For example, let's get more specific. In the second half, we closed the gap to a 4 point deficit. And after we scored THAT basket, it was clear, that the momentum had turned. How did we respond? By chilling out on defense, and letting them hit an uncontested 3.
So you think the game plan was to go down by 18, close the gap to 4, then let them hit an uncontested 3? I think the team and coaches made the proper adjustments to close the gap to 4 after getting down by 18, but by then it was to late, the foul fest did them in.
Where was the press? Why do these uber talented upperclassmen not know how to press, and why wasn't it completely obvious to them that they should have?
Because we are not a pressing team, that much should be obvious. You may disagree with it, that's your prerogative, but that is the case. Not sure what you saw that makes it obvious that we should have pressed or what the results would have been had we pressed. I think we lose by twenty if we pressed.
Will this team improve? I think so. They are talented enough. We can see that. I would have been fine with a loss, but I'm disappointed that after 8 games (summer and D2 games), our guys are making freshman mistakes on both sides of the ball.
I think the problem is, many of you believe coaches are pharaohs and all they must do is make an edict. Players' need to execute. The coaches are not telling the team to give up uncontested threes. Wisconsin made shots, they didn't make easy shots, only a hand full were uncontested long threes. We didn't make shots. Give the 21st ranked team in the country some respect. They had five players score in double figures, we had two. Do you believe Lavin's game plan was for Branch and Sanchez to only take 2 FG attempts. Players' need to step up and execute. If the team doesn't improve then it will be on coach.
You're asking me if I think the gameplan was to go down by 18 points? Actually, no I don't. I thought I made it pretty clear that there was no game plan.
The "we are not a pressing team" bit is unacceptable. All we hear about all summer is how talented and quick our guys are. If they can't press, it's because that aspect of the game hasn't been taught properly.
This team needs to find it's identity. The starting line up is awful. I can't tell who the point guard is, and I'm not sure they even know. We have to hope that this Whitesell guy can fix our glaring issues. I don't know what his specialty is, but right now, this is what I saw:
1. No point guard. Is it Branch or Jordan? Pick one.
2. We weren't running an offense. Our players get the ball and take turns trying to score. It was pretty ugly. We look like a street ball team.
3. We have no defensive philosophy. We don't press. I agree with that, but then fine, we accept it, for now. What do we do? We suck at the zone, we suck at man to man. What else is there?
4. No plays for shooters. Hooper took one three, and it was a contested jump shot. How is it that a bunch of slow bench players and freshman can get their shooters open shots, and we can't? I think it's because we are a lousy passing team. I'd like to see them work on it. A lot.
5. Stupid fouls. We committed a ton of stupid fouls. Sanchez, Jordan, Pointer etc were the biggest culprits.
I am fully aware that many if these issues are issues that most teams face early in the season. That said, it's early for every team, and I'm sick of that always being an accepted excuse on these boards. In the stands, the fans know better because they haven't been in them.