goose
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Posts: 4
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Post by goose on Nov 30, 2013 14:27:27 GMT -6
Never been one for these message boards but with the talent we have this year I felt that I needed to get in on the discussion. Without a doubt last night GB was more talented than Harvard, which is great to know when looking at the Mid Major poll because I feel GB can play with any of those teams aside from the top 2. However, it's unsettling to me that we keep referring to these games as great building blocks. At some point we need to make a statement and get a quality W, we've had two opportunities this year and came up short both times. We will have one shot left against Virginia to put a quality win on our resume. I think this team needs to be held to a higher standard than the GB teams of the past because of how much talent is really there. For anyone watching last night it's obvious that GB struggles against zones. We're a very streaky shooting team, especially from 3, and we still have not found anyone to stretch the floor for us on offense from beyond the arc. I love Fouse's motor but it kills me to see his lack of offensive production, also, I think Garret has been solid off the bench but too many times it's like he has a set of blinders on and just goes straight to the hoop to force a tough shot. Discipline is big for this team and I hope BW can figure out how to handle all these guys trying to get up shots. Lastly, I think the "commentator" said it best, AB is like a 6'5 wing in a 7'1 body. Can BW get him to bang down low with the big guys? He is out ticket to success, Sykes has been superb but he would be even more spectacular with a big man who plays in the post. We need a force down low and I would really like to see it be AB. Hopefully McKinnie will bring some toughness with his return. It's fun to watch them beat up on NMU and UMD but those wins mean nothing when people look at our schedule.
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Post by GBPhoenix1 on Nov 30, 2013 15:19:16 GMT -6
I thought Pepperdine made a lot of tough shots to keep the game closer than it was. I was concerned that the defense and rebounding which is the calling card of the team was absent other than the big run in the second half.
I thought Harvard had a good offensive flow, they really moved the ball well. Plus GB lost a few guys on defense to give up easy buckets. I was really disappointed that Harvard crushed GB on the glass.
I agree that these games matter and winning should be the expectation of fans. I am disappointed to be watching the 3rd place game tonight. Winning now shows that they are ready to do big things. Good teams know how to win, the last 2 to 3 years should have been about learning to win.
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Post by stillaphoenixphan on Nov 30, 2013 23:18:07 GMT -6
GB beats Tulsa 67-59. Very close game untill the last min. AB fouled out with 45 seconds. T Botz hit big 3 pointer and KS was 6-6 in the last min. Both teams must have been tired FT% was in low 30's. Big boost from FT's KS was big again at the end. All 10 players played some minutes for GB.
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Post by Nix on Nov 30, 2013 23:25:55 GMT -6
Listened to the game, will have to watch the broadcast tomorrow on DVR, not planning on staying up. But it sounded like a good game. 3 great games that can have a lot taken away from and given a lot of experience to for the rest of the season. WOuld have liked to have Al McKinnie, but with as well as we did without him, it's going to be even better when he starts getting involved.
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Post by fansincebuss on Nov 30, 2013 23:52:51 GMT -6
The team showed a lot of heart tonight! They need to find a way to get Botz some minutes every game.
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Post by stillaphoenixphan on Dec 1, 2013 9:02:31 GMT -6
The team showed a lot of heart tonight! They need to find a way to get Botz some minutes every game. That was my thought too. He looked a little lost in the 3 minutes he played against Harvard. But that's from lack of playing time. Also Josh got way to many minutes on the series in Alaska. His shot doesn't seem any better this year and that's what he had to improve for playing time. Botz 12 min. 3 pts and 6 rebounds, more production than many others who played more. GBPG's take on the game. They're much better writer's than I am lol. When I joined I said writings not my thing but I would try. www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20131130/GPG020101/311300218/Men-s-basketball-Sykes-surpasses-1-000-career-points-Phoenix-tops-Tulsa
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Post by thetulsawarrior on Dec 1, 2013 9:45:13 GMT -6
Harvard took the tournament title with an easy 21 point win over TCU. GB gave the Crimson a tougher game. I think the last minute cancellation of that tournament in Atlanta really screwed the Nix early season development. A few more games under the belt and GB would have had time to get the new players like Botz into the mix. Remember Tommy Amaker is a veteran coach who has Harvard going to the NCAA Tournament on a regular basis. The Nix gave Harvard all they could handle and more. Over all the GAS Tournament was a good learning tool for GB. So far this team has shown a lot of fight.
NBA executive Tony Barone was on hand to see the Alaska games and spend some time with his son, Nix assistant Brian. I'm betting the feedback Tony gives will be a big plus. The elder Barone was a blue collar D1 coach in his time.
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Post by thetulsawarrior on Dec 1, 2013 11:30:59 GMT -6
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goose
New Member
Posts: 4
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Post by goose on Dec 1, 2013 11:41:46 GMT -6
Happy that I decided to tape this game to be able to see it all this morning. Saw a bit more of an edge to AB and great work down low, refs continue to call him for very soft fouls and I don't know hat that's about. Foul trouble however continues to be an issue for multiple guys, but I guess that's what tends to happen when you're the best shot blocking team in the nation. I liked that BW got a mix of guys going in this game, I think this tactic would've been better suited for the Pepperdine game to have kept guys fresh for Harvard, however I think he learned a lot about guys like Botz and Humphrey. I really feel that the Phoenix need to get the next one, it would be a huge confidence booster and a great addition to our resume.
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Post by shooting the J on Dec 1, 2013 21:42:57 GMT -6
BW spoke several times in Alaska about the team need to just try to hit singles instead of always going for the home run. It hurts the team at times that everyone on the floor is trying to be a playmaker. To avoid that, Humphrey has been given a shot at being the glue guy, and then Botz. Humphrey is the better ballhandler and passer, but Botz is a serious shooter and a little better rebounder. Neither has that quick of feet defensively, but both seem to have a decent understanding of the concepts and both are tough. Botz ability to shoot will likely earn home a bigger role, as he could also fit as a zone buster. Lamin Fulton was given a shot, but failed to seize the moment. He just isn't the shooter he thinks he is, and his lack of length hurts him defensvely.
One of the most surprising things to me this year is Greg Mays development as a passer. He is outstanding at throwing the lob, and has a pretty good understanding of where teammates are when he drives to the hole. His ability to pass makes it easier to put Botz on the floor.
I still can't wait to see Alfonzo McKinnie.
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Post by GBPhoenix1 on Dec 2, 2013 8:55:16 GMT -6
I agree that Botz should play more than Fulton. Botz has a better stroke and he seems to have a nose for the ball. Fulton strikes me as a lightning in a bottle type, at some point I am sure he will get hot and go off for a game but I don't see him doing it each game.
Josh isn't nearly the rebounder that Fouse is or Botz for that matter. However, I didn't mind him playing a role similar to Fouse on defense as he does get his hands on a lot of balls. In short stints I am comfortable with giving Fouse a break.
As for the Tulsa game, it was hard to watch. So many sloppy plays both ways. In the end I think it came down to GB having more experience and desire to win the game. Tulsa didn't strike me as well coached and the guys they were playing didn't seem experienced enough to pull it out just on their athletic ability.
I also want to give some credit to Alec Brown in these games. While his offense is all over the board I thought he did a great job using his length to play post defense. Not just blocking shots but denying the post entry pass and making it difficult for some of these guys to operate. Mondu-Missi killed Denver in the post and yet he didn't do much against GB, I give Alec a lot of credit for that. Also, I did notice that when Alec didn't get a double team in the post on offense he looked to score or create a score for his team everytime. I am not saying it always worked out but he was trying to operate with his back to the hoop more than he is given credit for.
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Post by GBPhoenix1 on Dec 3, 2013 8:10:39 GMT -6
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