vs. Toledo (1/15)

[hammb]

That's been the problem all year. We have 3 rotation players in Matheny, Curtis, and Diggs who are all awful defenders. And Reece seems to have little idea how to play defense behind them without fouling. Unfortunately we cannot remove those poor defensive players from games because they're also about our only hope of having a semblance of offense.

Until one of Matheny or Curtis figures out how to guard somebody we're going to have major issues. Or maybe one of Mills/Gordon figures out how to be capable on offense for more than just a quick stretch here or there. Either way, our backcourt is NOT good. And it's not like our frontcourt is dominating to make up for it either.

All told we have some nice players but nobody capable of being a true #1 option, and we don't seem to fit well together at all. Only plowden seems to be truly good on both ends, but he is NOT good if you try to put the ball in his hands and make him be the man.

[Diemilkweed]

Maybe it is time to start Turner and bring Diggs off the bench. Matheny actually brings nothing to the offense, either. He needs to be our 5th guard.

Start Gordon and Fulcher because both xan defend and both have at least some offense.

Gordon, Fulcher, Plowden and Turner should be able to defend well enough to help keep Reece out if foul trouble.

Curtis is 1st guard off the bench. But he and Diggs never play together unless we are desperate to score. Kula scores more efficiently, rebounds better, and turns the ball over less than Oneal, so should get the lions share of minutes backing up Reece.

Mills, Oneal and Young get limited time, most of it garbage.

At this point, Matheny is about as much of a D1 player as Swingle was.

I'm serious. Go look at Swingle's stats last year and Matheny's this year.

I would much rather play Elsasser than Matheny. At least he can and does shoot well. Matheny no longer beings anything useful at all.

I really hope it's the ankle or something. Take a couple months, maybe 6-8 of them, to get truly right. Come back and make me look like a total idiot. Not because I matter in his life, but because hoops and success do.

[Hammer]

Maybe it is time to start Turner and bring Diggs off the bench. Matheny actually brings nothing to the offense, either. He needs to be our 5th guard.

Start Gordon and Fulcher because both xan defend and both have at least some offense.

Gordon, Fulcher, Plowden and Turner should be able to defend well enough to help keep Reece out if foul trouble.

Curtis is 1st guard off the bench. But he and Diggs never play together unless we are desperate to score. Kula scores more efficiently, rebounds better, and turns the ball over less than Oneal, so should get the lions share of minutes backing up Reece.

Mills, Oneal and Young get limited time, most of it garbage.

At this point, Matheny is about as much of a D1 player as Swingle was.

I'm serious. Go look at Swingle's stats last year and Matheny's this year.

I would much rather play Elsasser than Matheny. At least he can and does shoot well. Matheny no longer beings anything useful at all.

I really hope it's the ankle or something. Take a couple months, maybe 6-8 of them, to get truly right. Come back and make me look like a total idiot. Not because I matter in his life, but because hoops and success do.

100% agree with all of this but we have a very stubborn coach who may be handcuffed by playing time promises made to transfers.

[BleedOrange]

Maybe it is time to start Turner and bring Diggs off the bench. Matheny actually brings nothing to the offense, either. He needs to be our 5th guard.

Start Gordon and Fulcher because both xan defend and both have at least some offense.

Gordon, Fulcher, Plowden and Turner should be able to defend well enough to help keep Reece out if foul trouble.

Curtis is 1st guard off the bench. But he and Diggs never play together unless we are desperate to score. Kula scores more efficiently, rebounds better, and turns the ball over less than Oneal, so should get the lions share of minutes backing up Reece.

Mills, Oneal and Young get limited time, most of it garbage.

At this point, Matheny is about as much of a D1 player as Swingle was.

I'm serious. Go look at Swingle's stats last year and Matheny's this year.

I would much rather play Elsasser than Matheny. At least he can and does shoot well. Matheny no longer beings anything useful at all.

I really hope it's the ankle or something. Take a couple months, maybe 6-8 of them, to get truly right. Come back and make me look like a total idiot. Not because I matter in his life, but because hoops and success do.

100% agree with all of this but we have a very stubborn coach who may be handcuffed by playing time promises made to transfers.

I agree...but I'd like to add that we should be integrating Cam Young and Mattis Kula more. CTurner should be getting double the minutes of Diggs. Gordon and Curtis are the PGs. They are different players and make different decisions. I've always saw Fulcher as a starter - he brings a lot to the floor. He's tremendous off the ball and rebounds very well.

[Matty B]

I think we're sleeping on Brenton Mills a bit. Dude is quick, defends well, doesn't take many bad shots, hits the ones when he's wide open, has some creativity around the rim, and is only a sophomore. We seem better with him on the floor.