Team 98

[Michigan Musketeer]

So far don't see much improvement over last year except they are winning ugly instead of losing ugly. Have to start shooting better or it is going to get uglier especially against good teams like Seton Hall and even Depaul. (4-0). Watch out for Towson who almost upset Florida at Florida last nite. May be Tandy will help once he is ready to play. Thank God Scruggs recovered and only missed one game. Jones also stepping up-3-3 from the line tonite and some big offensive rebounds. Travis says they will start shooting better-hope he is right.

[MOSQUETERO]

How can we shoot that badly? I think we're something like 18/86 from deep for the season. That better improve otherwise...

[kyzrex]

After watching these players for the last few years, what would make anyone think that they are going to become better shooters?
Not being negative, just realistic. They are not all of a sudden going to start shooting better or decide to stop taking wide open 3 point shots. Hopefully KyKy gets on the court soon and is a consistent outside threat, but he’s only one player and he’s a freshman, so he probably won’t change it to much. The offense isn’t going to get all that much better if it’s relying on improved shooting to solve its problems. No sense crying or worrying or complaining about it either. No sense blaming the coach either. He’s not taking and missing the wide open shots. What he is doing, since he realizes that he doesn’t have a great shooting team, is trying to get the players to concentrate on reducing turnovers, turning the other teams over to gain more possessions, and limiting the shooting percentages of the opponents. They probably aren’t going to become great shooters, so they need to keep the opponents from being ones, and they need to prevent the opponents from getting a lot of shots. This team is going to win or lose because of how their defense plays, not their offense. Their offense is probably going to pretty much suck all year long. Nothing and no one is really going to change that. But defense, ball control, and rebounding are all things that can get better to a point where they are not just good, but are elite. Hopefully they will. It’s only been 4 games. There is a long way to go.

[muskieman]

After watching these players for the last few years, what would make anyone think that they are going to become better shooters?
Not being negative, just realistic. They are not all of a sudden going to start shooting better or decide to stop taking wide open 3 point shots. Hopefully KyKy gets on the court soon and is a consistent outside threat, but he’s only one player and he’s a freshman, so he probably won’t change it to much. The offense isn’t going to get all that much better if it’s relying on improved shooting to solve its problems. No sense crying or worrying or complaining about it either. No sense blaming the coach either. He’s not taking and missing the wide open shots. What he is doing, since he realizes that he doesn’t have a great shooting team, is trying to get the players to concentrate on reducing turnovers, turning the other teams over to gain more possessions, and limiting the shooting percentages of the opponents. They probably aren’t going to become great shooters, so they need to keep the opponents from being ones, and they need to prevent the opponents from getting a lot of shots. This team is going to win or lose because of how their defense plays, not their offense. Their offense is probably going to pretty much suck all year long. Nothing and no one is really going to change that. But defense, ball control, and rebounding are all things that can get better to a point where they are not just good, but are elite. Hopefully they will. It’s only been 4 games. There is a long way to go.

you forget a few players that have shot better in the past than the shooting this year Carter Shot 34% last year at OU, Bishop and of course KyKy are decent shooters from the 3 pt line. As for Q, I think he will never be the three-point shooter or even the 2 point shooter everyone expects but his 3 pt. stats are based on 15 shots in 4 games so let's wait a while. This team is best when the D turns the opponent over so they can run and have always struggled in the half-court, although they did improve last year. Last year Naji couldn't finish but improved and again this year some of his misses come when he tries his spin move and he is more successful when he doesn't.

[X-Expert]

After watching these players for the last few years, what would make anyone think that they are going to become better shooters?
Not being negative, just realistic. They are not all of a sudden going to start shooting better or decide to stop taking wide open 3 point shots. Hopefully KyKy gets on the court soon and is a consistent outside threat, but he’s only one player and he’s a freshman, so he probably won’t change it to much. The offense isn’t going to get all that much better if it’s relying on improved shooting to solve its problems. No sense crying or worrying or complaining about it either. No sense blaming the coach either. He’s not taking and missing the wide open shots. What he is doing, since he realizes that he doesn’t have a great shooting team, is trying to get the players to concentrate on reducing turnovers, turning the other teams over to gain more possessions, and limiting the shooting percentages of the opponents. They probably aren’t going to become great shooters, so they need to keep the opponents from being ones, and they need to prevent the opponents from getting a lot of shots. This team is going to win or lose because of how their defense plays, not their offense. Their offense is probably going to pretty much suck all year long. Nothing and no one is really going to change that. But defense, ball control, and rebounding are all things that can get better to a point where they are not just good, but are elite. Hopefully they will. It’s only been 4 games. There is a long way to go.

Agree with almost everything especially the shooting. Their core 4 are still here and have maintained being the #335 of #344 3 point shooting team in the nation. that being said, where i do have an issue knowing that you have bad shooters, up 4 late yesterday out of timeouts you take 3 consecutive 3s-teams will be in every game against X because a 3point shot attempt is like a turnover. I do put that on Steele. when Goodin is 1-8 from 3 wide open or not, stop taking them or pull him out. It isn't like he has some history where he is going to break out of a shooting slump.

[kyzrex]

Well, you may put it on Steele, but based on every thing he has said he doesn’t have a problem with it, so it’s not going to change. I’d contend that it’s a waste of time to complain about things one can’t control or change. I’ll just go with the idea that they are going to continue to take those open threes, and see any that go in as a plus.

[skyhops]

Judging by what he says in his post game comments I think Kyzrez is probably correct. I can handle threes providing they are good shots, not early in the shot clock, and we have someone that could get the rebound. We had a lot of one and done last night although that happens with a zone.

[X-Expert]

Well, you may put it on Steele, but based on every thing he has said he doesn’t have a problem with it, so it’s not going to change. I’d contend that it’s a waste of time to complain about things one can’t control or change. I’ll just go with the idea that they are going to continue to take those open threes, and see any that go in as a plus.

Actually nothing on this board that is said is under anyones control except Steele so why have an opinion. that being said, i agree that Steele is ok with it but still disagree. I agree with Hops that shots can be taken by anyone late in the shot clock but clearly out of timeouts launching up 3 straight 3s didn't make much sense last night. Very hopeful that Tandy, Bishop, and Moore come around with their shooting because we know the core four (except Scruggs) are slashers

[kyzrex]

I’ll agree with the observation that the vast majority of players that X has on the roster are slashers and not great outside shooters. The lack of great outside shooters seems to be something that Steele realizes, based on who the 2020 recruits are. The lack of great outside shooters is directly traced back to the last 2 recruiting classes that the former coach had. Therefore, I say that the chance that it will of a sudden get better is very slim at best. No sense, IMO, wasting time hoping for something that in all likelihood is not going to change, and I think that Steele realizes that is the situation. That may be exactly why he is not worrying about it and doesn’t want to waste time and breath talking about it. Turnovers and lack of intensity however are things that they can work on and improve. The press conferences/shows are used to send a message to the players just as much as they are there to keep the fans informed.

[XU80]

I was at the game and will make the following observations: 1.) Our defense continues to be our calling card although Naji at times lost interest in his defensive responsibility. 2.) We had three timeouts left and didn't use any in the last minute. 3.) We were ill prepared with the zone defense and whether it was Carter, Marshall or Scruggs flashing to the foul line, they appeared not to be able to just take the quick shot or penetrate and dish to a base line cutter. 4.) Very disappointed that we got beat many times for 50/50 balls on rebounds or loose balls.

That said, it is November and we will get better and the new additions will learn to work into the system with our 4 veterans and it should be in time for the Big East Play.