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Post by peacockpride on Feb 7, 2016 0:08:52 GMT -5
Thanks for the update Cindy. Tough news on Wyche, the one player we have no backup for. Need to take advantage of this four game homestand if the team is gonna get back on track. Had figured we'll need to take 3 of the next 4 to finish in the top 5 but with it sounding like Wyche will miss at least one game that task becomes even tougher. The way the MAAC is shaping up, ending up on the 2/3 side of the bracket is going to make for a much tougher task which will most likely require beating Siena In a road game and upsetting Iona. Monmouth is by far the best team but their side of the bracket will only require one upset and a matchup against one of the "others." With the way we've played lately finding a way to Monday night is a long shot to even think about, but if we don't finish in the top 5, our best case scenario may be to fall into the 8/9 game and hopefully get Wyche healthy. Still may be too many games to look that far ahead but just some food for thought...
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Post by loyal on Feb 7, 2016 11:35:29 GMT -5
It's not impossible (see 2011) but highly unlikely any 2015 MAAC squad will be able to beat Iona and Monmouth of successive nights.
SPU beat the #'s 1 and 2 seed as big underdogs in 2011, after going 0-4 against them in the regular season.
If anyone other than Monmouth or Iona wins it this year, they are likely going to have to overcome a similar hurdle.....beat a 7/8 point favorite on consecutive nights.
If Siena's impressive young players mature fast and Wright comes back 100% (both unlikely) they may do it, in front of a rabid home crowd. Save that, it should be a great Hawk/Gael final.
For SPU, let's hope TW gets healthy quickly and that our freshman PF's and Cam Jones get some valuable floor time as what looks like a .500 or so season winds down. I'd especially like to see one of our young PF's step up, but "rawness" and injuries make that unlikely this season.
I hope we can finish 4/5; that journey starts with a must win tomorrow night!
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Post by cindycrawford on Feb 7, 2016 18:11:45 GMT -5
Last place Marist over Siena says anything is possible on the way to the dance.
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Post by pcockfan on Feb 8, 2016 0:02:36 GMT -5
Loyal, you are right that none of the PFs on the roster have shown to be average. My overall point was more along the lines that with an All-MAAC player in Welton and under average (just not terrible) play from that combination we probably have an average MAAC front court. My Point was more that most MAAC teams don't have more than one impact post player so we're not that far off rather than a belief that one of the current PFs will be an above average player by next season. Everyone is hoping, as am I, for a JUCO to come in and have an immediate impact, but who can name one JUCO this staff has recruited in 10 years that has fit that description? Belin had the most impact of any JUCO under Dunne and it took him a year and a half to figure it out. IMO I attribute this in some way to the emphasis on defensive in our system and the lack of defense played on the JUCO level. Not a good mesh with our program when expecting an immediate impact. But hoping like everyone else we can change that trend this recruiting cycle. Am I correct that if everyone returns we only have one opening for next year? Pcockfan you make a lot of points that I agree with. Funny to me that some here criticize posters for being "wanna be coaches" but then mock the opposing coaches scouting report as if they know more than a d1 coach. I also agree on your point on fatigue. Our schedule hasn't been different from any other MAAC school and most schools play an 8-9 man rotation by this point in the year. No reason to be any more tired than anyone else, especially with an unexpected 8 day layoff last week. Fatigue factor should come in to play with the Manhattan makeup but not now. I would disagree somewhat though with your point on mental toughness. To win close games, players need to execute. We had open looks tonight and in the past and just don't convert. I think the majority of the issue is talent and not toughness. Saw a stat on Twitter last week that in games decided by 4pts or less MAAC teams rank 30 out of 32 in the country, so we aren't the only team in the league that struggles to finish. We are a mediocre team in a below average conference, it's as simple as that.
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Post by pcockfan on Feb 8, 2016 0:15:44 GMT -5
Peacockpride....you make very good points about finishing, I agree with you SOMEWHAT. Not to go back and forth but you are correct with the "execution" of plays at the end of the game. To execute a play at the end of a game requires a lot of concentration due to end of the game fatigue, score, opponent, etc. Thats why you will hear a lot of coaches say the game is 15% physical and 85% mental. For that reason, is why I harp on mental toughness, the ability to complete a task at hand regardless of the external circumstances. Basically that is where i am coming from. The inner will or drive to push throw those trying moments while staying focus.
Man, i like your stat about the MAAC and its results in winning and losing close games. Very interesting!
See you guys at the Game!
#GoPeacocks!!!!!
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Post by Peacock on Feb 8, 2016 16:12:59 GMT -5
Last place Marist over Siena says anything is possible on the way to the dance. No it does not
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Post by Peacock on Feb 8, 2016 16:18:10 GMT -5
Belin had the most impact of any JUCO under Dunne and it took him a year and a half to figure it out. . Disagree. Belin liked to venture outside and shoot the three as well as penetrate and was disciplined for it. Turns out his style of play was what helped us, not the type they wanted him to play. Doubt defense had much to do with it. In fact some of the blind experts on the board complained about his shooting the three.
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Post by loyal on Feb 8, 2016 18:04:23 GMT -5
Belin's three point shooting, abysmal for most of his career (under 30% I think) was excellent in the Semi and Final.
I have no idea what happened to transform JB into the player he became for the final 8/10 games of his SPU career, but his "way above the norm" long range accuracy was the single factor most responsible for the 2011 Title.
Basically, our opponents had no idea that was coming and I venture a guess neither did the staff or SPU fans.
I think he shot 50% from three for the Tourney. God Bless Jeron Belin (and Tim Cluess). :-)
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