Naji 1v5 Again

[muskieman]

Ty was lethargic. He only had 5 boards, and air-balled a couple of close looks. He's entitled to a bad game, as he has carried X all year. Good to get a win despite being out rebounded at home by 13. Best part of the night was Q's play. He has had a tough year, and has had to put up with idiots on SM, but has remained a good teammate. Happy for him.

His numbers don't jump off the page, but he played good D, and ran a very good point. He got into the paint under control, something Paul struggles with. It also allowed Scruggs not run the point, and look for his shots. Q's play allowed Scruggs to to set up at the three point line and hit some threes. When he has time, he is a very good three point shooter.

Big game at G-town. I think they'll have McClung back as well. Me wants Q guarding him.

We sit about 10 rows behind the X bench and we noticed almost before the game started that Ty looked lethargic. I think he was either battling an injury or wasn't feeling well. I expect him to be back in form against Georgetown. Maybe his mom will make the trek down from Connecticut. That always gives Tyrique a boost.

he played the same way in the Creighton game.

[muskieman]

Another wasted play at the end of a half. Naji goes 1 on 5 and ends with his patented step back while 4 other players watch. Pitiful last minute. 10 threes in the first half means more three attempts in second half. Hope they can make a few.

He went 8-13 and had 23 points

[oldhoopster]

I didn't say Naji didn't have a good game. I simply stated that it was a pitiful last minute of the half and a wasted last possession with Naji trying to do it all himself. His pct on step backs from long range is pretty low and the defense is prepared for him to try and drive. He's not that great a ball handler or shooter. Why not run a play to where the defense doesn't know what's coming ala XU over Arizona? I don't blame Naji if that was the play call, but it was a wasted play whether Steele called it or Naji just decided to do it.

[skyhops]

That has happened all the time the past two years and Steele has done nothing about it but our plays after timeouts have been terrible too. Unfortunately Naji is our best offensive player most nights so we have to live with it. Doubt he comes back next year.

[gym from delhi]

Yes, why call a timeout, that you might need in the second half, to run a set play? FWIW Mack was no better with X ball, under 30 sec left in the half

[longliveskip]

Mack was WAY better after timeouts than Steele is but it's also early on for TS. Took Mack awhile but he was usually very good after timeouts.

We all know what this team's bball IQ is like so I'm not surprised at what our last shot attempt was to end the half. it was the entire last 1:07, when we went from up 13 to up 8 because of 2 turnovers and then that awful last shot. we had plenty of time to run something different on our last possession. a ball screen for Naji up top to have to "make a decision" seems sub-optimal.

[Anti-Homer]

Yes, why call a timeout, that you might need in the second half, to run a set play? FWIW Mack was no better with X ball, under 30 sec left in the half

gfd,

First of all, I think most people are suggesting he takes the “use it or lose it” timeout, if available. To my knowledge, a team gets 3 -30 second timeouts per game, of which only two can be carried over to the 2nd half. So if a coach still has 3 unused, the thought is he may as well take one to set up a play, as it will be lost anyway.

Seconfly, I disagree that Mack wasn’t good with under 30 seconds plays. To be fair, it’s easier when you have guys named Bluiett, Macura, Gates, Kantner, and Christon to give it to. However, I find it hard to believe, that X can’t get a better shot than Naji dribbling for 8 seconds well behind the three point line, then hoisting up an improbable three, half of them which are air balls. It ain’t a coincidence that unlike Bluiett’s, those shots are not challenged. At the very least, explore the post, to force the defense’s hand, and maybe even draw a foul. The shots Naji takes can be gotten any time in the shot clock. His lust for heroics compels him to not explore any other play at all. That’s just as much on Steele as it is on him. In fact, in the game against St. John’s, he admitted that he basically told Naji to just make a play, because he trusts his judgement. No, this wasn’t a misprint. I meant to put the name Naji in the previous statement, and not Bluiett, Macura, or Tu.