We just beat ISU pretty good and we have yet played Drake. I believe we can be the best as long as this team shows up with defensive intensity for 40 minutes.
I hate to disagree, but defense has nothing to do with it and everyone is listening to our coach spew that stuff way too much...
It just can't be believed...defense has not been the problem people! We would've held Creighton into the high 50's/low 60's w/o all the freebies near the end...
Who doesn't believe that you should beat a team at home when they score in the 50's or low 60's other than maybe Jim Molinari?!
Our offense has been the problem...we score only 56 to beat ISU and then come out with an awful effort including no shows from Chris Roberts, David Collins, Sam Singh, a 1st half no show from Eddren, and a 2nd half no show from Sammy...Heck, if Dodie Dunson hadn't shown up to play who knows how bad it would've been...
And to think Creighton was playing without Woodfox...
News Flash here is that the team who wanted it more won...we came out flat and with absolutely no enthusiasm...almost as though we felt entitled to this game...and we ended flat as well...I don't know what was said pregame and what was done to try and motivate these guys, but other than a 3-minute stretch at the end of the 1st half, it didn't work.
Could our post play have been any worse? Wait, apparently thats why AT isn't playing because obviously that would have to be the only reason to not get him some minutes when we combine for 3 points and 4 rebounds v 16 points and 12 rebounds by the Bluejays...Could he really have done any worse than a goose-egg because we already know the answer to that one...For every one average game, there are 5 more bad ones ahead for our center....I just can't understand why the kid can not get motivated to play hard...
Finally, does anyone else agree that we will be seeing strickly zone defense from most teams here on out...and that being said, outside of Dodie Dunson where will our shooting come from? Its certainly not going to come from Andrew Warren, who is out for the year, or Darian Norris, as regardless of the great plays he made the final 3 minutes of the first half on Saturday, he was lost on the end of the bench with Thompson...We have a serious need for a 3-pt shooter as Maniscalco is only good when stationary, which hurts with him being 6 feet tall(if that), McCain rarely looks to shoot, and Roberts apparently has been told not to shoot because he no longer does, given the 3-5 wide open looks he had in the Sat. game and passed up.
So, with no inside presence and little threat from 3, how do we beat the zone?
I know it was just one game, but a) it was a home game and b) we now go on a 3-game roadie...
We have been overwhelmingly exposed the last 46 minutes or so of play for a team that can not guard the post, can not shoot the 3, and can not play with Theron Wilson on the bench.
Once again, IMO, I will go to the suggestion of getting Taylor Brown and Darian Norris more minutes, BUT I will also go to the suggestion of not playing Eddren and Sammy much together...the size difference is really starting to hurt us...play Sammy w/ Dodie and play Eddren w/ Chris and play Darian w/ Dodie and Chris...
We have to find a 3-pt specialist if we're gonna make some noise and finish strong...and I have a feeling its either going to be Darian or Dodie...
As a team, we may not have to rely on the 3, however, as evident in past years watching hundreds of conference tournament games, the 3 ball wins many a conference tournament game, and can win a tournament championship....therefore, we do eventually need a player this year that can come in and knock them down if and when necessary.
Once again, don't fault the defense...I believe the defense was fine, minus a few lapses on Witter...we really need to work on the offense and getting back to what made this team great, and its just that...playing as a "team".
