|
SOSublime
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 1.5K,
Visits: 9.1K
|
+xI'm getting a sneaking suspicion that the lack of offense is not going to improve. I feel like I've seen this movie before... Yep, I try to be optimistic but I'm starting to get worried. I am really impressed with our defense but I don't understand why on offense we don't at all. I just don't get it.
|
|
|
Lime
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 5.3K,
Visits: 30K
|
Right now, Drake's adjusted offensive efficiency (96.2, #249) is the worst they've had in the KenPom era (2001–02). This is the best defense (95.6, #91) they've had since the 2007–08 team (98.5, #76). Even the nadirs of the Giacoletti era saw offenses ranked in the 100s, just defenses ranked in the 300s (the scores were deceptive because Giacoletti played sloooooooooooooooow).
Tempo is way down this year (69.3, #94 to 68.0, #242).
They're forcing a decent amount of turnovers, just not a lot of steals. Maybe that's restricting their ability to run, maybe they just don't want to run for some reason.
It would sacrifice some defense, but I wonder if trying to push things earlier might be your best solution to at least jump start the offense. Try to get some more points in transition. Take shots earlier. It's not like they're passing up shots right now but what we have seen isn't working.
|
|
|
Mc Bulldog
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 11K,
Visits: 56K
|
... need to just hunker down and nad up.
|
|
|
ILLINOISBULLDOG
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 2K,
Visits: 1K
|
It’s very interesting here in Chicago area. All the talk shows are about the Bears. Like Drake- they were a pleasant surprise last year and are punchless this year. Last year Nagy was a hero and now everyone is questioning him. The games the Bears were successful the quarterback was running but most games he has been stationary All the fans and talk show are wondering why they understand that but the coach doesn’t Same with the Bulldogs- we can all see how the ball doesn’t move and way too much dribbling and the offensive flow stinks. We can all see that but seems like DD doesn’t or is unwilling to change Why do you suppose that is?
|
|
|
Bulldog2323
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 2.1K,
Visits: 3.6K
|
+xIt’s very interesting here in Chicago area. All the talk shows are about the Bears. Like Drake- they were a pleasant surprise last year and are punchless this year. Last year Nagy was a hero and now everyone is questioning him. The games the Bears were successful the quarterback was running but most games he has been stationary All the fans and talk show are wondering why they understand that but the coach doesn’t Same with the Bulldogs- we can all see how the ball doesn’t move and way too much dribbling and the offensive flow stinks. We can all see that but seems like DD doesn’t or is unwilling to change Why do you suppose that is? We don't have any true leaders on the floor. I think Tremell was envisioned to be that guy this year but that's not happening. We can't penetrate and we don't have long range so we sit waiting for something to open up. It's not good. DD is trying to play on what strengths he has with improved defense but you still have to score more points than your opponent to win.
|
|
|
DUBulldog
|
|
Group: Administrators
Posts: 18K,
Visits: 108K
|
I saw a good point made by somebody on Twitter yesterday.....Bradley started out the conference season 0-5 last year and they couldn't score at all.....they ended up making the NCAA tournament.
Maybe the Bulldogs can be similar this season (but not wait to have an 0-5 start before getting it together).
|
|
|
ILLINOISBULLDOG
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 2K,
Visits: 1K
|
And they played Michigan State even for 35 minutes in Des Moines. When Drake played them (Bradley) at beginning of last season I remember Bradley being worse than bad We may have been up 30 at one point
|
|
|
SOSublime
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 1.5K,
Visits: 9.1K
|
Did our win over Air Force change anything? I know it wasn't a win against a top 100 team or anything but it helped restore my confidence in the coach and the team slightly.
|
|
|
hamlox
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 4.4K,
Visits: 10K
|
The Valley is ranked 11th out of 32 in conferences. From top to bottom, with only UNi in the top 100 in the Valley, seven of the teams are in the upper half at 165 or better (353 teams)... the remaining three teams are around 200.
Not in condition, still recovering from his injury, or understandably dealing with more important responsibilities, TM's return clearly changed the offensive chemistry when he was immediately put in the starting lineup. if TM returns this year, I'd like to see him gradually get minutes in the rotation.
Drake might not be the tallest team, but they are playing big defensively. Robbins allows the other four to extend the defense. Liam had four blocks, but probably adjusted another hand-full. Loving his development, let's hope he can be aggressive and not get in foul trouble. Not to go unnoticed, AP has done a nice job on both ends of the floor with his backup minutes.
Looking at the schedule, and taking injuries in to account with other teams, the first few games are favorable to get a jump start. Drake will be heading to Bradley, who is minus Childs; Indiana St., who is playing well, comes to Des Moines as does Loyola (possibly not at 100%); Going to Valpo against Freeman-Liberty isn't going to be easy, but is winnable.
From top to bottom so much parity in the Valley. Nothing new, turnovers and free throws will be the difference. If the confidence continues from Roman and Noah, and avoid the injuries, I'm confident Drake will be competing at the top.
|
|
|
dog67
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 2.1K,
Visits: 2.8K
|
Now that we have won a game and everyone is excited, again, and have stopped criticizing Penn, I have a few comments.
Before the Dayton game I posted that one of the things that the Bulldogs have to do is hold on to the ball, especially Liam. Liam reminds me of Enevold.....he has hard hands and has trouble holding on to the ball, whether it's a pass or a rebound or going up for a shot in a crowd. He has to tighten up his grip on the ball. Now, in the same breath (I think that's better than saying "that being said," DUB), I don't know where we'd be without him right now.
Noah has to get his passing under control. He forces a lot of passes and rushes them, as well. He is not anticipating where the defender is going to be when he makes many of his passes. He has to start looking at it like a chess game....i.e., what will the opponent do if I make that pass. He needs to anticipate the defense. Now, in the same breath, it's my opinion that Noah is our best all around player....a good shooter, a great defender, a terrific ball handler and has great speed. I'd love him in the game as much as possible.
I don't know if anyone noticed, but on almost every three point shot that Air Force took, there is no one within two feet of the shooter. Check it out if there is a replay of the game somewhere. That has to be eliminated. In their defense, it seems to be a common trait for most teams at every level; high school, college and pros. I don't get it. Is there too much helping out, thus leaving your man open on the perimeter? Don't coaches see this? Man, stay on your man.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy New Year to Drake Nation.
|
|
|
SOSublime
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 1.5K,
Visits: 9.1K
|
I disagree that Liam's hands are as bad as Enevold's. Yes he misses some passes and does occasionally lose it when going up but if I'm remembering correctly, JE did that A Lot more. He touches the ball a lot, he's bound to lose it once in a while. Sure he could tighten up but I just don't think he's anywhere as bad as JE was about it.
Noah's awesome, I agree.
AP, he's been doing really well on defense and had a nice cut to the basket yesterday.
I agree with the 3-point defense, I think part of it yesterday was not expecting their big guy (the IA guy) to shoot so many threes. Either way, both Liam and AP need to make sure they're putting their hands up when a guy shoots, both of them been caught standing with their hands at their sides a few too many times.
|
|
|
Mc Bulldog
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 11K,
Visits: 56K
|
Air Force thought they be tough guys .. their Coach should have been T'd up as well as several Falcon players at various times, especially the corkchucker who tripped and pushed Liam down. That game, I believe, is more of game changer than any other game so far this season in terms of the learning curve being hammered home. That was a tough a-s-s, hard fought game, a real confidence buliding game.
Once DJ gets 100% back on track, have Katy bar that honk'n door, handcuff DUB's keyster and make him cry for a stricter disciplining that he enjoys so much. Okay?
|
|
|
Mc Bulldog
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 11K,
Visits: 56K
|
Oh ... my point is, Bulldogs take care of the Pig Farmers and anything is possible.
|
|
|
zman
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 2.2K,
Visits: 366
|
You're seriously comparing Liam's hands to Enevolds? Liam is so much more skilled as a Sophomore than Enevold ever was. I have no idea what you are watching out there. Yes, Saturday gave me a lot more hope. Obviously makes a difference when you make almost 50% from 3 like we did on Saturday. I truly believe Penn has many games like this left in him. We got spoiled by Norton coming in as a grad transfer guy who just took complete ownership of the team last year. By the accounts of many on this board Penn was the best player on the team last year in practice. Maybe Coach and him had a talk and he told him to quit deferring so much. He's really smooth, and I think he's going to need to be a little more selfish going forward. This team needs a leader, as we are so young. Pig farmers look to be the class of the league but as McBull said, if we can take care of them anything is possible. The Valley is a 1 bid league. You just need to be peaking at the right time. Finish in the top 3, which I definitely think is possible and maybe draw the Pink Panthers in St Louis in the finals.
|
|
|
Mc Bulldog
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 11K,
Visits: 56K
|
You know, the only thing that counts is the final score and the Dogs have only p-issed down their leg 1 time vs. Miami OH. I really wish they had a do over in that game. The cog that will put this team over the top is wearing # 0. As fans, we need the zero to become a hero! BAM SHOCK-A LOCK-A!
|
|
|
Bulldog4life24
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 1.9K,
Visits: 4.9K
|
Disagree strongly on Liam. 1 - we ask him to be so much more mobile than JE ever had to be. 2 - Liam’s a sophomore. For a guy who barely saw the floor before his senior year of HS, I’m buying that stock.
Agree on 3 point D. I think as we improve on size next year and after, we’ll be able to push the perimeter more and help less off the weak side, thus leaving open skip and quick rotation shots. Not having at least 1 or 2 More guys over 6’5” limits some of what you can pressure, imo
|
|
|
Drakey
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 8.1K,
Visits: 6.4K
|
Liam is going to be the best post player in the conference.
Drakey
|
|
|
Lime
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 5.3K,
Visits: 30K
|
Liam's turnover %:
FR: 14.2% SO: 15.2%
Enevold's turnover %:
FR: 21.5% SO: 25.9% JR: 21.9% SR: 31.5%
Offensive/Defensive Efficiency:
Liam:
FR: 100.8/94.4 SO: 98.7/86.3
Enevold:
FR: 98.7/104.2 SO: 97.3/111.0 JR: 112.6/106.4 SR: 103.4/109.9
Liam is better defensively than Enevold ever was, Enevold was a better FT shooter by the end (Liam has improved this year). Liam shoots too many 3s but can at least hit them, Enevold never attempted one. Enevold was a better finisher at the rim, Liam has gotten better this year (was sub-50% on 2s last year), if he can improve that he will be much better than Enevold ever was. Robbins is better than McGlynn was at this point in his career, real question is whether he can improve the remaining aspects of his game.
|
|
|
DUBulldog
|
|
Group: Administrators
Posts: 18K,
Visits: 108K
|
Yeah, I don't see any similarity between Robbins' ability to catch the ball and Enevold's. Liam can catch the ball on the run, Enevold had a hard time catching it standing still with nobody near him.
Would be curious to see a comparison between Liam as a frosh/soph vs McGlynn's first two seasons.
|
|
|
ILLINOISBULLDOG
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 2K,
Visits: 1K
|
Also agree on Liam. For a guy who wasn’t recruited at all you cant teach size and he actually has a really soft touch on his shot way better than Enevold. If he gets stronger and tougher look out.
|
|
|