Illinois-Chicago - 02/01/2023 - 7:00 PM - Marquee

[Birdfriend72]

I understand your frustration. But I disagree. My perception of Coaches strategy is that he manages the game based on the players and their capabilities. Last night we were:
- Not hitting our 3 point shots.
- Were prone to stupid fouls, and turnovers.
- Not shooting well from the charity stripe.
- UIC was smothering our attempts to get in the paint.
- I thought his timeouts were well taken and predicted by the flow of the game.

I’ll say it again. I have developed a strong confidence in this Coach and his Staff. I believe they read the gameI, understand what they have available in players and direct the team accordingly.

We won! UIC is tough, physical and well coached. In the end, our coaching staff made the necessary adjustments and our players executed.

I'm not impressed with Yaklich. He is 1-12? in the Valley. He isn't that great of a coach.

 

[davehead86]

The fact that it's still going on is what suggests to be that it is a part of the plan, just not being executed well. Because that is something that is very fixable.

I mean...they should.

When I was in school, we would always count down. On the flip side, when the other team had the ball we would change it up- start counting at 10 when there were 15 seconds left, start counting at 10 when there were 7 seconds left, we caused several bad shots/shot clock violations by doing that. Trevor, if you're reading this...start the tradition back up. You gotta make sure to do the same thing 3 or 4 possessions in a row and then change it up. You'll make a difference.

Im happy to see the student section get back into it.
When I was at school 04-08 we stood the whole time, were aggressively harassing other players, always in it. Now everyone just sits on their phones. It seems like people are starting to finally stop being in their phones 24/7. I mean obviously close games and then eventually just being good will up the participation (hopefully).

 

[Popsto4]

What I notice, often, certainly the UIC game, is sometimes we are 10-15 seconds (and even more!) into an offensive possession before we start running a play! Oftentimes 10 seconds-plus AFTER we've crossed half court! I don't believe it's a strategy. I find this incredibly frustrating and if we're not leading the Valley (and perhaps amongst the top in the country) in combined shot clock violations - and last second awful shots - I'd be amazed. There's a couple of guys who do NOT stay continually aware of the shot clock. This has been a consistent wart on our offense all...year...long. I can't believe we're still struggling with this at this point in the year.

Yep you notice the time taken to get into the play as I do. I think that starts with Mal not walking it up the court too often. That can be a big difference in getting a shot earlier for the team honestly. Well said.

 

[DWRedbird]

With how frequent the squad is getting up late shots in the clock, I'm wondering if it might be a part of Pedon's offensive strategy. Perhaps at times, Pedon thinks it better to wear down the defense and get a shot up with 5 sec or less, and control the tempo. By doing so, it's also how teams tend to play the Packers (this year excluded). Rodgers can't hurt you if he's on the sideline. The other team can't score if they don't have the ball. So, I'm wondering if eating some clock is strategic but then they don't tend to execute down the stretch.

The slower style is what Pedon wants. He wants a half court system run through the post that eats up clock and puts up a "good" shot. Because we aren't running things through the post, we've often been running a bastardized form of this much of the year.

 

[Phantom]

I said it in my post earlier in this thread, the students were noticeable from the jump, and more were standing and getting louder as the game wore on. Great to hear some jabs at the opposition too. That's what you're supposed to do! lol. The students were fantastic at the Horton game, but UIC may have been their second best performance. They can do it, they know how, they just...need to. I think it's becoming increasingly clear that despite our record we have a team that is likable and worth cheering for, so once we start winning consistently, the energy & noise will be back just as consistently. It always happens that way.

 

[Scipio]

I actually thought UIC made the better adjustments last night. We scored 10 points the first 4 1/2 minutes. They adjusted to the dribble drive and back cuts. They knew who was struggling and left that person open.

We scored 23 points the last 15 minutes of the first half and 21 points the second half. Not exactly riveting.

I am also aligned with many on this board and don't see great plays/execution out of time outs. It might be the players or it might be the plays/calls themselves. I don't know what play was being run the second to last possession but once again it resulted in a last second shot that was blocked and a shot clock violation. There's a pattern there that needs correcting.

We were fine yesterday but we also look lost defensively out of timeouts especially on inbounds plays.

All valid points/criticisms. All game plans/plays eventually get down to execution. At present we don’t have:
- A consistent center. A BIG we can force the ball inside and have confidence in a quality shot. We don’t have that player.
- We don’t have a consistent power forward that we can have confidence in to make the game winning shot. We don’t have that player.
- We don’t have a top quality point guard. Burford is our best ball handling option. Sandage can consistently hit the 3; IF he gets an open look. So again; we don’t have that player.
I think it’s the players.

 

[Scipio]

I'm not impressed with Yaklich. He is 1-12? in the Valley. He isn't that great of a coach.

OK. I thought he made a key adjustment at halftime which shut down our inside game. Free throws decided this game. We made enough to win. Execution!

 

[Birdfriend72]

OK. I thought he made a key adjustment at halftime which shut down our inside game. Free throws decided this game. We made enough to win. Execution!

The problem is we have very little inside game. We pretty much shut our own inside game down by firing 3's.

 

[CB2K]

Adunk and others bring up good points. I have wondered the same whether it was designed on purpose to be a full use of the shot clock type of offense or just lack of execution of the offensive scheme. It seems they don’t start really running the offense until 10 seconds left. Is it on purpose? Not sure. we do have a grind it out type of team so maybe this is the strategy. Either way we are all frustrated by the execution.

 

[stielowp]

I'm not impressed with Yaklich. He is 1-12? in the Valley. He isn't that great of a coach.

Yak is a great defensive coach. He was a big part of our success when he was here and he was given a lot of credit to the success of Michigan as well. Like many coaches, he will need to recruit better to have more success.

 

[stielowp]

Adunk and others bring up good points. I have wondered the same whether it was designed on purpose to be a full use of the shot clock type of offense or just lack of execution of the offensive scheme. It seems they don’t start really running the offense until 10 seconds left. Is it on purpose? Not sure. we do have a grind it out type of team so maybe this is the strategy. Either way we are all frustrated by the execution.

I think their offensive plan is often to try to get mismatches on defense. Smaller guys that switch on screens for KLew and McCheese, etc. Big posts on Burford and Knight. Many times they don't look like they are wanting to score but instead looking for what what mismatch they want.

 

[stielowp]

I said it in my post earlier in this thread, the students were noticeable from the jump, and more were standing and getting louder as the game wore on. Great to hear some jabs at the opposition too. That's what you're supposed to do! lol. The students were fantastic at the Horton game, but UIC may have been their second best performance. They can do it, they know how, they just...need to. I think it's becoming increasingly clear that despite our record we have a team that is likable and worth cheering for, so once we start winning consistently, the energy & noise will be back just as consistently. It always happens that way.

How much of it was because they had all the athletes honored at halftime or the drum line. I don't sit close enough, but other than the smaller group that sits in the lower corner, were there other students joining in? Other than the Blaze girls, too.

 

[Birdfriend72]

Yak is a great defensive coach. He was a big part of our success when he was here and he was given a lot of credit to the success of Michigan as well. Like many coaches, he will need to recruit better to have more success.

I think Dana was the big recruiter here. Yeah, I heard his defense was great. But he is 1-12- some great D!

 

[Redbird222]

Yak is a great defensive coach. He was a big part of our success when he was here and he was given a lot of credit to the success of Michigan as well. Like many coaches, he will need to recruit better to have more success.

UIC plays defense and the kids play hard. I don't envy him trying to build a program at UIC ... that's a tall task even after joining the Valley. There is a lot circumstances and history working against him.

I personally wished he had received a chance to be a head coach at a different school. He may not be the best head coach but I think it's hard to judge based on the program he inherited and recent move up in conferences.

I hope they don't do it, but if for some reason UIC let him go after this season, Pedon should give strong consideration to hiring Yak. He would be a great fit given his familiarity with the recruiting landscape, ISU , and proven track record for being able to coach defense and communicate with players. I believe they know each other from the Big Ten when Pedon was at OSU and Yak an assistant for Michigan.

 

[Hamdonger]

Yep you notice the time taken to get into the play as I do. I think that starts with Mal not walking it up the court too often. That can be a big difference in getting a shot earlier for the team honestly. Well said.

I know that's tough to acknowledge, so hat's off to you proud papa. Let me remind you why you should be proud.

Malachi is our steadiest player on the floor. He doesn't get too high, he doesn't get too low. His character has shined because he has been forced into a position which COMPROMISES his game. Yet his attitude remains the same despite his stats being sacrificed.

Next year I am excited to see him off the ball...yet the perfect slide-in to PG if need be for fouls or injury, due to his time this year...he'll shoot 40% from 3...average 13 or 14 a game (I see a Keyshawn Evans junior year similarity but a better ball handler)...and the character leader of our team off the floor and on the floor.

I'm very impressed with Mal as an individual.

Now let's go get 2 wins here, fellas. See ya Wednesday.

 

[Redbird222]

I think Dana was the big recruiter here. Yeah, I heard his defense was great. But he is 1-12- some great D!

Dana and Torrey Ward were the best recruiters under Dan but Yak proved himself to be a great defensive coach in 2017 and at Michigan under Beilein.

 

[Adunk33]

UIC plays defense and the kids play hard. I don't envy him trying to build a program at UIC ... that's a tall task even after joining the Valley. There is a lot circumstances and history working against him.

I personally wished he had received a chance to be a head coach at a different school. He may not be the best head coach but I think it's hard to judge based on the program he inherited and recent move up in conferences.

I hope they don't do it, but if for some reason UIC let him go after this season, Pedon should give strong consideration to hiring Yak. He would be a great fit given his familiarity with the recruiting landscape, ISU , and proven track record for being able to coach defense and communicate with players. I believe they know each other from the Big Ten when Pedon was at OSU and Yak an assistant for Michigan.

I agree that it would be great for Yak to come back and join Pedon's bench. But timing-wise, I think it'd probably be in a few years. Yak got hired in 2020-21- season 1=covid +inheriting a program in the basement of the Horizon so he gets a pass there. 21-22 was step one towards a new direction and then 22-23 they move to the MVC, so he'll get a pass there as well.

If he doesn't get things going say...after the 24-25 season and he gets let go, there is potential Pedon has a spot open on his bench due to Judson's retirement....Defensive coach....ties to Illinois recruiting scene.....timing could work out that way.

 

[stielowp]

UIC plays defense and the kids play hard. I don't envy him trying to build a program at UIC ... that's a tall task even after joining the Valley. There is a lot circumstances and history working against him.

I personally wished he had received a chance to be a head coach at a different school. He may not be the best head coach but I think it's hard to judge based on the program he inherited and recent move up in conferences.

I hope they don't do it, but if for some reason UIC let him go after this season, Pedon should give strong consideration to hiring Yak. He would be a great fit given his familiarity with the recruiting landscape, ISU , and proven track record for being able to coach defense and communicate with players. I believe they know each other from the Big Ten when Pedon was at OSU and Yak an assistant for Michigan.

I got to see Yak as a HS head coach at Joliet for many years at the Pontiac Holiday Tournament. His teams always played tough defense but like many HS teams, relied on forced turnovers to score. Yak was a college roommate of Dan and that is how he got his way into college hoops. He is a good follow on Twitter as well. Always posting analysis of basketball plays.

 

[Popsto4]

All valid points/criticisms. All game plans/plays eventually get down to execution. At present we don’t have:
- A consistent center. A BIG we can force the ball inside and have confidence in a quality shot. We don’t have that player.
- We don’t have a consistent power forward that we can have confidence in to make the game winning shot. We don’t have that player.
- We don’t have a top quality point guard. Burford is our best ball handling option. Sandage can consistently hit the 3; IF he gets an open look. So again; we don’t have that player.
I think it’s the players.

Well I beg to differ we don’t have a top quality pg and do believe Mal is the best option to play the position this year. Next year I think he will split the position unless a proven pg is found through the portal. Being a steady pg that looks to run the offense first is what’s needed from the position. Just remember the name of the game for every player at every position is to get better. That’s what he’s doing, improving at a foreign position.

 

[DaveBird10]

Well I beg to differ we don’t have a top quality pg and do believe Mal is the best option to play the position this year. Next year I think he will split the position unless a proven pg is found through the portal. Being a steady pg that looks to run the offense first is what’s needed from the position. Just remember the name of the game for every player at every position is to get better. That’s what he’s doing, improving at a foreign position.

And Malachi floor game vs UIC was great and shows his improvement at the position. 9 points, 4 rebounds and more importantly 5 ASSISTS AND 1 TURNOVER IN 41 MINUTES vs a pesky UIC defense.