Again as a disclaimer, playing through high school and coaching kids does not make me qualified to know how to coach at the D1 level, so this is only an opinion. Last week, I posted that the next 2 weeks will determine if we become a team or spiral into disarray. Personally, I am very encouraged by the disciplinary action coach McDermott took (and really want him to succeed), but the results of the game gave me little indication that the team is ready to play together and compete for an upper half finish in the Big 12. Time is slipping away. It has been stated many times that our rebounding is poor, there have been people questioning the PG play, the lack of offensive movement, no defensive rotation etc. For me, I am just as disappointed on what I see as a lack of fundamentals when defending against the dribble drive. Outside of Christopherson (and from what I saw with Buckley), we do not maintain a low defensive base. Running at penetrators or standing up on defense will not get it done at this level. I just do not understand how we still have (in my opinion) fundamental gaps this late into the season?
So what needs to change? Obviously, the players have to take their roles and responsibilities to heart and want to play as a team. We need to defend the dribble better and rebound (including the guards taking heart to box out and position themselves better). We should get the ball to Brackins on the wing extended more and not just on the low block, back to the basket. Offensively, the ball needs to move quicker making the smart pass and not trying the great pass.
I would also make rotational lineup changes. My thoughts are as follows (prior to hopefully Colvin’s return):
Hamilton; play 28-30 minutes. He competes on the boards and defensively will rotate to help. He understands his offensive role and can score one on one in the low block (assume teams will continue to double Brackins).
Brackins; play 33-35 minutes. Brackins is our top offensive threat.
Dendy; 15 – 20 minutes. LaRon brings energy, but needs to improve interior defense and isn’t as strong on the low block. Yes, he attacks the rim, but we do not run much and when teams are hedging to double Brackins which will open up the low block.
Gilstrap; 25 minutes. He can be our best wing defender, rebounder and a solid offensive threat, but isn’t consistent and makes mistakes during the game (turnovers, ill advised shots)
Boozer; 15- 20 minutes. Energy, hustle, but he must minimize mistakes. Played great at NDSU, however, this is only one game.
Christopherson 20 minutes. Best on ball defender, good shooter but needs to rebound as a guard better. We need rebounding support from all positions.
Staiger; 10 – 12 minutes. Great spot up shooter, but not a solid ball handler, or effective at rebounding. Defensive fundamentals need to improve or teams will isolate him and challenge him one on one.
Garrett; 28 – 30 minutes. Ball handler with ability to handle defensive pressure. Offensively, his mid range game is improving.
Buckley; 15 – 18 minutes. Ball handler and (from the limited game time I have seen, so this may end up not true) a good on ball defender. He has good range, but not a great penetrator.
I would like to see at times a three guard line-up with possibly Garrett, Buckley and Christopherson (best perimeter defensive alignment?).
So again, my thoughts. Regardless, we need to make big steps as a team very soon. I started the season thinking we should be in the NCAA tournament and I really believe that anything less would be under achieving. And yes as much as I like coach, he is responsible for his recruits, their play, his coaching and the effectiveness of his offensive and defensive sets.
So what needs to change? Obviously, the players have to take their roles and responsibilities to heart and want to play as a team. We need to defend the dribble better and rebound (including the guards taking heart to box out and position themselves better). We should get the ball to Brackins on the wing extended more and not just on the low block, back to the basket. Offensively, the ball needs to move quicker making the smart pass and not trying the great pass.
I would also make rotational lineup changes. My thoughts are as follows (prior to hopefully Colvin’s return):
Hamilton; play 28-30 minutes. He competes on the boards and defensively will rotate to help. He understands his offensive role and can score one on one in the low block (assume teams will continue to double Brackins).
Brackins; play 33-35 minutes. Brackins is our top offensive threat.
Dendy; 15 – 20 minutes. LaRon brings energy, but needs to improve interior defense and isn’t as strong on the low block. Yes, he attacks the rim, but we do not run much and when teams are hedging to double Brackins which will open up the low block.
Gilstrap; 25 minutes. He can be our best wing defender, rebounder and a solid offensive threat, but isn’t consistent and makes mistakes during the game (turnovers, ill advised shots)
Boozer; 15- 20 minutes. Energy, hustle, but he must minimize mistakes. Played great at NDSU, however, this is only one game.
Christopherson 20 minutes. Best on ball defender, good shooter but needs to rebound as a guard better. We need rebounding support from all positions.
Staiger; 10 – 12 minutes. Great spot up shooter, but not a solid ball handler, or effective at rebounding. Defensive fundamentals need to improve or teams will isolate him and challenge him one on one.
Garrett; 28 – 30 minutes. Ball handler with ability to handle defensive pressure. Offensively, his mid range game is improving.
Buckley; 15 – 18 minutes. Ball handler and (from the limited game time I have seen, so this may end up not true) a good on ball defender. He has good range, but not a great penetrator.
I would like to see at times a three guard line-up with possibly Garrett, Buckley and Christopherson (best perimeter defensive alignment?).
So again, my thoughts. Regardless, we need to make big steps as a team very soon. I started the season thinking we should be in the NCAA tournament and I really believe that anything less would be under achieving. And yes as much as I like coach, he is responsible for his recruits, their play, his coaching and the effectiveness of his offensive and defensive sets.
