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[QUOTE="benjams77, post: 2529302, member: 1692"]
I have been analyzing this season in my mind for the last week. I could go many different ways...As a HS head coach the last couple years I understand the challenges coaches at any level have, especially today with not only instant expectations from fans and admin but also players who want immediate returns (i.e. NBA or tourney)...I believe JB has done amazing things with such a limited team this year...We have only 3 scorers, and no shot makers just scorers, little playing experience, zero offensive post presence, no PG, low basketball IQ's (FH), little speed, lack of physical strength in post, major changes to staff, coaching questions before year, scholarship reductions, playing in most dominate league. among other things. To be honest this was probably hardest Cuse team for me to watch and I've watched many at 42 yrs old. They're just so limited.

That said to answer the question. Ive always understood teams have identities and areas of weakness...Just part of the game and what you recruit to, but also what hurts you in the wrong matchup... Duke has struggled for years on defense and cannot keep guys in front of them, but they score. Those Dixon Pitt teams were very physical but lacked play makers in tight spots...Roys NC and even Kansas teams always got up and down really well, but struggle when slowed down hence 1996 vs Cuse...These DUKE, and NC teams are able to get past their weaknesses at times because of the high end talent but they do get caught like Duke vs Lehigh...

JBs' teams have seemed to always struggle against physicality, hence Pitt and Marquette, Cinci. In High school we have that big issue where players think they'll out athlete everyone and the physical teams push you around...I think this is an issue Cuse has at times, especially when we are not as athletic like this season.  I love how JB recruits but would like to see him get a bruiser each year ...Like hockey has enforcer types...We need a guy like that...I think both our PF's have that mindset, but MD is to thin and MM is to hyper...I looked back at the teams we lost to in the tourneys since 2001 and the teams we lose too are almost always the tough physical teams who out work you like PITT always did. I picked 2001 cause that was the biggest memory I have of a Cuse team being manhandled by Kansas losing 87-59...We were out-rebounded 55-29 with a team I see comparable to this years with a soft Jeremy McNeil and no bench, although we did have 4 guys who could score. 
                     Other tourney losses since then and their physical guy inside and on boards
                                     2016 - N. Carolina - Meeks and Hicks
                                    2014 - Dayton - Very Physical with Oliver
                                     2013 - Michigan - Mitch McGary
                                     2012 - Ohio St.  - Jarred Sullinger
                                     2011 - Marquette - Buzz's team - always physical
                              2010 - Butler - very physical - i think this year we had our physical guy in AO and lost him or would have won
                                     2009 - OKlahoma - Griffin brothers     
                                     2007 - Vermont - Physical - Coppenwrath - outworked Cuse
                                     2003 - Melo - was the talent to compensate for us - plus I though Kueth played the workers role and when he did we won

All this said I think we need to find these guys  and right now are missing on them a bit like Roberson and maybe Moyer, time will tell

With this I think we match-up well with ASU cause of their heavy guard play but may struggle with Dixon identity team in TCU...

Just glad we made the tourney...Go Orange!!!
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