Holy Cross – Game 27 (PL's 14th)

[pafan11Participant]

Stabler I don’t disagree with what you are saying about SC and letting it fly from deep if he can, or his limitations at creating his own shot. However, you can’t say that MS is underutilized then argue that coaches evaluate SC everyday in practice which is why he is used the way he is used and if he proves them wrong we can bash the coaches. Same argument then must be made for MS. Coaches must not have faith in him on the floor for extended minutes based on what they see at practice. We do have to recognize that there are many things we can only speculate on and coaches have their reasons for things that we will never understand . If it was only about numbers and performance JG could make a serious argument that he was underutilized for a long stretch this season.

[StablerBumParticipant]

Stabler I don’t disagree with what you are saying about SC and letting it fly from deep if he can, or his limitations at creating his own shot. However, you can’t say that MS is underutilized then argue that coaches evaluate SC everyday in practice which is why he is used the way he is used and if he proves them wrong we can bash the coaches. Same argument then must be made for MS. Coaches must not have faith in him on the floor for extended minutes based on what they see at practice. We do have to recognize that there are many things we can only speculate on and coaches have their reasons for things that we will never understand . If it was only about numbers and performance JG could make a serious argument that he was underutilized for a long stretch this season.

All true PAfan. That was a hypocritical comment on my part. To say it in a better way, I (personally) think that SC has gotten fair opportunities since about 1/3 of the way through the season. I don’t expect everyone to agree with me on that, but I don’t think a game in which he plays 23 minutes and scores 3 points is the time to say he isn’t getting enough opportunities. And Naim, sincere apologies if I came on too strong and made you not want to participate. That was not my intention, and I am a firm believer in a “more the merrier” philosophy on the board!

Miles I don’t feel like has gotten as fair a chance. I think the primary reason for that is that the coaches think they need MM on the floor pretty much the whole game. I could be wrong, but I think a few more minutes for MS and a few less for MM would benefit them both.

[lfnadminKeymaster]

This talk about not having the right 3-point shooter misses THE point of this loss, which is Burrell is an ice-cold game killer and in the last minute he took the ball, made a huge clutch shot, and nailed six straight free throws.

Until some kid steps up for Lehigh and becomes that ice-cold game killer the Hawks will not make a PL tournament run.

Even in our best wins this team has fallen behind and relied on making incredible shots just to force overtime – and relying on the other team making mistakes. Burrell didn’t allow that to happen. That’s what Lehigh needs to learn how to do.

[toddcuddParticipant]

I totally agree with your assessment of Burrell’s finish. The ironic thing is, that sounds exactly like what MM has done in most of our wins and the nail-biter losses. I’d argue that we need a second option.
TK’s arsenal of moves in the post is really nice. However, he does seem to get stuck when the chips are down, often. And I think that’s a problem with the offensive scheme. His side of the floor gets completely cleared in those situations, leaving him with no easy kick-out on his side. We need to figure out some motion and cuts when he gets doubled down deep. Somebody should be open, in a good position. But if that guy is in the far corner, it doesn’t do us any good. We should be getting some easy buckets from cutters, and trips to the free-throw line.
I’m hopeful that an off-season to work on some new twists to the offense, and more time playing together, will make a big difference. We’re really in new territory for LU offense, I think. I can’t remember a time when our first option was the big man down deep, and creating from there. And I believe that will be our world for the next few years.

[vanParticipant]

I think Todd has it nailed, the offensive sets are really stale and giving TK few opportunities to make an assist, there are way too many long droughts where we don’t make a basket, teams know that if they play tough D against us we can’t score

on the positive side, some of the lame D we saw early in the season has tightened up

[toddcuddParticipant]

Well, if things are looking too grim, we can try to add some spice. I’ll run a pool for the remaining games: rank our stats for each upcoming game – FG made, turnovers, and PFs. Get the order right, win the “LSF Crown” or something…

[RichHParticipant]

Just the thing. Thks todd. Will be fun IMO.

[sundayamqbParticipant]

Interesting discussion on the guard play.

I watched the last 15 minutes the other day.

To me, CS is one of the best outside shooters on this team. I saw two or three occasions when he looked open, but the ball was passed elsewhere — like one time when he was wide open for a three but MM, I think, passed to JC for a 3, and it missed.

Is it me — and I’ve not studied this — or is CS not getting the ball enough outside?

All that said, offensive rebounding has been shaky all year.

[gohawks63Participant]

I agree with sundayamqb; Corey Schaeffer has been consistent and effective all season. But, for the most part, he has to find his looks within the flow of the offense. It seems to me that within the scope of one of our 5-10 minute droughts they could run a play for the guy.

If I were looking for a drought-killer, I would go to CS nearly every time ..

[LU65Participant]

Those that know me were probably wondering how long it would take for me to chime in on my favorite Mountain Hawk, Corey Schaefer. Not long!

CS is without a doubt the headiest player on the team and the finest pure shooter on the team, as well –an observation supported by not only his stats (see below) but by the comments of two former players from last year’s squad. Corey, if “on” will look for his shoot and if “not feeling it” will pass it up to find the open man. There may have been no better example than his work in the last game against Holy Cross when he dished out four beautiful assists. Don’t you wish others in his position would do the same? In AP’s last game, he missed badly on 2 of his first three attempts (all in the first 2 ½ minutes of playing time), but proceeded to chuck it up another 7 times to hit just once. Or, how about Mackey’s 1 for 11 vs. HC, his 1 for 8 vs. LC, or his 1 for 6 vs Loyola. He didn’t look comfortable but it didn’t deter him. Hey, it’s just my opinion.

FG%
CS .451
SC .410
MM .407
AP .386
DC .375
MS .365

[TMHParticipant]

LU65,
I looked for you at the game on Saturday but couldn’t find you.If you had made this post anytime but now, I would have been in total agreement but CS is a real funk right now and it’s hurting the team.
Army 5 pts on 2 of 7 0 asts 1 st 2TO
Loyola 5 pts on 1 of 6 1 assist 2 steals 0 T/O
American 2 points on 1 of 3 0 assists 0 steals 2 T/O
Holy Cross 2 points on 1 of 3 4 assists 0 steals 1 T/O

What really got to me though was at a crucial part of the game, he led a 3 on 1 and while I was yelling to look to his right, he decided to go behind his back to the left and turned it over. The very next possession, he leads a 2 on 1. Again instead of passing it off to the right he takes it straight down the middle and gets stuffed. Coach then took him out.
This is uncharacteristic for CS and perhaps he is playing hurt. He was the last one out of the locker room I believe for warm ups. For whatever reason, coach has noticed too, his minutes have been reduced from the mid 30s to the mid 20s in the last 2 games.

[LU65Participant]

TMH, sorry I missed the last game. Family conflict. Anyway, you’re right to point out CS’ recent funk going 6 for 19 (.263). Imagine how much higher his present .451 average would have been without the recent funk. Ha. Anyway, here is hoping he snaps out of it and leads the team to a strong finish.

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