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Post by loyal on Jan 31, 2016 20:18:40 GMT -5
Gaels are a 3.5 point favorite.
Will be interesting to see how our guys react to a three game losing streak. Since we've "moved up in class" (Iona and Hawks away, improving Rider team home) we've not been up to the task.
Iona home and Siena away will be the last real indicators of our prospects up in Albany. Did we fatten up on the bottom level MAAC squads to go 6-1, or have we just hit a little bump in the road every team experiences?
I suspect we'll get the answer to that question Monday night. Personally, I think SPU has an excellent chance. We'll see.
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Post by oldtimer1 on Jan 31, 2016 22:16:33 GMT -5
Loyal...agree. If you watched one of the JD's interviews he felt that he had enough talent to compete/beat any team in the league. Certainly Monmouth and Iona are the cream of the crop but can beat either or lose to Siena, Canisius and anyone else. Most of the league is pretty well balanced. In my view, while defense is our key we do need to be more consistent offensively. Let's get out of our rut and begin to peak as we head to the Tournament.
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Post by peacockpride on Feb 1, 2016 10:57:43 GMT -5
Interesting looking at Iona's MAAC games that this year they seem to be losing the high scoring fast paced games (Fairfield, Monmouth) and winning the hard fought defensive games (SP, Manhattan). Not sure what that means, but it seems that the opposite has been the case under Cluess.
Loyal, as to your comment about fattening up against the bottom teams in the MAAC, I pointed out a few weeks ago when we were alone in first place that we had played the weakest conference schedule up to that point. I think these past few games have shown that we are a solid top 5 team in a below average mid major conference. We win most of the games that we should, can compete with any team in the MAAC on a given night, and have a few stinkers (Niagara, Rider) that we didn't see coming.
The important thing to watch IMO is how well we can start creating shots for Portley. As pointed out in the Monmouth thread, the league seems to have caught on to him the last few games and without him scoring, our perimeter game is similar to what it has been the last few years, not good.
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Post by Peacock on Feb 1, 2016 13:26:28 GMT -5
Despite the obvious objections forthcoming, our offense throughout the last ten years has been pretty predictable and non innovative. In a single word, vanilla and dependent more on a hot night than on planning. Figgy had a decent comment that nobody seemed to comment on its insight.
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Iona Game
Feb 1, 2016 15:56:09 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by newfan on Feb 1, 2016 15:56:09 GMT -5
Portly has to be ready to catch and shoot, he is a SG by nature and position, he has a lot of times when Wyche hits him open and instead of shooting he puts the ball on the floor and dribbles sometimes allowing the defense to collapse on him and he ends up passing ball out, if he passes it or has to force up something. With teams at him he has to give up ball and move and make himself available again or penetrate and look for the open man. If he makes himself available Wyche will find him and give it to him. On flip side Chazz put up some shots last game, CAm hit a couple. Wyche came out after half and hit a 3, pull up. He was open quite a bit after that even hit another 3 but when defense collapsed he was available and ball not swung his way, Portly has to recognize this because if he is at point or gas ball at the time if he hits these guys and they score, the result is teams have to now defend these other guys and it gives him (AP) some breathung room. Watch Monmouth game, see how often TW , Chazz were open and no pass made. It is a learning process but we need AP in a position doing what he does best.
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Post by junctionkid on Feb 1, 2016 17:38:38 GMT -5
Part of the reason I posted optimistically after the Hawks game is that we are seeing some change , and for the better , in our half court offense as this season goes on from that of past seasons when our offense was too conservative and could even be described as predictable or stilted by some . That offense ( again half court because any well coached team should run in transition ) almost always emphasized getting the better shot or controlling the pace . That is ok if you are totally overwhelmed talentwise and just want to keep the game close and hope to get lucky . But it has its negative side as teams did not have to defend us at full tilt for the 35 or 30 . Double clutching was something natural to our players . It came from the emphasis on ' make the pass and get a better shot ' .
But the bigger point is that this season , we are as talented as just about any MAAC team , at least as our first six , so we should and I think we have to a degree put less emphasis on this get a better shot psychology . Cam , Chazz , Trevis and Antwon have shot or driven to the basket earlier in the possession and not gotten pulled or chastised . Chazz can go to the hoop with the best in our conference but we need more clear out plays for him and Trevis to do it or make a play off it . I think that we have seen it to some degree and it gives me reason for optimism . Let's go out there and think we can beat this Iona team because we are more talented and disciplined and not because we want to " slow the game down " as virtually every color announcer has said about us for ten years .
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Post by loyal on Feb 1, 2016 19:05:07 GMT -5
If Washington is better than Q (stats say so) only one Peacock would start for the Gaels...Trevis.
I think they are better than us, man for man, trying to be objective.
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Post by loyal on Feb 1, 2016 19:08:39 GMT -5
Hawkins yanked after losing his man twice on D and having his shot blocked underneath. Boone comes in and scores five quick points.
Peacocks down 5 as Gaels are hitting their long range threes. SPU getting good shots, things should settle down.
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Post by loyal on Feb 1, 2016 19:17:15 GMT -5
Elias abused on both ends of the floor; fumbled passes, had shot blocked, beat twice off the dribble in iso. We need a PF in the worst way.
Boone has 7 but SPU down 8.
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Post by loyal on Feb 1, 2016 19:21:03 GMT -5
Chazz is a good defender, but English can handle and pass as well as shoot. Too much for us so far. Setting up easy buckets with is penetration.
Gaels on par for about 90 points.
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Iona Game
Feb 1, 2016 19:24:41 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by pcockfan on Feb 1, 2016 19:24:41 GMT -5
GET PORTKEY OUT THE GAME! He is killing us!!
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Post by loyal on Feb 1, 2016 19:25:41 GMT -5
Washington is a very strong post player. We have no one that can handle him inside. Looks to have about 20 pounds, an inch or two and better offensive moves than any of our inside players.
Impressive first 12 minutes for Iona....and not just because they are shooting well.
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Post by loyal on Feb 1, 2016 19:29:16 GMT -5
Iona taking Portley out of the game in the half court and we have few other players who can hit a jump shot.
Seems similar to how teams defended the much maligned Desi last year.
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Post by loyal on Feb 1, 2016 19:31:10 GMT -5
Color announcer says "Gaels want it a little more than the Peacocks". Our guys are hanging their heads. Small Iona guard grabs and puts back a shot among three SPU defenders.
We are definitely on a skid. Playing better teams, yes, but defensive intensity not really there these past two home games.
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Post by loyal on Feb 1, 2016 19:34:51 GMT -5
English is very impressive. Easily beating our best defender off the dribble and dishing for easy buckets. When not overplayed, hits his long range shots.
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