My Take

[sutomcat]

Have an early tee time (delayed by frost) but wanted to put down a few thoughts on the scrimmage.

Overall was very happy with how we played in the first half an disappointed with the second half.

We played reasonably good defense most of the game but really dropped off towards the end. UB started playing more physical and took it to us, successfully getting to the basket and drawing fouls or getting good shots. And they finally started to hit some 3s.

We need to do a better job bodying up on defense. Need to be tougher.

Thought we shot it well from the outside early and really cooled down on the second half. Took too many 3s when we needed to use our size advantage to get better shots in the paint.

It was interesting to see what Red did with the rotation when the game got tight late. He used the starters and Betsey and left Kingz on the bench. Nate struggled defensively and had a hard time getting shots off.

Betsey looked good. Nice to have a guy like him on the bench.

Thought Kyle had a good first game. He rebounded well, his defense was okay and his aggressiveness drew some fouls and caused problems for UB inside. Needs to clean up the careless turnovers.

Kiyan is going to score points and give up points when he is in. Good to see he was very confident. Shocked he was the first guy subbed in. He also needs to do better with the careless turnovers.

Thought George played good defense and did a good job running the offense. Again, had a few unforced turnovers, which was a theme for the team. A PG that can shoot is going to take some getting used to.

Was surprised how little he ran the pick and roll. Wondering if that was by design in hopes we can surprise teams whe we go to Vegas? We will see.

Was a little disappointed in Donnie. He just wasn’t as assertive an confident as he was in practice. This was more of what he did last season. Hang g around the perimeter all the time, happy to take 3s. He has to get more involved.

Maybe JJ was too involved. Liked his defense. Looked improved there. He was really trying and only saw him get beat for a layup once. More driving and passing a less shooting froM the 3 point circle please.

Think the team really missed Sadiq. He is a guy that makes the defense more efficient. Really pressures his guy when he has the ball and excels getting steals and knocking the ball loose. I think the whole team feeds off his energy. Hope he can play against Pace.

Pace is a lower level team but they were 24-8 last year, so I am not sure this game will be a picnic.

 

[Ghost]

Agree with most of what you've said. It was an interesting game to watch. I didn't come away with as much dread as I have upon seeing us the first time out of the gate most of the past decade, but I think I was still expecting a tad more. Nothing really stood out.

Betsey was indeed a nice surprise, playing confidently, and knocked down some shots. Decent size so he should be able to contribute, how much and how consistently is the question I suppose.

Was a little surprised at the number of unforced errors. We seemed a bit careless at times. Hopefully most of that stemmed from it being a scrimmage and the constant rotations more than anything else.

I also thought Donnie was fine - but didn't really see as much as I had hoped.

JJ shot a bit too much early for my liking, but seemed to settle down a bit as the game progressed.

Was hoping to see more from Kingz.

Fine summed up a lot of it. It was fine game with a bit too much drama at the end.

 

[stuckinbig11]

I was expecting you to comment on Kyle's free-throw shooting. Why hasn't someone worked with him on form? Give me an hour with him, and it could be corrected. Since that won't happen, maybe Donnie can help him.

 

[bballbeadle]

I was frustrated we didn’t try to get inside more.

That’s all I got. Just happy basketball has started!

 

[OrangeXtreme]

The Buffalo Sabres announcer is just as annoying as Mr Excitement.

 

[althea]

I was expecting you to comment on Kyle's free-throw shooting. Why hasn't someone worked with him on form? Give me an hour with him, and it could be corrected. Since that won't happen, maybe Donnie can help him.

I suspect many coaches have tried to correct Kyle’s shooting. Unsuccessfully.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Have an early tee time (delayed by frost) but wanted to put down a few thoughts on the scrimmage.

Overall was very happy with how we played in the first half an disappointed with the second half.

We played reasonably good defense most of the game but really dropped off towards the end. UB started playing more physical and took it to us, successfully getting to the basket and drawing fouls or getting good shots. And they finally started to hit some 3s.

We need to do a better job bodying up on defense. Need to be tougher.

Thought we shot it well from the outside early and really cooled down on the second half. Took too many 3s when we needed to use our size advantage to get better shots in the paint.

It was interesting to see what Red did with the rotation when the game got tight late. He used the starters and Betsey and left Kingz on the bench. Nate struggled defensively and had a hard time getting shots off.

Betsey looked good. Nice to have a guy like him on the bench.

Thought Kyle had a good first game. He rebounded well, his defense was okay and his aggressiveness drew some fouls and caused problems for UB inside. Needs to clean up the careless turnovers.

Kiyan is going to score points and give up points when he is in. Good to see he was very confident. Shocked he was the first guy subbed in. He also needs to do better with the careless turnovers.

Thought George played good defense and did a good job running the offense. Again, had a few unforced turnovers, which was a theme for the team. A PG that can shoot is going to take some getting used to.

Was surprised how little he ran the pick and roll. Wondering if that was by design in hopes we can surprise teams whe we go to Vegas? We will see.

Was a little disappointed in Donnie. He just wasn’t as assertive an confident as he was in practice. This was more of what he did last season. Hang g around the perimeter all the time, happy to take 3s. He has to get more involved.

Maybe JJ was too involved. Liked his defense. Looked improved there. He was really trying and only saw him get beat for a layup once. More driving and passing a less shooting froM the 3 point circle please.

Think the team really missed Sadiq. He is a guy that makes the defense more efficient. Really pressures his guy when he has the ball and excels getting steals and knocking the ball loose. I think the whole team feeds off his energy. Hope he can play against Pace.

Pace is a lower level team but they were 24-8 last year, so I am not sure this game will be a picnic.

I think Red has to play Donnie in the high post, if he wants to get the best out of him.

 

[sufan59]

I think Red has to play Donnie in the high post, if he wants to get the best out of him.

Analytics probably wants us taking 3s, layups, and dunks, but it may be worth it to allow Donnie a few plays a half to go iso at the high post area if that’s how he scores best.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Analytics probably wants us taking 3s, layups, and dunks, but it may be worth it to allow Donnie a few plays a half to go iso at the high post area if that’s how he scores best.

Yeah, that still works. Donnie is in the high post around the foul line setting picks.

He can dive, he can pop out for the three, or he can go crash the boards for an offensive rebound.

It all starts with that set. This team really needs the high/low offense in the worst way. We have a bunch of shooters, but we don't know how to use the bigs yet.

This is the answer. Think Rick & Arinze. That's what we need. Donnie high post, UCLA in the low post. Shooters and drivers on the top using the pick man, and on the wings.