What's the biggest change?

I think it's really team basketball.   

Team defense. More man to man.  Quicker switching back on switches.  Fewer open outside looks.

Team offense, everyone seems to be willing to play within themselves.  Far fewer rushed shots.  Way more passing out of double teams.  Way fewer turnovers. Way more going to the rim, which has opened up the outside shooting too.

Individually,  Chris and Rysheed coming into their own.  Not getting into foul trouble as quickly. 

Coach getting comfortable with the rotation.  Shortening the bench.

NCAA's and Contract extension, here we come!!!!!!  And then more recruiting succress.  This program is on the up and up for the long term.

Going to get harder to get good tickets....and more expensive. 

By the way Linda has disappeared.  And haven't heard much about Iona lately.

I think it's really team basketball.   

Team defense. More man to man.  Quicker switching back on switches.  Fewer open outside looks.

Team offense, everyone seems to be willing to play within themselves.  Far fewer rushed shots.  Way more passing out of double teams.  Way fewer turnovers. Way more going to the rim, which has opened up the outside shooting too.

Individually,  Chris and Rysheed coming into their own.  Not getting into foul trouble as quickly. 

Coach getting comfortable with the rotation.  Shortening the bench.

NCAA's and Contract extension, here we come!!!!!!  And then more recruiting succress.  This program is on the up and up for the long term.

Going to get harder to get good tickets....and more expensive. 

By the way Linda has disappeared.  And haven't heard much about Iona lately.

1. Coach Tesla stopped tinkering with his line up and started giving the most minutes to his best players.

2. The emergence of the real Rysheed Jordan, at the expense of Phil "Bad Cholesterol" Greene, who is no longer clogging the arteries of the great and powerful offense.

3. Obekpa > Sanchez.

Shorter rotations, defined roles, full court pressure, winning builds confidence + trust, buy in to team concept, and just playing tough.

Staying out of foul trouble for Chris and Rysheed!

Agree with all the above.  D and effort is much more evident.  Shooting percentage from 3 and overall is rising when most teams see that number level or fall.

I forgot to mention FTA per game. I haven't looked at it but feels like SJU is getting to the line more frequently.

I forgot to mention FTA per game. I haven't looked at it but feels like SJU is getting to the line more frequently.

So true, getting in bonus situation consistently ahead if opponents.

D'Lo's nickname should be automatic!

The renewed confidence we gained by winning the Dartmouth game. 

That was absolute scheduling brilliance!  Without that oddly but perfectly placed cupcake...this season was over and out!

Definitely confidence has a lot to do with the turnaround. Everyone getting a good feel for their role. Obekpa becoming a more all around player. But the simple answer is the emergence of Jordan. He could end up being better than D'lo by the end of the season.

Naming one change is difficult but probably has to be team defense.  Guys like Jakarr went from horrible man defenders to very good ones.  Even Sanchez showed improved toughness on defense last game.  We've had more than marginal improvement by so many players at the same time.  I suspect there had to be a change in coaching habits.  Lavin and Co. Tightened the lineup a bit but also seems to have these kids reeled in and zeroed on the goal of making the tourney. 

There really has been wholesale improvement.  How often do you see a kid like Obekpa make such great strides on offense in only a few games?  Jordan has emerged as well.  We are making free throws down the stretch as well.  We will go where our team defense takes us though.  I also like that we are running on offense and pressuring on defense more. 

This is the team I was hoping to see all season.  The talent is evident.  I hope Lavin continues this "mode" of coaching.  The kids are responding well.  Maybe not too late for the NCAA's.  Time to smash Butler who despite their record is a very solid team.

I think it's really team basketball.   

Team defense. More man to man.  Quicker switching back on switches.  Fewer open outside looks.

Team offense, everyone seems to be willing to play within themselves.  Far fewer rushed shots.  Way more passing out of double teams.  Way fewer turnovers. Way more going to the rim, which has opened up the outside shooting too.

Individually,  Chris and Rysheed coming into their own.  Not getting into foul trouble as quickly. 

Coach getting comfortable with the rotation.  Shortening the bench.

NCAA's and Contract extension, here we come!!!!!!  And then more recruiting succress.  This program is on the up and up for the long term.

Going to get harder to get good tickets....and more expensive. 

By the way Linda has disappeared.  And haven't heard much about Iona lately.

They've started playing defense with their feet.

If coach is going to get ripped because Obekpa looks awful, then he should be given credit when he starts helping us win, and overall, he's been very good. So, I'll admit it, I wanted him out. But as unbelievable as a tourney run seemed to be in Jan, it's very real right now. It's ours for the taking. I feel like they can win out. And Lavin should be given credit for turning things around.

One big thing I've really enjoyed seeing: All of the players are passing the ball better. Sampson in particular. Where did that come from? Keady's teams passed beautifully. I wonder if this is his influence?

I think settling on starters, and defining roles has helped a lot. It took a while, but now we know who starts. Sanchez has really helped off the bench. Granted his d was awful in Jersey, but last night, he stayed with his man. Maybe in less time, he'll be more comfortable playing harder on d? Gift and Sanchez, zero turnovers. I love it.

We take care of the rock, and with Jordan running the show, we can also distribute it, too. We have become a much tougher opponent. Jordan and Harrison seem ready now to attack the zone. Earlier in the season, both were simply dribbling into traffic, and trying to make something happen. I feel every move Jordan made was a work of art.

And finally, to the nay sayers, who don't have the onions to admit when they're wrong: I figured as much. No Linda? No complaints.
As far as Iona goes, I personally root for ALL of the locals to make some noise, and to have a shot at an automatic bid. I hope they or Manhattan earn a bid. Tim Cluess has a winning team every damn season. There is no argument against that.

 Poison-  I read somewhere online ( possibly here, too many threads to sort thru) that Keady, from his Purdue days, has a drill/exercise where the kids play a simulated game where no one is allowed to dribble..  Seems like it has helped in the passing department.   Kudos to you for giving some credit where it's due. 

 Now we just have to get Desco to lose the AVi of Antigua...I mean, seriously?   

Poison-  I read somewhere online ( possibly here, too many threads to sort thru) that Keady, from his Purdue days, has a drill/exercise where the kids play a simulated game where no one is allowed to dribble..  Seems like it has helped in the passing department.   Kudos to you for giving some credit where it's due. 

 Now we just have to get Desco to lose the AVi of Antigua...I mean, seriously?   

It is almost spooky how much better their passing is now.

 Sanchez has lived up to the hype in the passing dept.

Jordan's long arms make him a menace at the top of the defense. He can be an elite defender and is on his way.

Sampson's D has been incredible the last 2 weeks. Must have really shown the staff something in practice as they stuck him on Dougie McBuckets during the Creighton game.

That final dunk by Jordan and then the block by Obekpa on the next play were a nice little cherry on top.. Obekpa has some Mutombo in him..

1.  Emergence of Sheed.  Phil (who is a nice wing player) is not a point guard.  Since the emergence of Sheed, we have an actual point guard in most times. Jordan is also a very nice defensive player.   
2.  Obekpa on both ends.  Big presence in the middle and has added nice offensive contributions. 
3.  Lavin stop screwing around and playing the whole bench.   The only guy who hasn't been playing who I believe should is Branch, and hopefully it's just temporary with his teeth. 

Quote from: hnk on February 17, 2014, 10:12:03 AM

I think it's really team basketball.   

Team defense. More man to man.  Quicker switching back on switches.  Fewer open outside looks.

Team offense, everyone seems to be willing to play within themselves.  Far fewer rushed shots.  Way more passing out of double teams.  Way fewer turnovers. Way more going to the rim, which has opened up the outside shooting too.

Individually,  Chris and Rysheed coming into their own.  Not getting into foul trouble as quickly. 

Coach getting comfortable with the rotation.  Shortening the bench.

NCAA's and Contract extension, here we come!!!!!!  And then more recruiting succress.  This program is on the up and up for the long term.

Going to get harder to get good tickets....and more expensive. 

By the way Linda has disappeared.  And haven't heard much about Iona lately.

They've started playing defense with their feet.

If coach is going to get ripped because Obekpa looks awful, then he should be given credit when he starts helping us win, and overall, he's been very good. So, I'll admit it, I wanted him out. But as unbelievable as a tourney run seemed to be in Jan, it's very real right now. It's ours for the taking. I feel like they can win out. And Lavin should be given credit for turning things around.

One big thing I've really enjoyed seeing: All of the players are passing the ball better. Sampson in particular. Where did that come from? Keady's teams passed beautifully. I wonder if this is his influence?

I think settling on starters, and defining roles has helped a lot. It took a while, but now we know who starts. Sanchez has really helped off the bench. Granted his d was awful in Jersey, but last night, he stayed with his man. Maybe in less time, he'll be more comfortable playing harder on d? Gift and Sanchez, zero turnovers. I love it.

We take care of the rock, and with Jordan running the show, we can also distribute it, too. We have become a much tougher opponent. Jordan and Harrison seem ready now to attack the zone. Earlier in the season, both were simply dribbling into traffic, and trying to make something happen. I feel every move Jordan made was a work of art.

And finally, to the nay sayers, who don't have the onions to admit when they're wrong: I figured as much. No Linda? No complaints.
As far as Iona goes, I personally root for ALL of the locals to make some noise, and to have a shot at an automatic bid. I hope they or Manhattan earn a bid. Tim Cluess has a winning team every damn season. There is no argument against that.

I love the better passing. Makes it much more enjoyable to watch but also makes them much better players and gives them so many opportunities.

2 plays stood out last night to me. On one I think it was Dom who had the ball on the wing and threw a bullet down low to Gift who converted it and another where Sanchez had the ball underneath the basket and threw a great pass to Karr who didn't convert but was fouled on the play.

Great passing is contagious and they move the ball around much quicker now which creates problems for the other teams defense

Emergence of Jordan which has helped lead to much better ball movement......more consistent effort on D....Obekpa scores some so he cant be ignored offensively, previously only worry was boxing him out.

Time. #February. Although many didn't like to hear it, that was the reality. When your team is as reliant as we are in a freshman point guard, not to mention sophomores in Sampson and Obekpa, its going to take some time. Jordan's ability to pass has opened up the offense, strange once players' begin to execute we no longer hear posters complain about our offense. D'lo played a great game, but 40 minutes without an assist is something he needs to improve on.   

Quote from: hnk on February 17, 2014, 10:12:03 AM

I think it's really team basketball.   

Team defense. More man to man.  Quicker switching back on switches.  Fewer open outside looks.

Team offense, everyone seems to be willing to play within themselves.  Far fewer rushed shots.  Way more passing out of double teams.  Way fewer turnovers. Way more going to the rim, which has opened up the outside shooting too.

Individually,  Chris and Rysheed coming into their own.  Not getting into foul trouble as quickly. 

Coach getting comfortable with the rotation.  Shortening the bench.

NCAA's and Contract extension, here we come!!!!!!  And then more recruiting succress.  This program is on the up and up for the long term.

Going to get harder to get good tickets....and more expensive. 

By the way Linda has disappeared.  And haven't heard much about Iona lately.

1. Coach Tesla stopped tinkering with his line up and started giving the most minutes to his best players.

2. The emergence of the real Rysheed Jordan, at the expense of Phil "Bad Cholesterol" Greene, who is no longer clogging the arteries of the great and powerful offense.

3. Obekpa > Sanchez.

Yup!!!
I think Sanchez has played very well in a smaller role though.