Auburn Tonight

[kneepadmckinney]

my last thoughts on this game and this thread...
Bottom line is that we played a decent game and stayed with this team for a half and then were thoroughly dominated in almost every aspect of the game thereafter. For some on here (Ply and Dr.) to say that we would have won the game if it weren't for the refs is pure nonsense and I called them out on it, which they got very very defensive about. The team does look promising compared to years passed but some of the same weakness, mainly defensive rebounding and interior D, seem to be present which this game showed. Lets hope we beat BC.

I gotta say, I've had my issues with FatherSpider's overly-negative posts in the past, but so far this year thought he's called it fairly. So, from a sometimes adversary, I say "fair dinkum" to you, FatherSpider.

I didn't love that the starters were in at the under 4 time-out, but otherwise thought it was down to bad rebounding and bad three-point shooting, but not bad effort, intensity, or scheme. I discovered that we are not as good as Auburn, which is something I already knew. And Auburn is a unique defensive matchup given how well their swing players can guard multiple positions.

 

[spider23]

Thanks for visiting FM!

Yes, the VCU reject kicked our A$$ pretty well. He didn't look super skilled, but again he is an athletic 6'4 guard and had his way with our guys.

Not-A-Homer - agree - this Auburn team is a fraction as good as that team last year. They basically out athleted us, but did not look particularly disciplined or skilled.

With Grant possibly out, our lack of interior depth will be very challenged. I liked what I saw from Sal, he did some good things, but still feel a year a way from being a big contributor. Grace couldn't do much of anything this game. Cayo was solid. Burton looks good, but offensive game is not there yet. Hopefully Grant is just a sprain and can rest for BC game and then tape it up.

 

[Hanca]

Wont play many teams as athletic and long as Auburn, especially in conference. BC should be a win as low level ACC. Rebounding still a problem against decent teams and will lead to avoidable losses unless corrected. Not a bad loss, but need some in-game adjustments when 3s do not fall. Most opponents will not have size, talent to take away Gilyard, Francis and Sherod.

 

[spider23]

Wont play many teams as athletic and long as Auburn, especially in conference. BC should be a win as low level ACC. Rebounding still a problem against decent teams and will lead to avoidable losses unless corrected. Not a bad loss, but need some in-game adjustments when 3s do not fall. Most opponents will not have size, talent to take away Gilyard, Francis and Sherod.

Is BC a win if Grant can't go?

 

[ChoppinBroccoli]

Mooney doesn’t set screens. Never has.

In his defense, I believe that would be a technical foul.

 

[spider23]

In his defense, I believe that would be a technical foul.

Six men on the court technical, wink wink.

 

[9Legs]

13-4 Auburn run in the first 4 minutes of the 2nd half before the first media time-out set the tone for the 2nd half and we never recovered. Dick Tarrant use to emphasize that the first 4 minutes were most important for momentum. We did though win the battle for most unused time outs at the end of the game.

 

[SpiderTrap]

13-4 Auburn run in the first 4 minutes of the 2nd half before the first media time-out set the tone for the 2nd half and we never recovered. Dick Tarrant use to emphasize that the first 4 minutes were most important for momentum. We did though win the battle for most unused time outs at the end of the game.

this was the classic scoring drought we have become accustomed to the past few seasons. It seemed to happen to UR every night - game is close, we might even take a lead, but in the 2nd half we go cold for an extended period of about 4-5 minutes, and can never recover. This is where depth comes in and leadership from your upperclassmen. As well as some coaching. When you see these runs coming from other teams - you got to stop the bleeding. One way to do that - get to the free throw line.
This is one thing I always thought Wainwright and his assistants were good at UR. Games were usually low scoring or ugly, but if the other team went on a run - I always felt like Dobbins or Skrocki or someone inside like Steenberge or Moliva would get a play called to get them a good look or get them to the free throw line. I have not seen that from this staff - but it is also a different offensive philosophy as well.
I would like to see us get Grant on the block in these instances to get a good one-on-one down low and maybe draw a foul - stop the bleeding.

 

[97spiderfan]

I gotta say, I've had my issues with FatherSpider's overly-negative posts in the past, but so far this year thought he's called it fairly. So, from a sometimes adversary,

I didn't love that the starters were in at the under 4 time-out,.

Yes, and how bad did that bite us when Grant injured his ankle getting a garbage bucket with the game already decided. For all the good Mooney did for himself up there, keeping one of his star players in a game that has already been lost and who is already dealing with an injury, is almost malpractice. Sometimes, Mooney just cannot get out of his own way.

 

[ChoppinBroccoli]

We did though win the battle for most unused time outs at the end of the game.

Can those be redeemed for free Bojangles?

 

[spiderman]

think you guys all covered this one pretty well. too long, too strong, too fast. we can play with them if we hit a high percentage, but we didn't.

they made it really tough on our small guards, not allowing 3 pointers. heck, they blocked a couple. they hedge the ball screen really well with length and athleticism, not allowing the shot or the roll. tough defensive team.

they're not great offensively but their guards are the size of our wings and their big man is a big man. they out-sized us everywhere and out-quicked us in most spots. we couldn't keep them off the rim. Burton has the size and athleticism, but fouling out in 10 minutes shows you can't go block everything.

defensive boards are still a huge problem. maybe just out-athleted. won't see many teams like that. I hate how were were beat down the floor so many times in the 2nd half. that shouldn't happen. sure ... back to back nights, but both teams did. I guess their easier 1st game helped there. but in general I still like where we are.

worried about Grant though. couldn't see well, but did his ankle just give out? didn't look like he even jumped high there to roll it.

 

[spiderman]

Yes, and how bad did that bite us when Grant injured his ankle getting a garbage bucket with the game already decided. For all the good Mooney did for himself up there, keeping one of his star players in a game that has already been lost and who is already dealing with an injury, is almost malpractice. Sometimes, Mooney just cannot get out of his own way.

that was my initial angry reaction too at the time but I've backed off it. he managed Grant's minutes fine last night. played just 22 minutes. stuff happens. we weren't going to win, but I'm sure we still wanted to make the final score look more respectable since it was so close at the half. and he wasn't favoring it or anything. just unlucky there.

 

[spider23]

We were definitely getting out athleted for rebounds...BUT we all know it is partly philosophy and emphasis too.

 

[spiderman]

lol at that gif! they better have called a foul there!

 

[64Spider]

Last thoughts:
Where was the pressure that worked so well in the Vandy game? I would have liked to see us at least try it for short periods. Don’t give me the being tired excuse. If anything we should have been sky high on adrenaline. We were playing for the championship against a top 25 team and had the lead for craps sake!
It seemed that we came out the second half with that dreaded “lack of fire” play that we saw so often in the last two years. I hope not.

 

[97spiderfan]

that was my initial angry reaction too at the time but I've backed off it. he managed Grant's minutes fine last night. played just 22 minutes. stuff happens. we weren't going to win, but I'm sure we still wanted to make the final score look more respectable since it was so close at the half. and he wasn't favoring it or anything. just unlucky there.

Fair point. Stuff does happen and you can't really anticipate injuries. On the same note, Grant was not having a good second half, game was decided. I wish Mooney would just play his bench in those situations. If we lose by 15 or 20, does that really matter? This isn't CFB where margin of victory is a thing.

 

[SpiderRick]

"The most important part of any basketball game is the first 5 minutes of the second half".........Dick Tarrant

Don't know why we can't come out with fire and intensity in those 5 minutes, maybe rock them back on their heals and PRESS right out the chute.

 

[gospidersgo]

though. couldn't see well, but did his ankle just give out? didn't look like he even jumped high there to roll it.

The defender slid under him on the shot and Grant landed on his foot.

 

[spiderman]

The defender slid under him on the shot and Grant landed on his foot.

bummer. thanks.

 

[97spiderfan]

He rolled it pretty good. But they showed the replay and I saw it more as your classic sprained ankle. Having sprained my ankles far too many times playing hoops, I can relate. But the really bad sprain, I had, it was immediate and intense pain. Grant took time immediately after the sprain to argue with the ref.

 

[gcarter52]

Looks like Auburn is going to be better than I thought and Wiscy not as good as I thought. Other than a poor night from 3 land good aspects from Spiders play.

No A10 opponent will come close to the size and athleticism they saw tonight. After watching these last 2 games still feel doubtful an at-large bid can be had but optimistic a 4th seed is quite realistic. 3 games in 3 days is the way!

I'm glad I don't have your eyes.

 

[bongturk]

I'm glad I don't have your eyes.

When the outside shooting is not going as well as it did in the first four games it would be nice if we had the option of going to a double low post offense to make the defense collapse more on the two big guys down low and maybe free up more open three pointers. Grant seemed to be scoring down low fairly easily last night during the first part of the game and Cayo is more valuable near the boards than fifteen feet away on the perimeter. I am not suggesting a change in the offense, more an addition that could be used as a change of pace or when the outside shots aren't falling. Some might think that for a million a year most coaches would be smart enough to put it in and able to try it in the early part of the season when the competition is not as good as it will be later in the year.

 

[gcarter52]

When the outside shooting is not going as well as it did in the first four games it would be nice if we had the option of going to a double low post offense to make the defense collapse more on the two big guys down low and maybe free up more open three pointers. Grant seemed to be scoring down low fairly easily last night during the first part of the game and Cayo is more valuable near the boards than fifteen feet away on the perimeter. I am not suggesting a change in the offense, more an addition that could be used as a change of pace or when the outside shots aren't falling. Some might think that for a million a year most coaches would be smart enough to put it in and able to try it in the early part of the season when the competition is not as good as it will be later in the year.

Totally agree BT, we need a nice double low post offense, I hope it will be considered.....I was still very proud of the effort of the team last night...

 

[Eight Legger]

The decision to let Durden run the offense in the second half was a poor one, in retrospect.

 

[SouthJerseySpiderFan]

I'm glad I don't have your eyes.

???

 

[Wood Hall]

The defender slid under him on the shot and Grant landed on his foot.

Which is a foul. Not called, of course. A shooting player must be given room to come down safely. He clearly wasn't.

 

[KE Spider]

He rolled it pretty good. But they showed the replay and I saw it more as your classic sprained ankle. Having sprained my ankles far too many times playing hoops, I can relate. But the really bad sprain, I had, it was immediate and intense pain. Grant took time immediately after the sprain to argue with the ref.

He too frequently argues with the refs!

 

[fatherspider]

13-4 Auburn run in the first 4 minutes of the 2nd half before the first media time-out set the tone for the 2nd half and we never recovered. Dick Tarrant use to emphasize that the first 4 minutes were most important for momentum. We did though win the battle for most unused time outs at the end of the game.

Whatever coaching notebook Mooney copied while at Princeton must have said “never call TO’s within 3 minutes before the next TV” because he always waits way too long. Most coaches would have called TO after they scored on 4 staraight possessions to go up 6. There we have a chance to turn the momentum. When they go up 12 after 4 minutes all was nearly lost. How does he not see how that works?

 

[fatherspider]

We were definitely getting out athleted for rebounds...BUT we all know it is partly philosophy and emphasis too.

View embedded media

Sherod and Golden have very little rebounding sense or IQ. There is a need for quickness and reaction when rebounding and sadly, neither of them seem to have either. Both look totally lost when a shot is put up from the opposition. I think Sal and Burton are much better at anticipating and reacting to rebounds.

 

[KE Spider]

I think Sal and Burton are much better at anticipating and reacting to rebounds.

CM is working on their undisciplined approach to the game.

 

[fmrick]

Yes, and how bad did that bite us when Grant injured his ankle getting a garbage bucket with the game already decided. For all the good Mooney did for himself up there, keeping one of his star players in a game that has already been lost and who is already dealing with an injury, is almost malpractice. Sometimes, Mooney just cannot get out of his own way.

 

[fmrick]

"For all the good Mooney did for himself up there, keeping one of his star players in a game that has already been lost and who is already dealing with an injury, is almost malpractice."

I'm going to copy that part and send it to Alabama. Nick need to understand this to.

 

[SpiderK]

Rebounding - We were getting killed on the offensive glass. I thought Grant and Cayo battled pretty well in there, but it seemed like 4 vs 2, we really need more guys on the glass - it seemed like our guards were not trying to help - or maybe I couldn't see them.
I agree that we have more depth than last year, but 3 of our bench guys are just not athletic enough to make plays against that type of line up.

That will never change under Mooney. Our guys are taught turn and run after a shot. Not sure why two 5’8” guards are running to protect the rim.

 

[SpiderK]

13-4 Auburn run in the first 4 minutes of the 2nd half before the first media time-out set the tone for the 2nd half and we never recovered. Dick Tarrant use to emphasize that the first 4 minutes were most important for momentum. We did though win the battle for most unused time outs at the end of the game.

This ain’t Dick Tarrant.

 

[SpiderK]

Yes, and how bad did that bite us when Grant injured his ankle getting a garbage bucket with the game already decided. For all the good Mooney did for himself up there, keeping one of his star players in a game that has already been lost and who is already dealing with an injury, is almost malpractice. Sometimes, Mooney just cannot get out of his own way.

Remember Mooney is fighting for that $1.3 million. He will ride these kids into the ground to save his career and paycheck.