Game 20: AT University of Dayton, Wednesday, January 23rd, 7 PM, ESPN+

[mkaufman1]

I probably pay 2 times the amount you do to support the program man. you call out people for their avatar's and now you call out people for stating the obvious that Reuter is a minus defender?!? slow day at work?

Come on man - this is not a good take. Reuter comes out and hedges and recovers quick off screens. He forces the offense out all while getting back into position and directing the team where to go.

He’s probably not the best defender one on one, but he certainly holds serve and shows a lot of improvement over the course of the season. He wasn’t a sieve last night, he merely wasn’t getting the rotation behind him to help. To say he’s a minus defender or a sieve is a bit extreme considering what he does as an anchor at the 5.

I know it’s fun to rag on him because we all thought we were getting a superstar, but I’ll gladly take what he’s doing well and continuing to improve. And let’s not forget he’s been helping the offense too. He scored a lot of big buckets last night. He’s not the most graceful player or polished, but I’ll gladly take what he’s doing at this point.

We can continue our debate at brions grille at homecoming

 

[Washingtonian]

To me it looks like Reuter plays his best basketball later in games and normally comes out a little off - not sure why or if I'm just imaging it. He didn't seem to be closing off as well early vs Dayton as he did vs Fordham, but by the 2nd half it seemed better.

Our big guys going 4-4 from the line was huge.

To me, the story of the game was Dayton coming out with a great game plan, Paulsen adjusting, and Grant didn't have an answer. I didn't think Grant was a great X's and O's guy at vcu and built his resume on great recruiting and better talent. I was worried when Dayton grabbed him and thought that he probably improved, but it doesn't seem he has. I'll take Paulsen any day of the week over Grant... don't know if I would have said that a few years ago.

Not saying Paulsen is a god or anything, just that he's better than Grant.

It seems within the first minute or two of every game, Rueter gets a turnover, and then it is much later in the game for the next one. Last night as no exception.

 

[GSII]

C'mon guys, leave Kathy alone.

 

[99 Patriot]

As a team we have not played defense at this level in at least 8 years. Especially with a rather undersized team you don't hold this many teams to less than 70 points a game without everyone doing their part, including our bigs.

I've always found it interesting that Paulsen's scheme on opponent's free throws is for our two bigs down low to focus on boxing out while the wings are the ones tasked with grabbing the rebound. It's a small thing, but probably results in 1 or 2 more rebounds a game for Justin or Javon and 1 or 2 less for Reuter or Boyd.

 

[sleeperpick]

Come on man - this is not a good take. Reuter comes out and hedges and recovers quick off screens. He forces the defense out all while getting back into position and directing the team where to go.

He’s probably not the best defender one on one, but he certainly holds serve and shows a lot of improvement over the course of the season. He wasn’t a sieve last night, he merely wasn’t getting the rotation behind him to help. To say he’s a minus defender or a sieve is a bit extreme considering what he does as an anchor at the 5.

I know it’s fun to rag on him because we all thought we were getting a superstar, but I’ll gladly take what he’s doing well and continuing to improve. And let’s not forget he’s been helping the offense too. He scored a lot of big buckets last night. He’s not the most graceful player or polished, but I’ll gladly take what he’s doing at this point.

We can continue our debate at brions grille at homecoming

Matt, it is one damn game..

Did we forget Penn where they had a guard drive at will with uncontested layups right at where Reuter was supposed to be helping?
Did we forget American where Reuter and Mar were dogged underneath by a smaller team?
Did we forget the Cincy game where they only made 3, 3 pointers and scored at will in the lane?
I know we didn't forget Vermont when Paulsen finally took Reuter out of the game because he was giving up such easy layups

He hedges well and is extremely talkative about rotations. That does not make him a plus defender...

 

[mkaufman1]

Matt, it is one damn game..

Did we forget Penn where they had a guard drive at will with uncontested layups right at where Reuter was supposed to be helping?
Did we forget American where Reuter and Mar were dogged underneath by a smaller team?
Did we forget the Cincy game where they only made 3, 3 pointers and scored at will in the lane?
I know we didn't forget Vermont when Paulsen finally took Reuter out of the game because he was giving up such easy layups

He hedges well and is extremely talkative about rotations. That does not make him a plus defender...

I never said he was a plus defender. I said calling him a minus defender or a sieve was extreme. And sure he wasn’t great those games, but who was? Why are we even talking about those games when we merely are talking about last nights game? I also said he isn’t the best one on one but he’s improved.

Don’t pivot the argument man. Let’s enjoy the win and what he contributes to the team on the court for what it’s worth.

 

[sleeperpick]

I never said he was a plus defender. I said calling him a minus defender or a sieve was extreme. And sure he wasn’t great those games, but who was? Why are we even talking about those games when we merely are talking about last nights game? I also said he isn’t the best one on one but he’s improved.

Don’t pivot the argument man. Let’s enjoy the win and what he contributes to the team on the court for what it’s worth.

I am not pivoting anything.. One game does not change how he has played defense the entire season...

Kam Murrell had a really good offensive game one time 3 years ago... Doesn't change the fact that he sucked the other 20 games he played in....

 

[Pikapppatri8]

I never said he was a plus defender. I said calling him a minus defender or a sieve was extreme. And sure he wasn’t great those games, but who was? Why are we even talking about those games when we merely are talking about last nights game? I also said he isn’t the best one on one but he’s improved.

Don’t pivot the argument man. Let’s enjoy the win and what he contributes to the team on the court for what it’s worth.

Its also a mistake to compare his early season performance to now. There HAS been demonstrable improvement based mostly on Paulsen using him more effectively in an updated game plan.

Reuter has played quite well in the past few games and he is positioned to take best advantage of his skills and strengths (thank Coach P).

My God - we have the best conference start in our A-10 tenure and have been getting better each game and we still find ways to be negative.

I swear Sleeper -- you would complain about the lighting during a threesome between you, this year's Miss Universe, and last years Miss Universe.

 

[Petey Buckets]

This debate about whether or not Reuter is a good defender got me thinking: Hilary Swank - hot or not?

 

[mkaufman1]

I am not pivoting anything.. One game does not change how he has played defense the entire season...

Kam Murrell had a really good offensive game one time 3 years ago... Doesn't change the fact that he sucked the other 20 games he played in....

I mean he’s played the similar way for the last month plus like the whole team has. But let’s focus on when he sucked vs how he’s improved and played lately. He hasn’t been great all season, you’re right. But he’s been much better and improved including last night. You should give him that.

 

[Pikapppatri8]

I mean he’s played the similar way for the last month plus like the whole team has. But let’s focus on when he sucked vs how he’s improved and played lately. He hasn’t been great all season, you’re right. But he’s been much better and improved including last night. You should give him that.

Key word -- IMPROVING

 

[Quentin Daniels]

listen man you can tag me next time.

No need. You're self-owning so well already.

 

[sleeperpick]

I mean he’s played the similar way for the last month plus like the whole team has. But let’s focus on when he sucked vs how he’s improved and played lately. He hasn’t been great all season, you’re right. But he’s been much better and improved including last night. You should give him that.

Fordham game was a week ago when he didn't jump for a rebound at the end of the game that Boyd pulled down or when he jumped (if you can call it that) for a rebound too early and Kier skied over Reuter's man for the rebound. But it is what it is.. Being objective can be tough and we all have our own feelings on what equates to good. I am very thankful to have this conversation with a W over Dayton rather than if Coach Grant just kept feeding Toppin and Cunningham like he should have

good convo Matt.

 

[dr. gunnie]

Btw - those games you speak of... Penn... American... they never happened. It’s fake news. You can’t convince me otherwise.

 

[gmutom]

Reuter will never be the player we were promised, so I've wiped the expectation slate clean and try to judge him based on what he is. He's a big body who keeps the ball moving on offense, sets screens, finds the open man and can chip in with some points.

That said, just once I'd love for him to knock a driving opponent on their a** just to make his presence known. We might give up two FTs, but I guarantee the guy will think twice about going at Jared again.

 

[Leesburg Chankenstank III]

From the UD boards.

1. Demonstrated great defensive team discipline at the end:

A shot at Reuter. I think when Reuter produces against anyone, they are more offended than usual because someone that looks so unathletic should not be the reason you lose, LOL

Here's the specific link. It's not the game thread:

http://udpride.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32784

 

[Quentin Daniels]

Reuter will never be the player we were promised, so I've wiped the expectation slate clean and try to judge him based on what he is.

We've both followed this program for a while.

Can you recall any player averaging 8.2 pts & 4.1 bds per game that is not a disciplinary issue, isn't a locker room distraction or shows poor attitude, and seems to give a good effort and improvement over the course of the season that has attracted this much anger?

 

[Quentin Daniels]

From the UD boards.

Here's the specific link. It's not the game thread:

http://udpride.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32784

Please enjoy this dramatic reenactment of me reading the UD boards this morning.

 

[Pikapppatri8]

This is a great quote from that Dayton thread:

It was...the game was lost much earlier than the last few possessions... no one mentions something that GMU did and UD didn't do all night.

HEDGE A SCREEN

GMU hedged all screens, which puts teams into a position to not get good looks in a flow. Therefore, shooters end up shooting 3 balls elsewhere in the offense. That contributed to poor perimeter shooting and we failed to get the ball on the roll on the hedge.

UD on the other hand, doesn't hedge anything. The guard trails through the pick and the post flattens guarding the cutter. Unfortunately in this case, it negates any defensive intensity and we are always on our heels.

People want to mention FT's. 5-9 from the line didn't lose the game...the simple fact we only shot 9 FT's is more telling. Refusal to attack and draw fouls.

 

[Leesburg Chankenstank III]

Please enjoy this dramatic reenactment of me reading the UD boards this morning.

Some more to quench your thirst, LOL!!

http://udpride.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32785