Are we a better 2nd half squad?

[BigEastPhil]

To me, the answer is a resounding yes so far.

- Against St Johns in the exhibition, we were down 10-12 points and roared back to win.
- Had better 2nd half vs CCSU compared to 1st half.
- Outscored Cleveland State by 22 points in 2nd half or thereabouts last night.

The reasons:

- Better conditioned per work ethic of Strength and Conditioning Coach - Mr. Van Dyke - who Pikiell raves about.
- 2nd half adjustments for which squad has bought into the smarts of the Coaching Staff.
- Better depth.

 

[Dpgru]

Might be too early to tell but so far I would say you appear to be correct.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

How many times - over the past few decades - have we lost games we never should have lost because we were NOT even close to be the better "second half team" for all the reasons listed above?

I'LL TAKE IT!!!! [banana]:cool2:[cheers]

 

[Scarlet Shack]

We FINALLy have a team that looks like it is a big ten team in the S & C category

You know how long I have been lamenting about that

Combining thar with a rotation that goes deeper, this is a trend reversal i an looking forward to seeing if it continues

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Also worth noting that the rotation tightened up in the 2nd half vs CST. Until the last minute only 8 played. No Souf.
baker 17
Thaim 15
Sanders 14
Freeman 12
Eugene 12
Williams 11
Duke 10
Sa 7

1- Sanders (14) Baker (5)
2- Baker (12) Williams (7)
3- Thaim (15) Williams (4)
4- Freeman (9) Eugene (11)
5- Duke (10) Sa (7) Freeman (3)

Dadika and Souf and Eugene got 1 minute at the end at 1 and 2 and 3

 

[RUJMM78]

Might be too early to tell but so far I would say you appear to be correct.

I agree that its too early based on the few games played so far all of which were home games.Being comfortable in the home court environment makes it easier to adjust versus hostile away game arenas.

 

[NJDOVES]

To me, the answer is a resounding yes so far.

- Against St Johns in the exhibition, we were down 10-12 points and roared back to win.
- Had better 2nd half vs CCSU compared to 1st half.
- Outscored Cleveland State by 22 points in 2nd half or thereabouts last night.

The reasons:

- Better conditioned per work ethic of Strength and Conditioning Coach - Mr. Van Dyke - who Pikiell raves about.
- 2nd half adjustments for which squad has bought into the smarts of the Coaching Staff.
- Better depth.

Still early and we haven’t played away yet but these three points will be the difference.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

You can't ignore the fact that we played like chickens with our heads cut off vs a terrible CCST late in the game. If we are going to finish at or above .500 it is crucial that...
A. We are in shape (check)
B. We play with composure
C. Make FTs

So far in the small sample of games we are 42-70 or 60% from the line.

On a separate note we are 13-56 23.2% from 3. Fortunately we are shooting 56.6% from 2

 

[Scarlet Shack]

Also worth noting that the rotation tightened up in the 2nd half vs CST. Until the last minute only 8 played. No Souf.
baker 17
Thaim 15
Sanders 14
Freeman 12
Eugene 12
Williams 11
Duke 10
Sa 7

1- Sanders (14) Baker (5)
2- Baker (12) Williams (7)
3- Thaim (15) Williams (4)
4- Freeman (9) Eugene (11)
5- Duke (10) Sa (7) Freeman (3)

Dadika and Souf and Eugene got 1 minute at the end at 1 and 2 and 3

Very noted

I am pretty sure that THIS will be our desired rotation until foul trouble dictates adjustments....

Sanders 28
Freeman 28
Williams 28
Baker 28
Thiam 25
Onamuryi 23
Doucoure 22
Sa OR Doorson 13
Mensah 5

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Believe it or not I see a negative correlation between the minutes of Thiam and Mensah even though they are completely different players playing completely different positions. If Thiam is making 3pts and is able to stay in front of opposing 3s he will play 18-28 minutes on a given night. I think those minutes takes Mensah out of the rotation.

I also think Sa' and Duocore minutes will end up being even. There will be days when Sa plays 22 and days Duke plays 22. I think on average they play 30 minutes together which means you get 10 minutes of no traditional center.

Sanders in B1G has to play more than 28. With a 30 second shot clock the ball has to be in his hands when the shot clock says 6.

Unfortunately until I see something on the court I can't think Doorson in the rotation. Maybe against a Purdue type team where there will be a traditonal 5 that he can bang with.

i think Eugene's minutes are a little high.

Our best 4 basketball players are Sanders, Baker, Williams and Freeman. to beat the top 9 of the B1G they have to be playing 125-130 out of the 200 minutes.

 

[Degaz-RU]

Very noted

I am pretty sure that THIS will be our desired rotation until foul trouble dictates adjustments....

Sanders 28
Freeman 28
Williams 28
Baker 28
Thiam 25
Onamuryi 23
Doucoure 22
Sa OR Doorson 13
Mensah 5

Omoruyi

Sorry to be the spelling police, but I have noticed that you misspell Eugene's name every time.

:scream:

 

[RU-ROCS]

i think Eugene's minutes are a little high.

Agreed. I agree with Wenzel's analysis regarding Omoruyi on the last broadcast. He is an energizing, 100% hustle/effort player, but at only 6'7" he basically has the skills of a power forward and not a small forward. So, his minutes will largely be dependent on the opponent. Big10 teams with traditional large PFs will probably not be an ideal match up for Eugene.

 

[RUChoppin]

So far in the small sample of games we are 42-70 or 60% from the line.

That looks a bit worse than it is, since it's dragged down largely by Mensah/Omoruyi/Sa/Dadika shooting 4/20. The rest of the team is shooting 76%.

By minutes/game for the guys who have played all 3 games:
29.3 - Baker 4/5 (80%)
28.7 - Sanders 4/6 (67%)
24.7 - Thiam 5/5 (100%)
23.3 - Freeman 5/6 (83%)
23.0 - Williams 12/16 (75%)
18.3 - Omoruyi 2/7 (29%)
15.7 - Doucoure 4/4 (100%)
14.7 - Sa 1/4 (25%)
11.0 - Mensah 1/7 (14%)

Appeared in 2 games:
9.5 - Dadika 0/2 (0%)
7.0 - Doorson 3/6 (50%)

 

[BillyC80]

At all 3 games I noticed our opponents came out fast, and commented to my seat mate that they were expending too much energy too early, and that it would catch up to them in the second half.

I think that played a part, in addition to the OP's points which I agree with. It's not uncommon for the lesser team to "hang in there" and play even with the better team for a half. This happens in football too.

 

[RUwishbone]

in a Word YES