Wednesday vs. Wisconsin

[nighthawk]

Just making an educated guess, but it could be that avo is attempting to emerge as a "leader".

Trouble may be that his leadership style is lacking. Honestly, this team needs someone that will call others out when appropriate, but should also encourage the guys when they do it right.

It's a fine line, and some people walk it naturally. For others, it can take time to learn.

Avo has talent and drive, but from what I have seen thus far, he has a very strong ego. That's a double edged sword. Guys like Jordan have a strong ego, but also work harder than everyone else and never feel they are ever truly playing his best.

That's the makeup of a champion. Self confidence equally mixed with self criticism added to tremendous drive and talent.

[milwsport]

I remember a few times last year, where it seemed Tigert would yell at a team mate. The difference is that it was a more experienced team, and Tigert had earned their respective and they were winning games.

Getting back to the game, I think we did get some good looks last night, but I also think the players have a confidence problem and maybe hestitating or overthinking things when they shoot.

We know these guys can make their shots. A more positive attitude could work wonders.

[dylanrocks]

JPpanther, your comments are right on the mark. Even against an outsized team like the Badgers, you still need to get them to move with dribble penetration. In a lot of respects, it's the guards' inability to create (Ricky, Avo, Al) that has caused many of the team's offensive woes. As for some of the daggers being tossed here and in many other corners in the direction of Stiemsma and especially Butch, we'll happily take their 6-11, 245-pound bodies and all their associated issues. At least one and probably both of them would start here.

[brewtownbrian]

Part of the inability to get into the lane was UW's defense, but you're right...the UWM guards struggle on the offensive end.

Everyone looks to pass around the perimeter before anything else. I realize the offense is called "the Swing Offense", but the guards don't even wait for the bigs to establish position.

Against UW it was pass, pass, pass some more, all the while screens were being set away from the ball and then all of a sudden there's 12 seconds left on the shot clock. Pick and roll coming from the left side of the court, forced jump shot. Miss. Rebound UW.

Obviously that wasn't every possession, but a majority. Hopefully the offense will get better throughout the season...

[BBFran]

I thought the guys played pretty well in the second half, and the offense looked better than it has yet. We are hamstrung by missing shots, but we were putting ourselves in better position to get shots. I had a very nice viewing angle where I was sitting.

Although I didn't talk with them after the game, I think the coaching staff was pleased too (at least as pleased as you can be under these circumstances).

I see progress. It's coming along.

[PANTHERfan]

i agree Fran. i'm actually somewhat pleased with what i saw last night. although this team still struggles mightily to shoot, they're starting to create quality open looks. sooner or later the shots will start to fall (i hope). i am a little worried about Ricky though. his confidence just looks shot right now. he needs a good shooting night sooner than later.

i thought the defense looked pretty good at times last night. they got some quality help for the double teams and did their best to keep up with one of the best players in the country.

bottom line is this team seems to be getting better. they still need to learn to play 40 minutes and come out with intensity at the tip for every game. that will only come with experience.

[BBFran]

Alando Tucker is playing at a higher level right now than I have ever seen him, and I have seen at least 85% of all the games he has played for the last five years. He was unguardable in the first half last night. He keeps that up and the Badgers could have a very special season.

[uwm97]

It's time that we see Nick Hansen, Gentry, and Thornton get more P.T. If this team wants to finish a game sometime this year over 35%, these guys need to get more shots. Franklin's woes are well-documented. Hanson can't hit the broad side of the barn. Avo is either on or off. This team needs more than one guy to at least hit a respectable percentage to have a chance at winning some basketball games.

[brewtownbrian]

I agree that this team IS getting better and will hopefully gel even more as the HL season nears.

There were plenty of times last night when whoever was guarding Tucker had him contained, but his superior ability allowed him to create an opportunity to shoot and score.

Plenty of times throughout the game I said, "Nothing you can do on that except get a hand in his face and hope he misses." Even that is easier said than done...he gets so much elevation that it's hard to get a hand in his face.

There were about 5-6 times when Tucker was dribbling down the floor on a fast break and Skinner was the only one back on D and Skinner turned his back, sprinted to a spot underneath the basket and then turned around. Too late. Tucker would pull up from about 8-10 feet and bank it off the board.

I'm still puzzled about that strategy...

[FTA1982]

dylanrocks said:

As for some of the daggers being tossed here and in many other corners in the direction of Stiemsma and especially Butch, we'll happily take their 6-11, 245-pound bodies and all their associated issues. At least one and probably both of them would start here.

As a matter of fact, the whole 2nd unit for UW would start here and probably win the Horizon League.

[brewtownbrian]

xucantcmex said:

As a matter of fact, the whole 2nd unit for UW would start here and probably win the Horizon League.

I agree.

PG - Hughes
SG - Bohannon
SF - Krabbenhoft
PF - Landry
C - Steimsma

...pretty good line-up if you ask me.

[BBFran]

I didn't read this whole thread but anyone taking shots at Stiemsma or Butch is nuts. They would start and star for us or any other Horizon team. Stiemsma intimidates every shot he's near. Butch had a lousy first half, then dominated the opening of the second half.

We should be so lucky to ever get a true big man as good as either one.

[panther920]

uwm97 said:

It's time that we see Nick Hansen, Gentry, and Thornton get more P.T. If this team wants to finish a game sometime this year over 35%, these guys need to get more shots. Franklin's woes are well-documented. Hanson can't hit the broad side of the barn. Avo is either on or off. This team needs more than one guy to at least hit a respectable percentage to have a chance at winning some basketball games.

Hansen is shooting 25%
Gentry is shooting 34.6% these 2 should get some more playing time regardless of their shooting because they seem to handle themselves nicely when they are in. But Thornton who is shooting 25.8% shoots NBA range three's every time hes in. I dont know if jeter tells him to or what but I dont see how everybody is so high on him as of now.

[brewtownbrian]

During the 2nd Half of the YSU game, Thornton was chucking them from DEEEEP.

I don't think Jeter was too happy...he lit him up in plain view for everyone to see.

If I recall, "RYAN! That's a terrible shot!" was yelled from the sideline.

[reggiewheelerfor3]

Stiemsma is HUGELY important to the Badgers. I'm convinced that it was no coicidence that the Badgers struggled the second half of the year when Landry and especially Stiemsma had to sit out.

Yeah, I'm not really seeing much from Thornton right now either, definitely not defensively, but the offensive side is not there as of now. It'll come...I hope. As for Gentry, I am much, much more high on him. He just seems to have a knack for scoring and being in the right place at the right time. His defense needs to improve though.
Hansen has been solid for some time now and probably deserves a little more playing time, but I don't know if the difference is great enough where we should sacrifice experience for the younger guys.