Dayton 11/11 7:00 ESPN+

[leeraymond372@gmail.com]

Although UC has looked good and bad this year, it has held teams to .349 shooting over three games. UC has also held teams to .23 shooting from the three-point line. UC is shooting .469 and .33 from three. UC is outrebounding teams by just 4.5 / game. UC is making 20 free throws / game. Its opponents make about 14.6 free throws / game.

If someone were to look at those numbers, they would think all is well in basketball land. "Not so fast my friend" as Lee Corso would say. Dayton got off 17 more shots than UC last night. Imagine what the outcome would have been had Dayton hit some of those shots. Also, after last night's game, UC has now turned the ball over 18.3 times a game. Damn! I have been watching UC basketball for over 20 years and have never seen a UC team turn the ball over that much; ever.

I have seen Louisville multiple times. I have seen Iowa State, Kansas, Arizona, and Oklahoma State (by the way, Oklahoma State is a completely different team this year. They destroyed Texas AM by over 20 points last weekend. Do not expect OSU to be the doormats of the league this year). As it now stands, if UC had to play any of those teams, UC would probably lose to all of them.

UC has one more tune-up game to work the kinks out. I am not sure if playing fast is what is needed for UC right now because it has a hard time controlling the ball. Think about this; UC has turned the ball over 14 or more times in all of its games, even the preseason games (I am not sure about the U of M game because the stats are not complete). Also, what happens to the offense when teams stop UC from running up and down the floor. Playing fast is not a real game plan. It is just a way of playing. Where will the offensive strategy come from when more defensive minded teams lock UC down? What will UC do in the half court (where most basketball is played)?

No need to panic after just 3 games. The game against Louisville will really tell us what UC has this year. However, UC must first get through Mount St. Mary's. Let's not overlook them.

[sedz]

Your stats said thiam was second best due to 4 blocks. I saw more than 4 times were he was beat on the inside for layups and dunks. I appreciate you doing this, but once again stats don't capture so many things.

So who do you have above Thiam? Kriisa, Miller, and Abaev each had 3 or more turnovers. Harris was 1 for 6 from the field. McKinley had 4 fouls in 13 minutes. Celestine had a decent game. "Second best" doesn't mean "perfect". It just means he outperformed everyone but Day Day. Thiam had just one foul and zero turnovers in 25 minutes on a night when we had 24 turnovers and 25 fouls.

[DesertFog]

24 turnovers! Why so many mistakes? CWM wants to hurry up. I think they should slow down. Sure, get the rebound, fast break and get an open shot if possible, but if not carefully work the ball around for awhile until a decent shot is available. Above all, do not give the ball away. You can't score if you don't have the ball. Giving the opponent 24 more chances to score is a recipe for disaster. Most mistakes in life seem to me to occur when people are in a hurry. Maybe hurrying too much when playing basketball leads to the mistake called a turnover.

[Oldtimer_UC_fan]

I think I remember that UC doesn’t practice free
throws ? Miller believes it doesn’t help ?

Thus, the lousy free throw shooting. No excuse for players not practicing on their own. It doesn't take long to shoot at least 100 a day....should be more. Plus, if they have poor form, that should be corrected too. Some of these guys just sling it up there....no touch or feel.

[leo from jersey]

So who do you have above Thiam? Kriisa, Miller, and Abaev each had 3 or more turnovers. Harris was 1 for 6 from the field. McKinley had 4 fouls in 13 minutes. Celestine had a decent game. "Second best" doesn't mean "perfect". It just means he outperformed everyone but Day Day. Thiam had just one foul and zero turnovers in 25 minutes on a night when we had 24 turnovers and 25 fouls.

I had Tyler as he played better defense and CWM trusted him over Thiam in crunch time although Thiam went in once for offense.. He also was1-4 from the line and zero tos because he didn't really handle the ball. Abev did score when needed. Outside of Thomas most didn't really have anything to brag on. Spurts yes, but spurts often show a lack of intensity. I surely hope CWM gets through to them. BTW Thiam putrid interior defense or should I say his being a spectator kept UD as close as they got. The lane was wide open as he reacted way to late- He lacks anticipation so far. CWM needs to get through to him. So while he had some stats I think a few others even with their boneheaded play, played better. BaBA, Abev and Tyler.

[Rufus]

Leo, you ( and I ) are telling our age by referring to layups as Bunnies 😄👌"What are they doing out there besides standing around and watching the opponents blow by them on defense yet brag" I got 4 blocks", but gave up 34 to a bad shooting team that only scored due to easy access to the basket for a bunny."

Bearcatrunner made an observation that hasn't been stated enough too in that Miller always emphasizes defense but very seldom uses a press or mixes up defenses to throw opponents off guard. When Dayton put on the press in the first half it could have detailed the Bearcats. The only reason it didn't is because Dayton was so cold in shooting.

[leo from jersey]

I wonder if Thiam just gets tired too quickly. He stands around, gets yanked and when he returns his blocks came. Then a repeat of the former.

[Oldtimer_UC_fan]

Leo, you ( and I ) are telling our age by referring to layups as Bunnies 😄👌"What are they doing out there besides standing around and watching the opponents blow by them on defense yet brag" I got 4 blocks", but gave up 34 to a bad shooting team that only scored due to easy access to the basket for a bunny."

Bearcatrunner made an observation that hasn't been stated enough too in that Miller always emphasizes defense but very seldom uses a press or mixes up defenses to throw opponents off guard. When Dayton put on the press in the first half it could have detailed the Bearcats. The only reason it didn't is because Dayton was so cold in shooting.

I don't know your ages, but include me in that category as well. LOL

[bearcatbret]

I don't know your ages, but include me in that category as well. LOL

When I played basketball starting over 50 years ago, the emphasis was on being able to make left-handed and right-handed layups at equal grace. I have not seen a right-handed player make a left-handed layup in the past 20 years.

[Oldtimer_UC_fan]

When I played basketball starting over 50 years ago, the emphasis was on being able to make left-handed and right-handed layups at equal grace. I have not seen a right-handed player make a left-handed layup in the past 20 years.

Or learn to dribble without palming, or not travel like they do constantly, such as their step back 3's.

[leo from jersey]

Or learn to dribble without palming, or not travel like they do constantly, such as their step back 3's.

or dribble without looking down but seeing the floor. Or put a body on someone as nobody is permitted in the lane. Now it is make an uncontested dunk, move to the cameras and beat your chest as though you actually played BB even with your team down 20. Learn some good footwork/positioning and how to make a foul shot; then you will have something to mug about.

In the words of the greatest Bearcat:
You don't cut anywhere, don't pick down anywhere, don't double screen, no weak side picking. All these things that should happen in a game of basketball don't happen anymore.
Oscar

[leo from jersey]

When I played basketball starting over 50 years ago, the emphasis was on being able to make left-handed and right-handed layups at equal grace. I have not seen a right-handed player make a left-handed layup in the past 20 years.

the last two years I have not seen many of the Cats make any handed lay up. Well they are not here now.

[leo from jersey]

From one who was a star due to developing his god given talent.

"Now, I guess, people want stars. People are trying to invent stars."

The Big O

[leo from jersey]

Talk about being casual
Keegan Knickoson reported this:

Miller says there were a ton of casual and careless turnovers, which he didn't care for.

DIDN"T care for. CWM you must not tolerate them. You must show the players how lousy it is and do something. Do it immediately.

[SKell82155]

I for one was not crazy with the plethora of no look passes.
There’a a time & place for them, but not everytime down
the court !