First Loss

[Pistol Pete 1]

Where to start as we have all seen this movie way too many times since Tark left town as the Rebels continue to find a way to come up short in a game that is seemingly in the palm of their hands. I told BornRebelRed the other day that this game would come down to free throws and turnovers and it surely seems to be the case. 25 turnovers is totally unacceptable as is 9-14 from the free throw line with 1 of the misses being the front end of a 1 & 1.

The other team stat that jumps out at me is 7 assists. That can only mean one thing, too much dribbling and 1 on 1 play.

The stat that surprises me is that we out rebounded them by 6 and had 20 offensive rebounds.

Guys have good games and guys have bad games but to have Jonah and Tillman lay an egg in a game like this is extremely hard to overcome. I was encouraged by Hamilton’s play and thought he played with more confidence and hauled down some big boy rebounds. I think that as he settles down a little more he will start knocking down a better percentage of his shots.

Diong is a monster on the boards and played extremely well on defense today. But as has been the case he struggles to score in the paint under the bucket. He needs a power move to go up with and either make a shot or get fouled or both.

So once again I was sitting in the T & M with 8 minutes to go saying to myself “I know how this movie ends but maybe it will be different this time but alas.......

 

[BornRebelRed]

I don’t think Antonio layed an egg. 3 boards, made a 3 with another one in and out. No turnovers. He played much better than Tillman. Not sure why he didn’t see any time later in the game. Sick? Coach didn’t like he D?..Also, I know K St gets back quickly on defense, however it seems like we didn’t push it upcourt fast enough. Didn’t try too hard to get an open 3. Rather, we were content to come down, dribble around till late in the shot clock constantly, and then try and get off a really bad shot. Disgusting strategy...

 

[j. spilotro]

I don’t think Antonio layed an egg. 3 boards, made a 3 with another one in and out. No turnovers. He played much better than Tillman. Not sure why he didn’t see any time later in the game. Sick? Coach didn’t like he D?..Also, I know K St gets back quickly on defense, however it seems like we didn’t push it upcourt fast enough. Didn’t try too hard to get an open 3. Rather, we were content to come down, dribble around till late in the shot clock constantly, and then try and get off a really bad shot. Disgusting strategy...

They blanketed him. Even relatively tight when action was opposite side.

 

[Pistol Pete 1]

They blanketed him. Even relatively tight when action was opposite side.

Indeed they did but every team we face will guard him the same way so it will be up to the coaches to figure out how to get him some good looks.

 

[j. spilotro]

Indeed they did but every team we face will guard him the same way so it will be up to the coaches to figure out how to get him some good looks.

Therein lies a big problem. We aren’t thick on talent and we are short on depth. Huge ceiling in place based on roster.

That said, defense and rebounding (if it’s like what we saw today) will keep us in games.

 

[Pistol Pete 1]

On a side note I think this team is in very good shape conditioning wise. We only played 8 guys and Tillman and Antonio did not play what should be normal minutes and our guys played hard to the end. Conditioning was not a factor!

i am definitely an advocate using fewer guys as they develop more continuity.

 

[BornRebelRed]

I thought our offense was supposed to be spacing and movement away from the ball till someone broke open for a 3.. or a near the hoop basket. We played the one on one dribble dribble ala Marvin type basketball. Not the new Coach Otz running shooting basketball I was expecting.

 

[BornRebelRed]

We need another guy. Another scorer. I thought Shibel was going to be a contributor. If not, why did we recruit him? There were plenty of scorers available.

 

[LocoRebel]

Indeed they did but every team we face will guard him the same way so it will be up to the coaches to figure out how to get him some good looks.

I would be surprised if every team we play has the talent and coaching of K State. A few will, sure... it won't be the regular.

Edit: That said, I would rather our coaching and his skill be able to get him open rather than relying on others not being good enough.

 

[j. spilotro]

I would be surprised if every team we play has the talent and coaching of K State. A few will, sure... it won't be the regular.

Edit: That said, I would rather our coaching and his skill be able to get him open rather than relying on others not being good enough.

If a team wants to take out one guy, it’s not all that difficult, regardless of the level of competition. Stopping a couple is tough, one isn’t.

 

[BleedRebelRed90]

We need another guy. Another scorer. I thought Shibel was going to be a contributor. If not, why did we recruit him? There were plenty of scorers available.

Shibel was accepted as a grad transfer because Otz needed more frontcourt players for this year since it was unknown how Tillman's waiver was going to go. Shibel is a senior and since he didn't have to sit out a season he only uses a scholarship for one year, so low risk.

Shibel was healthy at ASU last season and only had two made shots and 7 rebounds total for the entire season.

 

[BornRebelRed]

Then why recruit him?? We need players.

 

[BleedRebelRed90]

Then why recruit him?? We need players.

Shibel could still contribute in his one season here.

The addition and then eligibility waiver of Tillman made Shibel a lot less critical, but at the time the 6'9 Shibel transferred in the Rebels had only two players over 6'5 due to the the departure of Coupet and retirement of Sljivancanin (which hadn't been made public yet). Supposedly Shibel was a big that was a much better fit for TJO's system than Coupet or Sljiv because he is thought to be mobile, a decent ball handler, and more comfortable moving out to the perimeter. There was also room to take a chance on him since Mitrou-Long, Jenkins, and Tillman hadn't committed yet.

 

[ijspencer]

Having been to all three games so far I would sayTillman is the biggest disappointment so far. Missed free throws, bad shots and turnovers.

 

[YellowSpinE]

Hard to overcome that many turnovers, regardless of what else is going on. And yes, to much dribble dribble. Not enough movement off the ball and swinging it.

On a side note I think this team is in very good shape conditioning wise. We only played 8 guys and Tillman and Antonio did not play what should be normal minutes and our guys played hard to the end. Conditioning was not a factor!

Diong was all over the place. Up top setting picks. Roaming the basket. Lots of movement and he didn't seem tired doing so. And a couple times thought on a pick and roll he could have had an easy dunk if they had seen him wide open rolling to basket. He is going to be fun to watch.