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Message: [QUOTE="Lax Mouse, post: 5689990, member: 8158"] Now that IL has some stats up on their website, the big one that sticks out to me for Cuse is that under half of their goals (35/72) have been assisted and 60% of their assists have come from just two players - Joey and Leo. I'm sure a number of those have also come on the EMO. This was somewhat surprising to me but they're just not generating nearly enough team offense. Now, I'm sure a number of those unassisted goals came off picks, which is not tracked and is certainly a type of team offense. But picks really create a momentary advantage and don't really get a defense spinning or uncomfortable in the same way that quick ball movement does. But the bigger issue is that so much of that distribution can be attributed to two players. Shut them out and you force Cuse to rely on mostly individual dodges and hero ball. They'll score some but that's really not Syracuse's game. This was Princeton's MO for sure - getting on Joey's hands and doubling quickly preventing him from getting a good pass off with his eyes up. Even against Maryland Joey and Leo had zero assists. Only three Cuse goals were assisted that game (if IL is correct). I don't mean to focus all the issues on one stat - there are clearly many factors at play - but they've got to find a way to generate offense from a wider range of players. Who can get the defense moving and have the vision to find the open player, or how can March draw up more designed plays that lead to assisted goals. Lots of talent on the offense but it's been rather one dimensional. Take out the key cogs and who's going to be a threat? Who can open things up with speed and passing, not just shooting? That'll open things up for Joey too. It's so easy to focus extra pressure on him right now because few other players will burn you. Get the defense moving from other sources and he'll find himself with some more room to breathe. [/QUOTE]

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