FGCU Season Opener

[chuckie1980]

Just watching the beginning of the Loyola/UMKC Kangaroos....the Ramblers had a touch of glamour then started playing like the Birds looked this evening.

Redbirds Stats....Yeah, that Statsbroadcast feed stopped with 11:50 left in the game. Still stuck in 11:50 land.

 

[RedbirdMan]

Well I’m happy with the win. Important to win the games you’re supposed to win. That being said it was an ugly win that looked like they weren’t quite in sync and ready to play a meaningful game.

Fayne-beast, team leader, dude

Milik-started slow, was too loose with ball but seems more in control and confident in second half

Keyshawn-roughhhhh night, looked off all night

JJ- love what I saw

Copeland-should’ve been given more minutes down the stretch, looked solid

Hein-offensive liability, not terrible defense, still not good enough to be getting the minutes he is getting

Gassman-wooooofffff terrible second half missed four or five wide open shots, beat bad on defense

 

[cobird]

Hein getting torched defensively.

What game are you watching?? Hein has shut down Cheatham all game long and caused numerous turnovers. Come up with something new.

Show me the highlights. I saw him get beat backdoor and shot over a couple of times in a few minutes.

Will give him credit for dropping the free throws down the stretch.

This is the problem. With all due respect, you’re looking for highlights. Don’t watch the highlights, watch the game. This kid does all the little things right. Don’t watch the games superficially. Look at the game within and you will understand why Dan gives Hein big minutes.

 

[TrueRedbirdFan23]

5 point swing with Gassman’s NAIA athleticism missing a bunny

Ike gave great minutes tonight. Shot it poorly, but gave great minutes. At what point are some of you going to realize that he is better than a Chastain, etc? Gassman belongs on the floor... Dan trusts him for a reason. Figure it out.

Good Win! Glad to be back in Redbird tonight!

#BackTheBirds

 

[Baltimore Bird]

I would have liked to see us finish a few more plays, but FGCU is a decent team and will be near the top of their league. I enjoy watching Jefferson and Copeland. They give us a couple more threats on offense. I have always liked The Gassman because he could score. He didn't have it tonight, but I think he will. We made enough free throws down the stretch to offset their 3's. I was surprised FGCU did not foul in the last 20 seconds and try to extend the game. Interesting coaching decision.

 

[Brick]

Good defense tonight. Even the 3’s they gave up were mostly defended. Milik came through when game was on the line. Really like Jefferson. Copeland will be fine as well Boogie didn’t have his offense tonight but rebounding was good. Hein worked his ass off. Not flashy but watch him play D. He’s pretty good. Fayne is Fayne. Every night. Good win

 

[V Boy]

Last year we lose that game.

Fayne looked amazing. Like....man-child.

The new guards look very very strong. It’s really encouraging.

Ball movement was quite good for first game.

Malik made some plays down the stretch. Physically he looks much stronger as well.

Keyshawn role this year is going to be fun to watch. He is going to get so many open looks because of the quickness of Copeland and Jefferson.

Tinsley some brain cramp fouls, but he will be a key player. Need him to rebound like crazy.

Like our bench. Rey looks really athletic and powerful.

Gassman and Hein serve a purpose. Looking forward to seeing more of Chastain.

 

[SgtHulka]

5 point swing with Gassman’s NAIA athleticism missing a bunny

Ike gave great minutes tonight. Shot it poorly, but gave great minutes. At what point are some of you going to realize that he is better than a Chastain, etc? Gassman belongs on the floor... Dan trusts him for a reason. Figure it out.

Good Win! Glad to be back in Redbird tonight!

#BackTheBirds

The Gass Man and Hein kept us in the game early till some of our more popular players got going.

Rough all around nite for Tinsley other than the boards

Key and The Gass Man struggled offensively

MY struggled early. What was up with that foul in the second half. He didn't appear to be within 5' of anybody. I thought it would be on the Prez

We struggled yet led the last 30 minutes. I'll take it and happily not read the NIT talk that usually accompanies game 1

1-0

 

[SoCalRedbird]

We won, folks. Now don't we ALL feel a little better? Certainly not a game where we reached our potential, but a must-win season opener to a historically competitive opponent.

Pros:
* Expanded ability to create offense with guys like Jefferson and Copeland. Last season, if our "three-headed monster" wasn't on their game, we struggled to find offense. Somebody is going to click every single night.

* Interior defense was solid. When Bruninga returns, we'll have yet another body to bang and grab rebounds.

* Phil Fayne and Keyshawn played well and displayed LEADERSHIP. We're going to need that every single night if we are to dethrone Loyola.

* We would lose this game last year with the same teams and same players. Our leaders' composure was the difference in maintaining that lead down the stretch.

* Props to the ESPN3 production crew and WJBC post-game show. Always a pleasure.

Cons:
* Defensive lapses and ball control. I hoped to move beyond the "hold your breath during each possession," but I didnt think tonight we saw enough evidence to dismiss that issue.

* Milik and Boogie did not play composed basketball tonight. Milik, to be clear, is the engine that drives our bus and probably the best Redbird in years, but he just couldn't settle down enough to make a lasting impact. His demeanor was sort of on edge too--I think he's feeling the pressure of needing to maintain stats for pro potential, while trying to balance the patience of Dan Muller's style of play. My money's on MY to figure it out and maximize his ability to best suit the team's needs.

* Alternate uniforms were just okay. Love the Redbird script and black lettering, but I'm just not a fan of gray anything. Completely missed an opportunity for a black, white, and red combo.

* Defensive movement around a through picks was mediocre at best. Juxtapose tonight's defense against picks to Tony Wills and Paris Lee during their senior year. They had it figured out, while our guys were slow to anticipate, react, and move. This needs to improve fast if we are serious about being a defense-first team.

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[ricohill]

Decent opening night win. Wasn’t much flow to the game. Still too many silly turnovers.

Really like Jefferson and Copeland.

Fayne was his Fayne. Always reliable.

Hein and Gassman. Wish we had better alternatives, but played their role tonight.

Tinsley, out to lunch on the defensive end and probably why he got benched to start the second half.

Scoreboard...rough night keeping up with the score and finally the stats just crashed like at only ISU they would.

I’ll give isu credit they tried w the promotion tonight. Most of it fell flat and the timeout entertainment needs a lot of work.

 

[DWRedbird]

* Defensive movement around a through picks was mediocre at best. Juxtapose tonight's defense against picks to Tony Wills and Paris Lee during their senior year. They had it figured out, while our guys were slow to anticipate, react, and move. This needs to improve fast if we are serious about being a defense-first team.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

I think mediocre is probably very generous. Rotating defensively is one of our biggest weaknesses. Half the time our guys don't pay attention when someone says switch. Other times we end up with two guys rotating off the screen and leave a guy wide open. We are going to have to improve that.

Other notes:

--We need to learn to box out or if we aren't going to do that, attack the defensive glass, if we don't rebounding will start becoming our downfall this year.

--I liked some of the promos, some of the others just weren't working, but kudos to ISU for trying new stuff.

--I liked the new unis, I thought they looked pretty good.

--Fayne is solid from the get go. I feel like he is more aggressive this year going at the rim and it is really paying off for him. If he can get to 65-70% from the line the kid will likely win POY in the Valley

--Jefferson plays a helluva game. His shot looks good every time it goes up, and I think he could be the key for us.

--Milik is still making some silly turnovers, but I love how consistent he is scoring. I think having him post up other SF is going to be money for us.

--Key had some fantastic passes tonight, and I think he'll get to do a lot more of that as the year progresses. I'd like to see him get more aggressive with jumpers.

--Ike really played the passing lanes well, and I think had the only box out I saw tonight. If he could get his shot to to fall from anywhere he'd be a huge asset for us.

--Hein's defense is improved. He's playing more with his feet and keeping his guy in front of him much more often.

--It was not Boogie's night. That said, he is probably our best rebounder and we are going to desperately need that this year.

 

[ChiRedbirdfan]

* Defensive movement around a through picks was mediocre at best. Juxtapose tonight's defense against picks to Tony Wills and Paris Lee during their senior year. They had it figured out, while our guys were slow to anticipate, react, and move. This needs to improve fast if we are serious about being a defense-first team.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

I think mediocre is probably very generous. Rotating defensively is one of our biggest weaknesses. Half the time our guys don't pay attention when someone says switch. Other times we end up with two guys rotating off the screen and leave a guy wide open. We are going to have to improve that.

Other notes:

--We need to learn to box out or if we aren't going to do that, attack the defensive glass, if we don't rebounding will start becoming our downfall this year.

--I liked some of the promos, some of the others just weren't working, but kudos to ISU for trying new stuff.

--I liked the new unis, I thought they looked pretty good.

--Fayne is solid from the get go. I feel like he is more aggressive this year going at the rim and it is really paying off for him. If he can get to 65-70% from the line the kid will likely win POY in the Valley

--Jefferson plays a helluva game. His shot looks good every time it goes up, and I think he could be the key for us.

--Milik is still making some silly turnovers, but I love how consistent he is scoring. I think having him post up other SF is going to be money for us.

--Key had some fantastic passes tonight, and I think he'll get to do a lot more of that as the year progresses. I'd like to see him get more aggressive with jumpers.

--Ike really played the passing lanes well, and I think had the only box out I saw tonight. If he could get his shot to to fall from anywhere he'd be a huge asset for us.

--Hein's defense is improved. He's playing more with his feet and keeping his guy in front of him much more often.

--It was not Boogie's night. That said, he is probably our best rebounder and we are going to desperately need that this year.

Boogie did board tonight. Fayne is ISU's best rebounder, IMO

 

[FEAR the Bird]

Most impressed by 1. Fayne, 2. Copeland, 3. Jefferson. Copeland can flat out score, handles the ball well, and plays good defense. He is going to be a great Redbird. I like what I see.

 

[FEAR the Bird]

Dan did a great job coaching, as usual. I thought he was going to lose it in the last 2 minutes when they didn’t work the clock. I am sure it will be an ugly film beat-down...

 

[redneckredbird]

Couple things. When they are locked in on defense they look pretty good but they need to make better decisions on ball screens. They were fighting over the top of screens 30 feet from the hoop. When that happens they are in follow position and need help defenders to slide over creating better spacing for the offense. Faynes free throw stroke looks better, results hopefully will get better too. I think ball care will get better, no evedience, just a gut feeling. Go State!

 

[Brick]

Yarbrough one rebound away from double/double in 24 minutes. Jefferson 6/7 from field and Copeland led with 5 assists. Fayne DID get a double/double!

 

[redbirdron1]

A couple of takeaways....

1. Copeland plus JJ - upgrade to Maddie Williams. Uh ya think. No disrespect, just sayin.

2. Sure glad I got past the new uni's. I was just beside myself with what color/shade they were going to b.

3. William, oh William thank goodness you can rebound some. Really......I'd hoped we could move past last
years nerves on the offensive end. Let's get it together.

4. Hein = value add when he does NOT drive to hoop. Nice contribution.
5. Gass - he's carving a niche as an annoyance to the other team. Just watch him on D rebounds, he's like a Pete Rose pest.

6. Do you realize we have 5 guys that can capably bring the ball up against a press or run the point in some fashion. - that'll pay dividends.

7. Phil - how do you all feel about him as a knock down free throw hoister? Keeping shootin PF. Today you come in at 58% and I'd guess it will
be a season of anxious moments. Phil will get LOTS of chances so practice will bring us closer to acceptability on this front.

8. Rey has an interesting shot and may find himself throwing the shot for Track/Field team. He'll B fine.

 

[birdlife]

have to agree with cobird on MH's defense. i thought he defended very well last night. not sure how anyone could come away having seen the whole game thinking differently.

 

[JHBird]

I think we lucked out with it being FGCU's first game. I don't think they would have normally turned the ball over 20+ times. I think Saturday is Belmont's first game as well. I think it's great we had a couple of exhibition games under our belt before taking these teams on.

 

[DannyCooksey]

i saw a lot of positives last night. good win.

i think we can score in a lot of ways.

Jefferson and Copeland both looked good and confident.

Fayne is a grown ass man.

FGCU is a good program. i like the way they play.