Changes we'd like to see

[Da Coach]

For the record- I think Coach Ford has done a tremendous job so far. But we know coaches are never satisfied, so will there be changes to the starting lineup or player rotation in upcoming games?

Since we are all qualified to question the coaching decisions (), and make suggestions, what changes would you like to see?
I am sure the coaches will read this and consider our suggestions. - (just a joke people)

Here are a few that have been mentioned to me-

-Jake Eastman in the starting lineup- The coaches like Jake's contributions off the bench, but could he be more valuable as a starter?

-Anthony Thompson starting?- believe it or not with all the good big men in the MVC, nobody in the Valley has more blocks than AT, and he has done it as a reserve playing just 13 minutes per game. Since our interior defense has been weak at times, maybe a shot blocker like AT could help if he played more minutes against other teams' starters. Also, in short periods when AT has been on the floor with JP, the team has played well, and it's allowed JP to play the 4 which may be a better position for him.

-Jordan Prosser playing the 4 position- see above

-Walt playing the 2 guard spot- Walt is too quick for most 2-guards to stay with, and it might allow him more chances to make his moves to the basket with which he scores a high percentage of the time.

-Run more set plays to get the ball inside to Taylor Brown- TB seems to work awfully hard to get his shots, and yet 1 on 1 in the paint, TB can be very efficient. We do not seem to feed the ball to him enough recently.

[BradleyJD]

I would like to see WL stay at point, for now.

I think Sticks and Milos should both get between 8-15 minutes a game.

See a little more hi-low between TB and JP. They both have the ability to do this.

Also maybe some spread, pick and rolls with TB and WL.

[lefty]

As much as Jake deserves a starting spot I still like him coming off the bench....

If I was going to make one change....I would like to see us have a set play for Shayok in the first offensive set that would hopefully be an easy shot....and see if we can get this young man's confidence up and going.

How he develops this year could really have an impact on the season IMO.

[shaunguth]

At a minimum, I would like to see JE in the starting lineup. I believe he has shown that he deserves the opportunity to start over SS. I'm not sure how good it is to continue starting a freshman that seems to struggle game after game. I really think this would be a move that JE deserves as well as being a move that just may do SS some good to sit and watch for awhile before entering the game. I just don't see how SS is going to develop quicker by continuously setting him up to struggle out of the gate time after time. Besides, if he is indeed better than all of our other players in practice then he apparently doesn't need to "develop" all that much. I say let him watch the beginning of the game, draw up a play to get him a good look at the basket, and bring him in as the first player off the bench.

I would also like to see DS get off the bench for at least a few minutes......and set up some screens for JE and MK to get some shots off. Those two need to continue shooting the ball.

[shaunguth]

If I was going to make one change....I would like to see us have a set play for Shayok in the first offensive set that would hopefully be an easy shot....and see if we can get this young man's confidence up and going.

How he develops this year could really have an impact on the season IMO.

This much we agree on! I just think it's worth a shot at letting him sit and watch the beginning of the game, not to mention JE obviously deserves to be in the starting lineup.

[mrcoachdude]

As much as Jake deserves a starting spot I still like him coming off the bench....

If I was going to make one change....I would like to see us have a set play for Shayok in the first offensive set that would hopefully be an easy shot....and see if we can get this young man's confidence up and going.

How he develops this year could really have an impact on the season IMO.

agreed! need to get that spark back from him!

[wily coyote]

I agree that Jake needs to be in the starting line-up. More importantly who starts doesn't matter. It's who's on the floor at crunch time.

[Beninator]

* Walt at the 2 guard

* DSE at the point

* More and better half court sets-- we can't run and gun for the entire game
so eventually it comes to a half court game/sets.

* Instruct JP to position himself better for posting up for an incoming pass

* Specific plays for SS and TB utilizing baseline screens--

* Improvement with passing the ball.

* Improve shot selection especially in situations where we are taking 15-20 foot shots in break situations with none of our players around to rebound.


All for now... Everything I listed except for JP's positioning are things I have critiqued on since the beginning of the season.

[LittleBrave]

MK to get 7-8 minutes per game. 4 minutes here & 4 minutes there.

TB needs more easy looks - he is our best scorer...well, before Walt has gone crazy the last 3 games!

I think starting Jake is the right move. Shayok needs something different to change this cycle of coming out and struggling. It's likely a mental thing. So change the pattern - have him come in after the 1st TV timeout.
Start with our best 5.

Some more inside-out action to free guys up for outside shots and to open up the spacing on the offensive end. We see our opponents do this with regularity.

[jrish12]

Some more inside-out action to free guys up for outside shots and to open up the spacing on the offensive end. We see our opponents do this with regularity.

I would be ok with this if we had more consistent outside shooters. Maybe this past trip was the spark they needed to get the outside shooting going, but we do not have consistent enough outside shooters on this team to warrant this change IMO.

[FlyingSpaghettiMonster]

agreed! need to get that spark back from him!

It certainly could help to get his energy off the bench.

I'd love to see more of AT/JP playing together, but that could be very risky with fouls.

[Bradleyfan1]

More pressure

More pressure full court! with this you must up the mins of Milos and crawford and donivine, gotta still get alot better from the free throw line, alot better rebounding, great job geno since i know you will read this keep it up

[mrcoachdude]

I am good...no changes needed really...hope for steady improvement from all

[Chico]

MK to get 7-8 minutes per game. 4 minutes here & 4 minutes there.

TB needs more easy looks - he is our best scorer...well, before Walt has gone crazy the last 3 games!

I think starting Jake is the right move. Shayok needs something different to change this cycle of coming out and struggling. It's likely a mental thing. So change the pattern - have him come in after the 1st TV timeout.
Start with our best 5.

Some more inside-out action to free guys up for outside shots and to open up the spacing on the offensive end. We see our opponents do this with regularity.

If we are supposed to start our best 5, why change after just 4 minutes?

[braveatheart]

If you asked this two games ago I would have said "don't let Jake shoot the three". Glad we didn't change that now.

I really like the way Geno coaches. It is hard find obvious things to change. I guess the one thing I would like is for AT to get more minutes. Not sure at who's expense though.