Lewis Game

[wizard1]

Recognizing that one exhib. game does not make a season, I agree with Dogs. We have a very long way to go to be any kind of MVC contender. AW was clearly super and will probably be a 1st team all-MVC and will contend for POY.
Unfortunately, without AW, we are still mediocre at best at this time.
1. Offense is almost all perimeter oriented. No pushing the ball inside and few drive and kicks.
2. Poor defense all around.
3. No blocking out---If this continues, we are going to get killed on the boards all year long!
4. EM was absolutely awful. I saw no improvement at all. He still has no offense and this puts us at a 5 on 4 disadvantage offensively. No points and one assist in 23 minutes from a starting point guard is not acceptable. Until he gets his head together, EM should sit and DSE should probably play more. I am not at all comfortable with SM and another point guard on the floor at the same time.
5. SM played ok but not really any better than last year.
6. TB is going to be a teriffic player--- one of our bright spots.
7. AT has improved greatly and should be a big help.
8. AT and WE switching off in the pivot will help but only if we use them in our offense instead of continually passing the ball around the perimeter.
9. Of the freshmen, DSE looked good and Milos plays with great energy and showed some surprising quickness for a big guy. He will be a good player THIS YEAR.
10. Didn't see enough of KE and JP to evaluate.
Our hopes this year rest with AW and lots of work and improvement. Without either of these, our preseason pick of 6th looks pretty good IMO.

[bu fan 9]

EM should not be the starting point guard. He might not even be the back up.Until we get a point guard we don't have to worry about winning many games.

[SaintLouBrave22]

Recognizing that one exhib. game does not make a season, I agree with Dogs. We have a very long way to go to be any kind of MVC contender. AW was clearly super and will probably be a 1st team all-MVC and will contend for POY.
Unfortunately, without AW, we are still mediocre at best at this time.
1. Offense is almost all perimeter oriented. No pushing the ball inside and few drive and kicks.
2. Poor defense all around.
3. No blocking out---If this continues, we are going to get killed on the boards all year long!
4. EM was absolutely awful. I saw no improvement at all. He still has no offense and this puts us at a 5 on 4 disadvantage offensively. No points and one assist in 23 minutes from a starting point guard is not acceptable. Until he gets his head together, EM should sit and DSE should probably play more. I am not at all comfortable with SM and another point guard on the floor at the same time.
5. SM played ok but not really any better than last year.
6. TB is going to be a teriffic player--- one of our bright spots.
7. AT has improved greatly and should be a big help.
8. AT and WE switching off in the pivot will help but only if we use them in our offense instead of continually passing the ball around the perimeter.
9. Of the freshmen, DSE looked good and Milos plays with great energy and showed some surprising quickness for a big guy. He will be a good player THIS YEAR.
10. Didn't see enough of KE and JP to evaluate.
Our hopes this year rest with AW and lots of work and improvement. Without either of these, our preseason pick of 6th looks pretty good IMO.

1) I agree w/ that and noticed a whole lot of dribbling and passing side to side across the perimeter and that DSE was the only guard who was looking for the post man or could actually get the ball inside

2) Still playing too much help defense inside and leaving too many shooters for open 3's, which is like playing in open gym. Remember JL, this is why we have Will and Taylor inside now. They no longer have to help guard DC's man.

3) This tends to happen when guys stand around and watch and beyond Chris and Taylor, I noticed this a lot. Oh, and it also happens when you play quite a bit of time with two sub 6 ft guards on the floor together along w/ a center who has no idea where the ball is.

4) He played solid on ball D and Sam played solid help D, but Edge had trouble with his help D and Sammy left his man way too many times for wide open 3's. I also liked what DSE brought and feel like he's a MAJOR talent. I feel like all 3 should fight for equal playing time and at this point it should be open competition with no real starter. Your last point here, see my #3 as I agree. If Sammy is playing the 2, DSE has to be the 1.

5) Thought his shot was terrible and like I said, left his man way too much. That being said, he found Andrew about as well as anyone on the floor. I just feel he needs to slow down a notch or two and also try not to force things.

6) Agreed! Not much more to say than that. Nice to see Coach running plays for him as well.

7) Can't really agree here as his 1 block was clearly a missed goaltend and I felt like he was confused most of the time as to what to do while on the floor. Maybe thats just because of lack of time, but we shall see. I didn't really like the whole not knowing what spot he's supposed to be on the lane during FT's though when he's 6'10" and should clearly know.

8 ) Will is going to be a big threat if they do ever get the ball inside. He has good post moves and a real sweet short jumper. They need to let the talent come out of this kid. I hope Sticks does get better, BUT we do also have Prosser waiting in the wings, and let me tell you, the kid sets a better post than anyone we've got!

9) I thought all the Fr. played good, even the Eastman kid who will most likely redshirt. Milos is about a 1/2 step slow in translating to the college game, but looks like a quick learner, and he was the unfortunate victim to some bad luck foul calls by the poor officiating crew.

10) Prosser needs some more minutes.


We need to get better on the perimeter and knock down some shots, especially if Dodie and Sammy want to get the ball and shoot. Having Andrew and Will back make this team from a play-in team to a possible top 3 finish. The others just need to play within themselves and Chris needs to continue to take the ball to the basket and get to the line (ala Theron) because Chris is a solid FT shooter.

[houstontxbrave]

I can not wait for EM to stuff mouths shut. I do not give up on players who have obvious talent and played in 36 games starting 29 and played an average of 26 minutes in pressure games as a Freshman.

So what if he did not play up to your expectations in an exhibition game. I will be very happy/comfortable to go to battle with EM every single night. I trust that if JL and staff feel uncomfortable or not happy with his play he will sit and I also believe that if DSE deserves to play over EM he will. JL wants to win and he knows point guard play better then you, me or anyone on here.

I choose not to give up on EM after one exhibition game but thats just me.

[mrcoachdude]

I can not wait for EM to stuff mouths shut. I do not give up on players who have obvious talent and played in 36 games starting 29 and played an average of 26 minutes in pressure games as a Freshman.

So what if he did not play up to your expectations in an exhibition game. I will be very happy/comfortable to go to battle with EM every single night. I trust that if JL and staff feel uncomfortable or not happy with his play he will sit and I also believe that if DSE deserves to play over EM he will. JL wants to win and he knows point guard play better then you, me or anyone on here.

I choose not to give up on EM after one exhibition game but thats just me.

yeh What he said!

[bu fan 9]

My point was he is not getting any better and in this system you have to have a good point guard.

[BuAlum03]

EM didn't have his best game, but he was more aggressive with his shot, which was nice to see. I agree, he shouldn't be relegated to the end of the bench just because he had a poor game. Im sure he will improve this year. Did you see his defense? He really got in their #22's head... although i was certainly disappointed with his T.

[BradleyBrave]

My point was he is not getting any better and in this system you have to have a good point guard.

And you can tell after 1 exhibition game that he's not getting any better? Recall after 1 exhibition game Tyrone Cole-Scott was the 2nd coming with his 38 point performance against St. Ambrose...so I wouldn't put much stock in an exhibition game one way or the other.

[LG281]

... although i was certainly disappointed with his T.

I didn't see the call. And admittedly, I was a little dissapointed at first - BUT - part of me likes EM having a little swagger, maybe a nasty streak.

Now just go out and back it up Edge.

[SFP]

This was an EXHIBITION folks, for those busting on EM or the team. There were things done a little differently then what we will see from the team. EM will be fine but he does need to establish that outside shot.

[houstontxbrave]

I didn't see the call. And admittedly, I was a little dissapointed at first - BUT - part of me likes EM having a little swagger, maybe a nasty streak.

Now just go out and back it up Edge.

One of the posters on the chat room was connected to a BU person who said a lot of talking was going on throughout the game. I am sure EM said a bit to much but it was after a shut down defensive stop and shot clock violation. It happens, should he have said nothing probably but it is fine and I will bet that he gets a little extra conditioning because of his mouth. Better now then with 5 minutes to play in a tight conference game.

[BradleyBrave]

One of the posters on the chat room was connected to a BU person who said a lot of talking was going on throughout the game. I am sure EM said a bit to much but it was after a shut down defensive stop and shot clock violation. It happens, should he have said nothing probably but it is fine and I will bet that he gets a little extra conditioning because of his mouth. Better now then with 5 minutes to play in a tight conference game.

He probably said the 'magic words' after BU had forced the shot clock violation. Officials are pretty strict on swearing nowadays; I think any cursing can and probably will draw a 'T'. I agree with Houston, probably some extra conditioning after practice.

[SaintLouBrave22]

One of the posters on the chat room was connected to a BU person who said a lot of talking was going on throughout the game. I am sure EM said a bit to much but it was after a shut down defensive stop and shot clock violation. It happens, should he have said nothing probably but it is fine and I will bet that he gets a little extra conditioning because of his mouth. Better now then with 5 minutes to play in a tight conference game.

I took it as more an official playing "cowboy" and trying to take over so to speak...

He was given his punishment and I hope that is all he receives.


I agree w/ you Houston that he will be key to our success and you can't base everything on one exhibition. That being said, I would still give the 3 PG's equal minutes as if anything, DSE outplayed both the returning starters...and that should mean something.


Otherwise, I believe the other starting 4 should be cut and dry and easy to pick with Dodie moving back to the bench for A-Dub.

[wizard1]

Edge

As much as anyone, I really want to see EM succeed. I am not giving up on him but after all of last year and this past summer, I see no improvement. Emotion aside, we must play those people who prove they can get it done in game situations. EM has not done this as yet. He has skills and he has potential but after all of last year and this game against a Divn.II team where he plays 23 minutes, makes one basket, and has one assist, I have to question how much he can really help us. When he is in there, he is a weak link in our offense. I havn't given up but I'm beginning to have my doubts. We need much more out of our point guard.

[tornado]

EM should not be the starting point guard. He might not even be the back up.Until we get a point guard we don't have to worry about winning many games.

I disagree..plus that should be the coach's decision...
What exactly do you mainly want from a PG?
He handles the ball and brings it up court...and Eddren did a fine job of that - never once turning the ball over.
He defended the opposing team's PG well, and hounded the guy all up and down the court...he helped cause a shot-clock violation and helped force their two guards/ballhandlers into seven turnovers (they would have had more except a couple times the ball went out off them and the refs blew the calls and gave them the ball back) and forced them to take some pretty bad shots. A lot of their scoring was against our subs, as they chose not to sub much and played it like it was a tournament game and they had to win!
I know their 2 starting guards scored 37 pts in a total of 72 minutes played, but they took half their shots...
and our subs who played guard had 30 pts in 57 minutes, so using that argument we should have just played our subs the whole game!

BTW-- NINE of Thomas' points and FIVE of McClelland's points came after Eddren left the game

Eddren blocked out really well and denied their guards from getting the rebounds and 2nd chances.
Later in the 2nd half, the fatigue was evident and that's when we started to pull away...
he also fouled very little and never sent their guys to the line...

I agree the "T" was a bad mistake but thankfully it happened in the exhibition, and whattya wanna bet he doesn't get another one all year, I think he learned his lesson...
Anyway, up 'til the technical, there clearly was a reason JL had him in there...

He hasn't even begun his sophomore year and we see posts saying that we need to jettison the guy or we won't be "winning many games".
I sure hope the people who levy these kind of attacks on the BU players are as critical of their own day in and day out performance as they are on the BU players.