these "track meets", and often that led to us getting blown off the floor. Yes, we'd end up scoring 70 points, but would give up 80+. That style doesn't work IMO without really good talent across the board.

I looked at the box score from last night, because to me my gut feeling was that in the 2nd half, we seemed fairly efficient with our possessions. So I took the time to break it down.

First Half:
Possessions : 31
Points: 27
Points per possession: .87
Second Half:
Possessions : 29
Points: 35
Points per possession: 1.2
OT:
Possessions : 8
Points: 5
Points per possession: .62

GAME:
Possessions: 68
Points: 67:
PPP: .98

Now, this is based on the KenPom formula for how to calculate possessions, so it may not be 100% exact but close. Usually if you hit 1PPP, you're doing very well. It certainly seems like a boring/slow/bad offense, and it has been bad at times, but last night, specifically in the 2nd half, it seemed like they started clicking. Will it continue - who knows? but with this group of guys, I am pleased with the offense if they perform like they did in the 2nd half. It all starts with Seneca getting to the lane and getting easy buckets. Like many have said, we can't just stand on the perimeter. I am encouraged by what we saw last night, and look forward to seeing if they can build upon it on Sunday.

I absolutely love this stat and watch it closely. Think of it as how many points scored/given up per 100 possessions

It kind of puts all the stats together and combines it. You may be great 3 point team and score that way. You may not be a great shooting team but if you get offensive rebounds or make FTs you can be as efficient. You may shoot well but if you turn the ball over it impacts the efficiency

The average offensive efficiency this year in DI is 101.2 per KenPom this year (182nd rank team). In prior years it has been slightly higher

ISU through eight games is 96.9 or 283rd in offensive efficiency

98.0 is better (Murray St game) however it would be 249th in D1 this year .... still way below the average

BTW our defensive efficiency is 104.6 which is 242nd which may be another reason to slow the game even more and reduce possesions

Last couple years and one good Muller year
2021-22 Defense 103.8 or 271
2020-21defense 103.4
2016-17 defense .906 or 8th (awesome)

2021-22 offense 101.7 or 134th
2020-21 offense .952 (so bad)
2016-17 offense 101.9 163rd

 

[WoodlandWarrior]

It causes one to wonder what Muller saw in them?

 

[jamminjamarsmiley]

I absolutely love this stat and watch it closely. Think of it as how many points scored/given up per 100 possessions

It kind of puts all the stats together and combines it. You may be great 3 point team and score that way. You may not be a great shooting team but if you get offensive rebounds or make FTs you can be as efficient. You may shoot well but if you turn the ball over it impacts the efficiency

The average offensive efficiency this year in DI is 101.2 per KenPom this year (182nd rank team). In prior years it has been slightly higher

ISU through eight games is 96.9 or 283rd in offensive efficiency

98.0 is better (Murray St game) however it would be 249th in D1 this year .... still way below the average

BTW our defensive efficiency is 104.6 which is 242nd which may be another reason to slow the game even more and reduce possesions

Last couple years and one good Muller year
2021-22 Defense 103.8 or 271
2020-21defense 103.4
2016-17 defense .906 or 8th (awesome)

2021-22 offense 101.7 or 134th
2020-21 offense .952 (so bad)
2016-17 offense 101.9 163rd

Where does 1.2 fall? That was the second half which I thought we were fairly solid offensively (especially compared to other games). I know it’s just a half but I’m just trying to gain some optimism from that

 

[Redbird222]

Where does 1.2 fall? That was the second half which I thought we were fairly solid offensively (especially compared to other games). I know it’s just a half but I’m just trying to gain some optimism from that

1.2 is Elite .. Gonzaga #1 and averages 1.192

 

[Redbirdfan76]

And defensively a lot of improvement needed. We are giving up 1.046 points per possession, which ranks 242 nationally. I am happy with the hustle and effort, we just need to execute defensively for the entire possession and not give up so many. Offensive boards.

 

[Bird Friend]

Thinking about this more, most on here enjoy seeing Mal run the offense at the one. However, he's proven to be a solid shooter coming off screens as you say. Not many offenses have their PG coming off ball screens. So that begs the question- how can we have our cake and eat it too?

Maybe Knight takes over at the 1 to allow Mal to come off screens. Seneca had the ball a ton down the stretch, which led to closing the gap to force OT. Sen had the assist to Malachi for the game tying bucket.

I think you stick with your best options. Knight is not among our best options at the point.

 

[CaliRdBrd]

1.2 is Elite .. Gonzaga #1 and averages 1.192

These stats are great. Thanks Jammin and 222

 

[Bird Friend]

Well if they aren't talented enough, which is pretty obvious to most people here, then they sure as shit better work harder if they want to sniff the floor in a supporting role. Seems pretty simple to me. We have differing opinions on talent, I guess. Sissoko has plenty of talent, but can't play D? What exactly does he do well? He had one stellar game his freshman year. Just like Emon Washington.

It's pretty obvious at this point which players from the previous regime Pedon believes in. Kotov, Sissoko, Andrews and Schmitt are obviously not in that group.

Sissoko actually has very good touch around the rim. He has a soft shot and can also take it to the rim. He's strong and very athletic. I say he can't play D because I don't think he understands what he's supposed to do . . . not that he isn't capable or have the talent. I also wonder about his desire to play D.

He played in 25 games and started 13 in the 20-21 season as a RS Frosh. Averaged 4.2 ppg in 15 mpg. He shot 56.4% from the floor (44-78), but shot 66.1% from inside the arc. That shows me he has some talent. Last year he only played in 19 games, starting none, averaging 5.2 mpg. The problem was that Dan had Harouna standing outside the arc on offensive sets, rather than setting him down low. Sissoko wasn't in games because he was a defensive liability.

If you can't see there's talent in Sissoko, then you weren't paying attention when he was showing what he can do. And as I've said multiple times in this thread, Sissoko must not be demonstrating a commitment to improving on both ends of the floor. IMO, that's why doesn't play. The only thing holding him back seems to be him.

 

[Redbird222]

Sissoko actually has very good touch around the rim. He has a soft shot and can also take it to the rim. He's strong and very athletic. I say he can't play D because I don't think he understands what he's supposed to do . . . not that he isn't capable or have the talent. I also wonder about his desire to play D.

He played in 25 games and started 13 in the 20-21 season as a RS Frosh. Averaged 4.2 ppg in 15 mpg. He shot 56.4% from the floor (44-78), but shot 66.1% from inside the arc. That shows me he has some talent. Last year he only played in 19 games, starting none, averaging 5.2 mpg. The problem was that Dan had Harouna standing outside the arc on offensive sets, rather than setting him down low. Sissoko wasn't in games because he was a defensive liability.

If you can't see there's talent in Sissoko, then you weren't paying attention when he was showing what he can do. And as I've said multiple times in this thread, Sissoko must not be demonstrating a commitment to improving on both ends of the floor. IMO, that's why doesn't play. The only thing holding him back seems to be him.

You are spot on ... he is a defensive liability. He is consistently out of position and gets lost. He is not good on switches or working through screens.

Lord knows he has the body to bang on the boards which we have needed the past 3 years. It's not his physical skills or shooting that is holding him back, it's been his inability to grasp/perform defensively.

He redshirted in 2019-20 so this is year 4. I wouldn't expect a dramatic turnaround even with the new staff if it hasn't happened already.

 

[Popsto4]

Thinking about this more, most on here enjoy seeing Mal run the offense at the one. However, he's proven to be a solid shooter coming off screens as you say. Not many offenses have their PG coming off ball screens. So that begs the question- how can we have our cake and eat it too?

Maybe Knight takes over at the 1 to allow Mal to come off screens. Seneca had the ball a ton down the stretch, which led to closing the gap to force OT. Sen had the assist to Malachi for the game tying bucket.

You’re absolutely right. Figuring out a way to implement offensive sets for this will have opponents scrambling to figure it out. It’s rarely even seen so I believe it will be hard to defend.

 

[Manchester Matt]

Sissoko actually has very good touch around the rim. He has a soft shot and can also take it to the rim. He's strong and very athletic. I say he can't play D because I don't think he understands what he's supposed to do . . . not that he isn't capable or have the talent. I also wonder about his desire to play D.

He played in 25 games and started 13 in the 20-21 season as a RS Frosh. Averaged 4.2 ppg in 15 mpg. He shot 56.4% from the floor (44-78), but shot 66.1% from inside the arc. That shows me he has some talent. Last year he only played in 19 games, starting none, averaging 5.2 mpg. The problem was that Dan had Harouna standing outside the arc on offensive sets, rather than setting him down low. Sissoko wasn't in games because he was a defensive liability.

If you can't see there's talent in Sissoko, then you weren't paying attention when he was showing what he can do. And as I've said multiple times in this thread, Sissoko must not be demonstrating a commitment to improving on both ends of the floor. IMO, that's why doesn't play. The only thing holding him back seems to be him.

Fair enough. I just don’t see some of the things you’re seeing. Limited stat line offensively and that was a while ago. Saw them practice a couple times in August and wasn’t impressed at all.

It’s unfortunate because he’s got the body.