Detroit -- Wednesday 1/18

[bball30]

I just want to add my two cents worth here. I don't for one second believe that Joah has boughten into Rob, or his system, and it shows on the court. The system works to post up guards, hell, anyone in this offense is in position to post up, and Joah is not taking advantage of it. If, and I think its a BIG if, he buys into the system by seasons end, things will be looking up, no matter where the conference tourney is being held.

Pancratz....... What's there left to say. I have to disagree with Brewtownbrian..... Pancratz can't hit the open J, he can barely hit the open lay up. Defense leaves a lot to be desired, but the hustle is there. Seems like a good guy, just doesn't have the tools to play in this system

GO PANTHERS

[brewtownbrian]

Fair enough bball30...he was 2-2 in the Loyola game though. That's most recent in my memory and he didn't have an attempt in the GB game.

Let's just say that when he shoots I don't cringe and wince as much as I do when McCoy shoots.

I do agree that Tucker needs to buy into the Jeter game plan. The sooner the better!

[uwmcoach]

I think people are losing the focus of the new team...Joah was the hero in the Bruce Peal offense...those days are gone! He needs to be more of a role player now. The new style best fits the bigger taller guys that play well in both the front and back court...I'm talking about Adrian and McCoy. Personally McCoy needs to step it up big time...Ford is not a Jeter type of player...But Adrian is our best weapon, I expect a big game from him for us to bounce back from the loss in Green Bay...If we are going to be successful this year then Joah needs to pass the ball, make free throws, and stop throwing up junk 3 pt. shots...from the guard position Boo is our most lethal weapon...my pick for Panther MVP's this year are Boo and Adrain...The sooner the team figures this out the sooner we will be successful in the Jeter offense!

[fan]

It does seem that Joah has always had more success when facing the basket. I've seen him hit some shots with his back to the basket but those have been much fewer than the former. Given that the strong side of this offense predominantly uses a post, Joah's face up driving abilities are limited. Pre-season I overestimated his back-to-the-basket moves. He's either not using them or doesn't have them. I think we've seen him get blocked a few times when he does. Given Joah's height limitation, no he won't be a swing player.

I don't know if Ford fits in any "offense".

We do need more back-to-the-basket players like AT and more outside shooters like Boo (to protect against the zone). Thats pretty much what this offense needs other than a reliable point to bring it up. A scary question is: "Who out of next year's crop will fit the first 2 roles?"

I recognized the zone defense GB threw at us. I forgot to look at how Jeter responded. Did we continue in the Swing? did we run a few set plays? I've been very surprised that we haven't seen more zones. Boo is our "zone-breaker" and I guess he's been hottttt but if I was coaching against us, I'd force the guy with asthma to beat me.

[PantherLou]

fan said:

Given Joah's height limitation, no he won't be a swing player.

I don't agree with this point. Joah is the same size, and as much, if not more athletic ability than Alando Tucker. Yet Alando has shown he can be a force in the swing system, yet Joah continues to fight it.

In a very simple sense, this offense relies upon ball movement. Watching us run the offense, where does the ball stop? Who is calling out for ball screens at the top of the key? Who is trying to break down double teams with the dribble? Who is taking step back 20 footers? Who is leading this team in turnovers?

If, and this is a BIG IF, Joah Tucker can learn to play within the framework of this offense, he can be an absolute stud in this conference. If not, this team is never going to reach its potential.

p.s. Fan, you were right on in your comments to me at midnight madness. Dammit!!

[PANTHERfan]

Cotton update from the Detroit Free Press today:

Horizon League favorite Wisconsin-Milwaukee (12-4, 5-1) plays tonight at Detroit Mercy, but UDM still might be without leading scorer Brandon Cotton.
Cotton, who has missed three games because of a left hand injury, hasn't been cleared to play, coach Perry Watson said Tuesday.
"We don't know yet, but it appears more likely Saturday" against Illinois-Chicago, Watson said. "He hasn't gotten cleared to do anything yet."
UDM (9-10, 3-3 Horizon) has gone 1-2 since Cotton's injury, although the Titans remain unbeaten (7-0) at Calihan Hall.

[sauby]

Jeter just said on 1510am that he expects Cotton to play 2nite.....

[bball30]

Uwmcoach,

How can you say this offense benefits the big guys more? Same offense wisconsin is running (slight variations) and look who their two leading scorers are.... Alando and Kam Taylor. The whole point of the offense is to create mis matches, not to favor the big guys. This is why AT is doing so well in it, because he understands how to use his body versus the bigger slower guys guarding him. You will really see the effects of this offense once Jeter install's some...

A. Confidence in Messiah and Young. (hopefully next year, clearly these guys were recruited as athletes to use in a guard posting offense)

B. Ricky Franklin. Enough said, big guard, will post it up, post it up, post it up, then step out and hit the Jumper and make you gurad him all over the floor.

C. Last but not least, 15 guys that buy into his system whole-heartedly. He's a smart, smart coach. And wether everyone likes it or not, Joah, and a few others haven't jumped on board with his system.

GO PANTHERS

[Pantherholic]

Titans' Cotton likely to scratch

January 18, 2006

Horizon League favorite Wisconsin-Milwaukee (12-4, 5-1) plays tonight at Detroit Mercy, but UDM still might be without leading scorer Brandon Cotton.

Cotton, who has missed three games because of a left hand injury, hasn't been cleared to play, coach Perry Watson said Tuesday.

"We don't know yet, but it appears more likely Saturday" against Illinois-Chicago, Watson said. "He hasn't gotten cleared to do anything yet."

UDM (9-10, 3-3 Horizon) has gone 1-2 since Cotton's injury, although the Titans remain unbeaten (7-0) at Calihan Hall.

[teddyp00]

I get a feeling this game will go one of two ways.

a) Milwaukee come out focused, aggressive and upset. Blow the Cotten-less Detroit team out of the game and never look back.
b) Milwaukee comes out sloppy, takes and misses bad shots and we see no improvement in Joah getting 'it'. Thus leading to a close game that leads to a L for the team.

I think if A occurs we will really know Jeter has control and respect from everyone on the team. If B occurs it might be a choppy rest of the year.

[damasa]

I want to see Milwaukee beat Detroit by 20, badly. I think that type of game will send quite a message.

[milwsport]

I agree with the problem with Joah not embracing the swing. It's too bad. He could show himself as a tough disciplined player capable of following a game plan or....

I wonder which way he thinks will help him get to the pros.

[panthers6thman]

I think one of two things happen---- we either:

A. loose the game

OR

B. we win the game

With this sort of match up I see these as the only two possible outcomes and I'm hoping for the latter. Cotton out helps possibility B ------he is their stud. We will see though.


I am also intersted to see what Wright State can do to GB at their house tomorrow.

[mcdadenets50]

I'm going to say it once for good luck tonight...

Sit down Bacari, nobody is paying attention to you!



Go get 'em Panthers

[milwsport]

panthers6thman said:

I think one of two things happen---- we either:

A. loose the game

OR

B. we win the game

With this sort of match up I see these as the only two possible outcomes.

Insightful analysis guy