We were outplayed tonight...

[Scotch]

I know that sounds crazy, but from a pure basketball execution standpoint, Bucknell outplayed us. They earned better shots, they had better ball movement, they played better defense - all while facing an athleticism disadvantage. Thank god we shot the ball well.

That is a well coached team, and if they shot better in the first half, that could have been a different game. I was disappointed with our defense and our offensive execution. That won't work against the top half of the Big East.

 

[Upstate]

They should be embarrassed the way they played in the second half tonight. I hope JB rips them.

 

[dasher]

you think we play the same guys the same way against a big east team? I don't.

 

[Scotch]

you think we play the same guys the same way against a big east team? I don't.

No, but it doesn't excuse the performance.

 

[JeremyCuse]

Ya agree with Dasher, MCW played nearly the entire second half while Fair and Southerland only played late plus no Triche or Dion. Lets not get to crazy here still won by 19.

 

[jdubs30]

We were not into, it was obvious. We just did enough to win (by 19 albeit), but you could tell the energy wasn't the same as it has been all year. Nothing to worry about. THe fact that we can get outplayed and outhustled by a team picked to win a very good Patriot league and beat them by 20 with our best offensive player scoring 4 points is a very good sign.

Get by Tulane, let them go home for Christmas and refocus, then come back ready and hungry for the Big East.

 

[stuckinbig11]

Relax. Coach was giving some guys experience.

 

[OrlandoCuse]

I'm not sure we were outplayed, but it was definitely one of the stranger coached games by JB. I'd go as far to say it was one of the worst coached games by JB.

Rak not getting inserted back in the first half after dominating the game for the first 5 minutes.

MCW getting extensive play in the second half, even though he continued to make mistake after mistake.

Lack of substitutions, Dion not playing much, Triche not playing much, Scoop playing almost the entire game, it goes on. I'd give JB a D+ for that coaching effort. Don't start around with the mental state of kids on this team.

 

[iommi]

MCW always has a lot of rope...a lot more rope than freshmen typically get with JB, that's for sure.

 

[jdubs30]

I'm not sure we were outplayed, but it was definitely one of the stranger coached games by JB. I'd go as far to say it was one of the worst coached games by JB.

Rak not getting inserted back in the first half after dominating the game for the first 5 minutes.

MCW getting extensive play in the second half, even though he continued to make mistake after mistake.

Lack of substitutions, Dion not playing much, Triche not playing much, Scoop playing almost the entire game, it goes on. I'd give JB a D+ for that coaching effort. Don't start around with the mental state of kids on this team.

Rak was a strange situation. He played decent on defense too, he didn't miss too many rotations I didn't think.

BT hasn't gotten alot of PT lately. His 3 biggest minute games this year were Stanford, VA Tech and Florida (34 minutes). We'll see alot more of BT in Big East play and more of a time share between Waiters/Scoop I think.

 

[jdubs30]

MCW always has a lot of rope...a lot more rope than freshmen typically get with JB, that's for sure.

He's already one of the more unselfish guards we have had in a while. Well, it's either that or he's afraid to shoot. But he's been terrific at setting up everyone else thus far.

 

[Marsh01]

Relax. Coach was giving some guys experience.

seriously. glad he did it. game thursday...save some energy.

 

[cliftonparksufan]

So we beat a very good Bucknell team by 19, yada yada yada and played like crap, yada, yada, yada. Actually if Bucknell would have made a few shots in the first half, this game could have been different. But, they didn't, so no sense even thinking about it. 12-0 and bring on the Green Wave.

 

[iommi]

I wonder if BT is hurting...he's had a history of back spasms and other issues.

 

[OrlandoCuse]

MCW always has a lot of rope...a lot more rope than freshmen typically get with JB, that's for sure.

Too much rope, imo. Kid has tremendous upside, but it can be frustrating watching him develop.

I think he needs to start looking for his shot in the lane more. He never seems to want to shoot. He's probably too unselfish, and tries to force passes too much resulting in turnovers.

 

[Gonzo]

It is not just about running up the score, games like these are more about developing certain players who may be needed as the season progresses. Would we really have been much better off playing Joseph and Waiters big-time minutes and winning by 30? Bucknell was no cupcake, we played a few guys a lot more than normal, and despite various miscues and effort lapses, we still had the game in hand throughout. The bar cannot involve total domination every single game at this time of the year

 

[orangefan13]

I don't think its just Triche. Dions hand looked taped up in the second half.
Nothing serious but it looked like something was up.

We went with Scoop and Michael as our backcourt. Scoop isn't exactly our tallest guard defender, and MCW is behind Dion and Triche on sliding D. Hes got nice reflexes though.
That being said had Bucknell not knocked down a few of those threes we win by 30.

Two of MCW's turnovers came from Keita dropping a beautiful looking dish, and not realizing the rim was there on a ally-oop.

Bucknell had nobody to take us off the dribble. It was like playing Cornell.

 

[iommi]

I agree, Seattle...just pull up and drain a 12 footer or use a floater. Love his aggression on the glass. Our guards do rebound well.

 

[Knicks411]

That being said had Bucknell not knocked down a few of those threes we win by 30.

Bucknell shot 7-22 from 3. How bad did you expect them to shoot?

 

[MadNY3]

I know that sounds crazy, but from a pure basketball execution standpoint, Bucknell outplayed us. They earned better shots, they had better ball movement, they played better defense - all while facing an athleticism disadvantage.

Good God.

We won playing in 3rd gear. There was no threat. Onward.

 

[Flacusian]

It was an exercise in giving the kids some extended playing time. Great move. It will pay dividends down the road. It was great to see Rak with some good minutes. Both he and MCW showed freshman inexperience but that's the whole point. Giving them PT is good all the way around. Saw some good things with both Rak and MCW and I'm glad they played as much as they did.

 

[orangefan13]

Yeah but Bucknell hit like 4 threes in 5 minutes in the second half.

Scoop, Dion KJO didn't see much time together today. They are our dribbling trio.

Bucknell is expected to WIN the Patriot league also.

 

[OrlandoCuse]

It was an exercise in giving the kids some extended playing time. Great move. It will pay dividends down the road. It was great to see Rak with some good minutes. Both he and MCW showed freshman inexperience but that's the whole point. Giving them PT is good all the way around. Saw some good things with both Rak and MCW and I'm glad they played as much as they did.

Yeah, but Rak only played 15 minutes...even though he played great for the entire time he was in there. JB had some very strange substitution patterns tonight.

He said in his presser that Rak played good, but he plays "too nice" down low. I guys he's trying to press Rak's buttons to motivate him into an aggressive low post presence.

 

[Madbiker]

We had control of the game. JB used this to give MCW and Xmas experience. Even though MCW made a lot of mistakes playing most of the 2nd half, its the only way he's going to learn and we were in no danger of losing. Xmas has a lot of potential. That 6 minute span to open the game was his best of the season and excites you about what he can become with hard work to develop his game. Our defensive energy was lacking in the 2nd half but you have to remember these guys aren't machines.

 

[cusetown1]

19 point win is outplayed? Ok.