Late stuff (American game)...

[gary-7]

...and "No he didn't!".

So, let's start right there: As usual, EC made passes that had me saying that phrase yet. again, but more importantly, we are at a vital Step 1 of long-term success, as this has become Eliot's team. Now, we have to watch the parts mesh. OK, how about what else I wanted to see?

- Tyson getting more run to find a rhythm and role: At least a partial check there

- Converting more cleanly in transition: Much improved

- RJ finding his stroke: Still struggling there, but all he needs is to go off on one of his scoring benders and I suspect the mojo will return --- hopefully that happens in Hawaii.

- Fixing the Secondary --- ok, let's explore that:
There has been a maddening missing element that has effectively killed our trademark Secondary -- not utilizing the dive post. Finally, in the second half it returned (albeit clunkily at first) with predictable results. Check out the video below.
We are still in Secondary action and Withers finds himself almost in the right place but standing around in the "short corner". EC finally directs him to flash for a medium post, and with no help coming, it's easy pickin's:

Post entry off Secondary Break on Make a GIF

_premium

makeagif.com

We successfully used this option a couple more times in the second half, and I can only hope it wasn't by accident, as it should be the norm (!!!). Honestly, just surrounding a retreating defense (especially when we're playing two Bigs) is, well, tits on a boar-hog. The dive is Dean's option #1 and stresses the defense by just being there.

Finally, a few more things:
- Great night for JWash.
- EC and Seth are holy terrors on defense out front --- would sure like to see them in actual Scrambles
- Constant "wows' at Powell's athleticism
- 64 pts in the second half --- yeah, that's more like it

Anyway, as usual EC got jacked out of an Assist by our stat guy, but his line was outstanding nonethelss, and it was a joy to watch our transition game operating. Got a gauntlet coming up and we'll need all hands on deck!...

 

[al would]

Free throw shooting this season is a big positive !!

Wash did have a very good game and man his stroke is smooth.

I could get used to seeing EC, Seth and Drake at the 1,2 and 3 spots. I see very few negatives there save Drakes limited PT with the team but that is one helluva athletic trio with some serious defensive chops.

 

[dtodd4475]

Nice work against a team that did not offer much. Got some nice rhythm going as a unit hopefully going into a stretch of tough tests, and everyone stayed healthy. 👍

 

[DSouthr]

Interesting game, the first 10mins, to me looked like a serous lack of communication, guys missing their switches and leaving a jump shooter open to often. On offense (1st 10mins) we seemed to try to force some things, seemed clear there was a concerted effort to get RJ cranked up and in doing so the offense seemed to stagnate some. But Elliot Cadeau began to take over, doing Cadeau like things. Kid was every where, didn't need to score a single point but he did. Not enough has been said about his defensive improvement, he is becoming a menace to opposing PGs as a defender.

Last 10mins of that first half our defense was pretty good but give American credit, they simply hit some hard shots, many of their treys were , well ok but no way that lasts, it didn't. There was not a single doubt in my mind after that last 10mins of the first half, this thing was about to get ugly. American started to get in to foul trouble, our defense was getting stronger and that American team was wearing down, inother words those contested jumpers they got in that first half were going to start rimming out and we were about to go on a rip & run spree, we did. Really, only thing that kept this close in that first half was they hit a lot of contested jumpers for 3 and we missed wide open easy jumpers, dang RJ. We were 0 for what ever from trey, despite getting really clean looks, law of averages says that would not continue..

Second half was kinda simple, in addition to the above, Tyson hit a jumper and it was as if the storm gates were opened, the lid cam off the basket and it was just on after that. Cadeau was masterful, JWit had a really nice spurt in that first half, he is making a habit of having those nice spurts. But Drake Powell did a LOT of growing up last night, as they say, Drake is a problem, and Drake is becoming a much bigger problem, he is constant motion, bl;ocking shots (don't ya just love those 2 handed blocks, got 2 of those last night as well as another more standard block), 11 boards and was soaring for them. Drake pulls down a board he is off on a rip and run.

Tyson hitting that trifecta of treys was nice to see but i felt he played hard and well before hitting those. Impressive that we did that without Jack or Brown available, BOTH missed VALUABLE playing time minutes that they both really need. JWash had a nice game and for me maybe the most important madeshot all noight may have been his corner jumper for 2 off an inbounds pass, his being ready and willing to take that can not be over stated, it is critical for this team going forward, he has to do more of that. Felt Lubin just had a solid game, very blue collar lunch pail like. Now, on to Hawaii.

 

[DSouthr]

Free throw shooting this season is a big positive !!

Wash did have a very good game and man his stroke is smooth.

I could get used to seeing EC, Seth and Drake at the 1,2 and 3 spots. I see very few negatives there save Drakes limited PT with the team but that is one helluva athletic trio with some serious defensive chops.

May well be our most effective line up right now. Drake doesn't give the scoring threat that RJ does but he does chip in but defensively Drake is a problem, hitting the boards Drake is a problem, that 7ft reach from Drake, is a problem, bottom line is Drake is already a problem for our opponents, with each game he seems to be an even bigger problem!