Sherod and Duquesne

[97spiderfan]

Nick wasn't getting nearly the love I thought he deserved in the other threads, so wanted to have one of his own. I think we saw last night the most definitive statement that Nick is finally understanding what he can do at the college level. Sherod is a scorer and man did he score last night. And what I liked the most about his scoring was the plethora of moves and shots he made going to the basket. He is not the quickest or most athletic player but he showed some Geriot like ability to get the ball in the hoop. Great game Nick.

A couple other observations.

1. Cayo: People were looking for silver linings about a month ago on this kid and they just weren't there. But I thought he gave us some valuable minutes. He plays good defense, particularly recovery defense and you can see his confidence growing.
2. Buck: How many big plays did he make last night. The charge and the jump ball at the end of OT were just enormous but he made a bunch of other really heady plays throughout the game. 17 points on 5-6 from the field as well. 2 FT's to seal the game. Big time performance.
3. Khwan's man to man defense is on point. We need to play more man just because Khwan is so good at it.

The negatives:
1. Mooney taking the hot hand out. Buck opened up the first half with 9 quick points and Mooney took him out after the first time out. Sherod opened up the second half on fire and Mooney took him out after the first time out. Realize we have no bench but don't understand the logic of removing a player who is on fire.
2. Defensive rebounding. We got absolutely murdered on the glass. Fortunately for us, their seemed to be rim over the bucket when the Dukes tried to stick back their numerous offensive boards. We were very lucky those shots rimmed out.
3. Gilyard: Was apparently on vacation last night. 0 points in 41 minutes, slow the Kevin Anderson comparisons, please.

Bottom line, you can't question the heart of this team and the intensity they are playing with right now. I can't excuse the start and Mooney will need to answer for that at the end of the season, but might as well as Ulla said "enjoy the ride" until then.

 

[kneepadmckinney]

Amen on Sherod. Amen on Buck.

As to Gilyard, my observation would be that he scored 0 points and we needed him on the court every minute because of how well he ran the team. We were terrible in the 2-3 minutes he was out. And he realized he wasn't shooting well so simply distributed the ball effectively. I thought he played great, even though he didn't score.

 

[gcarter52]

The shots Gilyard took was mostly the kind that we would like for him to take but they didn't go in. The other things he did (quarterbacking the team was great!!

 

[gcarter52]

The shots Gilyard took was mostly the kind that we would like for him to take but they didn't go in. The other things he did (quarterbacking the team was great!!

 

[spiderman]

Anderson didn't become a star until his 2nd year. Gilyard compares favorably to Anderson's freshman season. we'll see what he becomes ... but he's a stud.

our young core group is very talented. they're growing into a team.

 

[97spiderfan]

Amen on Sherod. Amen on Buck.

As to Gilyard, my observation would be that he scored 0 points and we needed him on the court every minute because of how well he ran the team. We were terrible in the 2-3 minutes he was out. And he realized he wasn't shooting well so simply distributed the ball effectively. I thought he played great, even though he didn't score.

That is a fair observation on Gilyard. We had 3 other guys scoring and I like that he didn't force his shot just for the sake of scoring.

 

[spider fan]

NS has some great moves to the hoop particularly in regard to timing what the defender is doing. Very smooth when his threes are going down. Becoming a "scoring machine" as when at St. Christoper's...............................

 

[urfan1]

Since this thread is supposed to be dedicated to Nick -- he reminds me of a few other players we have loved in the past (not the most athletic, but find a way to get it done). Gonzo is one that come to mind immediately, and who on here wouldn't love to have another Gonzo on the team, there are many more.

 

[97spiderfan]

Gonzo was one of my all time favorite players for us. Mooney actually mentioned him on the post game last night in reference to how he needs to encourage players to be more assertive in trying to score. Gonzo was the one player he said, he never had to say that to.

 

[SpiderER]

Gonzo was one of my all time favorite players for us. Mooney actually mentioned him on the post game last night in reference to how he needs to encourage players to be more assertive in trying to score. Gonzo was the one player he said, he never had to say that to.

Mine too. I'll never forget the game, among many, that Gonzo had against Memphis (25 pts.) outplaying some player named Derrick Rose (21 pts). We lost that game and Memphis went on to go 38-2. Sherod looked like Gonzo last night. I hope this new assertiveness with Sherod continues. He will never be the best athlete on the court. Despite that, last night showed he has the ability to take over a game.

 

[kneepadmckinney]

Incidentally, I think Nick finished the game smack dab on 500 career points. Dilly dilly to Nick.

 

[spider23]

And Gilly Gilly as well. Nick is a scorer. Hopefully this is the game that pushes his confidence to the next level. Gonzo was a guy that absolutely got the most out of his ability. I remember a game vs. Xavier in which he just went nuclear. His confidence was at its own extreme level. Loved his fire too. Remember going to a game at Umass in which we got spanked, but Gonzo was all over the court and playing 100% until the end. Kid had heart. I see Buck with the same type of intensity.

 

[GKiller]

I know this a Nick thread and he was great of course but let me comment on Gilyard bc I didn't in the other thread and he was brought up here. I concur I thought he managed game well. 0 points but we didn't need it. Because he had Nick and Grant going, and also Buck for parts. Realized it was game to defer. I was impressed by his handle and defense. I've read about his quick hands/stealing ability on here and got to see that in person. certainly he can get into mismatches due to size & our switching but the times he did he battled.

 

[keefusb]

NS played well and showed some of his potential as the leading scorer in VA HS history, in a state that has produced many NBA all-stars. But he will never have Gonzo's killer instinct. It's just not part of NS's personality.

 

[LongTimeSpiderFan]

NS played well and showed some of his potential as the leading scorer in VA HS history, in a state that has produced many NBA all-stars. But he will never have Gonzo's killer instinct. It's just not part of NS's personality.

We haven't even seen the range on NS 3 pointer. He's good out to NBA range and maybe beyond but CMs offense is usually efficient enough to get better shots and he's not one to force it.

 

[keefusb]

We haven't even seen the range on NS 3 pointer. He's good out to NBA range and maybe beyond but CMs offense is usually efficient enough to get better shots and he's not one to force it.

I didn't say he wasn't a great shooter/scorer. He's just not the cold-blooded assassin that Gonzo was.

 

[coach fezz]

NS is The Shooter ...

 

[Not-A-Homer]

Sherod was confidant and played very well offensively. He was the difference in this game. The thing that I liked the most was that he displayed just as much "scorer" in the game as "shooter." Numerous times he took it to the defender and scored. More than just a flat footer shooter on this day.

 

[RobinsHall98]

Sherod was confidant and played very well offensively. He was the difference in this game. The thing that I liked the most was that he displayed just as much "scorer" in the game as "shooter." Numerous times he took it to the defender and scored. More than just a flat footer shooter on this day.

I enjoyed watching him taking it to the basket after being overdefended at the 3. It seemed like he did that a least a half dozen times. That is the scorer mentality for sure. I am a fan of Sherod and think he may be the key to spider success.

 

[Eight Legger]

IMO, Nick is the make-or-break piece of our puzzle. I thought he was playing this way at the end of last year and it's a big reason why I was pumped for this season to start. But it took him a long time to get back to this point, and the results mirrored that. Now he has started finding it again, and we are winning. No coincidence.

 

[SpiderPride]

I enjoyed watching him taking it to the basket after being overdefended at the 3. It seemed like he did that a least a half dozen times. That is the scorer mentality for sure. I am a fan of Sherod and think he may be the key to spider success.

Exactly. Getting them to bite on the 3, because he's hitting them, and then dribble driving towards the hoop. From there, so much opens up.
Whether it's a floater, jumper, something off the glass, a foul, a foul and one, or a dish/pass to someone who opened up from defense coming over, it's a critical part to his game and ours. It's fun to watch too.

 

[Captain Anderson]

Nick hit some open 3's early and his confidence sky rocketed from there. You saw him shot fake and drive to the basket as the game went on. Mooney gave him the green light and you could see the results when a player is playing loose and not worried about getting the quick hook from the bench.

 

[Captain Anderson]

IMO, Nick is the make-or-break piece of our puzzle. I thought he was playing this way at the end of last year and it's a big reason why I was pumped for this season to start. But it took him a long time to get back to this point, and the results mirrored that. Now he has started finding it again, and we are winning. No coincidence.

I wish Coach would let these guys "play" more often like that. I know Mooney has his system but guys need to play loose at times in order to build some confidence and it's contagious throughout the team once a player like Nick starts to get that confidence going.

 

[spiderman]

coach isn't holding anyone back from making plays. do you really think every time someone plays like Nick did that he's breaking Mooney's rules or something?

 

[SpiderK]

Anderson didn't become a star until his 2nd year. Gilyard compares favorably to Anderson's freshman season. we'll see what he becomes ... but he's a stud.

our young core group is very talented. they're growing into a team.

Kenny Atkinson took 1 1/2 years before he would even shoot the ball. I yelled at him for his first year to SHOOT!! Finally he did and the rest is history. I think Jacob can score if he has to, as we have seen. Even if he doesn’t, the rest of his game is worth the price of admission.

I think we have only seen the tip of the iceberg with Nick. What he lacks in athleticism, he makes up with in hand eye coordination. He will be something special as that confidence grows.

 

[Ulla1]

Kenny Atkinson took 1 1/2 years before he would even shoot the ball. I yelled at him for his first year to SHOOT!! Finally he did and the rest is history. I think Jacob can score if he has to, as we have seen. Even if he doesn’t, the rest of his game is worth the price of admission.

I think we have only seen the tip of the iceberg with Nick. What he lacks in athleticism, he makes up with in hand eye coordination. He will be something special as that confidence grows.

Might add that both Nick and Buck, while “only 6’4”, both weigh 230 pounds and are very strong. The reality is both are more like small forwards than guards.

 

[Captain Anderson]

coach isn't holding anyone back from making plays. do you really think every time someone plays like Nick did that he's breaking Mooney's rules or something?

I dont know. I'm sure there are alot more knowledgeable basketball observers on this board than me but I've seen many games over the past few years where we pass the ball around the perimeter until the shot clock runs down and someone throws up a rushed 3. I've also seen us play what I would describe as "tight" down the stretch of a lot of games...particularly on the road. Mooney does have rules. It's called his system...and if you don't run that system you get pulled, no handshake, and a seat on the bench. It was just nice to see Nick playing with confidence and having fun the other night.

 

[ChoppinBroccoli]

Kenny Atkinson took 1 1/2 years before he would even shoot the ball. I yelled at him for his first year to SHOOT!! Finally he did and the rest is history.

So that was you. Thank you for getting Kenny to start shooting!

 

[Spideroldie]

Agree with the first post on this thread, and with a few after. First, Nick may be the most important guy on our team, mostly because if he has a "passive" night (and does not take or hit his 3s) we are not all that likely to win. If he scores 28 points, which he is capable of doing with regularity, then we become hard to beat. The best thing about Nick's performance was that he was aggressive in taking it to the basket, and I love to see him score a few off the dribble. He scored lots of points like that in HS, and will probably be able to beat his man a few times outside, since they have to stick close to him at the 3-point line.

Also totally agree that Jake had about as good a game as you can have and not score any points. If he takes smart shots, and they don't fall, no big deal. If he is not hitting, he seems to understand that he can help the team in other ways. I love Jake and I think he contributed positively to this game despite his zero scoring. As I recall he had 5 rebounds, and several assists and steals. So, he was doing things he does very well, and I believe he is an excellent shooter, and the scoring will come.

Also agree that Buck had some huge contributions towards the end of this game, and I loved his boxscore with the rebounds and the high shooting %. Buck can be a scorer in the paint for us, and I hope he does more of it.

Nice game overall.

 

[SpiderK]

Kenny Atkinson took 1 1/2 years before he would even shoot the ball. I yelled at him for his first year to SHOOT!! Finally he did and the rest is history. I think Jacob can score if he has to, as we have seen. Even if he doesn’t, the rest of his game is worth the price of admission.

So that was you. Thank you for getting Kenny to start shooting!

Those New Yorkers are a little hard headed.