My thoughts on latest debacle/latest NEC standings
It's not that MU had that many turnovers Monday night (11) ...SFNY had only seven points off the TOs, but it's when MU had some damaging TOs - in the two most crucial parts of the game..when they were up 45-43, and then down later at 55-54. (By the way MU gets 20 points off 17 SFNY TOs and still loses...ouch!)
Here's where the back court inexperience shows up....and NO..I am not blaming Jhamar, he's a freshman trying to do everything, probably too much, to win the game..but having said that - whether it's Jhamar, Shipman, or Coleman, and preferably Shipman or Coleman..or maybe even Delic...someone has got to TAKE CHARGE - run the offense, and set up a shot.
OK..then if the shot clock is winding down..maybe Jhamar or Whitney goes one-on-one or Delic unloads..but here in the past is when you could go to Blake down low or last year to Bunch. Bunch played a little better tonight but was in foul trouble.
Saturday at CCSU Dave was mad at himself for calling too many plays from the bench..tonight he probably wishes he called more.
I was glad to see Rickie get some minutes just to get his feet wet. I believe he will be able to help down the road(which is getting shorter each day)..but really, he hasn't played all year, so you can't expect much right away.
For that matter Shipman was out seven games so that also hurt his progress..
I believe Jhamar and Coleman will continue to start with Shipman off the bench...though they could bring Coleman off the bench to start a true point guard with Jhamar as the shooter again. I sort of like that now that I consider it.
Or..they could go with three guards which was a viable thought early in the season and a lineup they used again at times tonight.
But the fact the lineup and rotation may still be unsettled, or being revamped again after all this time, is another part of the problem.
I do think this team will make the NEC Tournament. The teams they are losing to may not even be better or that much better than MU. They are, however, playing better and, against MU anyway, making plays when they have to while MU has not.
..and after Monday night.....
School NEC Pct. Overall Pct Streak Home Away Neutral
1. Sacred Heart 6-1 .857 10-8 .556 W3 5-0 4-7 1-1
Central Conn. St. 6-1 .857 9-10 .474 W4 5-4 4-3 0-3
3. Fairleigh Dickinson 4-2 .667 9-8 .529 W1 4-3 4-5 1-0
4. Mount St. Mary's 5-3 .625 6-13 .316 L1 4-3 2-10 0-0
5. Quinnipiac 4-3 .571 6-10 .375 W4 4-3 2-7 0-0
6. Robert Morris 4-4 .500 12-5 .706 W1 8-1 4-4 0-0
7. Wagner 3-4 .429 6-12 .333 W1 4-5 2-7 0-0
8. Long Island 3-5 .375 7-12 .368 L3 5-4 2-8 0-0
9. St. Francis (NY) 3-6 .333 5-16 .238 W2 3-4 2-10 0-2
10. Monmouth 2-5 .286 7-12 .368 L4 5-2 1-9 1-1
11. St. Francis (PA) 1-7 .125 4-15 .211 L10 3-7 1-8 0-0
Here's where the back court inexperience shows up....and NO..I am not blaming Jhamar, he's a freshman trying to do everything, probably too much, to win the game..but having said that - whether it's Jhamar, Shipman, or Coleman, and preferably Shipman or Coleman..or maybe even Delic...someone has got to TAKE CHARGE - run the offense, and set up a shot.
OK..then if the shot clock is winding down..maybe Jhamar or Whitney goes one-on-one or Delic unloads..but here in the past is when you could go to Blake down low or last year to Bunch. Bunch played a little better tonight but was in foul trouble.
Saturday at CCSU Dave was mad at himself for calling too many plays from the bench..tonight he probably wishes he called more.
I was glad to see Rickie get some minutes just to get his feet wet. I believe he will be able to help down the road(which is getting shorter each day)..but really, he hasn't played all year, so you can't expect much right away.
For that matter Shipman was out seven games so that also hurt his progress..
I believe Jhamar and Coleman will continue to start with Shipman off the bench...though they could bring Coleman off the bench to start a true point guard with Jhamar as the shooter again. I sort of like that now that I consider it.
Or..they could go with three guards which was a viable thought early in the season and a lineup they used again at times tonight.
But the fact the lineup and rotation may still be unsettled, or being revamped again after all this time, is another part of the problem.
I do think this team will make the NEC Tournament. The teams they are losing to may not even be better or that much better than MU. They are, however, playing better and, against MU anyway, making plays when they have to while MU has not.
..and after Monday night.....
School NEC Pct. Overall Pct Streak Home Away Neutral
1. Sacred Heart 6-1 .857 10-8 .556 W3 5-0 4-7 1-1
Central Conn. St. 6-1 .857 9-10 .474 W4 5-4 4-3 0-3
3. Fairleigh Dickinson 4-2 .667 9-8 .529 W1 4-3 4-5 1-0
4. Mount St. Mary's 5-3 .625 6-13 .316 L1 4-3 2-10 0-0
5. Quinnipiac 4-3 .571 6-10 .375 W4 4-3 2-7 0-0
6. Robert Morris 4-4 .500 12-5 .706 W1 8-1 4-4 0-0
7. Wagner 3-4 .429 6-12 .333 W1 4-5 2-7 0-0
8. Long Island 3-5 .375 7-12 .368 L3 5-4 2-8 0-0
9. St. Francis (NY) 3-6 .333 5-16 .238 W2 3-4 2-10 0-2
10. Monmouth 2-5 .286 7-12 .368 L4 5-2 1-9 1-1
11. St. Francis (PA) 1-7 .125 4-15 .211 L10 3-7 1-8 0-0
posted by Tony Graham at 1:31 AM
6 Comments:
MU will probably win all 3 home games coming up, get everyone fired up again, then go on the road and crash and burn again. They're an AWFUL road team! And it's hard to imagine why -- they played in front of a rousing 226 St. Francis fans last night!
It's also hard to imagine how they've saved their worst basketball for the NEC portion of the schedule!
Get used to this type of season here at MU. We've recruited big men who are nothing but role players for the next 4 years -- not a 'star' among any of them so far.
Nothing for WLB to worry about in the way of crowds showing up.
I'd say you're a little optimistic there on sweeping the three games at home.
As for the big men..yes, they could be role players. But if you have good to superior guard play
then you're in the hunt.
I'd be surprised if Jhamar doesn't become one of the best players in the NEC, and Shipman and Coleman have ability.
It'll be interesting to see what 2007-2008 freshman PG James Hett brings to the table.
MU is going to be a young club next year.....nooooo question.
Tony,
I agree with the last blogger about a lack of potential for our big men for the next few years. With inconsistency of our guards, we can't count too heavily on them to carry the load. Believe it or not, I think Crews may be our biggest hope going forward. If we lose him (as I think we will), Calloway better make his remaining scholarships the best of his career -- or it might be over in 3 or 4 years!
Good point on Crews. I tend to believe he is staying (as we speak) - IF - and it's a big IF, his academics and any other issues continue to pan out.
If I am him... I know I'm starting for the next three years and becoming a prime offensive option along with Jhamar beginning next season.
Tony, I think since we are starting to see Crews now after all that has happened I think he will stay. Not to say that he won't get in trouble down the road, just that hes here to stay. We just have to hope that next years team has a lot of heart and raw talent, gets rebounds, and does not turn the ball over. Those are your keys to victory in the NEC.
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