Game 17, UMass, Jan 15th, 7 PM, MASN

[sigmanorm]

Up 2 at the half...looking good! #WillTheEndChangeIfIWatchItAgain?

 

[GMUheckler]

View attachment 24
UGH

Looking at the last 5 minutes that shows our coaching and our senior leadership.
http://espn.go.com/ncb/playbyplay?gameId=400506098

 

[Patriotfan49]

Thinking about it the next day, while it would have been awesome to have been able to do simply one thing right in the last seconds to get the win, I think this game easily just explains our team.

The things that faltered down the stretch, were really no different than the issues that we have had the entire time. Failure across the board, coaches and players. A coach that simply cant coach or draw up the right play at the right time....players that can do so well, and then have monumental lapses in the worst possible times. This is unfortunately who we are, and who we will be until we change the people on the sideline and some players graduate.

Biggest killers from last night:
Hewitt.....enough said

Bryon Allen: While he played great on offense and some stretches on d, Mr. 2 steps forward and 3 steps back really killed us in key times. Missed free throws in the clutch, bouncing the ball at the top of the key and having is swiped right from under his nose....with 8 seconds left you turn the ball over after you decide a behind the back dribble in traffic is neccessary....

Sherrod Wright: Hi Sherrod, nice to see you finally found where you last left your offensive game. Missed free throws in the clutch, bounced the ball off the line inbounding in the clutch, doing a Allen impression and getting pick pocketed at the top of the key....

J2: Nice to see you figured out the ball goes in the hoop from above, not below. However we have not seen a big man so soft, or so inept at his defensive duties. Countless times in the paint points where you were no match or resistance, countless drives straight down the middle where you at times just backed away and allowed easy buckets.

Copes: What happened to your defense? Some nice offensive moments tonight, but he is doing his best J2 impression on the other end. No match for their low post players, didnt protect the rim....just fouled at will.


While our players do stupid things, I think theyve shown in a handful of games that talent is not soo much the issue. We arent Kentucky, but we sure can compete with most any team out there, especially in the A10. Its just a matter of mentally staying disciplined/tough and coaching.

 

[Scythe]

From the WaPo article, here's what Hewitt said:

“Sherrod played a great game. He did everything he could to help his team win,” Hewitt said. “But we’ve got to get better, and I’ve got to do a better job with these kids helping them close the deal.”

Looks like someone is getting some heat, and it's nice to see Hewitt actually accept some of the blame.

 

[CHRISTOPHER JAMES JOLLAY]

Interesting that PH got 27 minutes despite not being able to get anything going on offense (not that we much needed it). Not saying its good or bad, probably more good than bad, although I would have played Marquis over him against that 3-2 zone.

 

[CHRISTOPHER JAMES JOLLAY]

From the WaPo article, here's what Hewitt said:

Looks like someone is getting some heat, and it's nice to see Hewitt actually accept some of the blame.

I don't think the time out thing was as big a factor as portrayed last night, but its beyond me how we can take the time outs in the second half when we are about to turn the ball over once, but not take them in the midst of a 16-0 South Florida run.

 

[Washingtonian]

Well, a kid did win $200 last night during a media timeout by playing deal or no deal.

 

[gmujim92]

Interesting that PH got 27 minutes despite not being able to get anything going on offense (not that we much needed it). Not saying its good or bad, probably more good than bad, although I would have played Marquis over him against that 3-2 zone.

That zone -- heck, all zones -- exposed our lack of passing ability.

Despite UMass' length, PH should've been able to find time and space for a 3 from one of the corners. But we spend way too much time dribbling against the zone and not enough time passing the ball.

Without a shooter at the FT line and an inability to pick the zone apart with penetration or quick passes, it's no wonder we were completely befuddled.

Maybe Moore would've been able to penetrate the zone and create something. Neither Allen nor Wright got anything going at all against it.

 

[Patriotfan49]

Well, a kid did win $200 last night during a media timeout by playing deal or no deal.

That kid lovedddddddd his 15 seconds of fame haha

 

[GMU_Polevaulter]

The crowds listed at 4000 - it seemed larger being at the game - for a "small crowd" it was very vocal, very supportive and fired up to the bitter end. One of the best crowds I have seen in years as far as getting into the game and making some noise.

As far as closing to win games - the team has gotta hit free throws - do that and you
can still make a few mistakes at the end. Tough loss - best I have seen this team play.

I hope they can start getting some wins....

 

[GMU_Polevaulter]

UMass took PH out of the game they were all over him - GMU would set a screen to pick his man off and someone was picking him up right away - he could not get any space. Like the UMass coaches decided he was the guy to shutdown.

 

[Dawgs99]

That kid lovedddddddd his 15 seconds of fame haha

Pat49, you got your wish with the new intro video last night. Video was nice but I would have liked to see it up on a brand new HD video scoreboard....maybe some day.

 

[Scythe]

Pat49, you got your wish with the new intro video last night. Video was nice but I would have liked to see it up on a brand new HD video scoreboard....maybe some day.

I'm willing to give up the HD video scoreboard for another decade or two if we can replace the speakers with something even remotely close to what was offered in the late 90's

 

[Dawgs99]

Agreed...we gotta have the worst sound system in the League....weird popping noises coming from them all night.

 

[CHRISTOPHER JAMES JOLLAY]

Maybe Moore would've been able to penetrate the zone and create something. Neither Allen nor Wright got anything going at all against it.

That's what I would have hoped. Minor point, though, but we finally scored against it when we attacked the gaps.

I know PH probably isn't getting off any threes against it, though.

Still I think it's good for his development to keep getting minutes in these type games.

 

[Patriotfan49]

Pat49, you got your wish with the new intro video last night. Video was nice but I would have liked to see it up on a brand new HD video scoreboard....maybe some day.

2 for 1 dude! The new announcer was sooo much better than the old. This guy may actually be a professional!

Hopefully it just wasnt because the older one was sick or something. Hope its a permanent change.

 

[mkaufman1]

I did a lot of thinking on the game last night (the 30 minute drive home always feels like 3 hours after a loss like last night). These are the things I thought of, starting off positive:

The guys have now come to play 3 games in a row. They've looked considerably better as a unit since A-10 play started which has given them a chance to win, especially in the last two. I'm proud that the program was able to go toe to toe with the #16 team in the nation, had a game plan and looked confident. It appeared that Hewitt was trying to focus on having a "defense first" team out as much as possible which probably explains why Okoloji got key minutes. Trying something different isn't a bad thing here. Props for those few things.

With that said, I knew how the game was going to end. The team is mentally soft but Hewitt and staff did not put his team in the best position to win. First off, calling the timeout with 3:58 left when the next dead ball was a timeout was costly with how we knew their press was going to eat us alive. That extra timeout probably gives us another chance to execute at the end of the game. Does it matter? Probably not, but its another chance.
Secondly, I can't understand the rotations at the end. While I understand the "defense" first players out, why not have a "hands team" when you are up and they are going to press? Go with 4 guards and ballhandlers. Where was Marko? Even Vaughn Gray? They can handle the ball and break a press. Again, if he pulls this opportunity, it may not change anything but it at least puts the team in position to win.

I had a lot of fun at the game last night, the most fun Ive had since probably the vcu game in 2012. Regardless of the small crowd it seemed like people were very much into it and it was really awesome to host a top 25 team at home. I just can't say enough about late game execution, and coaching decisions that can impact the execution.

Oh and where was Corey Edwards last night? Was he not available?

 

[gmutom]

Despite UMass' length, PH should've been able to find time and space for a 3 from one of the corners. But we spend way too much time dribbling against the zone and not enough time passing the ball.

Patrick is one of my favorite players, but I for the life of me can't figure out why he just stands around on the perimeter. And it's not just our offense play-calling, because I saw Sherrod twice yelling to Patrick to cut through the lane so he could set a screen for him.

It's definitely on the coaches to create more plays for him, but he also can't just stand around for entire possessions because that turns one of our great weapons into an asset for the other team. Patrick's too talented to have the game he has last night, so hopefully he bounces back Saturday.

 

[GMUSSTN]

Patrick is one of my favorite players, but I for the life of me can't figure out why he just stands around on the perimeter. And it's not just our offense play-calling, because I saw Sherrod twice yelling to Patrick to cut through the lane so he could set a screen for him.

It's definitely on the coaches to create more plays for him, but he also can't just stand around for entire possessions because that turns one of our great weapons into an asset for the other team. Patrick's too talented to have the game he has last night, so hopefully he bounces back Saturday.

I think in games when the drive is working, PH will use Holloway to spread the defense and open up the lane. Doesn't explain why they couldn't run screens for him once UMass went zone, but I think a lot of times he's out there to circle the perimeter and drag some defenders around.

At least I hope it is. If this is Hewitt's method of getting open looks for his 3 point ace then we're doomed.

 

[Plink833]

2 for 1 dude! The new announcer was sooo much better than the old. This guy may actually be a professional!

Hopefully it just wasnt because the older one was sick or something. Hope its a permanent change.

Couldn't agree more - I believe a big part of the great atmosphere last night that some are talking about was from the new announcer - great voice! He knew when to get excited and when to not. Didn't shout into the mic trying to be hokie, just that small change - a real, professional announcer who adds to the game atmosphere would make me want to renew my tix - was a completely changed atmosphere, I felt. Kudos to Jay Marsh and his staff for making the change.