MU hoops news
Went to MU men's hoop practice for about an hour today. They didn't look great, too many turnovers, didn't shoot well.
Here is the news today:
John Bunch (knees) did not practice. Dave said he is "doubtful" for the Penn game. . He might play, but is doubtful. More likely to play Thursday at Rider.
Rickie Crews continues to practice...but .will not make the trip to Penn as Dave will not allow him to miss any classes. Dave said he (Crews) might have played at Penn with Bunch out. Don't know about Crews' availability for Rider.
Crews will not be red-shirted.
Monmouth fans should have real concerns about the center position. If Bunch is too hobbled to play effectively and Corey doesn't snap out of it, this team will not win the NEC. It will not get by Robert Morris and who knows who else if it can't rebound and show something inside maybe besides Marques.
I have changed my mind on Sean Barlow. From what I see I don't know that he'll ever help to any extent, in my opinion.
Dave told me he plans to employ more of the three-guard set. Also look for Nunner and or Simpson to get some more time.
FDU beat St. Peter's tonight by 20. Really, is SPC any better than a mid level NEC team?
Rider outscored Drexel in OT.
My pick for the Penn game:
Penn, 73-59
MU could definitely go winless on this road trip.
Of course, I have been known to be wrong.
e-mail tonygsports@aol.com
Here is the news today:
John Bunch (knees) did not practice. Dave said he is "doubtful" for the Penn game. . He might play, but is doubtful. More likely to play Thursday at Rider.
Rickie Crews continues to practice...but .will not make the trip to Penn as Dave will not allow him to miss any classes. Dave said he (Crews) might have played at Penn with Bunch out. Don't know about Crews' availability for Rider.
Crews will not be red-shirted.
Monmouth fans should have real concerns about the center position. If Bunch is too hobbled to play effectively and Corey doesn't snap out of it, this team will not win the NEC. It will not get by Robert Morris and who knows who else if it can't rebound and show something inside maybe besides Marques.
I have changed my mind on Sean Barlow. From what I see I don't know that he'll ever help to any extent, in my opinion.
Dave told me he plans to employ more of the three-guard set. Also look for Nunner and or Simpson to get some more time.
FDU beat St. Peter's tonight by 20. Really, is SPC any better than a mid level NEC team?
Rider outscored Drexel in OT.
My pick for the Penn game:
Penn, 73-59
MU could definitely go winless on this road trip.
Of course, I have been known to be wrong.
e-mail tonygsports@aol.com
posted by Tony Graham at 11:45 PM
17 Comments:
Ouch! Tony how the winds have changed. Oh yee of little faith. The Hawks will rise again, and win at least one on this trip, maybe two. Sean Barlow, no kidding, I was waiting for you to admit that. Crews not going tonight is interesting, bc I thought he would play. I was the one that suggested him seeing some time at the center slot a few days back, but no one responsed to that. As for more Nunner and Simpson all I have to say is oh no! Hopefully the core of six will all be able to go 30+. If Bunch is back for Rider and SHU I feel good about those two games.
Yes, Rickie Crews is being considered and was to get some time at center in practice Tuesday.
Well...make that at practice..Monday.
I am glad to see that you realize Sean Barlow is not at the caliber of a D-1 center. So where do the Hawks go from here if Bunch can't go? They will have to take advantage of their speed, which can be quite effective, especially against smaller teams with the 3 guards and Marques and Deki. Against Rider however, Corey will have to be a presence, because Jason Thompson is dominant player at this level. You're right this could be a tough stretch for the Hawks. They need to get better. As fas as the SPC game, I am not worried about that in and of itself. I think the HAwks could have blown SPC out, had they made some shots early and put some pressure on them. MU will only get better as the season goes on, but to be an NEC champ and beat Robert Morris who retunrs four starters, they need Bunch to be a factor. Bunch is the one trump card against smaller NEC lineups. I dont think there is a center in the NEC who can stop him from getting 10 points 8 rebounds and 5 blocks, IF and I stress IF he is healthy. With this all being said, the Hawks need Corey Hallet to step up and be a factor. He has to at least be a contributor in some way; last game he did not do enough to be on the court, but I have faith in Corey. I know all of us are waiting for him to emerge; he is tall, long, athletic, and skilled, but something just hasnt clicked, but he is a great kid and I hope he can be a factor for MU this year. The backcourt right now for the Hawks is solid, and I hope the turnover problems are behind us. Has anyone noticed how good this team can be on defense. The matchup is always the staple of this program, and with the thre quick guards in there (Ship,Whit, and Jhamar) the Hawks are very quick and tenacious. Deki, Marques, and Corey have all played it for four years so they know all the coverage and are all capable on that end of the floor, and with Bunch, the paint is largely off limits unless the wing does not drop when he steps up, which happened at least twice versus SPC. All in all though I really like the look of the defense this year, as the Hawks after some very tough early competition are giving up 68 ppg. Before all is said and done, I think MU will lead the NEC once again, and I envision about 61 ppg, good for Top 10 in the nation. So, whats the problem with this team; OFFENSE. The spread offense is nice and I am a proponent of it, but it gets to be too predictable. The main thorn in the side of MU this year I think will be the shooting. Deki is streaky but very good, and when he is off you never know what you will get. GRanted Whitney has shot quite well thus far, but he's more of a slasher and mid range player. To win, MU will have to improve its perimeter shooting, or else not attempt as many 3 balls. All in all I am hopeful. Big game tonight!
Oh by the way, it was Seton Hall who beat SPC by 20 last night not FDU, I know you knew that just a typo. I followed the game a little, SPC was winning some of the first half and only trailed by 5 at half, made a later run, but were out-athleticized by SHU (is that a word?). All in all I think MU can compete with SHU but in an arena like that where shooting is not always easy, especially for teams not necessarily used to it, who knows.
This is a random comment. I am a student and just wondered who that guy sitting at practice on the chair everyday is. Is he a coach the mascot, something else? He is a stockier gentleman with dark hair and I see him interacting with the Hawk players. Just curious, I see him almost everyday as I walk through the gym. Who is this mystery man, is he the mystery MU coach?
You must be the brother of MU Mystery coach! Great post.
Today's story in the Press on SHU game (SHU, FDU, CCSU, MU, I get my U's confuuuused) noted how they - Seton Hall - full court pressed and trapped SPC (thank goodness it's not a university!).
But seriously, MU..as in Monmouth...will have to overcome that and it's going to be a struggle I think.
But first..two more games before that one.
Fair point, but I think MU's guards are much more solid than SPC. Ship, Whit, and Jhamar can all handle. SPC just had Spann. Orta is nice player and great shooter, but not much of a handle, and well Spitler, ya know. Anyways, I hope the TO's are behind us, but like you said, two more before that game. Let's just hope tonight is respectable, and thursday we can steal a win at a tough Broncs Zoo.
Hey TG
Its Tim Walker again. Sorry could not make it to Indy for the QB job but Garcia did a good job but we just could not tackle. Any way, some random thoughts here. For the poster who put on the blog about Bunch not getting to the corner. Well Thats one of the issues with the match up zone. I hate be technical but a 1-2-2 zone does not help with the corner. MU has always had problems with getting out there. Even with Aidieits and Albano It was a problem for MU. Giedirius was arguibly the best defender in MU history. Turnovers again a key fo MU tonite. Keep them down and win. The 3 guard offense might help them take care of the ball. I think Penns experience wins ou and the final is
PENN-66
MU-57
Thanks TG
At Rider Thursday--Maybe I will make an appearence. TAke Care
Right. Bunch just isn't going to get to the corner any time soon. Corey is a lot better at that. If he could rev up offensively it would help MU considerably.
And forget quarterback. How about defensive tackle?
Yes agreed. Tony who is the mystery gentlman at practice the poster is referring to?
Let's not bail on the HAwks that quickly cmon now. They are still a favorite along with Robert Morris. The next 5-6 games will tell a lot about this team though. MU's first NEC game is against a decent LIU team(somewhere in the 3-5 range in the NEC, so that should be a good gauge of where this Hawks team is at and going. Good Luck tonight if any players read this. DO players read this blog, Tony?
Hmmm..I thought I answered this earlier about mystery guy at practice. I must have sent it into outer space instead because now I can't find it.
My apologies.
Anyway..his name is Mike, a former high school and I beleive college player, perhaps a former coach as well, not sure. Has a tremendous knowledge of the game.
I do know he is a personal friend of coach Krayl.
Haven't asked him if he is the infamous MU Mystery coach.
That would sort of diminish the mystery if he were.
I'm not bailing or boosting. Just stating it as I see it.
You make a very good point though. Of all the games coming up, LIU is the key game because it's a league game.
The non-league games as we know are important for RPI and associated seeding purposes in the NCAAs..but right now I have serious questions about this team and the bloom has definitely come off my optimistic outlook of Sept.-Oct.
Do the players read this? None of them have ever mentioned it to me, specificially, though one player did mention Jhamar's "Jet" nick name to me..sooo, some probably do.
I know the managers and SIDs read it and Dave knows it's here though he has never said he's read it. (He probably has more important things to do with his time).
None the less, I have no problem discussing a player's flaws (or positives) or coaching decisions.
It's all about how you say it. That's why personal insults or insinuations will never be tolerated.
These are not pros.
At least you had the spreak right, TG. 73 - 59. 80-66 LOL
Yeh..I did. How'd that happen? Sometimes I hate being right.
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