Settle down, guys

[uwmfutbol]

Sure, I didn't see the game last night. I'm sure the team played absolutely horrible. But also keep in mind that Jeter's swing offense/press takes a while to learn, and naturally it's going to mess the players up considerably. Furthermore, Jeter and the rest of the coaching staff are still working on a starting 5, and who should be rotated when. Even with all of our talent last year, it wasn't until about 6 games into the season that we saw healthy rotation and balance between the players, and a mastery of the swing offense.

Some other interesting exhibition scores:

Louisville 94, Georgetown College (D2) 92
Syracuse 92, Bryant (D2) 86

These are two of the top teams in the country, and were almost upset by D2 teams.

Don't run for the hills yet. It'll get better.

[milwsport]

Thanks for those scores. That does put things in a little better perspective.

For the record though, they didn't even try to run the swing.

[uwmfutbol]

Like I said, I wasn't at the game

My point is that, this is a time for teams to usually figure out starting lineups, and organize plays and offense/defense.

For the D2 teams, though, it's usually a way to play with the bigger programs and see what they're capable of. UWP seems to be a solid D2 team, and they know it. I'm sure they entered the game gunning to knock off a D1 team that's been to 4 straight postseason appearances.

[brewtownbrian]

You can lay it out anyway you want, and this isn't me freaking out about the season, they lost to a D2 team.

I have hope that they'll figure things out with the swing and the press, but a loss to a D2 team, no matter how you slice it, is not a good way to start the season. Period!

[uwmfutbol]

Michigan State 61, Grand Valley State 57. Another close call.

And yes, UWM lost to a D2 team. It was an exhibition game. Exhibition games and regular season games are NEVER treated the same. If we go 0-3 in our own tournament, then I'll start freaking out.

[DetTitan]

uwmfutbol said:

Michigan State 61, Grand Valley State 57. Another close call.

And yes, UWM lost to a D2 team. It was an exhibition game. Exhibition games and regular season games are NEVER treated the same. If we go 0-3 in our own tournament, then I'll start freaking out.

It was actually MSU 67 GVSU 51. Although the Spartans took their first lead with 4 minutes in the game and geld GVSU to one point from there on out.

I agree you can't take too much out of exhibition games. Univ. of Maryland only beat a D-II school by 1 point as well. Something like 79-78.

Last year in exhibition we almost lost to Hillsdale College, a DII school in the same league (GLIAC) as Grand Valley. Grand Valley is ranked #5 in DII though. And the Titans will play them in their exhibition opener on Tuesday, and frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if we lost.

That being said, I think everyone else around the HL sees you guys have a down year. Certainly no where close to the success you had the past couple years. It happens to every one. Detroit thought after their runs back 6-8 years ago that they would continue to win 20 plus games and get back to the Tourney. Hasn't happened. UIC had their run, Butler had their run, you guys had your run, etc....

By no means do I think Milwaukee will be a pushover. I am sure coach Jeter will have them playing their hardest and to their best. I just don't think you guys have enough talent/experience to compete for the HL crown.

[ArtVandelay]

dettitan said:

uwmfutbol said:

Michigan State 61, Grand Valley State 57. Another close call.

And yes, UWM lost to a D2 team. It was an exhibition game. Exhibition games and regular season games are NEVER treated the same. If we go 0-3 in our own tournament, then I'll start freaking out.

It was actually MSU 67 GVSU 51. Although the Spartans took their first lead with 4 minutes in the game and geld GVSU to one point from there on out.

I agree you can't take too much out of exhibition games. Univ. of Maryland only beat a D-II school by 1 point as well. Something like 79-78.

Last year in exhibition we almost lost to Hillsdale College, a DII school in the same league (GLIAC) as Grand Valley. Grand Valley is ranked #5 in DII though. And the Titans will play them in their exhibition opener on Tuesday, and frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if we lost.

That being said, I think everyone else around the HL sees you guys have a down year. Certainly no where close to the success you had the past couple years. It happens to every one. Detroit thought after their runs back 6-8 years ago that they would continue to win 20 plus games and get back to the Tourney. Hasn't happened. UIC had their run, Butler had their run, you guys had your run, etc....

By no means do I think Milwaukee will be a pushover. I am sure coach Jeter will have them playing their hardest and to their best. I just don't think you guys have enough talent/experience to compete for the HL crown.

I appreciate the post DetTitan. I think this loss will put the season in perspective for many fans. The whole season is going to be about improving and getting ready to be highly competitive next season. I'll cheer our guys on no matter how they do, but I also plan to sit back a little and enjoy the season as its going to be a great race for first with Detroit, Loyola, UWGB, UIC, and Wright State all having talented teams.

Art Vandelay

[bball30]

milwsport, they were in fact attempting to run the swing offense. No one was holding the post, and no one was even looking to enter the ball into the post. However, I am most certain they did in fact run a "version" of the swing offense.

[uwmfutbol]

Not that it's a terribly big deal, but the MSU game was 61-57.

msuspartans.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/110106aaa.html

[PantherLou]

FWIW, Rob had practice at 6am this morning. He was NOT happy with the performance out there last night, as you can guess.

My opinion is that this is the type of game that we are going to see for awhile. Sloppy, disorganized, poor play. But...it is just an exhibition, and doesn't count towards anything. In fact, you could make the argument that the entire NC schedule is an exhibition of sorts. Ultimately, it's how we play in conference that will matter. I expect this team to improve drastically in the next month.

[uwmfutbol]

Well put, Lou.

Things will get better.

[DetTitan]

uwmfutbol said:

Not that it's a terribly big deal, but the MSU game was 61-57.

msuspartans.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/110106aaa.html

oops...I must be dyslexic, or at least in my state of exhaustion last night I was.

I definitely think you guys will be back next year though. That transfer you got from Ok. State might turn out to be not only the New Comer of the Year in the HL, but one of it's best players. Anytime you get a player with that much athleticism and size in a smaller less athletic league like the HL, that is a huge advantage. I mean, that is how you guys have had success the past few years. Boo Davis, Joah Tucker , Ed McCants...all these guys were bigger than guards like Wood and Cotton, and they can play above the rim but still have the ability to score in other ways.

He will be the player to watch next year.

[coldwind]

I said before,I hope he kills someone on the Hill today

[uwm97]

My biggest concern is this: who's our outside shooting threat? If Jeter plans on running a three-guard offense this season, there damn well better be one guy who can hit from the outside on a consistent basis. Hanson took all of three shots last night and not a single three in the second half. We all know Avo won't cut it. Franklin looks more of a spectator than a player. The only way I see it as it stands today is to throw Thornton in there. I like how he got a look and chucked it up there. He's got confidence, that's for sure.

[brewtownbrian]

I'll second that concern, especially if the guys posting up can't get position and then hold that position. Someone's going to have to knock down jumpers.

What's the deal with Ricky Franklin? Anyone know? I thought he was supposed to be a force. I thought he was able to get to the rack and finish...?

I saw none of that last night. Hopefully it was just nerves.