Change the offense to more up tempo, fast breaks, crisp passing, setting picks for shooters, etc. Scrap the current "Princeton offense" or whatever the heck they run now!?
I can only imagine what would happen if this group of players tried to run and gun. We'd probably set some kind of NCAA record for turnovers in the first few games.
I really don't see any particular players that would be so much better in a fast-paced game. I think we just need better players to play better.
It's a hard pill to swallow and SJ deserves his share of the blame, but I just don't think the current crop of players are going to get it done with any coach playing any scheme.
Post by nashvillestag on Jan 26, 2015 22:32:53 GMT -5
Well there is one little aspect of the game in which there is a need for dramatic improvement, and since so many of our games are up in the air with a couple of minutes to go, improvement in this area might mean a big difference. I'm referring to offensive zone inbounds plays at the baseline. Many teams get great looks and easy baskets in this situation. Others at least get it in safely at worst. But unfortunately the Stags are prone to mess up this play far too often, and sometimes at crucial points of the game. Classic example was the game down at Monmouth where TWICE in a short time the ball was not lobbed far enough into the backcourt as a "safety" outlet, it was stolen and layed in at the other end. And this was about where the game was extremely close and momentum was so important. Many different ways to go about this, but quite frankly if nothing else when you have a couple of shooters like Marcus or Tyler you should be able to lay a screen for them to have a chance for a quick score from them. OBTW forgot to mention that more than a few times over the past couple of years Sydney has been forced to use a TO because the count got close to five seconds. And those TOs can be much needed later on in the closing minutes!
Post by reindeerfan on Jan 26, 2015 23:52:11 GMT -5
Glad to hear others views. Here's some things I would offer.
1) Under no circumstances should Rose and Segura ever be on the floor at the same time. We are too limited offensively when these two play together. While we probably need Rose to play some minutes at point, someone other than Rose needs to get the bulk of the minutes at Point guard. That might be Segura or Chappel or someone else. Its not just Rose's limited offensive skills but the turnovers are killing the team. Rose is averaging more than 5 turnovers per 40 minutes in Maac play. That stat alone should be unacceptable for a point guard. Last year Rose was doing better with regards to limiting turnovers. 2) If you are going to play chappel, don;t play him with Rose or Segura. The point of playing chappel is to see what he can do at point guard. Its not to take Nelson off the floor and its not to play him with Johnston, Rose or Segura. 3) Play some zone. Put Malcolm and Smith in while we are in zone. 4) If you are playing a team that doesn't pressure the ball try Nelson at the point and put smith or Gilbert at 2 guard. 5) Kirkland seems to own the first few minutes of the game and then he disappears. Focus on plays to get the ball to him and Sidibe down low. Marist couldn't handle them and neither can some maac teams. 6) Keep it simple on offense. A quick shot is better than a turnover. Push the ball a little bit rather than playing half court every possession. 7) Don't pull players over every little mistake. If you believe Segura and Nelson are your two best guards, let them play through some mistakes. Build their confidence. 8) Make the team hungrier. You can take people out for not hustling, that is different than benching guys for missed shots or mental mistakes.
Change the offense to more up tempo, fast breaks, crisp passing, setting picks for shooters, etc. Scrap the current "Princeton offense" or whatever the heck they run now!?
I can only imagine what would happen if this group of players tried to run and gun. We'd probably set some kind of NCAA record for turnovers in the first few games.
I really don't see any particular players that would be so much better in a fast-paced game. I think we just need better players to play better.
It's a hard pill to swallow and SJ deserves his share of the blame, but I just don't think the current crop of players are going to get it done with any coach playing any scheme.
If we are to go to a more fast paced game then we have, then we have to be more committed to play our quicker players and players with better ballhandling skills. We are not currently constructed as a quick team. That means we need to go to a 3G line-up and use more of a defense that takes advantage of a smaller line-up. More pressing and gambling defense on steals.
And I agree somewhat with the following statement .... "SJ deserves his share of the blame, but I just don't think the current crop of players are going to get it done with any coach playing any scheme" However, I do think a lot depends on Tyler, Rome and Degnan. I still think all 3 can be All-MAAC someday. They are not close to being there right now, but certainly those 3, need to get there.
Play Smith 20 minutes. Play Kirkland 25 and Marcus 35 thus leaving 20 for Smith. It's very hard to say one thing. Obviously, we need a point guard, but as much as I want Segura to succeed, I am not confident that he is the man.
Post by bridgeport on Jan 27, 2015 10:01:44 GMT -5
maybe this is not the spot for my post. we have changed many players, a insult to the guys let go, or a bad decision. now we are insulting the coaching staff, or a bad decision. " all the kings horses and all the kings men - - -"
Post by brokenboat on Jan 27, 2015 10:04:41 GMT -5
Princeton is a program/university that speaks for itself...
Fairfield needs a voice...
SJ or whoever the coach is needs to do a much better job at communicating. This is the most visible position at all of Fairfield (including Fr Von Arx) and we cannot have someone as emotionless and tight lipped as SJ.
Last Edit: Jan 27, 2015 10:07:37 GMT -5 by brokenboat
I can only imagine what would happen if this group of players tried to run and gun. We'd probably set some kind of NCAA record for turnovers in the first few games.
I really don't see any particular players that would be so much better in a fast-paced game. I think we just need better players to play better.
It's a hard pill to swallow and SJ deserves his share of the blame, but I just don't think the current crop of players are going to get it done with any coach playing any scheme.
If we are to go to a more fast paced game then we have, then we have to be more committed to play our quicker players and players with better ballhandling skills. We are not currently constructed as a quick team. That means we need to go to a 3G line-up and use more of a defense that takes advantage of a smaller line-up. More pressing and gambling defense on steals.
And I agree somewhat with the following statement .... "SJ deserves his share of the blame, but I just don't think the current crop of players are going to get it done with any coach playing any scheme" However, I do think a lot depends on Tyler, Rome and Degnan. I still think all 3 can be All-MAAC someday. They are not close to being there right now, but certainly those 3, need to get there.
Well JS, concerning your predicted status of the 3 frosh, that may be fine in the future. Probably none of them could be for at least two more years, although at least at this time I think it's obvious that Tyler is much further along than the other two. But the immediate problem is they are not, and won't be next year. And this team and program has to figure out a way to change dramatically for the positive SOON. If not a complete recovery in Feb. and MAAC playoffs, at least some REAL SIGNS of progress that would give hope for next year. We do have an All-MAAC type player in Marcus, but after next season he will be gone. So if we are going to be able to ride his back and take some advantage of his play we are going to have to figure out real soon how to fit the pieces all together to become a league contender. Indeed that's the IMMEDIATE problem which I assume RF meant to discuss in creating this thread. Two-three years from now hopefully we will have recruited good enough players to provide a foundation to back up Tyler, Jerome and Kevin. But that's another story for another day.
Post by runningman on Jan 27, 2015 10:36:36 GMT -5
I concur with Thphaon who said that if this team played up tempo, it might set an NCAA record for turnovers. But the problem is that the team cannot play a more controlled game either. And this is the reason that it is doing so poorly. If the program does not have suitable players, how can anyone expect better results. Recruiting is so important and, as I have stated before, our guys are no better than average. This team needs impact players.
Well JS, concerning your predicted status of the 3 frosh, that may be fine in the future. Probably none of them could be for at least two more years, although at least at this time I think it's obvious that Tyler is much further along than the other two. But the immediate problem is they are not, and won't be next year. And this team and program has to figure out a way to change dramatically for the positive SOON. If not a complete recovery in Feb. and MAAC playoffs, at least some REAL SIGNS of progress that would give hope for next year. We do have an All-MAAC type player in Marcus, but after next season he will be gone. So if we are going to be able to ride his back and take some advantage of his play we are going to have to figure out real soon how to fit the pieces all together to become a league contender. Indeed that's the IMMEDIATE problem which I assume RF meant to discuss in creating this thread. Two-three years from now hopefully we will have recruited good enough players to provide a foundation to back up Tyler, Jerome and Kevin. But that's another story for another day.
I agree that things have to improve immediately, and there is no guarantee that Tyler, Rome and Degnan will ever be All-MAAC, but progress needs to be made This Year. That's up to them and the coaching staff to make that happen. We were 4-5 this year, and only 2-9 in the last 11 games. I would think one of the questions is why. We have to know if Rome is our PG of the future... This year. The way the MAAC is this year, should be able to see progress not regression.
In case you haven't noticed, You will not recruit impact players with this staff. And if we are fortunate to recruit one, Sydney will play a walk on ahead of him. This is as bad as I have ever seen it(50 years). We are bringing in an advisor because our coach ( $460K per year) doesn't know what he is doing!!!!!! I wonder how good Demarcus Threatt is?
Glad to hear others views. Here's some things I would offer.
2) If you are going to play chappel, don;t play him with Rose or Segura. The point of playing chappel is to see what he can do at point guard. Its not to take Nelson off the floor and its not to play him with Johnston, Rose or Segura.
Interesting recommendation. I have always seen Doug as a 2G/SG, but, his shooting has been abysmal when he has received his chances this year. He still has that little side body hitch that I suspect is impacting his accuracy. Given this I also have been less inclined to see him sub for Tyler or Stevie. I guess we have never seen Doug play the point. He certainly has the quickness and physicality to handle the point. The question in my mind is does he have the handle and vision to play the point. He tends to be very aggressive which can be good at the point, but he also tends to be out of control which can be bad especially at the point. I think it worth a shot to see whether he can control a game and create for his teammates. I concur reindeerfan!
Last Edit: Jan 27, 2015 13:27:04 GMT -5 by Stagophile
Chappel has struggled when he has played this year. However, I see his value more as a 3G behind Marcus because he has bulked up.... maybe too much. He can rebound a bit. But to consider him as a PG, is hard to envision....... since he has Zero assists this year, and 14 assists and 28 turnovers last year. Plus his ballhandling is very shakey, and that was last year and this year.
Well JS, concerning your predicted status of the 3 frosh, that may be fine in the future. Probably none of them could be for at least two more years, although at least at this time I think it's obvious that Tyler is much further along than the other two. But the immediate problem is they are not, and won't be next year. And this team and program has to figure out a way to change dramatically for the positive SOON. If not a complete recovery in Feb. and MAAC playoffs, at least some REAL SIGNS of progress that would give hope for next year. We do have an All-MAAC type player in Marcus, but after next season he will be gone. So if we are going to be able to ride his back and take some advantage of his play we are going to have to figure out real soon how to fit the pieces all together to become a league contender. Indeed that's the IMMEDIATE problem which I assume RF meant to discuss in creating this thread. Two-three years from now hopefully we will have recruited good enough players to provide a foundation to back up Tyler, Jerome and Kevin. But that's another story for another day.
I agree that things have to improve immediately, and there is no guarantee that Tyler, Rome and Degnan will ever be All-MAAC, but progress needs to be made This Year. That's up to them and the coaching staff to make that happen. We were 4-5 this year, and only 2-9 in the last 11 games. I would think one of the questions is why. We have to know if Rome is our PG of the future... This year. The way the MAAC is this year, should be able to see progress not regression.
I think Rome will be very good and he has shown real flashes of that. But unless he makes a big turn soon, you cannot count on him to run the show as a soph. I think we will bring in an experienced PG. Have to. Tyler will be a little stronger next year and I'm guessing all conference by junior year. Big men are so often a puzzle. It seems like at some point it just comes together for them. It could be next year for Kevin or the season after.