So....

[Ramble1885]

was yesterday an off night, or are we going 14-18 again?

discuss...

 

[davesbrain]

Well, last nights victory was THEIR first against a so called power conference team, whose victim had THEIR FIRST victory against a so called power conference team two games prior.

What this means is that gt's "power conference" is so weak, that they still have a chance to better 14-18.

However, the team doesn't display either the talent, focus, discipline, maturity or whatever intangible or tangible factor to BRING IT EVERY GAME, which is what it would take.

 

[awbuzz]

... Not looking good

 

[Northeast Stinger]

I scratch my head trying to figure out what the key is to this team improving. We have several players that show flashes and look like they could be really good and then fall back into mediocrity.

I’m not a coach (uh oh, here we go) but, here’s what I might do with this team. I would have a one on one meeting with two players, separately.

I would meet with George first and tell him I want to see you lead this team. See the court, make passes, involve teammates in the offense. But if you have the shot, take it. Make that decision quickly and without second guessing yourself. If you need to drive to the basket because that’s the best option, do it. Take it to the hole, dish off or pull up for a jumper. Don’t overthink it. Always shoot if that’s the best option. I don’t care if you shoot 10 times and miss, keep making the right play regardless of outcome.

Then I would talk to Terry and I would say, you’re a scorer, your points are going to come. Just don’t start forcing. Let the game come to you. Just stay involved in the offense.

Then I would have a team meeting in which I would be really forceful in emphasizing to Soare and Mutombo that if they don’t get anything else right in a game I want them to rebound and box out. I want second chances on offense and I want the other team to only get one chance. When the other team is around the basket, don’t just play defense, think about where you are going to be when they miss.

This is too long already but I guess my point is that it’s too late in the season already to try to clean up everything all at once and I think the only hope for even being middle of the pack is to get some consistency from just 2 or 3 players. If that happens the team may follow.

 

[SecretAgentBuzz]

Our defensive intensity was up over the last few games and that led to quicker and better offense. In the Syracuse game, it seemed like, the intensity was still there (13 steals) but it just didn’t lead to points. The game was called really differently to previous games (no FT in the first half???) and 1) the team didn’t adjust and 2) they just couldn’t hit a shot. They still stayed in the game until the last few minutes when Starling made a few plays/shots that put Syracuse on top.

It’s a data point in the wrong direction, for sure, but the defensive intensity was still there that will give them the chance to win games. Time will tell whether the offensive efficiency of the last few games was more telling or the horrible, ugly, no good day on offense against Syracuse will be the norm moving forward. Right now, only God knows!

 

[gte447f]

I scratch my head trying to figure out what the key is to this team improving. We have several players that show flashes and look like they could be really good and then fall back into mediocrity.

I’m not a coach (uh oh, here we go) but, here’s what I might do with this team. I would have a one on one meeting with two players, separately.

I would meet with George first and tell him I want to see you lead this team. See the court, make passes, involve teammates in the offense. But if you have the shot, take it. Make that decision quickly and without second guessing yourself. If you need to drive to the basket because that’s the best option, do it. Take it to the hole, dish off or pull up for a jumper. Don’t overthink it. Always shoot if that’s the best option. I don’t care if you shoot 10 times and miss, keep making the right play regardless of outcome.

Then I would talk to Terry and I would say, you’re a scorer, your points are going to come. Just don’t start forcing. Let the game come to you. Just stay involved in the offense.

Then I would have a team meeting in which I would be really forceful in emphasizing to Soare and Mutombo that if they don’t get anything else right in a game I want them to rebound and box out. I want second chances on offense and I want the other team to only get one chance. When the other team is around the basket, don’t just play defense, think about where you are going to be when they miss.

This is too long already but I guess my point is that it’s too late in the season already to try to clean up everything all at once and I think the only hope for even being middle of the pack is to get some consistency from just 2 or 3 players. If that happens the team may follow.

BAM!!! You nailed it. Maybe you should give this coaching thing a try. My son’s 5th grade team could use somebody like you. There’s no pay, and you have to provide your own clipboard, but you can have a snack after every game (unless a parent forgets to sign up to bring snacks), and we will give you a t-shirt at the end of the season.

 

[gte447f]

I scratch my head trying to figure out what the key is to this team improving. We have several players that show flashes and look like they could be really good and then fall back into mediocrity.

I’m not a coach (uh oh, here we go) but, here’s what I might do with this team. I would have a one on one meeting with two players, separately.

I would meet with George first and tell him I want to see you lead this team. See the court, make passes, involve teammates in the offense. But if you have the shot, take it. Make that decision quickly and without second guessing yourself. If you need to drive to the basket because that’s the best option, do it. Take it to the hole, dish off or pull up for a jumper. Don’t overthink it. Always shoot if that’s the best option. I don’t care if you shoot 10 times and miss, keep making the right play regardless of outcome.

Then I would talk to Terry and I would say, you’re a scorer, your points are going to come. Just don’t start forcing. Let the game come to you. Just stay involved in the offense.

Then I would have a team meeting in which I would be really forceful in emphasizing to Soare and Mutombo that if they don’t get anything else right in a game I want them to rebound and box out. I want second chances on offense and I want the other team to only get one chance. When the other team is around the basket, don’t just play defense, think about where you are going to be when they miss.

This is too long already but I guess my point is that it’s too late in the season already to try to clean up everything all at once and I think the only hope for even being middle of the pack is to get some consistency from just 2 or 3 players. If that happens the team may follow.

Seriously, I couldn’t agree more with your thoughts about Nait George in particular.

 

[Connell62]

Our defensive intensity was up over the last few games and that led to quicker and better offense. In the Syracuse game, it seemed like, the intensity was still there (13 steals) but it just didn’t lead to points. The game was called really differently to previous games (no FT in the first half???) and 1) the team didn’t adjust and 2) they just couldn’t hit a shot. They still stayed in the game until the last few minutes when Starling made a few plays/shots that put Syracuse on top.

It’s a data point in the wrong direction, for sure, but the defensive intensity was still there that will give them the chance to win games. Time will tell whether the offensive efficiency of the last few games was more telling or the horrible, ugly, no good day on offense against Syracuse will be the norm moving forward. Right now, only God knows!

We played good enough D last night to win, we just couldn't execute our offense on the road.

Three games prior, we had averaged 87-88 points per game, last night we scored 55. We held them ~ 10 points less than their season average.

Hit free throws and shoot even a decent percentage and this is was a gimme. Like @spdrama mentioned, Cuse tried giving it to us, but we didn't want it enough.

 

[Connell62]

I scratch my head trying to figure out what the key is to this team improving. We have several players that show flashes and look like they could be really good and then fall back into mediocrity.

I’m not a coach (uh oh, here we go) but, here’s what I might do with this team. I would have a one on one meeting with two players, separately.

I would meet with George first and tell him I want to see you lead this team. See the court, make passes, involve teammates in the offense. But if you have the shot, take it. Make that decision quickly and without second guessing yourself. If you need to drive to the basket because that’s the best option, do it. Take it to the hole, dish off or pull up for a jumper. Don’t overthink it. Always shoot if that’s the best option. I don’t care if you shoot 10 times and miss, keep making the right play regardless of outcome.

Then I would talk to Terry and I would say, you’re a scorer, your points are going to come. Just don’t start forcing. Let the game come to you. Just stay involved in the offense.

Then I would have a team meeting in which I would be really forceful in emphasizing to Soare and Mutombo that if they don’t get anything else right in a game I want them to rebound and box out. I want second chances on offense and I want the other team to only get one chance. When the other team is around the basket, don’t just play defense, think about where you are going to be when they miss.

This is too long already but I guess my point is that it’s too late in the season already to try to clean up everything all at once and I think the only hope for even being middle of the pack is to get some consistency from just 2 or 3 players. If that happens the team may follow.

No offense, NE, but you don't think that he has already has those conversations?? He's on record as stating that he has already challenged JM. His words, "we didn't bring you here to fit in, we brought you here to be a difference maker". I trust that he is telling both Nait and Lance exactly what he expects of them.

I don't think that was your point, but you seem to be suggesting that Nait isn't leading (facilitating) to the team, and that Lance isn't aggressive enough? I mean, sure....we have struggled mightily but I don't believe that either of those are the source of our problems. Nait is leading the conference in assist (6.3) and Lance is our best, most dependable overall player.

 

[Tommy_Taylor_1972]

was yesterday an off night, or are we going 14-18 again?

discuss...

Since you invited discussion, my answer is "not likely". I am not one to predict the future on anything, and this team is especially difficult to predict game by game the outcome. With the aid of current data on sports reference.com (SRC), this is my unemotional mythical prediction of the GT record going into the ACC tournament, based on performance thus far of GT and opponents. SRC rates every D1 team with a SRS (Simple Rating System). based on current performance analysis. Georgia Tech's SRS is currently 6.04, the best all year (FYI, Duke is 31.4). My assumption, if nothing changes the second half of the season, is that our regular season record will be 13-18 (7-13 ACC). It is up to the 8 bench coaches plus 6 grad assistants, and, in particular, the 14 players to consistently do things better the second half of the season. Having played at the NCAA D1 level, I have my opinions of how and what to change to maybe get to a winning season, but I will keep to myself, since I am so "ole school" and they may not apply in today's world. Maybe our multi-million dollar staff and 14 talented student athletes can figure it all out and perform at a winning level.

 

[gte447f]

No offense, NE, but you don't think that he has already has those conversations?? He's on record as stating that he has already challenged JM. His words, "we didn't bring you here to fit in, we brought you here to be a difference maker". I trust that he is telling both Nait and Lance exactly what he expects of them.

I don't think that was your point, but you seem to be suggesting that Nait isn't leading (facilitating) to the team, and that Lance isn't aggressive enough? I mean, sure....we have struggled mightily but I don't believe that either of those are the source of our problems. Nait is leading the conference in assist (6.3) and Lance is our best, most dependable overall player.

I agree with you that I am sure CDS is having conversations with his players to let them know what he expects from them. Regarding Nait in particular, I interpreted @Northeast Stinger comments to mean that Nait should actually be looking to score first more often when it’s available and I agree with this. Last night he could have probably had at least 4-6 more points just by taking open midrange shots that the defense was giving him. Instead he sometimes forced a pass to a lower percentage shot by a teammate instead of taking a high percentage shot for himself. I think he is leaning too hard into leading the ACC in assists.

 

[Northeast Stinger]

No offense, NE, but you don't think that he has already has those conversations?? He's on record as stating that he has already challenged JM. His words, "we didn't bring you here to fit in, we brought you here to be a difference maker". I trust that he is telling both Nait and Lance exactly what he expects of them.

I don't think that was your point, but you seem to be suggesting that Nait isn't leading (facilitating) to the team, and that Lance isn't aggressive enough? I mean, sure....we have struggled mightily but I don't believe that either of those are the source of our problems. Nait is leading the conference in assist (6.3) and Lance is our best, most dependable overall player.

Let me restate more directly. Nait is passing too often when he has an open shot. Lance is in danger of pressing too hard to make up for scoring lapses by other players. It’s a nuanced distinction. My overall point is to keep those too playing their correct roles or the team problems cascade rather than getting better.

 

[Northeast Stinger]

BAM!!! You nailed it. Maybe you should give this coaching thing a try. My son’s 5th grade team could use somebody like you. There’s no pay, and you have to provide your own clipboard, but you can have a snack after every game (unless a parent forgets to sign up to bring snacks), and we will give you a t-shirt at the end of the season.

Sounds like my dream job !

 

[Connell62]

I agree with you that I am sure CDS is having conversations with his players to let them know what he expects from them. Regarding Nait in particular, I interpreted @Northeast Stinger comments to mean that Nait should actually be looking to score first more often when it’s available and I agree with this. Last night he could have probably had at least 4-6 more points just by taking open midrange shots that the defense was giving him. Instead he sometimes forced a pass to a lower percentage shot by a teammate instead of taking a high percentage shot for himself. I think he is leaning too hard into leading the ACC in assists.

He took 15 shots last night.

 

[Techwood Relict]

This crossed my mind in the chat yesterday while watching the fiasco that was the Cuse game.

GT Winning %s
CJP .489
CDS .480
CBG .469

Don't let it be said that we are not a consistent program. Now who wants to be a Jackets fan?!?

Go Jackets!!!!

 

[awbuzz]

Believe that Nait took more mid-range jumpers than his norm last night, maybe not. I think he needs to be doing that more often, which marries into. Take the shot if you're open or open enough.

 

[spdrama]

No offense, NE, but you don't think that he has already has those conversations?? He's on record as stating that he has already challenged JM. His words, "we didn't bring you here to fit in, we brought you here to be a difference maker". I trust that he is telling both Nait and Lance exactly what he expects of them.

I don't think that was your point, but you seem to be suggesting that Nait isn't leading (facilitating) to the team, and that Lance isn't aggressive enough? I mean, sure....we have struggled mightily but I don't believe that either of those are the source of our problems. Nait is leading the conference in assist (6.3) and Lance is our best, most dependable overall player.

Agree, neither Nait nor Lance are a source of of our problems. McCollum had a bad night, needed time to fit in & had to rehab a disabling injury. Overall he’s a source of recent success v ND & BC, not the source of problems. Consecutive/multiple injuries & freshman big man prospect departure still remain a major source. But for me the bigger one is a puzzle that no one seems able to solve. We had a freshman sensation last year who was almost lost to the NBA as a one and done. The relief we all felt when he announced his return was palpable. Our collective expectations for a better year than last, whether it be post-season play or simply a better record, had to include an elite defensive big & sure-handed, offensive dynamo who dominates at or anywhere near the rim. Where did that player disappear to? Solve this puzzle and the season is still salvaged. Don’t tell me he’s at the top of anyone’s scouting report. That ain’t a thing anymore.

 

[gte447f]

He took 15 shots last night.

1-7 14% 3P
5-8 63% 2P

He was money on the midrange jumpers last night and he passed up several that he should have taken.

 

[Ramble1885]

This crossed my mind in the chat yesterday while watching the fiasco that was the Cuse game.

GT Winning %s
CJP .489
CDS .480
CBG .469

Don't let it be said that we are not a consistent program. Now who wants to be a Jackets fan?!?

Go Jackets!!!!

Since my birth I have witnessed:

Three tournament appearances: (2007, 2010, 2021)
One tournament win: (2010)
Two NIT appearances: (2016, 2017)
One conference title: (2021)

BUT HEY AT LEAST WE AREN'T DEPAUL

 

[GT33]

I’m thinking we needed THAT game. I think we go 9-11 in conference., that’s 7-8 down the stretch. We completely stunk it up and did not get blown out on the road. To me that’s a positive.

Next year mark me down for no lower than a 10 seed in the tourney. We go 12-8 or 13-7 in conference. This game will have been the turning point.