Eastern Washington Game thread 12/20/2016

[Theology73]

The first ten minutes were pathetic being down 22-11. Then WOW!!! The next ten they go on a 35-8 run to close the half. Night and day.

[madness31]

The team was fun to watch for the first time in awhile. This team has potential but they struggle to play smart consistently. They either make dumb turnovers or take stupid shots and it allows teams to stay in the game. The big 3 are especially guilty of this as TB will take a rushed shot or Macura/Sumner will take an ill advised shots early in the shot clock.

Sumner played an amazing game. He needs to find a way to play close to this level on a regular basis. Missed shots will happen but he needs to know when to take a deep shot and when not to. He is not a great shooter so his deep shots should be limited. More importantly he needs to protect the ball and not turn it over. Do not force the action. Drive but stay in control and kick out if the opening is not there.

Macura is the other piece of the puzzle that has potential to take this team deep. He has been forcing the action recently. His shooting percentage is sub par because he is not taking smart shots on a consistent basis. Too often he forces the action in what appears to be an attempt at getting more points rather than doing what is best for the team. This is odd given that Macura tends to give it everything on the defensive end and for every lose ball. He is a smarter player than his shot selection indicates. His ability to put the ball on the floor is huge. He is capable of hitting very deep shots but he needs to know when to take those. What he brings on the defensive side and on the glass is also enormous.

Macura and the Sumner that protects the ball are the difference makers. Gaston is showing signs of being a dependable big and TB is important but they will not take this team anywhere without Macura and Sumner playing at a high level. Gates had a great game. Hopefully we see more of that in the games to come.

[muskieman]

I'd like to see gates more on the inside on the O side of the ball. He is forever drifting to the three point line and while that was a good thing last game he needs to play like a big man and not just a tall player. He is good on the D side rebounding but very rarely makes an impact on the O rebounds.

I agree on JP's overall play and think his outside shooting is a combination of when he get's the ball and where other players are when he get's the ball. He is such a good passer that when he get's the ball someone should be headed for the basket because if they get open he will deliver it. Gates should take note and spend some time under the reflection of the rim.

Tre has done so many things well for X that I extend him some leeway with his shots.

As for Ed I sometimes think he doesn't know how quick he is and sometimes his fellow players don't either.

there are certain players on this team when they get the ball the others should be trying to get their player to move with them so as to open a lane or prohibit the double and triple team.

Big men work on finishing and work on hands. Gaston seems to found his rhythm and seems more confident inside but Sean seems to be not interested at times. Maybe it is because he is a quiet player but when he is open he should demand the ball and when the D comes to help out he needs to pass it out again. He seems to rush his shot once he makes his move on his defender and that might because he has had it blacked a few times. He has the footwork and the moves but not the finish. Maybe this off time and more practice time when they get back will open it up more for him. He just seems to have no fight in him to get his starting job back.

One thing X does need is some positive bench play because X looks like the UC teams of old that would wear out by the end of the season because of too many minutes....I hated to equate them to the bearkittens but it is just in minutes played.

[finalfourorbust]

I'd like to see gates more on the inside on the O side of the ball. He is forever drifting to the three point line and while that was a good thing last game he needs to play like a big man and not just a tall player. He is good on the D side rebounding but very rarely makes an impact on the O rebounds.

I agree on JP's overall play and think his outside shooting is a combination of when he get's the ball and where other players are when he get's the ball. He is such a good passer that when he get's the ball someone should be headed for the basket because if they get open he will deliver it. Gates should take note and spend some time under the reflection of the rim.

Tre has done so many things well for X that I extend him some leeway with his shots.

As for Ed I sometimes think he doesn't know how quick he is and sometimes his fellow players don't either.

there are certain players on this team when they get the ball the others should be trying to get their player to move with them so as to open a lane or prohibit the double and triple team.

Big men work on finishing and work on hands. Gaston seems to found his rhythm and seems more confident inside but Sean seems to be not interested at times. Maybe it is because he is a quiet player but when he is open he should demand the ball and when the D comes to help out he needs to pass it out again. He seems to rush his shot once he makes his move on his defender and that might because he has had it blacked a few times. He has the footwork and the moves but not the finish. Maybe this off time and more practice time when they get back will open it up more for him. He just seems to have no fight in him to get his starting job back.

One thing X does need is some positive bench play because X looks like the UC teams of old that would wear out by the end of the season because of too many minutes....I hated to equate them to the bearkittens but it is just in minutes played.

I think Gates, Jones and Goodin will become big contributors by the end of the year. I have very high hopes for Jones who is very strong and one of the most athletic big men that we have had as a freshman. He has great shot blocking abiliy and just has to learn how to blend into our defensive schemes.

[muskienick]

One thing X does need is some positive bench play because X looks like the UC teams of old that would wear out by the end of the season because of too many minutes....I hated to equate them to the bearkittens but it is just in minutes played.

We are now going 4 deep into the bench with Myles a potential 5th double-digit minute-eater. Two of them are Freshmen who seem to be progressing reasonably well (especially Q, and Ty Jones is filled to the brim with natural ability).

[muskieman]

One thing X does need is some positive bench play because X looks like the UC teams of old that would wear out by the end of the season because of too many minutes....I hated to equate them to the bearkittens but it is just in minutes played.

We are now going 4 deep into the bench with Myles a potential 5th double-digit minute-eater. Two of them are Freshmen who seem to be progressing reasonably well (especially Q, and Ty Jones is filled to the brim with natural ability).

I agree if the two guys you mentioned continue to play well but up until the last game their negatives were greater than their positive. I like Q and TJ, and I expect freshman mistakes, so if they continue to play like they did against EW while improving on their mistakes it will mean a deeper bench. My fears are they will continue to be inconsistent and with the lack of a Sean O'Mara being an enforcer and scorer the way he should be the playing the deficiencies will be a problem in the league. I know Chris and the coaches will be working on them and I trust in Chris.

PS: I do like Q and TJ playing together because they seem to have a connection

[hoosiermuskie]

I'd like to see gates more on the inside on the O side of the ball. He is forever drifting to the three point line and while that was a good thing last game he needs to play like a big man and not just a tall player. He is good on the D side rebounding but very rarely makes an impact on the O rebounds.

I agree on JP's overall play and think his outside shooting is a combination of when he get's the ball and where other players are when he get's the ball. He is such a good passer that when he get's the ball someone should be headed for the basket because if they get open he will deliver it. Gates should take note and spend some time under the reflection of the rim.

Tre has done so many things well for X that I extend him some leeway with his shots.

As for Ed I sometimes think he doesn't know how quick he is and sometimes his fellow players don't either.

there are certain players on this team when they get the ball the others should be trying to get their player to move with them so as to open a lane or prohibit the double and triple team.


Big men work on finishing and work on hands. Gaston seems to found his rhythm and seems more confident inside but Sean seems to be not interested at times. Maybe it is because he is a quiet player but when he is open he should demand the ball and when the D comes to help out he needs to pass it out again. He seems to rush his shot once he makes his move on his defender and that might because he has had it blacked a few times. He has the footwork and the moves but not the finish. Maybe this off time and more practice time when they get back will open it up more for him. He just seems to have no fight in him to get his starting job back.

One thing X does need is some positive bench play because X looks like the UC teams of old that would wear out by the end of the season because of too many minutes....I hated to equate them to the bearkittens but it is just in minutes played.

Mm we don't always agree but I also believe Sean "has no fight in him" and "has lost interest ". Gaston and Jones continue to improve but Sean hasn't improved in 2 and a half years. Wish we had Rashid for another year or two.