Question about Howland

[Seinfeld]

So even if the men miss the dance this season, I don’t think there’s really anything that Howland has done to that point that would be considered a fireable offense.

That said, is it just me or does it appear that he has lost some of his spark since arriving in Starkville? We’ve talked about legacies and whatnot, and the well was going to run dry at some point, but I can’t help but remember the fire in him just a few years ago when he pulled Newman and Q in the 11th hour and then assembled a top 5 class the following year. During that 12-mo period, it seemed like we were in the mix for nearly every Top 100 player available, and we haven’t seen anything like that since

Hate to ask it, but is he coasting?

 

[The Situation]

I was thinking it, but you said it. That lack of urgency trickles down to the players and the fans. Maybe that explains the lack of emotion all around the program.

All that said, I'm a casual basketball observer, and don't know much about the in's and out's of the sport. I barely know what a 2-3 defense is. So my opinion is from 30,000 feet.

I thought that Peters was a big problem, and now without him and Q, we'd have a more Virginia-like methodical prodding, defensive type team since we have so much size. Looks like we have the exact same issues as last year, with less backcourt talent.

 

[Philly Dawg]

I suspect the problem is that we don’t win with good players so good players now go elsewhere.

 

[Hanmudog]

I like Howland. He seems like a really good guy and he was once a really good coach. However, our basketball program needs a shot in the arm in the worst way. We have good players but we are a bad team and that can only be the result of poor coaching.

The most frustrating thing about our team is their inability or lack of desire to play tough defense and rebound which are supposed to be the hallmark of a Howland team. The inconsistency that we have is maddening. We can be coasting and playing well then hit a 8-10 minute spell where we can't hit a shot and stop guarding.

 

[OliveBranchDAWG]

So even if the men miss the dance this season, I don’t think there’s really anything that Howland has done to that point that would be considered a fireable offense.

That said, is it just me or does it appear that he has lost some of his spark since arriving in Starkville? We’ve talked about legacies and whatnot, and the well was going to run dry at some point, but I can’t help but remember the fire in him just a few years ago when he pulled Newman and Q in the 11th hour and then assembled a top 5 class the following year. During that 12-mo period, it seemed like we were in the mix for nearly every Top 100 player available, and we haven’t seen anything like that since

Hate to ask it, but is he coasting?

We have talented players at every position this season, with depth being a slight issue. But the problem with this year’s team is motivation (which is on the coaching staff) and in game coaching adjustments.

I’m curious how the rest of the season will play out, but our program is in dire need of some energy and we aren’t getting it from Howland right now.

 

[JML105]

My take is that our best players (namely Woodard and Perry), can't grasp how to play tough without fouling. So they get into foul trouble and then start playing gun shy. Is that on coaching or just the inexperience of the players and not being able to control their monster frames just yet? Perry is also an emotional guy so its easy for him to lose focus. I think this is a great team that just needs some time to gel. If Howland can hold it together, maybe next year we'll be competitive. Losing our best, and most experienced, two players in Q and Peters, has set us back a little.

 

[hailstate19]

My take is that our best players (namely Woodard and Perry), can't grasp how to play tough without fouling. So they get into foul trouble and then start playing gun shy. Is that on coaching or just the inexperience of the players and not being able to control their monster frames just yet? Perry is also an emotional guy so its easy for him to lose focus. I think this is a great team that just needs some time to gel. If Howland can hold it together, maybe next year we'll be competitive. Losing our best, and most experienced, two players in Q and Peters, has set us back a little.

I sure as **** hope this the case. I really want this team to succeed in the worst way.

 

[mstateglfr]

So even if the men miss the dance this season, I don’t think there’s really anything that Howland has done to that point that would be considered a fireable offense.

That said, is it just me or does it appear that he has lost some of his spark since arriving in Starkville? We’ve talked about legacies and whatnot, and the well was going to run dry at some point, but I can’t help but remember the fire in him just a few years ago when he pulled Newman and Q in the 11th hour and then assembled a top 5 class the following year. During that 12-mo period, it seemed like we were in the mix for nearly every Top 100 player available, and we haven’t seen anything like that since

Hate to ask it, but is he coasting?

I dont think he is coasting. I have no doubt that he dislikes losing by 20 to teams we should be closer to and possibly beat.
I also dont understand how some of the sloppy decisions dont get fixed.

- stop taking pull up 20' 2pt shots. What a lousy shot that is. Either drive and finish, drive and kick, or give the ball up and cut. a 20' shot needs to be reserved for less than 5 seconds on the shotclock.
- take time to inbound the ball. Hold the ball, turn and look at who the ball will be passed to, and then inbound the ball. Flipping it inbounds before looking is so dumb.
- guards need to stop initiating the screen before Ado is set. They also need to come off the screen with less space. And Ado needs to stop shuffling his feet to close the gap once set.

Solve those 3 things and I would be much happier as a fan. They are very easy to fix- its expectations. None of what I list is difficult like asking a player to put on muscle, improve ball handling, or change shooting mechanics- all thats needed is just simple understanding and discipline.

 

[Hanmudog]

My take is that our best players (namely Woodard and Perry), can't grasp how to play tough without fouling. So they get into foul trouble and then start playing gun shy. Is that on coaching or just the inexperience of the players and not being able to control their monster frames just yet? Perry is also an emotional guy so its easy for him to lose focus. I think this is a great team that just needs some time to gel. If Howland can hold it together, maybe next year we'll be competitive. Losing our best, and most experienced, two players in Q and Peters, has set us back a little.

The only problem with next year is that there is a 99% chance that Perry will leave for the NBA, we will have virtually no offense in the paint, and our guys are not very good shooters. Unless we start pressing all over the court, playing tough D, and pushing the tempo we will be in deep doodoo.

 

[JML105]

If Perry goes to the NBA, then that means that he becomes a much better game time player between now and the end of the season. If that happens, then we will be a tournament team. Which I'm okay with.

 

[Hanmudog]

If Perry goes to the NBA, then that means that he becomes a much better game time player between now and the end of the season. If that happens, then we will be a tournament team. Which I'm okay with.

Not really. Guys that are not ready for the NBA leave early all the time because agents and others get in their ears. Hopefully he will follow the example set by Q coming back and having a strong senior year and getting drafted.

 

[JML105]

Yeah but Perry is a sophomore and no Zion (or even Q). Agent or not, he won't get drafted the way he has played this season up until now.

 

[msugolf]

Yeah but Perry is a sophomore and no Zion (or even Q). Agent or not, he won't get drafted the way he has played this season up until now.

Perry is going to be a first round pick this year

 

[JML105]

Like I said, I hope he is drafted because that means he (and the team) makes major improvements as the season goes along.

 

[Hanmudog]

Like I said, I hope he is drafted because that means he (and the team) makes major improvements as the season goes along.

Just going to agree to disagree here. The NBA drafts on potential not necessarily team results or statistics. We could suck the rest of the season and Perry will still get drafted.

 

[BobBoyd]

Nick Weatherspoon's return is killing this team, period. He tries to take control of the game with stupid, UGLY shots and out of control ball handling. He is not Q.

 

[IBleedMaroonDawg]

I dont think he is coasting. I have no doubt that he dislikes losing by 20 to teams we should be closer to and possibly beat.
I also dont understand how some of the sloppy decisions dont get fixed.

- stop taking pull up 20' 2pt shots. What a lousy shot that is. Either drive and finish, drive and kick, or give the ball up and cut. a 20' shot needs to be reserved for less than 5 seconds on the shotclock.
- take time to inbound the ball. Hold the ball, turn and look at who the ball will be passed to, and then inbound the ball. Flipping it inbounds before looking is so dumb.
- guards need to stop initiating the screen before Ado is set. They also need to come off the screen with less space. And Ado needs to stop shuffling his feet to close the gap once set.

Solve those 3 things and I would be much happier as a fan. They are very easy to fix- its expectations. None of what I list is difficult like asking a player to put on muscle, improve ball handling, or change shooting mechanics- all thats needed is just simple understanding and discipline.

You have hit on a lot of things that are dead on. This team has a really big problem with execution and chemistry. If they ever start really playing together we might save the season. Right now they look like a bunch of basketball players listening to different channels and the frustration was really, really evident in last nights game.

I'm also questioning the insertion of Nick as a starter right away. It almost feels like he is not only having trouble blending in, he may even be isolated by the players who have been playing a long time without him in the game. He is really trying too hard to do it all himself when he has the ball and not looking for the assist as much as a shot, which needs to be reversed until they all learn to play together.

I'm not even going to try and talk about defense or else this post would be way too long.

The clock is ticking on Howland to solve this. 0-2 is a horrible start but we still have a lot of season left.

 

[JML105]

I understand that and get what you're saying. What I'm saying is that even his "potential" hasn't been on display this year (even as much as last year). He doesn't look much better, if any, than he did last season. Which really blows because I thought he would be a stand out along with Woodard. However, there is still time to fix the issues that I have noticed and start winning as a team.

 

[mstateglfr]

If Perry goes to the NBA, then that means that he becomes a much better game time player between now and the end of the season. If that happens, then we will be a tournament team. Which I'm okay with.

Perry is averaging 15.7ppg, 9.6rpg, 1.1bpg, and 2.5apg while making 50% of his shots overall and playing less than 30mpg. What the 17 do you expect of him?!?
He has improved a ton from last season and has the skillset to continue to improve(which is what NBA teams care about).

Perry is in the top10 of the SEC in the following meaningful stat categories- FG%, FG attempts, FT attempts, 1st in OFFENSIVE REBOUNDS, 2nd in DEFENSIVE REBOUNDS, PPG, RPG, win shares, and 1st in box plus/minus.


Yes he has areas for improvement.
- He averages 2 turnovers per game and needs to reduce that, but at the same time- he has a positive a/to ratio and thats good for a big man who handles the ball as much as Perry.
- He averages 3.1 fouls per game and 0 of them have been good fouls according to him. He needs to control his frustration with fouls and it makes sense that he will improve with time and maturity.
- He attempts too many 2pt shots for the results. 2.6 shots from deep per game when he makes 27% of them is 1.6 per game too many. His shot from deep isnt great and he would benefit from an overhaul of his mechanics.



I have no idea if he will stay or leave. I have no idea if he will succeed or fail in the NBA if he leaves now or if he leaves next year. Success and failure in the NBA relies on a lot of variables and many are outside the control of a player.
The point of this post is to highlight that to expect Perry to become a much better player than he currently is before the end of the season would be unreasonable. I think you undervalue his production as it is.

 

[JML105]

Maybe I'm not giving him a fair shake and being over critical, but I'm not undervaluing him. I'm probably rooting for him more than I have any other MBB player since I can remember. I think his production and play making have huge impacts to the overall success to the team.

You mentioned his only 30 mpg. That's where my original point stems from... He has major improvements to make in his abilities to control his physical and mental toughness. I think NBA scouts look at this as much as stats. Your areas for improvement listed expounds on this.

 

[VegasDawg13]

Yes he has areas for improvement.
- He averages 2 turnovers per game and needs to reduce that, but at the same time- he has a positive a/to ratio and thats good for a big man who handles the ball as much as Perry.
- He averages 3.1 fouls per game and 0 of them have been good fouls according to him. He needs to control his frustration with fouls and it makes sense that he will improve with time and maturity.
- He attempts too many 2pt shots for the results. 2.6 shots from deep per game when he makes 27% of them is 1.6 per game too many. His shot from deep isnt great and he would benefit from an overhaul of his mechanics.

This leaves out his biggest weakness. He is a bad defender.

 

[mstateglfr]

Maybe I'm not giving him a fair shake and being over critical, but I'm not undervaluing him. I'm probably rooting for him more than I have any other MBB player since I can remember. I think his production and play making have huge impacts to the overall success to the team.

You mentioned his only 30 mpg. That's where my original point stems from... He has major improvements to make in his abilities to control his physical and mental toughness. I think NBA scouts look at this as much as stats. Your areas for improvement listed expounds on this.

I understand that and get what you're saying. What I'm saying is that even his "potential" hasn't been on display this year (even as much as last year). He doesn't look much better, if any, than he did last season. Which really blows because I thought he would be a stand out along with Woodard. However, there is still time to fix the issues that I have noticed and start winning as a team.

You say you arent undervaluing him, but you say he needs to become a much better game time player for the team to make the tournament. That doesnt make sense because he is already an elite game time player. He isnt going to improve significantly because he is already so effective.

So basically- you are saying there is no chance the team makes the tournament since the qualifier you put on the team making the tournament isnt realistic or possible.

I also like how you dont undervalue him, yet you say he hasnt displayed his potential and doesnt look any better than last season. Look at the stats between last season and this season. How can you see the change in numbers and not recognize you are both undervaluing him AND that he is much better than last season?

 

[maroonmania]

Nick Weatherspoon's return is killing this team, period. He tries to take control of the game with stupid, UGLY shots and out of control ball handling. He is not Q.

12 for 54 (22%). That is probably the one thing killing this team. That is Tyson Carter's FG% in the last 5 games where we are 2-3. A guy that was our best perimeter shooter for the last 2 years now can't hit the broad side of a barn. I don't know if maybe he is injured or what but he is in a huge funk.

 

[JML105]

Not trying to argue, but you're reading too much into what I'm saying. I'm saying he is valuable because the team's success depends on him being on the floor. Yes his stats are better than last season, but it's in spite of his inability to control his physical and mental play better. I don't know how to be any clearer than that.

 

[hailstate19]

12 for 54 (22%). That is probably the one thing killing this team. That is Tyson Carter's FG% in the last 5 games where we are 2-3. A guy that was our best perimeter shooter for the last 2 years now can't hit the broad side of a barn. I don't know if maybe he is injured or what but he is in a huge funk.

Part of the problem is Tyson is the only one on the whole team that can shoot. It puts a lot of pressure on him to deliver. He’s been a very streaky shooter his whole career. At least last year Lamar and Q could shoot. Well Lamar was streaky as hell too. Dude would hit 9 in one game and go 0-15 the next day. Wish we had guards like Berry Stewart, Ravern Johnson. Those guys we’re usually money.

 

[mstateglfr]

Part of the problem is Tyson is the only one on the whole team that can shoot. It puts a lot of pressure on him to deliver. He’s been a very streaky shooter his whole career. At least last year Lamar and Q could shoot. Well Lamar was streaky as hell too. Dude would hit 9 in one game and go 0-15 the next day. Wish we had guards like Berry Stewart, Ravern Johnson. Those guys we’re usually money.

You wish for Lamar's shooting?

Woodard is shooting 54.5% from deep on 2.4 attempts per game and is at 39.0% for his career.
He needs more attempts to see how his % translates to higher volume. Give him 5 or 6 per game like Peters and the others took.
Seriously- someone you wish for shot 27% from deep two years ago and took over 5 per game.

To compare...
Raven shot 39.8% overall and never higher than 40.7%.
Randy Stewart shot 35.1% and never higher than 39.1%.
Lamar shot 34.6% overall and never higher than 38.6%
Q shot 36.8% overall and never higher than 39.6%.

 

[hailstate19]

Look I’m just saying Tyson is the only real 3 point shooter on the team. Woodard will make a few, Perry will make a few, but that’s about it. Last year we had Lamar, Q, Tyson, and even Holman as a threat to pop 3s. This year it’s basically only Tyson.

 

[Bulldogg31]

The problem with this team is we can’t shoot.