Revamp the Offense

[GS]

Im sick of seeing 4 guys stand around while Tony dribbles around the top of the key and either turns it over or misses the shot. This offense lacks movement, efficient screen setting, and passing. Oregon did a fantastic job of moving the ball and themselves around the court to the point we couldn't even trap them. It seemed like they were toying with us b/c they knew how to pass. This is one area that must improve next year. we can't expect talented newcomers to come here and play in a stagnant offense. Not sure if our players weren't moving or if its the offensive sets, but we need something to change offensively. Im not claiming to know all, but it looked pathetic on TV.

[Five Two]

The guys on tv had the same observation about no movement in our offensive sets.

[dr. gunnie]

Do you think it's because so many of our guys play multiple positions and we substitute so frequently?

I would think it would be hard to run the plays when sometimes we have two point guards, sometimes 4 guards, sometimes 3 forwards...

It's gotta be hard to have set plays with all the different lines we run.

[Boss P]

Maybe, they should practice offense a little more. I don't know anything, myself. But, they don't look like they practice offense too much.

[alligator]

I may be in the minority on this one, but I think we got some decent shots. We just couldn't hit them.

We had some difficulty getting the ball to Jai in his natural post position. Even the shots he did hit inside were not using his typical power moves.

Also, anyone know why Davis got only 2 minutes in the 2nd half. Interesting...

Overall, I'm extremely proud of our team. At one point this season, we were 7-5 in the conference and people were starting to jump off the ship. But we reached a whole bunch of milestones this season and definitey raised the bar for next year.

[gmulion]

I think our offense is fine while Jai is the game, but when he goes out we have trouble scoring.

When Jai goes out of the game I would love to see us put all 5 guys above the foul line and run the Princeton/NC State offense. Spread the court, go back door and spot up for three.

We should have the players to do it with Skinn, Reynolds, Butler, Norwood, Campbell and Vaugh. Take three of them and for the two forwards use Wurtz, Mickens or Konate. That would be a very athletic team that could shoot.

[gmutom]

I was wondering the same thing about Davis, Alligator. The only thing I can think is that he was in the doghouse. He turned the ball over twice and then took a stupid shot on three straight possessions, and that might have led to the benching.

It's such a shame that Davis and Heinen fell apart like they did. They started out so promising at the beginning of the season and then completely unraveled. They both deserved to go out on a better note.

[dr. gunnie]

Maybe, they should practice offense a little more. I don't know anything, myself. But, they don't look like they practice offense too much.

Boss P, you remind me of my brother after we lost the regional championship this past year. I get home from the game and he starts saying, "why didn't you do this," or "you guys need to work more on that". Little does he know we spent two weeks going over those exact things. Sometimes you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.

I can sit hear and read a lot of things, but one thing that irks me is someone second guessing the coaching staff for what they do in practice... especially since none of us know what they have been working on in practice.

[GS]

another thing, Mickens needs to find his role on this team. Just cuz he got a new fade, doesnt mean he can shoot fade away 3 footers and miss. Boy needs to toughen up and take it to the hole hard.

[dr. gunnie]

He's a perfect example of someone who would be an excellent player if he had been here for all four years. He reminds me a lot of Jesse Young, in the way that when Jesse first came here, he spent a lot of time around the three point arc and shot pretty well from the outside (anyone see him play in the Capital Classic?). In 4 years, we were able to turn Jesse into a banger, someone who liked to work down low.

Mickens is the same way, he likes to go one on one, likes to be further from the basket, the only problem is we don't have enough time to change him from those habits to a down low player (which is what we need from him).

[Paul Ball]

I would have sat Davis in the second half too. Especially after one particular beyond the pro line three pointer with no one under the basket. Hate to say it, but he was a huge disappointment this season. I thought he could provide that consistent scoring we need and it just never happened.

[alligator]

I wouldn't say that Heinen had a meltdown so much as he had changed roles.

As for Davis, anytime you get a JUCO who goes 2nd team all conference for two years, you got a quality player. I think he had some difficulty adjusting to a new role as well. Last year, with no depth, Davis was called on more. This year, more weapons meant less touches.

I agree that Mickens would be better if he'd played for Coach L for 4 seasons. But you might be surprised at how much he develops in the off-season. We're still talking about someone who's 20-22 years old. Same goes for Urbina, Wurtz, and Norwood.

[gmutom]

Dr. Gunnie, you hit the nail on the head about Mickens. I think this was a transitional year for him in that the competition is a lot tougher than that of a junior college. I hope a year of summer league ball will help him to develop into more of a low-post player. God knows we have enough perimiter players.

[gmutom]

You're probably right about Heinen's role, Alligator. I'm really not trying to kick him while he's down. Whatever the reason, he seemed to have completely lost his confidence.

You could see it on two of his drives to the basket last night. The first one he threw too hard off the backboard and the second he went in without authority and had it blocked by Jackson. It was a great play by Jackson, but there was a time that Raoul would have dunked that ball.

I have nothing but good thoughts about the contributions Davis and Heinen made to the program. I just can't help but think about what could have been had their roles not been changed and they produced at the end of the season like they did early on.

[The One True Nutt]

The difference in talent was so apparent watching Luke Jackson, a kid around KMick's size, passing and moving like the way Mark Davis SHOULD play. It's hard to match up against a guy like that, especially since the CAA doesn't have a stud like that on every or even every team. KMick needs to definitely find his role, no man his size should be trying to fade away on anyone in college. He has a quick first move, good hops and a decent short range jumper. A couple of post moves and face up moves and he'll be a definite difference maker out there. He looked asleep at times last night, kinda like me watching the tail end of the game.

Watching UO work their offense was pretty impressive. They have size to bang and the smarts to find the opportunities to score at a high percentage.

I have nothing to say about Davis, my boys know how I feel about his play since day one...

They did their best, but I guess their best wasn't good enough, cuz here they are back (Fairfax) where they were before..... a great season and good exposure, we'll be making stupid waves next year.

One True Nutt out

[P8triotfan4life]

All, I took this loss in stride...The VCU loss was a lot harder then this one. It seems to me that our problem isn't match-up problems. Our biggest problem is that we aren't physically strong yet. After watching us on TV I had to squint to see our players out there. I hope to GOD that each one of our players bulks up at LEAST 10 pounds by next season. Norwood, Konate, Mickens, Wurtz, Urbina, Skinn, Butler, Thomas, Campbell, Vaughn and Burns all look scrawny out there (Terry and Jai are about as physically strong as they could get). I also hope to get immediate inside help next year. Jai is going to get double teamed all of next year. Just my thoughts...

[GS]

as for davis, he did not grow in his two years here. He was the only scoring option last year b/c of injuries etc, and this year he did nothing to make his team better, except for that one game when he had 6 assits.

anyone know how many team assists Oregon had last night? I bet way more than us.

[Masonman]

I was waiting for the "hate thread." Let it be known, that I am undefeated when I am coaching someone elses team... :wink:

[benchmob]

What a great season! The guys hung w/them spite the fg %. They have a second team all-american and we have a first team all-caa....big difference. Other than that, the teams matched up well. Roaul and Davis....thanks! Deon and Richard handled their roles very well this year and should be honored for that....admirable. You can be critical of the shot selection, but these guys were legit. Not the easiest arena to play in. Just ask Mike Montgomery. Again, great season and looking forward to next year.

[patriot lawdog]

I agree that there was too much standing around on offense last night, but we didn't convert on anything. It really just wasn't our night. I do like the idea of a Princeton style offense at times, especially when Jai is out of the game. We have the personnel to do it. With some tinkering on offense I think we'll be okay for next year.

What I'm really encouraged by is how well we used the scramble D at the end of the year. It seems like guys caught on to what needs to be done and we really started causing a lot of turnovers. As long as we can cut down on our own, things look really promising.

[GS]

you can call it hate. I call it facts.

[Masonman]

Facts...this team went 23-10 perhaps the best season in the history of GMU Basketball. Did they have their "issues?" Certainly, as do all mens college basketball teams. At times it seemed as if this team would fold and fall apart, but they held together thru thick and then, and went on to achieve two wins in post season play. Personally, I think Coach L should be coach of the year in the CAA for the fantastic job he did this season. I think we should look at the season on the whole, not just one bad game.... :lol:

There is always room for improvement. Progress is impossible if you only do the things you have always done. The next two years will be even better :!:

[GS]

i agree with u 100%. Individually, its still fact that Davis did not progress as a player. Growth and progress is Tony Skinn when Butler was out and his passionate play late in the year, its Urbina, coming in lost his first game, but by Jan he was a force off the bench. Just a few examples, but these are kids we saw progress throughout the year.

[The One True Nutt]

Exactly GS! It's not hate, it's the Urbina's- Honest Truth. Step up or step out. Everyone is proud of the team, as we always are. But facts are fact. He didn't shine on the brightest stage, Tony Skinn did, The Passion did, Jai always does, KMick has the potential to.

GS, the ranch is waiting for you, so is Boss P, Jim Beam and Dr. Chill. Welcome to the family. 8)

[PatriotsRule]

I'd like to see them get more offensive rebounds and follow their shots. We got killed on the offensive boards.

[fro]

I agree that our offense looks woeful at times, but at other times it looks brilliant. What we lack is consistency. If you go back to the first half against UNC, particularly the first ten minutes, you would see a beautifully orchestrated and precisely run offense. Where did that go? Or perhaps, where did that come from?

It seems that roles on this team were too fluid for us to achieve offensive consistency, but like all Coach L teams, we would win the games on the back of our defense. Even last night we played good defense (if only we had boxed out better, but then again they were taller and bigger), holding Oregon below its season average.

Regardless, its hard for me to complain about the most successful season in our program's history, which didn't end until late March. Next season we'll have even better offensive tools to work with. I'm excited.

[Duke Dawg]

anyone know why Davis got only 2 minutes in the 2nd half


I didn't even see the game but I can figure this one out.

Davis became EXTREMELY selfish this year. He's a black hole. You guys will be soooooo better off without him next year.

[DEdave]

23 wins and you guys are complaining???

Nice season by you guys with potential for more success down the road is what I see from the outside.

[GS]

im not complaining or hating. just pointing out a few things, which happens when the standards are raised.

[ballfan]

It's not necessarily that the entire offense needs to be changed. Last night made it painfully clear how bad we need a point guard. Someone to run the offense, gets the ball to our scorers, and keep things moving.
I 'm not taking anything away from Terry or Tony. They are great guards, but neither is a legit. point guard. Tony is definitely a two guard.
Most of you probably don't want to hear this, but we need a John Goldsberry. He directs traffic for that entire team and sees the whole floor.
example:You're the point guard on the fast break and lamar's on the left and richard's on the right. You Gotta see that you should drive to lamar's side so he can spot for the three and richard can dive to the basket(block area), because these are where the two of those guys most successful.

Also Tony and Terry took more shots than most of tthe team combined. As a pt. guard you should be trying to feed Jai, and Lamar or die trying.

[The One True Nutt]

Everyone knows offensive boards is more about heart than anything else. You have to want to bang for O-boards. While they have been undersized at times, they still need to work on positioning and crashing, especially the guards, who more times than not are partly responsible for the lack of boards by hoisting crazy shots with no one underneath. KMick grabs his share, and we know once Jai gets a sniff of the ball, it's as good as his. Jesus and Trent are underrated bangers as well...now it's up to the others.

Off the immediate subject, and now with a couple of hours of reflection, it was pretty funny watching Jai dribble down the floor and throw that horrendous alley oop.

[GS]

he almost looked like Magic for a split half second.

[fro]

C'mon, Terry is certainly a legit point guard. How can anyone say he's not? The problem is that when the offense sputters, Terry takes it upon himself to do too much. But he was the only one who could hit anything last night and I found myself yelling "Give it to Terry!" late in the game.

Please stop hating on Terry, he's been clutch all season. And if you don't think he's a legit point guard, I honestly don't know what to tell you. :roll:

[Paul Ball]

That play by Jai was hilarious...It was so funny, I wasn't even pissed for the turnover.

He just put his head down and took off and it never seemed to occur to him that he had a point guard running alongside him the entire time.

[gmutom]

Terry is definitely a point guard. Both he and Tony are great ball handlers who are also capable of shoootig. I can see Tony playing the 2-spot when Terry is at the point, but he's too short for it to be his natural position.

Lamar is an inch taller than Tony, and look how often he has trouble getting his shot off. This also explains why Lamar shoots so far behind the arc and why his range is so good. Some of you may remember Brian Miller, who at 6-4 never had to worry about getting his shot blocked.

This is why I think Campbell and Vaughn will both excel at the Division 1 level. Their height is what we need at the 2-guard if we are going to be able to compete with the elite programs around the country. This isn't taking away from Lamar or Tony in that position. They just have to work harder to get shots off against taller and more athletic teams.

[Green85]

anyone know how many team assists Oregon had last night? I bet way more than us.

I heard on the post game show that Oregon had 17 assists on 25 made shots.

Also, there was a comment in this thread about the George Mason players neding to get more offensive rebounds. In the second half it appeared to me that GMU got a number of offensive rebounds and put up shots that bounced out ... I would guess there were 5 or 6 put back shots at point blank range that simply did not fall for the George Mason players. Had even a few of those shots dropped the game would have been significantly different ... and with your teams' defensive intensity I think that they could have won this game.

GMU played hard for the whole game ... while I was watching I kept thinking, "gees, if these guys get a few shots to fall the Ducks will be in big trouble."

One more note ... you saw the best rebounding effort by the Oregon Ducks of the entire season.

[MassPat]

it was pretty funny watching Jai dribble down the floor and throw that horrendous alley oop.
It was a similar play that helped seal our fate in the VCU game. Jai was scrambling for a turnover at halfcourt during the waning moments and rather than just grab the ball and hang on to it, he tried to lead the break. Obviously it didn't quite work out ...

[gmutom]

Green85, I really think the key to the game was your big guys. They really controlled the boards, but more importantly they took Jai Lewis completely out of his game. He's money if he gets the ball in the post, but your big men really did a great job of not letting him get position.

Because we're so accustomed to our offense running through Jai, it really threw us off -- which probably explains why we starting heaving up shots from behind the arc. It's tough enough to win when you're getting one-and-done, but it's especially difficult when it's against a team like Oregon in such a hostile environment.

[GS]

Jai thought he was a Runnin Rebel playing with Larry Johnson and Stacy Augman.

[ballfan]

Jai thought he was a Runnin Rebel playing with Larry Johnson and Stacy Augman.
:lol: Ha!

[The One True Nutt]

As I'm leaving the office, I must ask:

1. Who was hating on Tony??? I need to know....hell, as everyone in the section knows, Tony Skinn is "My Godson" and I must defend the family honor!

2. Of course I saw Jai's first attempt at playing the point. Don't let the lack of posts or the smooth taste fool ya- I pick my spots when posting. This time around, against OU, it was already out of reach, and he really looked like he wanted that oop.

[oregonduck]

as for davis, he did not grow in his two years here. He was the only scoring option last year b/c of injuries etc, and this year he did nothing to make his team better, except for that one game when he had 6 assits.

anyone know how many team assists Oregon had last night? I bet way more than us.
It was 18 assists for 25 baskets, and that is the stat ernie looks for !st every game. It means the system is working and everyone is participating. GM does need some buking up, look at Luke, stong as an ox for his size, lets you go inside with out fear! Good luck next year, we will be watching that east coast too!
O duck

[boundlssambition]

23 wins and you guys are complaining???

Nice season by you guys with potential for more success down the road is what I see from the outside.

did we go undefeated? no... there is ALWAYS room for improvement.