Ewing Theory Alert?

Throughout the season at times, and specifically in a couple of our blow out losses, people have lamented that when Obekpa is on the court we are playing 4 on 5 on offense (and depending who else is on the court, sometimes 3 on 5).

He is excellent defensively, but is there any chance that the smaller lineup, or simply getting amar in there on offense is going to spread it out a bit, and perhaps our O will look like a well oiled machine which will more than make up for the D/rebounding we are losing?

The basketball traditionalist in me says NO...but the fan in me that sees our terrible cold stretches with no flow and lineups that simply drag on offense says maybe...

I think some combination of JDR, Amar, and playing the 4 scholarship seniors and Rysheed could work (at least in round 1).

Maybe we could petition NCAA to let us play all three crappy centers at same time. Between the 3 of them they would only be terrible

Maybe we could petition NCAA to let us play all three crappy centers at same time. Between the 3 of them they would only be terrible

Hahahah hahahah haha. Post of the year. Well done

Maybe we could petition NCAA to let us play all three crappy centers at same time. Between the 3 of them they would only be terrible

ND's blueprint for beating Duke is basically let okafor get his (no double teams) and foul the crap out of him bc he cant shoot free throws.  Results in no Duke guards getting open looks, and they missed most of the contested shots.  We basically are forced to do that now...

I think CO defense far outweighs any offense from his replacement. The team is better with CO playing.

We are going to need at least 25 minutes from a combination of Amar, JDR, and Jones against SD State. We are just going to get manhandled on the boards.

Quote from: we are sju on March 16, 2015, 11:45:58 AM

Maybe we could petition NCAA to let us play all three crappy centers at same time. Between the 3 of them they would only be terrible

ND's blueprint for beating Duke is basically let okafor get his (no double teams) and foul the crap out of him bc he cant shoot free throws.  Results in no Duke guards getting open looks, and they missed most of the contested shots.  We basically are forced to do that now...

why are you worrying about Duke. We have to beat SDSU first. Also, we couldn't beat them when we played a really good game on our home court with a full squad. How are we going to beat them in a home game for them without our only competent big man?

Delarosa is the only one big enough to put a body on Okafor if we get to the 2nd round. And if joey Delarosa is getting major minutes against Duke, we can't win. SDSU very winnable even without Obekpa, in my opinion. Their resumé doesn't impress me.

Quote from: Tha Kid on March 16, 2015, 11:54:54 AM

Quote from: we are sju on March 16, 2015, 11:45:58 AM

Maybe we could petition NCAA to let us play all three crappy centers at same time. Between the 3 of them they would only be terrible

ND's blueprint for beating Duke is basically let okafor get his (no double teams) and foul the crap out of him bc he cant shoot free throws.  Results in no Duke guards getting open looks, and they missed most of the contested shots.  We basically are forced to do that now...

why are you worrying about Duke. We have to beat SDSU first. Also, we couldn't beat them when we played a really good game on our home court with a full squad. How are we going to beat them in a home game for them without our only competent big man?

Because SDSU is very winnable and because their center isn't the #1 draft pick in this year's draft....

the fan in me that sees our terrible cold stretches with no flow and lineups that simply drag on offense says maybe...

SCORING OFFENSE    G    W-L    Pts    Avg/G
1.    Villanova    18    16-2    1380    76.7
2.    St. John's    18    10-8    1293    71.8
3.    Xavier    18    9-9    1277    70.9
4.    Providence    18    11-7    1264    70.2
5.    Georgetown    18    12-6    1243    69.1
6.    Butler    18    12-6    1238    68.8
7.    Seton Hall    18    6-12    1203    66.8
8.    DePaul    18    6-12    1185    65.8
9.    Creighton    18    4-14    1150    63.9
10.    Marquette    18    4-14    1109    61.6

I think there is a good amount of time where having Obekpa hurts us just as much as it helps us.  But still, he's able to block shots at an elite level and rebound at a pretty good one too. If we could only have him for 5-10 minutes a game I think we would have a chance against anybody in the country. Without him completely im not sure who we can beat, but I am pretty sure SDST is one of them.

Quote from: Tha Kid on March 16, 2015, 11:41:18 AM

the fan in me that sees our terrible cold stretches with no flow and lineups that simply drag on offense says maybe...

SCORING OFFENSE    G    W-L    Pts    Avg/G
1.    Villanova    18    16-2    1380    76.7
2.    St. John's    18    10-8    1293    71.8
3.    Xavier    18    9-9    1277    70.9
4.    Providence    18    11-7    1264    70.2
5.    Georgetown    18    12-6    1243    69.1
6.    Butler    18    12-6    1238    68.8
7.    Seton Hall    18    6-12    1203    66.8
8.    DePaul    18    6-12    1185    65.8
9.    Creighton    18    4-14    1150    63.9
10.    Marquette    18    4-14    1109    61.6

Carmine, you do realize that if an elite offensive team has cold stretches that could result in what would otherwise be a likely scoring average of 78 turn into 71.8, right?

Stats are your friend...unless you use them improperly.

Quote from: carmineabbatiello on March 16, 2015, 01:32:23 PM

Quote from: Tha Kid on March 16, 2015, 11:41:18 AM

the fan in me that sees our terrible cold stretches with no flow and lineups that simply drag on offense says maybe...

SCORING OFFENSE    G    W-L    Pts    Avg/G
1.    Villanova    18    16-2    1380    76.7
2.    St. John's    18    10-8    1293    71.8
3.    Xavier    18    9-9    1277    70.9
4.    Providence    18    11-7    1264    70.2
5.    Georgetown    18    12-6    1243    69.1
6.    Butler    18    12-6    1238    68.8
7.    Seton Hall    18    6-12    1203    66.8
8.    DePaul    18    6-12    1185    65.8
9.    Creighton    18    4-14    1150    63.9
10.    Marquette    18    4-14    1109    61.6

Carmine, you do realize that if an elite offensive team has cold stretches that could result in what would otherwise be a likely scoring average of 78 turn into 71.8, right?

Yes, and we could be Loyola Marymount and score 100 per game.  But we're not.

I've read multiple posts recently complaining about our offense, or lack thereof.  Those misguided posters are just understandably used to bad offense and are confusing this years model with the Johnnies of yore.  Facts are that we had 4 players average more than 13 per game, and (surprise-surprise) our three point shooting prowess led by the Hexagon, has been the absolute revelation that has brought us to the dance. 

If you want to pin point a reason we're not seeded higher...check out the defense and rebounding.

SCORING DEFENSE    G    Pts    Avg/G
1.    Villanova    18    1150    63.9
2.    Butler    18    1161    64.5
3.    Georgetown    18    1162    64.6
4.    Marquette    18    1230    68.3
5.    Providence    18    1239    68.8
   Xavier    18    1239    68.8
7.    Creighton    18    1245    69.2
8.    DePaul    18    1295    71.9
9.    Seton Hall    18    1306    72.6
10.    St. John's    18    1315    73.1

Losing Obekpa won't hurt as much in the 1st round.

If we advance to play Duke I expect to see them go with their big lineup. They killed us when they went with Plumlee and Okafor @ MSG. We have to counter with two big men... so expect to see Amar/JDR/C.Jones on the floor at the same time.

Quote from: Tha Kid on March 16, 2015, 02:40:01 PM

Quote from: carmineabbatiello on March 16, 2015, 01:32:23 PM

Quote from: Tha Kid on March 16, 2015, 11:41:18 AM

the fan in me that sees our terrible cold stretches with no flow and lineups that simply drag on offense says maybe...

SCORING OFFENSE    G    W-L    Pts    Avg/G
1.    Villanova    18    16-2    1380    76.7
2.    St. John's    18    10-8    1293    71.8
3.    Xavier    18    9-9    1277    70.9
4.    Providence    18    11-7    1264    70.2
5.    Georgetown    18    12-6    1243    69.1
6.    Butler    18    12-6    1238    68.8
7.    Seton Hall    18    6-12    1203    66.8
8.    DePaul    18    6-12    1185    65.8
9.    Creighton    18    4-14    1150    63.9
10.    Marquette    18    4-14    1109    61.6

Carmine, you do realize that if an elite offensive team has cold stretches that could result in what would otherwise be a likely scoring average of 78 turn into 71.8, right?

Yes, and we could be Loyola Marymount and score 100 per game.  But we're not.

I've read multiple posts recently complaining about our offense, or lack thereof.  Those misguided posters are just understandably used to bad offense and are confusing this years model with the Johnnies of yore.  Facts are that we had 4 players average more than 13 per game, and (surprise-surprise) our three point shooting prowess led by the Hexagon, has been the absolute revelation that has brought us to the dance. 

If you want to pin point a reason we're not seeded higher...check out the defense and rebounding.

SCORING DEFENSE    G    Pts    Avg/G
1.    Villanova    18    1150    63.9
2.    Butler    18    1161    64.5
3.    Georgetown    18    1162    64.6
4.    Marquette    18    1230    68.3
5.    Providence    18    1239    68.8
   Xavier    18    1239    68.8
7.    Creighton    18    1245    69.2
8.    DePaul    18    1295    71.9
9.    Seton Hall    18    1306    72.6
10.    St. John's    18    1315    73.1

Carmine, my grandfather gave me really wise words of advice about how to win at basketball when I started playing competitively at the age of 8...."Score more points than the other team"

That can be done with some combination of offensive and defensive performances as long as your offensive performance results in a total number slightly larger than your defensive performance allows.

So we average 71.8 and give up 73.1.  Well if we somehow without Obekpa can change that to score 80 and give up 79, than we can improve overall, can't we?

You are a great poster and seem like you actually watch the games...so haven't your eyes told you what they have told mine?  That we are very good on offense...excellent at times...but are prone to extended droughts?  Just bc our total point total is at the top of the league, does not mean we are not playing as efficiently on offense as we should.

Personally, I think Obekpa's absence is going to be a negative for us.  My point is, since he contributes nothing or possibly even negative offensively, there is some small chance that our offensive gains can outweigh the defensive declines without him.  It's up to Lavin to figure out how to make that happen or attempt to manufacture it.

You are a great poster and seem like you actually watch the games...so haven't your eyes told you what they have told mine?  That we are very good on offense...excellent at times...but are prone to extended droughts?  Just bc our total point total is at the top of the league, does not mean we are not playing as efficiently on offense as we should.

My bloodshot and squinty eyes have told me that our offense struggles in half-court sets and operates best when the game has tempo and chaos.  The extended droughts you speak of must be when we're not running and generating steals. Thankfully we've made a concerted effort to push the ball this season and have four players talented enough to be double digit scorers and hit many threes. 

I am not exactly sure if 'we are playing as efficiently on offense as we should' or not.  I do know that we have scored more than all teams in our league not from Philly and that's the main reason why we have a game this Friday.

Just for you Kid, i hope that your two favorite teams get to meet on Sunday.
 

Make this game streetball and we will be fine.  I think CO is needed more in our 2nd round.  We are more athletic and our speed will win this game.  If any one of our starting 5 has 2 fouls, any penetration from from SDSU should only be contacted by JDR, Amar, and our bench.  I would actually concede most drives to the hoop and want to see JDR or Amar foul out. 

Quote from: Tha Kid on March 16, 2015, 09:15:07 PM

You are a great poster and seem like you actually watch the games...so haven't your eyes told you what they have told mine?  That we are very good on offense...excellent at times...but are prone to extended droughts?  Just bc our total point total is at the top of the league, does not mean we are not playing as efficiently on offense as we should.

My bloodshot and squinty eyes have told me that our offense struggles in half-court sets and operates best when the game has tempo and chaos.  The extended droughts you speak of must be when we're not running and generating steals. Thankfully we've made a concerted effort to push the ball this season and have four players talented enough to be double digit scorers and hit many threes. 

I am not exactly sure if 'we are playing as efficiently on offense as we should' or not.  I do know that we have scored more than all teams in our league not from Philly and that's the main reason why we have a game this Friday.

Just for you Kid, i hope that your two favorite teams get to meet on Sunday.

Carmine, I am miserable and will be miserable all weekend.  I don't even want to watch the game if it happens.  My favorite team is short handed and likely to get crushed but if they pull off te upset my alma Mater and team 1B who has their best shot at a title (or at least finals appearance) in five years loses in what I think is a bracket set up just for them to advance. 

Every fan of every team even a 16 has hope their team will win at tip off.  On Sunday I will have a 100 pct chance that one of my teams will lose.  If it was further in the tourney and this was for an elite 8 or final four Id be ok but second round?  Ugh.

I of course want them both to win first round but I am dreading Sunday.

Quote from: carmineabbatiello on March 16, 2015, 11:06:32 PM

Quote from: Tha Kid on March 16, 2015, 09:15:07 PM

You are a great poster and seem like you actually watch the games...so haven't your eyes told you what they have told mine?  That we are very good on offense...excellent at times...but are prone to extended droughts?  Just bc our total point total is at the top of the league, does not mean we are not playing as efficiently on offense as we should.

My bloodshot and squinty eyes have told me that our offense struggles in half-court sets and operates best when the game has tempo and chaos.  The extended droughts you speak of must be when we're not running and generating steals. Thankfully we've made a concerted effort to push the ball this season and have four players talented enough to be double digit scorers and hit many threes. 

I am not exactly sure if 'we are playing as efficiently on offense as we should' or not.  I do know that we have scored more than all teams in our league not from Philly and that's the main reason why we have a game this Friday.

Just for you Kid, i hope that your two favorite teams get to meet on Sunday.

Carmine, I am miserable and will be miserable all weekend.  I don't even want to watch the game if it happens.  My favorite team is short handed and likely to get crushed but if they pull off te upset my alma Mater and team 1B who has their best shot at a title (or at least finals appearance) in five years loses in what I think is a bracket set up just for them to advance. 

Every fan of every team even a 16 has hope their team will win at tip off.  On Sunday I will have a 100 pct chance that one of my teams will lose.  If it was further in the tourney and this was for an elite 8 or final four Id be ok but second round?  Ugh.

I of course want them both to win first round but I am dreading Sunday.

Just relax and enjoy it. What happens happens.  I would love for my 1b team to play my 1a team. Guarantee win.  They played together (different games) one time at the Garden and I wore a mix and match outfit of clashing team colors.  It was like heaven.

Quote from: carmineabbatiello on March 16, 2015, 11:06:32 PM

Quote from: Tha Kid on March 16, 2015, 09:15:07 PM

You are a great poster and seem like you actually watch the games...so haven't your eyes told you what they have told mine?  That we are very good on offense...excellent at times...but are prone to extended droughts?  Just bc our total point total is at the top of the league, does not mean we are not playing as efficiently on offense as we should.

My bloodshot and squinty eyes have told me that our offense struggles in half-court sets and operates best when the game has tempo and chaos.  The extended droughts you speak of must be when we're not running and generating steals. Thankfully we've made a concerted effort to push the ball this season and have four players talented enough to be double digit scorers and hit many threes. 

I am not exactly sure if 'we are playing as efficiently on offense as we should' or not.  I do know that we have scored more than all teams in our league not from Philly and that's the main reason why we have a game this Friday.

Just for you Kid, i hope that your two favorite teams get to meet on Sunday.

Carmine, I am miserable and will be miserable all weekend.  I don't even want to watch the game if it happens.  My favorite team is short handed and likely to get crushed but if they pull off te upset my alma Mater and team 1B who has their best shot at a title (or at least finals appearance) in five years loses in what I think is a bracket set up just for them to advance. 

Every fan of every team even a 16 has hope their team will win at tip off.  On Sunday I will have a 100 pct chance that one of my teams will lose.  If it was further in the tourney and this was for an elite 8 or final four Id be ok but second round?  Ugh.

I of course want them both to win first round but I am dreading Sunday.

I have a solution to your problem. Pledge your allegiance to one school. Not sure how one roots for two prominent college basketball programs. At the end of the day, you're either a Johnny or a Dookie.

Quote from: Tha Kid on March 17, 2015, 08:44:54 AM

Quote from: carmineabbatiello on March 16, 2015, 11:06:32 PM

Quote from: Tha Kid on March 16, 2015, 09:15:07 PM

You are a great poster and seem like you actually watch the games...so haven't your eyes told you what they have told mine?  That we are very good on offense...excellent at times...but are prone to extended droughts?  Just bc our total point total is at the top of the league, does not mean we are not playing as efficiently on offense as we should.

My bloodshot and squinty eyes have told me that our offense struggles in half-court sets and operates best when the game has tempo and chaos.  The extended droughts you speak of must be when we're not running and generating steals. Thankfully we've made a concerted effort to push the ball this season and have four players talented enough to be double digit scorers and hit many threes. 

I am not exactly sure if 'we are playing as efficiently on offense as we should' or not.  I do know that we have scored more than all teams in our league not from Philly and that's the main reason why we have a game this Friday.

Just for you Kid, i hope that your two favorite teams get to meet on Sunday.

Carmine, I am miserable and will be miserable all weekend.  I don't even want to watch the game if it happens.  My favorite team is short handed and likely to get crushed but if they pull off te upset my alma Mater and team 1B who has their best shot at a title (or at least finals appearance) in five years loses in what I think is a bracket set up just for them to advance. 

Every fan of every team even a 16 has hope their team will win at tip off.  On Sunday I will have a 100 pct chance that one of my teams will lose.  If it was further in the tourney and this was for an elite 8 or final four Id be ok but second round?  Ugh.

I of course want them both to win first round but I am dreading Sunday.

I have a solution to your problem. Pledge your allegiance to one school. Not sure how one roots for two prominent college basketball programs. At the end of the day, you're either a Johnny or a Dookie.

Grow up a St. John's fan with mom being a double grad and dad being a grad school grad and go to countless games over the years as mom and dad had season tix, and then spend 4 years going to every game at Cameron Indoor Stadium as a Duke student, and then go to St. John's for grad school, and deal with 15 years of futility from St. John's starting right when you went to college at Duke.  I root for St. John's over Duke when they play, but its pretty easy for me to root for two prominent teams...very invested in both of them.  I have never suggested to anyone ever anything but that St. John's is my #1 team, but to not see how I could be naturally invested in both pretty significantly is pretty silly.  It's not like rooting for 2 pro teams or rooting for Michigan because Webber was my fav player.  These are two schools I am heavily invested in on a personal level far beyond basketball.

But the fact of the matter is Duke could win it all this year, whereas St. John's making it that far is EXTREMELY unlikely, at least without Obekpa.  So a sweet 16 trip for St. John's vs. a title for Duke, I'd take the title.  But nothing is guaranteed and I will be pulling for St. John's in the game. 

I'm basically bizarro Marco Baldi.  I kept the team I grew up with rather than my school.   He took his school rather than the team he grew up with.  We are both #$%^ing nice persons because in both cases we picked to root for the significantly worse program.