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vs UNH - 1/11 @ 7PM


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I agree perimeter D is the issue (obviously). I agree someone should start besides Grayson (posted this yesterday--I must be a genius. NOT.) Grayson should be used to spell Cremo & Nichols; keeping them stronger for the end where we seem to be unable to close. Start someone else up front (anyone.) If our perimeter D is designed to "save" our depleted bigs (as Phoenix claims), WOW, the coaching staff is watching something completely different than the fans.

 

I am NOT a coach and never played above intramural ball and do not know if the D issue is a "personnel" issue {as some claim} or "strategy" issue {as some claim.} But as "depleted" as the front maybe, we have players who can fill-in there. Let Stire, Rowley, Charles, whoever, bang inside until they foul out or whatever. Its the guards that need the help! AE is a guard oriented league. If we are defending the way we are defending to protect the front court or because we do not have the personnel to defend man to man; than [MY OPINION] the staff needs to adapt--ZONE or whatever?

Edited by dslyank
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This team has the talent to play with anyone in the league, and certainly has a chance to make noise and possibly win the conference tournament. We have all seen it in stretches. They have had a lead, or at least been within 3-4 points, in every single game halfway through the second half or later (with the exception of Canisius). This includes SMU and Cincinatti - both big conference schools.

 

They can play very well in spurts. While they could make a post season run, they better start a winning streak now or even if they do happen to get hot at the right time (as WB teams seem to do) they would most likely get a PIG game or a #16 at best.

 

The defense has obviously been horrid on the perimeter, but just as concerning to me is how bad the shot selection has been at times. Not to pick on Nichols as he is a great talent, but when UA was making a run last night he made some bad decisions trying to do too much. While that pull up 3 in transition would have been huge if it fell, it was not a good spot to take that shot. There were a couple others that just made me scratch my head.

 

Also, I don't think I saw it mentioned. Any idea why we didn't see Lands last night?

 

I couldn't attend the game because of another commitment so I gave my tickets to an employee, but I did watch the entire game on ESPN3. It was loud where I was so I couldn't hear the croud all that well - but how bad did it get with all of the obviously blown calls? Give the NH player the continuation then say Rowley was fouled before the shot on the next possession? WTF. I think there was 4 blown calls within a few minutes time.

 

As I said last night to the people I was with - Brown should try to shake stuff up with the UMBC game. Kind of like how he started Ennema over Nichols earlier in the year. Even if it is just for the first 5 minutes of the game. Being on the road is the perfect spot to send a message even if it costs the team another shot at a win. The team needs a shot in the arm...

 

Start Anderson, Dallas, Campbell, Charles, and Lands

 

Tell the rest of the team that they can go into the game when they promise to play D

Edited by godanesgo99
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I think our perimeter defense issues are more about personnel and less about strategy. None of the starting guards are really that great defenders (right now?). We don't have a Lillis or Hastings or Johnson or Sanders. I think that's a longer-term coaching/instruction/recruiting issue..and less of a defensive strategy issue.

 

The strategy part that does seem at play is going under some screens and sliding to help defend guys who penetrate. But if we don't do that..then we leave it up to our bigs to leave their man and defend drives. And right now this team has just 3 healthy bigs..Stire, Rowley and Charles. Even playing the way we do..Stire picks-up 5.1 fouls per 40min..Rowley 3.9 fouls per 40min..and Charles 8.1 fouls per 40min. Those numbers would only go up..unfortunately. And we don't have the depth to deal with that.

 

The team doesn't have to be elite defensively to win. They just have to be consistent and make a few improvements. But that means we have to execute that much more on offensive..maintain our rebounding edge..and limit turnovers. Obviously easier said than done.

 

With all that..I think I wouldn't be surprised to see Campbell replace Grayson in the starting line-up..or at least eat into more of his minutes. Marqueese seems to be trending down..especially evidenced last night. And Campbell seems to be effective and get into a rhythm when he's on the court for more than a few minutes a game.

 

Good post...UA is still very efficient on the offensive end (3rd in conference)...tightening up the perimeter D, staying home on shooters would pay dividends. Problem is the guards are getting repeatedly beat off the dribble which forces the bigs and wings to collapse opening up the shooters. It has to start with guard defense. I too thought Campbell was really active on the defensive end...I'd pull Grayson from starting lineup at this point and insert him at the 3.

 

This. All this. I noticed Nichols (or was it Grayson?) get completely owned on 3-4 different occasions. Guy he was guarding was in triple threat position, faked left (or right) and went the other way leaving our guy wondering if the guy was Houdini or something. Those kinds of terrible defensive reactions leave our bigs scrambling because the guard didn't even REMOTELY stay in front of his man which then causes a chain reaction of the weakside defender moving off his man and then BAM, 3pt basket.

 

I didn't notice too many issues with the screens this game...for the most part it seemed like they made the right call depending on the situation...so hopefully that is fixed for good.

 

I agree with the above assessments...it definitely seems to be more of an execution/personnel thing than an outright strategy thing. We're just lazy and terrible in rotating or getting out on the shooter after a blown assignment.

 

This team has the talent to play with anyone in the league, and certainly has a chance to make noise and possibly win the conference tournament. We have all seen it in stretches. They have had a lead, or at least been within 3-4 points, in every single game halfway through the second half or later (with the exception of Canisius). This includes SMU and Cincinatti - both big conference schools.

 

They can play very well in spurts. While they could make a post season run, they better start a winning streak now or even if they do happen to get hot at the right time (as WB teams seem to do) they would most likely get a PIG game or a #16 at best.

 

The defense has obviously been horrid on the perimeter, but just as concerning to me is how bad the shot selection has been at times. Not to pick on Nichols as he is a great talent, but when UA was making a run last night he made some bad decisions trying to do too much. While that pull up 3 in transition would have been huge if it fell, it was not a good spot to take that shot. There were a couple others that just made me scratch my head.

 

Also, I don't think I saw it mentioned. Any idea why we didn't see Lands last night?

 

I couldn't attend the game because of another commitment so I gave my tickets to an employee, but I did watch the entire game on ESPN3. It was loud where I was so I couldn't hear the croud all that well - but how bad did it get with all of the obviously blown calls? Give the NH player the continuation then say Rowley was fouled before the shot on the next possession? WTF. I think there was 4 blown calls within a few minutes time.

 

As I said last night to the people I was with - Brown should try to shake stuff up with the UMBC game. Kind of like how he started Ennema over Nichols earlier in the year. Even if it is just for the first 5 minutes of the game. Being on the road is the perfect spot to send a message even if it costs the team another shot at a win. The team needs a shot in the arm...

 

Start Anderson, Dallas, Campbell, Charles, and Lands

 

Tell the rest of the team that they can go into the game when they promise to play D

 

Yep, noticed the same thing with David. He had a few shots in the 20 second range of the shot clock. WAY too soon. Need to run the play longer.

 

Also, we were PISSED in the arena. I mean, the whole place was up in arms and booed them at one point for a good minute straight at which point the refs had a conference at the scorers table about who knows what. I've never been that mad at a ref before and I've given more than a few the business...that young looking idiot one who was running around wearing a zebra costume was ATROCIOUS. The other guy with the black to gray hair is one that's been on my $iena list for a couple of seasons but the blond kid was making most of the calls it seemed. The calls were so blatant and so extreme...on one end they were giving continuations and on the other, for the EXACT SAME situations, they weren't. It was unexplainable. Even the NBA isn't that bad and the NBA has been pretty unwatchable for me lately considering it's literally a 2 horse race right now (and that's coming from a longtime NBA fan who lived and breathed that league FAR more than college sports or even the NFL). The AE should literally fine or suspend these guys.

 

Lands reaggravated his hamstring again. Out indefinitely.

Ugh...when it rains it pours.

Edited by Eli
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I don't know if I'm just noticing it more often, but it seems like a lot more than in the past I'm thinking "that was good ball movement". Once somebody drops off to help on a drive, teams are kicking out while our guys are chasing, and even if we cover the first shooter and it takes three more passes, they eventually find the open man.

 

Same problem with the handoff to a guy who seems to be able to shoot a three while standing two feet behind his teammate, the defender can't fight thru and get between the pick and the shooter without knocking somebody down.

 

The AE can't fire or suspend refs. Referee assignments used to, at least, be coordinated by the ECAC. The same refs are used by the AE, MAAC, NEC and Ivy. A team may refuse to accept one, but there's only a limited number of officials at this level. They get graded for their game performances, but it must take a lot for one to be decertified or whatever they do.

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AE Hoops roundup

 

My take: Everyone is a coach when you're losing and Albany fans seem to have all the answers right now. If only Will Brown knew what he was doing this team would be 3-0 in conference play...that's it, someone get me my cell, I'm calling him right now and telling him why I can do his job better than he can!

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I said it way back when- Hamstrings do not heal easily. Arguably, once Lands went down...this team had issues. Not the sole reason...but a big reason.

We are building for the future...and everyone should recognize that right now. Our front court depth will be filled next year with the two big Aussies...we will have PG depth...and we will have a perimeter defender (Cochran).

 

Young, no depth...and can't play a lick of D doesn't work at the D one level.

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I said it way back when- Hamstrings do not heal easily. Arguably, once Lands went down...this team had issues. Not the sole reason...but a big reason.

We are building for the future...and everyone should recognize that right now. Our front court depth will be filled next year with the two big Aussies...we will have PG depth...and we will have a perimeter defender (Cochran).

 

Young, no depth...and can't play a lick of D doesn't work at the D one level.

 

Just sucks to get slammed back to earth after the false hope of games like Penn State and Siena (at the time anyway). But it is what it is...can't win a 'chip every year. Last year ended rough but was a great year...we were due to for a down year I suppose.

I don't mind the losing so much as I mind HOW we are losing, it's just maddening.

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Forgot to post the updated stat tracker:

UAlbany Wins																								
** Albany stats are the left side in each grouping **																								
Opponent	FGM		FGA		FG%		FTM		FTA		FT%		3PTM		3PTA		3PT%		RBG		AST		TO	
Penn State	30	27	61	63	49.2%	42.9%	20	18	25	22	80.0%	81.8%	7	9	14	25	50.0%	36.0%	43	26	16	9	15	12
Oneonta	        38	20	81	71	46.9%	28.2%	16	11	25	13	64.0%	84.6%	5	5	12	27	41.7%	18.5%	69	31	15	11	12	13
Brown	        26	25	52	59	50.0%	42.4%	22	21	28	29	78.6%	72.4%	6	5	14	20	42.9%	25.0%	37	28	9	13	18	8
Siena	        27	23	52	49	51.9%	46.9%	21	19	32	25	65.6%	76.0%	6	7	12	22	50.0%	31.8%	29	31	15	11	6	11
Marist	        26	25	60	51	43.3%	49.0%	21	5	28	8	75.0%	62.5%	5	11	14	28	35.7%	39.3%	34	30	13	15	9	19
Colgate	        26	23	51	45	51.0%	51.1%	19	9	26	11	73.1%	81.8%	3	11	9	29	33.3%	37.9%	29	22	8	11	10	16
St. Francis BK	29	24	61	59	47.5%	40.7%	21	7	25	12	84.0%	58.3%	8	5	17	22	47.1%	22.7%	50	21	19	12	15	8
Columbia	21	24	52	51	40.4%	47.1%	24	12	28	18	85.7%	66.7%	4	7	12	23	33.3%	30.4%	39	27	8	16	15	13
Cornell	        27	22	62	49	43.5%	44.9%	11	5	16	9	68.8%	55.6%	4	10	16	31	25.0%	32.3%	43	24	14	14	10	13
OOC	        250	213	532	497	47.0%	42.9%	175	107	233	147	75.1%	72.8%	48	70	120	227	40.0%	30.8%	373	240	117	112	110	113
Total	        250	213	532	497	47.0%	42.9%	175	107	233	147	75.1%	72.8%	48	70	120	227	40.0%	30.8%	373	240	117	112	110	113
Average	        27.8	23.7	59.1	55.2	47.1%	43.7%	19.4	11.9	25.9	16.3	75.0%	71.1%	5.3	7.8	13.3	25.2	39.9%	30.4%	41.4	26.7	13.0	12.4	12.2	12.6
																								
UAlbany Losses																								
** Albany stats are the left side in each grouping **																								
Opponent	FGM		FGA		FG%		FTM		FTA		FT%		3PTM		3PTA		3PT%		RBG		AST		TO	
Cincinatti	20	28	48	61	41.7%	45.9%	9	13	14	20	64.3%	65.0%	2	5	14	21	14.3%	23.8%	33	34	8	16	22	10
Grand Canyon	27	29	59	69	45.8%	42.0%	15	14	21	21	71.4%	66.7%	8	10	21	24	38.1%	41.7%	36	33	10	15	13	9
Holy Cross	21	18	45	46	46.7%	39.1%	8	6	10	10	80.0%	60.0%	1	11	9	29	11.1%	37.9%	20	37	15	12	18	9
Yale	        22	22	50	56	44.0%	39.3%	9	4	10	5	90.0%	80.0%	2	11	12	29	16.7%	37.9%	31	33	13	15	12	13
Canisius	27	26	66	57	40.9%	45.6%	8	13	8	17	100.0%	76.5%	2	12	11	28	18.2%	42.9%	37	35	11	20	13	14
SMU	        21	25	51	47	41.2%	53.2%	4	13	5	24	80.0%	54.2%	7	8	23	17	30.4%	47.1%	25	33	10	14	12	10
Umass Lowell	32	33	56	52	57.1%	63.5%	8	7	11	12	72.7%	58.3%	7	12	16	23	43.8%	52.2%	28	18	13	17	13	11
Stony Brook	28	22	50	58	56.0%	37.9%	7	20	10	24	70.0%	83.3%	7	8	13	28	53.8%	28.6%	31	30	14	13	19	10
UNH	        22	25	51	52	43.1%	48.1%	18	11	25	13	72.0%	84.6%	5	14	19	30	26.3%	46.7%	31	29	8	16	6	8
OOC	        138	148	319	336	43.3%	44.0%	53	63	68	97	77.9%	64.9%	22	57	90	148	24.4%	38.5%	182	205	67	92	90	65
America East	82	80	157	162	52.2%	49.4%	33	38	46	49	71.7%	77.6%	19	34	48	81	39.6%	42.0%	90	77	35	46	38	29
Total	        220	228	476	498	46.2%	45.8%	86	101	114	146	75.4%	69.2%	41	91	138	229	29.7%	39.7%	272	282	102	138	128	94
Average	        24.4	25.3	52.9	55.3	43.4%	44.2%	9.6	11.2	12.7	16.2	81.0%	67.1%	4.6	10.1	15.3	25.4	21.5%	38.5%	30.2	31.3	11.3	15.3	14.2	10.4
																								
Total (all)	470	441	1008	995	46.6%	44.3%	261	208	347	293	75.2%	71.0%	89	161	258	456	34.5%	35.3%	645	522	219	250	238	207
Average (all)	26.1	24.5	56.0	55.3	45.6%	43.9%	14.5	11.6	19.3	16.3	77.4%	69.5%	4.9	8.9	14.3	25.3	32.5%	33.7%	35.8	29.0	12.2	13.9	13.2	11.5

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I don't know if I'm just noticing it more often, but it seems like a lot more than in the past I'm thinking "that was good ball movement". Once somebody drops off to help on a drive, teams are kicking out while our guys are chasing, and even if we cover the first shooter and it takes three more passes, they eventually find the open man.

 

Yes! We seem to go into "scramble mode" pretty quickly and end up chasing the ball a lot. I suspect one of the reasons we play that three quarter court press is to slow the other team down so we have less of the shot clock to defend in the half court. I'm hoping this is something that can be taught over time - to work as a unit and rotate to help.

 

It'll be interesting to see if there is a lineup change at some point. I don't know if Campbell played more because Dallas is hurting or because he's playing better but he had one of his strongest outings as a Dane. We lose a little outside shooting but gain rebounding and he is tough to stop when he gets into the lane.

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When I hear UA and rebuild in the same sentence I cringe to be honest. This is the America East. I also can't imagine coach liking that idea either. We should be reloading every year to compete for a championship. If we are seriously going through a "rebuild" he's gotta be kicking himself wondering why the hell am I not coaching at a high major. He's got five tournament appearances and his peers like Pikell, Chambers and Lonergan all only had one each.

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When I hear UA and rebuild in the same sentence I cringe to be honest. This is the America East. I also can't imagine coach liking that idea either. We should be reloading every year to compete for a championship. If we are seriously going through a "rebuild" he's gotta be kicking himself wondering why the hell am I not coaching at a high major. He's got five tournament appearances and his peers like Pikell, Chambers and Lonergan all only had one each.

 

That is very astute. I don't think CB recruits or would begin any season with the mindset - 'give them a year to learn and this team will be ready the following year.'

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