|
|
Post by Bomber on Dec 5, 2013 23:18:08 GMT -5
Darling is playing like crap this year too. Why would we set up a play for him and not one of the players having a hot night tonight? Darling was 1-8 tonight. He was getting eaten alive by their power forward under the basket all night. Why would we run a set play to isolate him against their power forward coming out of that timeout. Matt Vest and AJ Pacher were both having big games for us. Why not run that isolation play for one of them? |
|
|
|
Post by Raider3G on Dec 5, 2013 23:43:13 GMT -5
That one loss was a freak occurrence in an otherwise great season for them. We have played like crap all season. +1 I believe Butler finished 4th in the HL that season, so no, they were not having a "great" year at that time...they were doing well, but had lost to Evansville, Milwaukee at home, us, etc...they lost games they should have won but it turned out to be a great season after the YSU loss. Regardless, I'm not too hopeful we're going to turn this around to where we all were told or expected it to go, because you are right, we've underachieved all year. At this point, I'll be happy when we win a road game, and then if we can go at least 9-7/10-6 in league play (win at home, steal a couple on the road). Hopefully we at least can get a 3 or 4 seed. But I can't see us passing up UWGB, Milwaukee, and even CSU at this point. I was traveling, couldn't listen tonight...how much did Dixon play compared to Arcenaux? |
|
|
|
Post by gerb on Dec 6, 2013 0:07:49 GMT -5
I believe Butler finished 4th in the HL that season, so no, they were not having a "great" year at that time...it turned out that way. They had other seemingly "bad" losses that year too. Regardless, I'm not too hopeful we're going to turn this around to where we all were told or expected it to go, because you are right, we've underachieved all year. Was traveling, couldn't listen tonight...how much did Dixon play compared to Arcenaux? Finally, given how well we played without Cole last year, anybody else thinking of the "Ewing" Effect.... Dixon was in at the end after Reggie did enough self damage. The perfect example for the Ewing Theory was last year's team after Julius bailed. We had lost our only bankable star, but made it to within five minutes of the NCAA tourney. I'm not sure Cole qualifies as a "Ewing" as much as just a guy who's beat to hell. Reggie, on the other hand, gets a lot of attention from opposing fan bases and the media since he has the flash and he was Option B after Julius. I don't want to demonize the guy, but IF (big if) there's a "Ewing" on this team it's him. Play smart, Reggie! We know you can! |
|
|
|
Post by Raider Grad on Dec 6, 2013 7:10:34 GMT -5
Play smart, Reggie! We know you can! Considering Reggie's 2 and 1/3 seasons body of work in a Raider's uniform, I will disagree. Reggie has never shown the ability to play smart. He lost his starting job last year to a true freshman with minimal athletic ability and no offensive game because he couldn't play smart. He has made bone headed decisions at the end of at least 4 games this year. Juniors who have played over 70 games in their careers should not make the stupid decisions he makes. Until Donlon accepts this and keeps Reggie as far away from the court as possible towards the end of the game, I think we are doomed to continue to lose close games again and again and again. |
|
|
|
Post by Dr J on Dec 6, 2013 9:41:55 GMT -5
When Hopkins is playing Reggie will not get many minutes on the court. Will be in Oxford for his first game. Hope he doesn't think he made the wrong decision to come to WSU.
|
|
|
|
Post by gerb on Dec 6, 2013 10:39:42 GMT -5
It might be crazy, but I've been revisiting my crackpot theory about the Arceneaux/Howell minutes as a force-out to make room for the future.
With the understanding that all guards are not created equal, here is what our backcourt looks like this year and next year:
2013-2014
Sr Dixon
Sr Vest
Jr Arceneaux
Jr Griffin
Jr Hopkins
Fr Howell
2014-2015
Sr Arceneaux
Sr Griffin
Sr Hopkins
So Thomasson
So Howell
Fr Evans
Fr Mitchell
Fr Benzinger
Thomasson and Hopkins are going to soak up a lot of minutes next year, which doesn't leave a lot of playing time for the remaining six (SIX!) guards. Maybe Donlon is giving Reggie a chance to earn his final year before Hopkins comes into the picture. Maybe he's not playing Howell to get him to leave and clear room. This could be one or both of their last chance before next season.
Take one of them out of the equation and redshirt a freshman and you still have six active guards, which is plenty:
Griffin
Hopkins
Thomasson
Arceneaux / Howell
Frosh #1
Frosh #2
It may seem ruthless, but we've seen plenty of players leave the program either on their own or with a "mutual" decision over the last few years. All signs are pointing to the program bringing back a player who is sentenced to jail during the season because there is such a need at forward. It's all about getting to the tournament. Period.
These nonconference games could just be turning into a weeding out process in the backcourt for the home stretch and next year.
I'm not saying I believe this theory, but it is food for thought.
So on a scale of ignorant to insane, where does this little theory of mine fall?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using proboards
|
|
|
|
Post by wsutommygun on Dec 6, 2013 11:28:42 GMT -5
Gerb, I think on your scale it would be hard to say because I think both ends would get a 10. If I ran a 4 guard offense for a period of time, why would I think 6 guards to be plenty ( if I was hoping for them to play hard for as long as possible )? Players leaving is a fact of life. I don't like it and I think most are a mistake. Recently, I talked to a mid-major head coach about it and, he said that you can't stop recruiting the current players you hope to keep. Billy likes Reggie and I can't believe he hopes anyone leaves. Howell is still learning but, I'm happy with what I've seen. Not sure how Hopkins or future players will fit in but, there is a lot of basketball left to play and no reason to think it won't be fun to watch...maybe we won't win the close ones but, win a couple and who knows...should be entertaining.
|
|
|
|
Post by raiders93 on Dec 6, 2013 13:27:35 GMT -5
I ain't giving up but they sure making it hard for a person to wear my Raider attire around town right now. Had a UK fan tell me we had a good baseball team though. I'm never going to give up on a Wright State team. It's just very, very hard to like them right now. I'm still holding onto that hope that Donlon's doing some sort of Andy Kauffman thing until we get into conference play. Then once that Oakland game on January 2nd hits, BAM! Here's the real team! ...but of course that would be illegal. Just win, Raiders. Do it for the children. Ha!! Made me laugh despite the current frustration with this program. |
|
|
|
Post by gerb on Dec 6, 2013 13:48:08 GMT -5
I'm never going to give up on a Wright State team. It's just very, very hard to like them right now. I'm still holding onto that hope that Donlon's doing some sort of Andy Kauffman thing until we get into conference play. Then once that Oakland game on January 2nd hits, BAM! Here's the real team! ...but of course that would be illegal. Just win, Raiders. Do it for the children. Ha!! Made me laugh despite the current frustration with this program. That's all I'm trying to do: make light of it and stay warm in the ridiculousness. All we can do is put on a happy face and hope we uncover a missing year of eligibility for Cory Cooperwood laying around somewhere. |
|
|
|
Post by gerb on Dec 6, 2013 14:12:36 GMT -5
Gerb, I think on your scale it would be hard to say because I think both ends would get a 10. If I ran a 4 guard offense for a period of time, why would I think 6 guards to be plenty ( if I was hoping for them to play hard for as long as possible )? Players leaving is a fact of life. I don't like it and I think most are a mistake. Recently, I talked to a mid-major head coach about it and, he said that you can't stop recruiting the current players you hope to keep. Billy likes Reggie and I can't believe he hopes anyone leaves. Howell is still learning but, I'm happy with what I've seen. Not sure how Hopkins or future players will fit in but, there is a lot of basketball left to play and no reason to think it won't be fun to watch...maybe we won't win the close ones but, win a couple and who knows...should be entertaining. I'm just trying to find an explanation for why they're getting the minutes they're getting. Conspiracy theories are all I've got right now. ...does anyone know offhand if any of our players or staff are Freemasons? |
|
|
|
Post by wsutommygun on Dec 6, 2013 14:45:35 GMT -5
Gerb, I can't say you're wrong ( but, Billy would have to think something different from what he says ). I think over the course of a season we'll need everyone to contribute. I find it distasteful to run anyone off ( unless they are trouble ). I'm sure the company line would be that any current or future players need to play defense if they want minutes. GO RAIDERS!
|
|
