Hate to say it but....

[hammb]

Nate Miller lost the game???? HAHA. He was the only person who looked awake. Blame the coaches for the sleep walk of a first half.

Bingo!! I can't understand everyone's thought process. Nate was very aggressive last night, and when you are aggressive, sometimes you will make mistakes. But like my dad always told me, 'a bad decision is better than making no decision at all'. He was bold and he wanted to win. I dont know how you can fault the kid for trying.

Nate has shown a willingness to take the ball in crunchtime. Unless we find somebody else that is willing to do that we will have to live with what we get from him. We know he can score, but he's also going to turn it over from time to time. I wish we had a true PG that was willing to direct the offense, but we just don't have that yet.

[BleedOrange]

Nate Miller lost the game???? HAHA. He was the only person who looked awake. Blame the coaches for the sleep walk of a first half.

Bingo!! I can't understand everyone's thought process. Nate was very aggressive last night, and when you are aggressive, sometimes you will make mistakes. But like my dad always told me, 'a bad decision is better than making no decision at all'. He was bold and he wanted to win. I dont know how you can fault the kid for trying.

No kidding. Nate Miller made one tough play after another down the stretch of the second half. He had a series of steals and disruptions on defense. He dove face-first for loose balls. He hit some three pointers. He took the ball inside and made tough baskets against pressure. Maybe Yes,he made some bad choices here and there. He was the only player making things happen for BG. It's just incredible that someone could watch that game and blame the loss on Nate Miller. Wow. Drumstix, seriously, what the hell were you watching?

[guest44]

Nate Miller most games is the only person near the BG Bench showing ANY emotion. He makes mistakes, but I'll take his energy/skill with mistakes over the stale nature of the rest of the team. I just want the coaching staff to show some emotion once. Argue a call, high five your players, just do something to show urgency.

[BleedOrange]

I wasn't at the game, but one player rarely, if ever, loses a game by himself.

I'm not a huge fan of Nate's game, but this is probably not the time to dog him. His improved play has been the biggest reason why we started winning the past few weeks. He stepped up and was putting up good game after good game. Last night may not have been another one, but it doesn't sound like any of his teammates played well either.

The biggest problem I have with Nate is that he is forced into playing this point forward type role that doesn't really suit him. Until one of our PGs steps up and starts commanding the offense we Nate is being forced to do it. He's a bit turnover prone and not the most efficient primary ball handler, but if his teammates are not willing to play that role somebody else has to, and that has been Nate most of the year. I don't know if the fault for this lies on the PGs (both of whom are underclassmen), the coaches (who may be telling Nate to play this role), or Nate himself (who may demand the ball to play this role), but until we get a more efficient player willing to command the offense this is what we get. This team must start getting something consistent from their backcourt if they're going to make a run in the MAC tournament.

Hammbone, you weren't at the game, but you've intuitively hit on our real problem problem against EMU: guard play.

We had bad guard play last night. Quite bad. We established nothing in the half court and couldn't run an offense. Jak was impotent setting up the offense and often needed to be bailed out. Clem was ineffective with the ball in his hands. Moten and Clements both had lousy shot selection and seem to have forgotten basic shooting mechanics: don't drift your shot and establish your feet before going up. Our passing took me back to the days of John Floyd and his imaginary passing lanes.

I've settled on the fact that, overall, our guards are not good. Jak, Clem, and Moten aren't guards that compete at the top of the MAC. None of them are good enough in their roles be be considered above average MAC guards. I'm setting my MAC tourney expectations according to a team with three extremely ordinary guards, two tough forwards (Miller, Knight), and two decent low post players that have unique strengths and clear limitations. And then we have Thomas, who I'd like to see play 20-25 minutes per game.

Jakubowski doesn't have the capacity to run a D1 offense full time. That just isn't him. He can't establish dominion with the ball, create passing lanes, or consistently get to his spot. He doesn't seem to have the spontenaety: he makes up his mind to do something before doing it and then gets in trouble. Furthermore, he has quirky shooting mechanics that allow his shot be be blocked easily. Jak is a MAC backup point guard who should come off the bench to provide energy and spark.

After a brilliant early season, Moten has reverted to the hothouse flower that he's been all along. He's not consistently in the offense when he's on the floor. He's not often involved in long rebounds or loose balls. He disappears for stretches on the floor and doesn't seem to have the grit to driven against defenders and score. He's basically a sophomore with a "Sr." by his name on the roster.

Clem does all things but nothing particularly well. He gets points, boards, and assists and is willing to mix it up on defense. He isn't a point guard, a goto-guy, or a shooter. He's a decent overall player that should be contributing in a part time role. He's a great guy to have in the rotation.

[hammb]

Hammbone, you weren't at the game, but you've intuitively hit on our real problem problem against EMU: guard play.

As has been the case since the '01/'02 season. I said it going into the year again this year, and from what I've seen it's remained true. We don't have the guards to be a great college basketball team. College hoops is largely a guard oriented game. Until we find a PG that can command the ball and run the offense we will continue to struggle in our half court sets. I'd like to have a SG that can actually drive the lane and get his own shots as well, but the PG is the primary need.

Other than 2 years of Ron Lewis we haven't had a guard that could dictate the game since McLeod/Pardon. As much as I love OP, Knight, and Nate Miller (or Reimold, Almanson, etc before them) you don't win in college hoops without big time guard play. Until we get that we're going to continue to be inconsistent and struggle.

I'm sure our coaching staff realizes the importance of improving at the guard spots, so I can only hope that is a priority this offseason. I know we're bringing in the kid from Findlay, but I hope they can work with Dee Brown as well. We haven't seen enough of him to know whether he's got the tools to be a goto guard or not. I do agree that I've seen enough of Jakubowski to think that he's likely not going to be the type of PG we need. He's a good player, and would make a great backup, but I don't think he's destined to be Pardon 2.0 either.

[renorvis]

Hammbone, you weren't at the game, but you've intuitively hit on our real problem problem against EMU: guard play.

As has been the case since the '01/'02 season. I said it going into the year again this year, and from what I've seen it's remained true. We don't have the guards to be a great college basketball team. College hoops is largely a guard oriented game. Until we find a PG that can command the ball and run the offense we will continue to struggle in our half court sets. I'd like to have a SG that can actually drive the lane and get his own shots as well, but the PG is the primary need.

Other than 2 years of Ron Lewis we haven't had a guard that could dictate the game since McLeod/Pardon. As much as I love OP, Knight, and Nate Miller (or Reimold, Almanson, etc before them) you don't win in college hoops without big time guard play. Until we get that we're going to continue to be inconsistent and struggle.

I'm sure our coaching staff realizes the importance of improving at the guard spots, so I can only hope that is a priority this offseason. I know we're bringing in the kid from Findlay, but I hope they can work with Dee Brown as well. We haven't seen enough of him to know whether he's got the tools to be a goto guard or not. I do agree that I've seen enough of Jakubowski to think that he's likely not going to be the type of PG we need. He's a good player, and would make a great backup, but I don't think he's destined to be Pardon 2.0 either.

Please refer to my "Observation" thread I said the same thing last game. But I guess it is prevalant now because we lost.

[falconmama2007]

I challenge you to approach me at the next home game with this crazy accusation. I will spray you from head 2 toe with hater spray. You don't have a clue about what you are talking about hiding behind these boards. Expose yourself you know who I am. I challenge you to get out from behind this forum. I seriously doubt that you will. I know your type. You probably never picked a ball up in your life and you have some jeolousy issue with Nate. Your hating on Nate has almost come to an end for his days here are numbered and you can find someone else to bash. What is wrong with people like you? Get a life!!!!!

[BleedOrange]

I challenge you to approach me at the next home game with this crazy accusation. I will spray you from head 2 toe with hater spray. You don't have a clue about what you are talking about hiding behind these boards. Expose yourself you know who I am. I challenge you to get out from behind this forum. I seriously doubt that you will. I know your type. You probably never picked a ball up in your life and you have some jeolousy issue with Nate. Your hating on Nate has almost come to an end for his days here are numbered and you can find someone else to bash. What is wrong with people like you? Get a life!!!!!

Mom, easy. Most of us think Nate rocks. There are gonna be kooks everywhere you go. Ya can't let any one in particular get to you.

[falconmama2007]

I would just like to see who would make a crazy statement like that. I have my suspicions but I'd like to just see it for myself. This person that states this obviously has a personal agenda. I have been silent all season reading these crazy post about people saying things that they know nothing about. If I don't have something nice to say I don't say it at all, especially when I don't know what I'm talking about. I get paid to talk so I challenge this person to approach me and break down this topic.

[h2oville rocket]

What's "hater spray" and where can I get some?

[BillyLP]

I would just like to see who would make a crazy statement like that. I have my suspicions but I'd like to just see it for myself. This person that states this obviously has a personal agenda. I have been silent all season reading these crazy post about people saying things that they know nothing about. If I don't have something nice to say I don't say it at all, especially when I don't know what I'm talking about. I get paid to talk so I challenge this person to approach me and break down this topic.

I'm assuming this was addressed to me since i started the thread? Just want to say that i think Nate hustles every game and has brought a lot to the team at times...i was just criticizing some of his late game decisions that i've noticed over the season...sorry, i'll keep any of my thoughts about falcon sports to myself from now on. And whatever your suspicions are about who i am are likely wrong, because i've never had any personal interaction with you before, so don't go wailing on some innocent bystander

[Arthur_Seven_Vandalay]

I challenge you to approach me at the next home game with this crazy accusation. I will spray you from head 2 toe with hater spray. You don't have a clue about what you are talking about hiding behind these boards. Expose yourself you know who I am. I challenge you to get out from behind this forum. I seriously doubt that you will. I know your type. You probably never picked a ball up in your life and you have some jeolousy issue with Nate. Your hating on Nate has almost come to an end for his days here are numbered and you can find someone else to bash. What is wrong with people like you? Get a life!!!!!

Haha. Seriously???

Your son plays division 1 hoops. If you can't take a little criticism, I'm sure Findlay would love to have him.

We all want the best for Nate, and the vast majority like him as a player. Don't take it so damn personal.

God, this is like little league all over again.

[murphdogg]

I would just like to see who would make a crazy statement like that. I have my suspicions but I'd like to just see it for myself. This person that states this obviously has a personal agenda. I have been silent all season reading these crazy post about people saying things that they know nothing about. If I don't have something nice to say I don't say it at all, especially when I don't know what I'm talking about. I get paid to talk so I challenge this person to approach me and break down this topic.

I'm assuming this was addressed to me since i started the thread? Just want to say that i think Nate hustles every game and has brought a lot to the team at times...i was just criticizing some of his late game decisions that i've noticed over the season...sorry, i'll keep any of my thoughts about falcon sports to myself from now on. And whatever your suspicions are about who i am are likely wrong, because i've never had any personal interaction with you before, so don't go wailing on some innocent bystander

Does this remind anyone else of when Zell Miller challenged Chris Matthews to a duel during the 2004 Republican National Convention?

[falconmama2007]

Introduce yourself to me and lets discuss it. Other then that I am done with it. Go ahead and hide behind the boards. D 1 or not know what the hell you are talking about.