ISU at Valpo

[Redbird222]

I missed the first half. What happen regarding the technical?

I hope folks are wrong regarding Horne and he stays. Reeves will be there but needs more consistency. Fisher started great in the second half. I think he had 19 points with about 15 to go. I don't think he scored afterwards.

Torres and Rey looked slow on defense (second half).

 

[V Boy]

why did Fisher sit so long and Ndiaye still sits what part of “you need two bigs” don’t they understand. Like they haven’t been watching the game. Putting Any of the three out there with 4 guards produces the same negative results.

Coaches decision .

Winning these games does not matter.

What matters is finding the lineup that can give you a shot in St Louis. Maybe Abdou is a part of that. Maybe not. Fisher def is. Horne def is. Copeland def is. Reeves prob is. Hillsman will fill some offensive gaps.

Rey is a 6-9 240 teddy bear. Until he starts playing like a grizzly posting up to get the best salmon spot in the middle of the river he is not going to be a factor.

If Torres is on the court a lot in St Louis then we are done.

While it might not be pretty some of the time, playing Copeland, Horne and Reeves together should create some mismatches. Fisher is going to play. The other spot is up for grabs between Hillsman and Ndaiye.

 

[V Boy]

why did Fisher sit so long and Ndiaye still sits what part of “you need two bigs” don’t they understand. Like they haven’t been watching the game. Putting Any of the three out there with 4 guards produces the same negative results.

Coaches decision .

Winning these games does not matter.

What matters is finding the lineup that can give you a shot in St Louis. Maybe Abdou is a part of that. Maybe not. Fisher def is. Horne def is. Copeland def is. Reeves prob is. Hillsman will fill some offensive gaps. Boyd should be. Not sure what the problems there are.

Rey is a 6-9 240 teddy bear. Until he starts playing like a grizzly posting up to get the best salmon spot in the middle of the river he is not going to be a factor.

If Torres is on the court a lot in St Louis then we are done.

While it might not be pretty some of the time, playing Copeland, Horne and Reeves together should create some mismatches. Fisher is going to play. The other spot is up for grabs between Hillsman and Ndaiye.

 

[Loyl2u]

I didn’t go back and rewatch but it looked like Hillsman got his arm tangled up with a Valpo player’s arm and decided he’d prove he was tougher by not letting go, then it looked like he had some words for referee when he got called for the foul.

It is really tough when you end up with Torres guarding a 4-5 and Rey just isn’t mobile enough to anchor one block and make it all the way across to the other side on the screens. That happens far less when we have 2 of the 3 “bigs” on the floor. Fisher is the most capable of doing this, put it ends up putting him in bad positions and picking up fouls. Ndiaye is not as effective as Fisher, but can recover better than Rey in that 4 wing-1 big lineup.

 

[stats]

I didn’t go back and rewatch but it looked like Hillsman got his arm tangled up with a Valpo player’s arm and decided he’d prove he was tougher by not letting go, then it looked like he had some words for referee when he got called for the foul.

I thought Hillsman had words for the guy that tangled him up, but I could be wrong. You never want to see a technical, but it was nice to see a little fight by a bunch of players who are constantly told they have no fight. The Valpo kid looked like he instigated as he was also yelling at ISU's bench one time after he scored.

 

[stats]

Winning these games does not matter.
What matters is finding the lineup that can give you a shot in St Louis.

I agree with that, but that is just a part of it. We need to figure out how to play a consistent defense we are good at. I had no problem with Dan sticking to a fundamental man defense the last few games. We have miles to go, but switching defenses from game to game does us no good at this point. We need to be able to read each other on offense and throw good passes as well. Like you said, I do think it is important to find the right line-up of guys that can play together. The constant shuffling players in and out might have something to do with the number of bad passes.

On another note, no Boyd today?

 

[Redbird Alum 2004]

Ndiaye picked up his 4th foul at the start of the second half. I thought I remember him picking up his 5th but the ESPN app was all over the place on fouls. To be fair it was hard to keep pace with how many were being called. The official box score has him at 3 so I don't know. Fisher is starting to find good groove. If we can get some consistency out of Reeves we will be dangerous in St Louis. Copeland had a off night and that hurt because Horne and Fisher were on.

 

[Loyl2u]

Winning these games does not matter.
What matters is finding the lineup that can give you a shot in St Louis.

I agree with that, but that is just a part of it. We need to figure out how to play a consistent defense we are good at. I had no problem with Dan sticking to a fundamental man defense the last few games. We have miles to go, but switching defenses from game to game does us no good at this point. We need to be able to read each other on offense and throw good passes as well. Like you said, I do think it is important to find the right line-up of guys that can play together. The constant shuffling players in and out might have something to do with the number of bad passes.

On another note, no Boyd today?

I thought defensive effort was excellent the first half and pretty successful. The Birds did an excellent job of pressuring virtually every shot. Even Ndiaye came out and effectively checked their big on the perimeter. Cant build continuity on either end when you play 20+ Different lineups in games, but it’s almost a necessity when you are still searching for right combination. What is confusing is when you are having success with a combination, why change until required to and when you do need to change, wouldn’t you want as little change as possible?

 

[TheTruth]

I don’t know what to say anymore except I’m just sick to my stomach with what’s become of this program. The guys played about as well and as hard as they could in the 1st half and they could barely keep up with a mediocre Valpo team? That is disgusting and unacceptable.

 

[DWRedbird]

I didn’t go back and rewatch but it looked like Hillsman got his arm tangled up with a Valpo player’s arm and decided he’d prove he was tougher by not letting go, then it looked like he had some words for referee when he got called for the foul.

I thought Hillsman had words for the guy that tangled him up, but I could be wrong. You never want to see a technical, but it was nice to see a little fight by a bunch of players who are constantly told they have no fight. The Valpo kid looked like he instigated as he was also yelling at ISU's bench one time after he scored.

From what it looked like to me, the two got tangled up. After Hillsman got the foul he tried to move his arm and Morgan moved with him keeping him tangled. Hillsman looks at the ref wondering if he is going to do anything and when he didn't to wrenched his arm free and says something (not sure to who), and as soon as that happens Morgan is immediately jawing at him. In my opinion it should have been a double technical. Either that or Morgan should have picked one up a little later when he jawed at the ISU bench. That's what it looked like on my end.

Random other thoughts:

--Abdou played some good defense to start the game, and I like seeing 4 blocks from him. If he works at finishing around the rim when he gets the ball he'll be a huge asset for us the rest of his career.

--Liked what I saw from Fisher all game long. Did it at both ends of the floor, didn't do anything too egregious, and went 4-5 from the FT line. The last few games is how I'd hoped Fisher would play all year after transferring.

--Playing Fisher and Abdou together right now is one of our better line ups defensively. Abdou plays good help D, and Fisher is good on the opponents big and rebounding.

--We need to work on finishing at the rim and in the lane as a team. We seem to be able to get there, but we are more or less just giving up points on over half our possessions.

--The team started off playing like we did when beat Eville, but ended the game reverting back to how we played during every game we lost between that and UNI. I'm not sure what the trigger is, but the coaches need to find it and get us over that hump.

 

[BirdGrad2011]

Someone at the game told me Hillsman yelled “get the **** off me”. Sounds like a weak T to me.

The only thing I’m looking for is contributions from the guys returning. I’ve know heard conflicting things on Horne and him leaving isn’t a sure thing. Reeves was cold, but did some things well. Horne had a solid game. Fisher has been great lately. Abdou is showing something just needs to put it together for a full game.

Other than that I wouldn’t be surprised to see turnover similar to early Muller (just a hunch no inside info). Those early rosters got better each year. The class coming in is the best we’ve seen in a few years and an immediate impact Juco or 2 can result in getting back to respectability pretty quick. Muller isn’t going anywhere, might as well hope for something.

 

[AllFacts]

Ndiaye picked up his 4th foul at the start of the second half. I thought I remember him picking up his 5th but the ESPN app was all over the place on fouls. To be fair it was hard to keep pace with how many were being called. The official box score has him at 3 so I don't know. Fisher is starting to find good groove. If we can get some consistency out of Reeves we will be dangerous in St Louis. Copeland had a off night and that hurt because Horne and Fisher were on.

I totally agree, however, had Copeland been on everyone else would have been off due to selfish play and the amount of shots he would have taken.

 

[TBS_20]

Why would want them to win? The more wins means the more chance Dan stays and we can continue this bickering for another year. Lose out, send Dan packing because he won't keep his job at 9-23 with all the turmoil between players and him, and then the board can be fluffy again until the next coach stinks it up.

 

[Brick]

Bottom line...we’d shoot the ball really poorly. 35% last night and 43 % for the season. I don’t remember % for 3s last night but 35% for the season. That means there is a helluva lot of nights we shoot it worse. The only true pure shooter can’t play. Just like you need nights where your defense carries you, you also need nights where your offense carries you. The only game in conference that happened was the second half against northern Iowa.

 

[SgtHulka]

I didn’t go back and rewatch but it looked like Hillsman got his arm tangled up with a Valpo player’s arm and decided he’d prove he was tougher by not letting go, then it looked like he had some words for referee when he got called for the foul.

I thought Hillsman had words for the guy that tangled him up, but I could be wrong. You never want to see a technical, but it was nice to see a little fight by a bunch of players who are constantly told they have no fight. The Valpo kid looked like he instigated as he was also yelling at ISU's bench one time after he scored.

From what it looked like to me, the two got tangled up. After Hillsman got the foul he tried to move his arm and Morgan moved with him keeping him tangled. Hillsman looks at the ref wondering if he is going to do anything and when he didn't to wrenched his arm free and says something (not sure to who), and as soon as that happens Morgan is immediately jawing at him. In my opinion it should have been a double technical. Either that or Morgan should have picked one up a little later when he jawed at the ISU bench. That's what it looked like on my end.

This.

Need a poll for who didn't play the last game that will start this game. Or who started the last game that won't play this game.

Watching paint peel

 

[stats]

I thought defensive effort was excellent the first half and pretty successful. The Birds did an excellent job of pressuring virtually every shot. Even Ndiaye came out and effectively checked their big on the perimeter. Cant build continuity on either end when you play 20+ Different lineups in games, but it’s almost a necessity when you are still searching for right combination. What is confusing is when you are having success with a combination, why change until required to and when you do need to change, wouldn’t you want as little change as possible?

-I can't agree with this more. The individual effort was there. When you get used to playing with the same teammates on the court, you just have a feel how to play together. The 28-7 team had that.
-I don't understand how we constantly hear how great these guys play in practice, but we always have 1 or 2 different guys in the dog house. It not only takes away from any continuity, it takes away from leadership on the court.
- We have some streaky shooters on this team. When we have a guy on our team hit a couple 3's in a row, it makes no sense to me that we take him out of the game. We just did our opponent a huge favor. Likewise when we are on an 8 to 0 run, we sub. We just did our opponent a favor again.

 

[stats]

Ndiaye picked up his 4th foul at the start of the second half. I thought I remember him picking up his 5th but the ESPN app was all over the place on fouls. To be fair it was hard to keep pace with how many were being called. The official box score has him at 3 so I don't know. Fisher is starting to find good groove. If we can get some consistency out of Reeves we will be dangerous in St Louis. Copeland had a off night and that hurt because Horne and Fisher were on.

guys that fouled out- no one
guys with 4 fouls-Fisher, Copleand, Torres
guys with 3 fouls-Hillsman,Ndiaye, Reeves,Oduwu
guys with 2 fouls or less-Horne, Bruniga, Boyd(didn't play)

I might very well be in the minority here, but I think many coaches are too worried about their 4th or 5th best player fouling out, especially when they are losing in the game. We had no one foul out last night which means they missed 0 seconds of the game because of fouling out. However, we probably sat Hillsman 12 minutes or more that game because of the fear of fouling out. We probably penalized ourselves a total of 30 or 40 minutes(if you add up the guys that were sitting in foul trouble) by sitting them with the fear of fouling out.

Here is also why I don't like a guy automatically sitting with 2 fouls in the first half. Players know once they have their first foul in the game, that they are now one foul away from having to sit the rest of the half. You are not going to get the same aggressive defense that you want from those players......assuming defense is a main priority.

 

[Redbird60451]

Sat right behind the bench on Saturday. Don't know much about basketball. I can say Taylor just looked slow in the defensive rotation, I think Dan wants him to play, but doesn't want him to look bad, so that's why he only played a few min (maybe legs aren't back, maybe never will be back). Rey while he did some nice things, also was missing assignments, I could hear multiple coaches telling him he's out of position, also had that lost look sometimes. Saw Dan mention to one of the assistants after a foul by Ndiaye, does he want to foul out. Not sure as to why he got up in Reeves grill with the kids family likely sitting the 3 rows in front of me. And I think with about 2/3 min left in First Half, Dan yelling 'We Have To Finish!' at everyone, (likely because we had just missed 2/3 shots again, from with in 2 ft, you know the kind 6'9 guys should go up and slam or force the ref to call a foul. Actually we wouldn't be half bad if we did finish those, I think I counted at least 5 or 6, and that would have made it close. Best was when I think Dan broke the clip board in the huddle going ape $hit.
Not sure if this year is learning and they as a team will get better. Not sure if Dan's style of coaching is getting through to these kids, or maybe these kids just aren't that good. Also not sure how this gym, which is likely smaller then my Son's High School Gym, is MVC eligible, but I will say, to sit 4 rows behind the bench at $12 a seat, I am happy Valpo is in our league. Where else can you sniff a lower bowl seat 4 rows from the bench, the day before the game, all for only $12? Hell I bought an extra seat just for my jacket. Also my son says the guy in the gray jacket (which was Dan) has perfected that disappointment face, you know the ones parents get when you just have no words left to offer, because there's only so many times you can say the same thing over and over and over.

Any suggestions as to what to do Friday and Saturday in St. Louis after I get my free stuff at the tournament? I fully expect only to care about one game, and that will be on Thursday.

(and yes that one Valpo player who had Hillsman in the crosswing chicken hook, did mouth something towards Hillsman after he made a basket and Hillsman was in detention)

 

[stats]

Sat right behind the bench on Saturday. Don't know much about basketball. I can say Taylor just looked slow in the defensive rotation, I think Dan wants him to play, but doesn't want him to look bad, so that's why he only played a few min (maybe legs aren't back, maybe never will be back). Rey while he did some nice things, also was missing assignments, I could hear multiple coaches telling him he's out of position, also had that lost look sometimes. Saw Dan mention to one of the assistants after a foul by Ndiaye, does he want to foul out. Not sure as to why he got up in Reeves grill with the kids family likely sitting the 3 rows in front of me. And I think with about 2/3 min left in First Half, Dan yelling 'We Have To Finish!' at everyone, (likely because we had just missed 2/3 shots again, from with in 2 ft, you know the kind 6'9 guys should go up and slam or force the ref to call a foul. Actually we wouldn't be half bad if we did finish those, I think I counted at least 5 or 6, and that would have made it close. Best was when I think Dan broke the clip board in the huddle going ape $hit.
Not sure if this year is learning and they as a team will get better. Not sure if Dan's style of coaching is getting through to these kids, or maybe these kids just aren't that good. Also not sure how this gym, which is likely smaller then my Son's High School Gym, is MVC eligible, but I will say, to sit 4 rows behind the bench at $12 a seat, I am happy Valpo is in our league. Where else can you sniff a lower bowl seat 4 rows from the bench, the day before the game, all for only $12? Hell I bought an extra seat just for my jacket. Also my son says the guy in the gray jacket (which was Dan) has perfected that disappointment face, you know the ones parents get when you just have no words left to offer, because there's only so many times you can say the same thing over and over and over.

Any suggestions as to what to do Friday and Saturday in St. Louis after I get my free stuff at the tournament? I fully expect only to care about one game, and that will be on Thursday.

(and yes that one Valpo player who had Hillsman in the crosswing chicken hook, did mouth something towards Hillsman after he made a basket and Hillsman was in detention)

Great post. Thanks for sharing.

 

[BirdsEyeView]

When was the last time a player on our team dunked?