NIT
- Thread starter plydogg
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Mooney says that Francis is a game time decision.
Mooney also says Grant is a game time decision. Noah says his “source” says Grant is a no though. No idea who his source is
Can Noah play? Without Golden, you better get your paper bags and double mask ready to hide our faces. I shiver to think of that disaster.
Possible that there was just more on the line before when there was still a chance at an NCAA and he feels it's just not worth trying to limp through at 50% when we can get some experience for the future.
We are not the only team with disappointing results. We did have some unexpected injuries. You are a joke too, always looking for something negative about our team (yes I said our because I still stand with them.
I think you look at this as an opportunity to substitute in a better defensive 5 than try to replace the offensive 5. If we come out with MattG starting we are in huge trouble but you might be ok if you come out with Sal at 5 and gameplan the offense around whatever his strengths are knowing that he's not going to play the same role GG would.
I'm actually way more interested in seeing that than a re-run of the last 3 games where Grant could barely hold the ball.
I think the question is if his finger got better. The results we got with his finger as it was were exceedingly poor, so the only reason you go back to that is if he's improved, and by all accounts, the only improvement is expected to be through surgery.
I mean, he scored double digits in two games, right? Every game he played with a broken finger was better than the one he played with no broken finger against VCU.
I think his passing was worse, but I feel like there's a way to use him in a limited role if nothing else, if we are serious about trying to win.
I think his passing was worse, but I feel like there's a way to use him in a limited role if nothing else, if we are serious about trying to win.
If we don’t have Grant I’m not sure how we match up with Toledo. Their 3 leading scorers are all guards, but all 5 starters average double digit points. So they really pass the ball around and everyone gets their chances.
Marreon Jackson is going to be the focal point though. He’s at 18.4 points, 5.9 assists, and 6.4 rebounds. He’s 6’1” and honestly if he’s rebounding and passing at that rate I think he may give Gilyard a serious headache.
Their #2 and 3 rebounders are both guards, so that tells me they hit the glass hard and play with intensity.
They’ve also got a big man Komagum who comes off the bench and averages 1 offensive rebounds per 10 minutes. For reference their next best offensive rebounder is 1 per 16.4 minutes (our leader is Burton at 1 per 21.6 minutes).
What is interesting though is that while the stats support this, the percentages don’t. Toledo is 285th in the nation in defensive rebounding percentage (we are 230), and their offensive rebounding rate is 153rd in the nation (we are 334 - there were literally only 13 schools worse than us).
They’ve played 8 more games than us, but they average more points (81.6 vs 75), rebounds (37.8 to 30.2), and assists (16.1 to 14.5) than us. Turnovers we lead by 10.6 to their 11. Big issue here is they average 10.7 offensive rebounds per game compared to our 6.4. If Grant is out, I really don’t trust Sal and Grace to get those boards. The two of them have combined for 34 rebounds in 418 minutes (1 per 12.3 minutes). That means these guys on Toledo grab offensive rebounds at a higher rate than our 2 big men combined grab defensive rebounds. Certainly doesn’t seem like the best of matchups for us.
They shoot the 3 ball very well 37.7%, and they shoot free throws well. We do have them beat on overall field goal percentage at 47.4% to 45.8%.
They are 21st in the country with 39% of their points coming on 3’s. Their offensive efficiency is also 7th in the country due to this and their ability to make free throws (although free throws only make up 16.9% of their points which is 232nd in the nation)
Some of this can be put on conference play, as the MAC is not near the level of A10 play. But today Toledo is 67 in NET and we are 68. Their strength of schedule comes in at 120 to ours of 87.
This team looks to be significantly better than both St Joe’s and Duquesne, so hopefully we can hit the reset switch.
Marreon Jackson is going to be the focal point though. He’s at 18.4 points, 5.9 assists, and 6.4 rebounds. He’s 6’1” and honestly if he’s rebounding and passing at that rate I think he may give Gilyard a serious headache.
Their #2 and 3 rebounders are both guards, so that tells me they hit the glass hard and play with intensity.
They’ve also got a big man Komagum who comes off the bench and averages 1 offensive rebounds per 10 minutes. For reference their next best offensive rebounder is 1 per 16.4 minutes (our leader is Burton at 1 per 21.6 minutes).
What is interesting though is that while the stats support this, the percentages don’t. Toledo is 285th in the nation in defensive rebounding percentage (we are 230), and their offensive rebounding rate is 153rd in the nation (we are 334 - there were literally only 13 schools worse than us).
They’ve played 8 more games than us, but they average more points (81.6 vs 75), rebounds (37.8 to 30.2), and assists (16.1 to 14.5) than us. Turnovers we lead by 10.6 to their 11. Big issue here is they average 10.7 offensive rebounds per game compared to our 6.4. If Grant is out, I really don’t trust Sal and Grace to get those boards. The two of them have combined for 34 rebounds in 418 minutes (1 per 12.3 minutes). That means these guys on Toledo grab offensive rebounds at a higher rate than our 2 big men combined grab defensive rebounds. Certainly doesn’t seem like the best of matchups for us.
They shoot the 3 ball very well 37.7%, and they shoot free throws well. We do have them beat on overall field goal percentage at 47.4% to 45.8%.
They are 21st in the country with 39% of their points coming on 3’s. Their offensive efficiency is also 7th in the country due to this and their ability to make free throws (although free throws only make up 16.9% of their points which is 232nd in the nation)
Some of this can be put on conference play, as the MAC is not near the level of A10 play. But today Toledo is 67 in NET and we are 68. Their strength of schedule comes in at 120 to ours of 87.
This team looks to be significantly better than both St Joe’s and Duquesne, so hopefully we can hit the reset switch.
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Maybe they are working on a new Darth Vader vice grip/finger contraption never seen before.
We've been all about pushing boundaries fashion wise this year. The clear hannibal the cannibal Mooney mask. Grant's whatever you call it. Zip up sweaters with ZERO Spider branding.
Maybe it's all a perfect reflection of our program. We care more about how we look and less about the results.
We've been all about pushing boundaries fashion wise this year. The clear hannibal the cannibal Mooney mask. Grant's whatever you call it. Zip up sweaters with ZERO Spider branding.
Maybe it's all a perfect reflection of our program. We care more about how we look and less about the results.
???
"They don’t shoot the 3 ball very well (37.7% (23rd in the nation), although thats still better than us), and they shoot free throws at a decent rate (77.9% (19th in the nation), also better than us)."
First of all, Mooney's game time decision lingo means probably neither Grant or Blake is playing. As for Grant, it was very clear that he couldn't be Grant with his finger like that. He was throwing passes into the stands, trying to rebound with one hand. I give him much credit for trying to play and if he says he can't go, he gets the benefit of that doubt in my book.
And as SF postulated, if this was the NCAA tournament we were playing in vs the NIT, Grant's availability may be different. Grant has a pro career to consider, you wanna jeopardize that by playing Toledo in the NIT. I don't.
And as SF postulated, if this was the NCAA tournament we were playing in vs the NIT, Grant's availability may be different. Grant has a pro career to consider, you wanna jeopardize that by playing Toledo in the NIT. I don't.
Thank you for catching this. I mixed up and confused individual stats with team stats there. Appreciate the proofreading since I apparently can’t do it!
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I know a lot of college fans don't like the NBA but the skill level in the NBA is just absurd. Top 50 guys in the NBA all shoot over 40% from 3.
He has played in 25 of 29 games. He missed the last game. Kenpom marked the 25 in red. I wonder if an earlier miss was injury...
Edit: I now see his minutes were front loaded. 74% of minutes in first 40% of games (all in 2020).
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Will be interesting to watch the turnover battle too. Toledo is 12th in the nation in assists to turnovers and we are 18th. Defensive plays and controlling the rock will be big
No defense with that finger. We don't win very often when we don't play decent defense. Just my observation.
The good thing is they don't appear good at stealing or causing turnovers.
The bad thing is they are great at defending the 3.
Neither do we. Our likely lineup is 6-7, 6-7, 6-9...so I'm not sure it matters that much.
I thought Grant gutting it out was noticeable on the offensive end with the passing, and an abject disaster on the defensive end. I very much appreciate is wanting to gut it out the last few games, but it was -- in my humble opinion -- detrimental on at least one side of the floor. I'd prefer to see others get the time to see what we can do.
I'm hopeful that the boys can play more loosely and freely without the very significant weight of trying to meet expectations of making the NCAA Tournament hanging on every pass and shot. I look forward to getting another opportunity to watch these guys play.
I'm hopeful that the boys can play more loosely and freely without the very significant weight of trying to meet expectations of making the NCAA Tournament hanging on every pass and shot. I look forward to getting another opportunity to watch these guys play.
You aren’t kidding, 14th in the nation against the 3...teams shooting only 29.5% against them from deep
I was checking to see if our new lineup gave them a size advantage, but apparently not...
Something else worth noting is Toledo is 214th in the nation in steal percentage (8.4%) while we are 9th at 12.1%.
I do wonder if you take Gilyard out how far we would drop since he makes up 39.8% of our team steals.
Sorry, I’ve kind of bombarded this thread with probably useless stats. Just excited for a game is all
I do wonder if you take Gilyard out how far we would drop since he makes up 39.8% of our team steals.
Sorry, I’ve kind of bombarded this thread with probably useless stats. Just excited for a game is all
Grant has never played defense anyway, so no big change there.
I don't think this sounds like a great matchup for us either way. A very skilled offensive team against our swiss cheese defense? And our offense has looked pretty sickly lately anyway? Not exactly a great potential outcome. Unless they play the same offense and defense as Davidson. Then we'll win by 15.
Mooney would never do this. I would expect him to give more minutes to our older guys as one last send off. I could see Gil, Francis, Cayo playing nearly 40 minutes.
Gonna be an interesting game to watch. With Blake and Grant potentially out there is an outside shot we get to watch the same team that will play next year(if gilly and Cayo stay). Honestly wouldn't hate to see Wilson get the start as, no offense to goose, but Wilson is the future of the program. Certainly a disappointment with no ncaa bid but this is the first time we have made the postseason in some time so I am excited.
Presumably we are in the NIT because we want to win it, not because we want a practice game or two to get ready for a season that is eight months away. Play the best lineup we have and try to win the game. I'm not interested in anything else.
There's an argument to be made that playing Wilson and Bailey a little more might be what we need, but I'm not throwing them out there just to find out what they can do. We'll have plenty of lame games in November for that. This tournament is still part of THIS season, not next. Act like it.
There's an argument to be made that playing Wilson and Bailey a little more might be what we need, but I'm not throwing them out there just to find out what they can do. We'll have plenty of lame games in November for that. This tournament is still part of THIS season, not next. Act like it.
Agree with you EL. And I think if Grant and Blake end up being no-go’s for the game we probably will see a good bit more wilson and Dji than we have all season.
And honestly, getting some playtime in the NIT can’t be bad for development. Obviously not the same as the big dance, but right now we can only focus on the next game ahead
And honestly, getting some playtime in the NIT can’t be bad for development. Obviously not the same as the big dance, but right now we can only focus on the next game ahead
The game is supposed to reflect this year's team; not a dress rehearsal for next year.
I watched the sports on WTVR tonight, and the same line was given as stated earlier - GG & BF game time decisions. Who knows - maybe that's the case or maybe already determined. But I like our chances a whole lot better with those 2 than w/out 1 or both. No GG & no BF = greatly diminished chance of winning.
A tough way to end the season. Never seemed to get any traction coming out of Hardt / Mooney Covid Pause #3. Wish the players nothing but the best!
I watched the sports on WTVR tonight, and the same line was given as stated earlier - GG & BF game time decisions. Who knows - maybe that's the case or maybe already determined. But I like our chances a whole lot better with those 2 than w/out 1 or both. No GG & no BF = greatly diminished chance of winning.
A tough way to end the season. Never seemed to get any traction coming out of Hardt / Mooney Covid Pause #3. Wish the players nothing but the best!
Some guy I know has often said "Defense is optional in the MAC." so who knows - it could work out for us.
Then again, that guy's a degenerate.
