Utah Game thread 12/10/2016

[mumuskie87]

Make it 10 for 10 from the line in the last minute of the game.

X's wins by 8.
Gets outscored in 2H by 3.

[Shadow]

Make it 10 for 10 from the line in the last minute of the game.

X's wins by 8.
Gets outscored in 2H by 3.

Please note key word.

[commish118]

Chis talked about the defensive struggles in the second half of games this season, during the post game. Saw it again this afternoon. At least we saw much more of a team effort offensively.

[muskieman]

Already in my seat. Left esrly, but traffic wasn't bad.

Looking forward to seeing Gaston continue to find himself... Hopefully for both halves this afternoon. And hoping to see Gates and O'Mara start to contribute. This is an opponant that suites O'Mara. But really hoping to see Jones and Goodin start to get into the offense. In other words, I would like to see a team effort and result.

Gaston must have put a smile on you with his double double. Jones two put back dunks should have also made you happy. Finally the team effort was there and if they learn to step on their opponent's neck and not let them up we will be fine.

I also like that Utah kept fouling us at the end and the guys came through because the number of times they went to the line and saw the ball go through the basket might change the mindset that they can't make baskets. Sure the five missed in a row brought back painful recent memories but the guys changed that around.

[skyhops]

Great game by Gaston and probably should have gotten him the ball more. Agree MM, we need to keep the on the pedal when leading. We get careless with lead. Tre can thru big at line.

[commish118]

Already in my seat. Left esrly, but traffic wasn't bad.

Looking forward to seeing Gaston continue to find himself... Hopefully for both halves this afternoon. And hoping to see Gates and O'Mara start to contribute. This is an opponant that suites O'Mara. But really hoping to see Jones and Goodin start to get into the offense. In other words, I would like to see a team effort and result.

Gaston must have put a smile on you with his double double. Jones two put back dunks should have also made you happy. Finally the team effort was there and if they learn to step on their opponent's neck and not let them up we will be fine.

I also like that Utah kept fouling us at the end and the guys came through because the number of times they went to the line and saw the ball go through the basket might change the mindset that they can't make baskets. Sure the five missed in a row brought back painful recent memories but the guys changed that around.

Gaston put a huge smile on my face! Gates played well defensively, but still looks uncomfortable on offense. Jones is a finisher, but he struggled on defense, hence the 4 minutes. Just not sure about Sean. These are the kind of teams he should do well against, but he is not playing with confidence. And Q looked good, but was too sloppy with the ball. I will take his effort though. I think it was a freshman being a freshman.

Offensively, it was a great team effort! A lot of improvement. We slipped back a bit to start the second half but got back to team play after the first 4 minutes.

Chis lamented about the breakdown in defense in the second half of games this season, including yesterday. He questioned if it might be fatigue. From the stands, it didn't look like fatigue. We dominated offensively and especially defensively in the first half. We looked and played like the better team. It looked to me like we took the foot off the gas, just as you stated, Muskieman. They came out of the half like they had the game won. In the first half seemingly every Utah basket was contested, disrupted, or forced late in the shot clock. In the second half we were slow to get back on defense, slow in our rotations, slow in closing out, and playing on our heals instead of our toes. It just did not look like fatigue. It looked mental to me.

We are beginning to find answers: Gaston and team play offensively. But we need to find a few more answers in these next two games before Big East play.

[Anti-Homer]

Two best things from the game were Trevon showing great leadership by not forcing his shots, and Gaston playing his second consecutive solid game.

The bad: Playing poorly defensively in the 2nd half, and Goodin continuing to struggle. For X to take the next step, Gates has to start playing like Gates can. He is playing tentatively, and X can't have that from the most important defensive player on the team.

Also, I love having ES on the team, and only wish the NBA drafted players based on readiness. He is sporadically very good, but not a reliable QB of the team. He lacks the polish of ON THE COURT Tu. Loved ON THE COURT Tu. He was poised the 1st minute he stepped ON THE COURT. Hopefully, ES gets there soon.

[skyhops]

Agreed AH, I think Ed needs another year but NBA typically likes his size and speed. Tre has been impressive the last few games and his FT's and leadership are key. Goodin has been a turnover machine especially at Baylor and CO.

[hoosiermuskie]

Two best things from the game were Trevon showing great leadership by not forcing his shots, and Gaston playing his second consecutive solid game.

The bad: Playing poorly defensively in the 2nd half, and Goodin continuing to struggle. For X to take the next step, Gates has to start playing like Gates can. He is playing tentatively, and X can't have that from the most important defensive player on the team.

Also, I love having ES on the team, and only wish the NBA drafted players based on readiness. He is sporadically very good, but not a reliable QB of the team. He lacks the polish of ON THE COURT Tu. Loved ON THE COURT Tu. He was poised the 1st minute he stepped ON THE COURT. Hopefully, ES gets there soon.

About Gates: You say we want Gates to play like "we know he can". I'm not sure he will ever be as good as we hoped and expected. He only averaged 3.2 points per game last year (I know, he was only a freshman). And he has not shown much this year. It has been long enough that the injury should no longer be an excuse. We sure need his play to improve.
And contrary to above I don't believe he is the most important defensive player on the team. That honor goes to Tre who is the overall MVP both offensive and defensive.

[joeabe]

Myles Davis is the key to our success!! He is the QB we are missing!! We are an offense running without a captain/leader/decision maker!! Seems at times when we go up by 6 or so we do not know how to act......we launch 3's like crazy and before you know it the opponent runs out with the missed shots for easy layups and there goes the lead. Then when behind late we again launch 3's randomly in desperation. Hence, X needs Myles leadership. It's sad how his life took a sudden turn....but he will be the better for weathering the storm!! Still believe we will have an exceptional year!! Watched Villanova vs Temple.....V is relentless on D...Frustrated Temple to the max with smothering D!! Love the way they play...
They lead with Defense....the players bought in..