We don’t have that type of forward even though we have quite a few forwards. Maidoh will be a good one once we have guys who can feed him in the right position. Quinnipiac is just better, playing at a higher energy level now
Aidas and Benning have to be more aggressive for us to win. They just don’t look to score enough to ease pressure off Landon. With any given group of starters we have two or three who are not threats whatsoever...even at the foul line.
Last Edit: Feb 28, 2020 22:08:35 GMT -5 by stagparty
The scores of the last 3 games are nearly identical ... 60-58, 62-59, 61-60.
The one that had a different feel was the Siena game, where we led by 5 at the half.
We trailed Niagara by 15 at the half and came back to win. Last night we trailed by 12 at the half and (almost) came back to win.
I actually find it somewhat amazing that we are able to keep these games close. We simply don't have the offensive weapons. But we actually out rebounded QU last night, in spite of a very slow start in that department, and our defense improved a lot in the 2nd half.
If we only had some playmakers. It will be very interesting to see how JY and his crew round out the recruiting.
One positive this season is that we have actually gotten to the line more than our opponents. By comparison, last year our opponents shot about 230 more FT's than we did.
That being said, getting to the line is only an advantage if you actually MAKE the shots. Our front line has been subpar in that respect.
Eze 57% Maidoh 54% KSP 53% Methnani 52%
Huessler used the word "pedestrian" to describe our free throw shooting last night. We actually have a few very good FT shooters, but our front court is well below average.
Can't help but wonder if we might have won a few more games if the numbers above were closer to 70%?
Last Edit: Feb 29, 2020 6:30:42 GMT -5 by vastagman
I hate losing to Q more than any other MAAC team, and to come all the way back and see that shot drop was a body blow. Kelly made two huge drives and they just had more good shots in them than we did. I thought Taj had a good second half attacking the rim, and Jesus kept us in the game in both halves. I get using the length of AJR and Maidoh to defend and rebound, but it’s hard for us to manage any offense when Jesus is on the bench. Eze’s fouls were a big factor in the loss. I thought KSP played his heart out on defense. That one hurt.
One positive this season is that we have actually gotten to the line more than our opponents. By comparison, last year our opponents shot about 230 more FT's than we did.
That being said, getting to the line is only an advantage if you actually MAKE the shots. Our front line has been subpar in that respect.
Eze 57% Maidoh 54% KSP 53% Methnani 52%
Huessler used the word "pedestrian" to describe our free throw shooting last night. We actually have a few very good FT shooters, but our front court is well below average.
Can't help but wonder if we might have won a few more games if the numbers above were closer to 70%?
JY needs to address the foul shooting. This game was lost at the line. You can foul our big men all night long and it will always be, at most, a 1 point possession vs. a 2 or 3 points.
Also agree with why was Maidoh's length not represented on the court for that last shot. Tough loss again, with another nice comeback.
But, it does show that in the PIG, we can be competitive. But once you get to the top 5, not sure we have the horses. But I guess anything can happen in the tournament.
To those WBA fans, win or lose, a game is much more exciting on campus than in the cavernous WBA. My only disappointment is that we have to spend another full season at the arena. The comebacks have just been so much more fun at AH. You only need 1500 on campus to get that feeing. You need at least 5000 at the WBA to come even close.
Even in the new CC, 1500 in the lower bowl will be the same experience.
Last Edit: Feb 29, 2020 12:00:13 GMT -5 by paulie74
The scores of the last 3 games are nearly identical ... 60-58, 62-59, 61-60.
The one that had a different feel was the Siena game, where we led by 5 at the half.
We trailed Niagara by 15 at the half and came back to win. Last night we trailed by 12 at the half and (almost) came back to win.
I actually find it somewhat amazing that we are able to keep these games close. We simply don't have the offensive weapons. But we actually out rebounded QU last night, in spite of a very slow start in that department, and our defense improved a lot in the 2nd half.
If we only had some playmakers. It will be very interesting to see how JY and his crew round out the recruiting.
Yes the recruiting will be SO important and ultimately be the decider in how this program will grow or not grow in the next couple of years. As far as the coaching is concerned, it looks like Jay Young is extremely good at getting as much as he can from a limited roster. And concerning playmakers, other than Cruz who can be good at times but not so much at others and then Benning who is consistently decent but will never be a star in that area, who on the current roster could you put in that category? BTW concerning Jesus, kudos to him for again making a play when it was absolutely needed in the last few seconds, the only difference in memory from the same type play he made up at Marist a few weeks ago was obviously that the Stags didn't win this game. However that said, and in looking at the total picture right now, I agree with you, it is amazing in many ways that we have been able to stay in some of these games where the opposition obviously has the better talent because we simply don't have enough offensive weapons.
One final comment about this game is that it was a shame the Stags again (like against Niagara) got off to such a slow start in the first half. Indeed it seemed like for most of this time the players were afraid to drive the ball to the basket based on the fact they were continually settling for jump shots, jump shots that obviously were not falling enough. Just a little better performance early on might have made a huge difference in this one. In this regard going forward I think Jay has to emphasize the need to have a sense of urgency from the minute the ball is thrown into the air. This team doesn't have the firepower to overcome these bad starts most of the time.
But, it does show that in the PIG, we can be competitive. But once you get to the top 5, not sure we have the horses. But I guess anything can happen in the tournament.
I don't think we have the horses, so I don't expect much BUT there isn't one team in the MAAC who has a winning record away from home. It will be interesting to see who actually wins the tournament. Not sure there is any clear favorite.
It might not be the prettiest tournament to watch, but it just might be the most competitive.
One positive this season is that we have actually gotten to the line more than our opponents. By comparison, last year our opponents shot about 230 more FT's than we did.
That being said, getting to the line is only an advantage if you actually MAKE the shots. Our front line has been subpar in that respect.
Eze 57% Maidoh 54% KSP 53% Methnani 52%
Huessler used the word "pedestrian" to describe our free throw shooting last night. We actually have a few very good FT shooters, but our front court is well below average.
Can't help but wonder if we might have won a few more games if the numbers above were closer to 70%?
JY needs to address the foul shooting. This game was lost at the line. You can foul our big men all night long and it will always be, at most, a 1 point possession vs. a 2 or 3 points.
Also agree with why was Maidoh's length not represented on the court for that last shot. Tough loss again, with another nice comeback.
But, it does show that in the PIG, we can be competitive. But once you get to the top 5, not sure we have the horses. But I guess anything can happen in the tournament.
To those WBA fans, win or lose, a game is much more exciting on campus that in the cavernous WBA. My only disappointment is that we have to spend another full season at the arena. The comebacks have just been so much more fun at AH. You only need 1500 on campus to get that feeing. You need at least 5000 at the WBA to come even close.
Even in the new CC, 1500 in the lower bowl will be the same experience.
Well concerning the foul shooting, a lot absolutely depends on who is getting to the line. For instance it is too bad that Landon, who is almost automatic, can't get there much. Instead last night it was KSP who was there the majority of the time and the results weren't good unfortunately. Jay can address the problem all he wants, but this is an individual skill that some are much better at than others. The big thing going forward is acquiring a majority of players who not only will be dependable in that area, but on top of that are proficient in getting to the line in the first place. Can't change the roster for the rest of this year unfortunately.
The pass from Marfo was better than the shot from Rigoni. What a ballsy pass and it hit him right in the hands
It was quite a pass, especially since I thought he was either going to lay it in or slam it down as he was driving to the basket. In that case the only chance the Stags would have had to stop it was for someone to take a charge, and quite frankly I'm not sure if the refs would have been willing to make that call in that situation. So in some ways maybe the Stags had a better chance of winning based on a long shot even though the player taking it was a great long-range shooter. In this case though, unlike a few others this season, the Stags were unlucky. Kind of a situation where you live by the sword or die by the sword, and in this case it was the latter unfortunately.
I saw the replay a couple of times. It was depressing but noticed that KSP had the defensive lapse and then everyone was scrambling...
Yeah I watched it too. Actually KSP was in a tough position there because I think he believed that Rich Kelly, the player everyone expected to get the ball, was starting to get free. Therefore he had a tough split-second decision to make, and as it turned out maybe he didn't make the right one. Will never know how it would have turned out if he hadn't left Marfo of course. Tough to blame him though I think.
Agree with those who highlight that Marfo made a great look and pass. With 3.6 secs left there is only time for a catch and one pass unless the player receiving the inbound takes a dribble or two and shoots the ball himself. I thought Marfo was going to go to the rim, but kudos to him in finding the best pure shooter on their team all alone behind the arc. Kelly did us a favor by forcing an off balance fade away three-pointer with 5 secs left, and we win the game if we could have secured that rebound.
Overall, it was yet another nice comeback for a team that doesn't quit. Quinnipiac is bigger and better at nearly every position and has a terrific PG. The defensive intensity was better the last 20 minutes as was the commitment to get the ball into the lane and attack the rim. As others have noted it would have helped if our bigs could have made more of the foul shots they earned.
I remain amazed that this staff has squeezed 11 wins out of this roster (and the team has certainly been at least competitive in most games). The games have been entertaining, especially on campus. The future may indeed be bright.
Post by nittanystag on Feb 29, 2020 10:42:51 GMT -5
I actually thought KSP played well in the second half (other than foul shooting). I started watching closely the interaction down low between he and Marfo. KSP was the only Stag big who Marfo couldn't move off the block, and I thought Marfo was getting frustrated. Maybe that's why Marfo ultimately made that pass – which, unfortunately, didn't end well for the Stags. Now, visualize the Stags in future years with JY's defense combined with additional firepower. Could be some exciting times ahead on North Benson Road.
