IUBB vs Minnesota - Monday, 12.09.24 @ 6:30 on BTN

[HoosierAloha 30,068]

Some things to like in this one but still too many lapses of WTF are they doing. Our wild alley oops didn't seem to find their way into the basket tonight which was 3 turnovers. It's a different story if pressure is forcing some turnovers vs us just completing going brain dead for stretches. We go through stretches where we lock opponents down and then give up wide open shots. It's rather baffling but it's to be expected after watching this many Woody games

[Golfman25 5,337]

We did what we are supposed to -- beat a bid conference opponent.  On the the next one, where we haven't won the last three tries - both home, away and neutral.  

[IU_FanClub 1,667]

Thought that effort and intensity level was pretty darn good tonight

[yogisballin 2,328]

I liked our effort tonight. Still need to shoot more 3’s. And TO’s were better, but still need to clean it up. Effort is promising though. Let’s build off this and go get Nebraska. We need that game

[yogisballin 2,328]

Don’t get me wrong, I love Malik but his defense is beyond atrocious! 

[Loaded Chicken Sandwich 8,672]

Lots to work on so we don't get ran off the court Friday. 15 point win over a very bad team is a good.

[HoosierCoop 3,927]

This is probably one of the first games that I was really pleased with Ballo's play.

His FT shooting impressed me tonight.  You can tell he has focused on technique and repetition.  Teams that want to hack-a-shaq will pay the price if he keeps that percentage high.

I thought his all around game was good.

Rice and Galloway are in a funk for some reason.

[ronzo4IU 118]

10 hours ago, yogisballin said:

Don’t get me wrong, I love Malik but his defense is beyond atrocious! 

I think that in part has to do with the fact that he usually gets called for so many ticky tack fouls.  He may be over compensating to some extent, but I don’t think it’s lack of effort.

[HoosierHoopster 6,963]

1 hour ago, HoosierCoop said:

This is probably one of the first games that I was really pleased with Ballo's play.

His FT shooting impressed me tonight.  You can tell he has focused on technique and repetition.  Teams that want to hack-a-shaq will pay the price if he keeps that percentage high.

I thought his all around game was good.

Rice and Galloway are in a funk for some reason.

Yeah both Rice and Gallo are due for a return-to-form game. Hope it's against Neb., we're going to need them.

[HoosierAloha 30,068]

People were please with the effort...? That's a take

 

[Stuhoo 80,578]

If I'm this coaching staff I have no freaking idea what to do with Mgbako and to a lesser extent, Reneau.

Last night I saw Mgbako diving on the floor, rebounding in traffic, and in stance and working hard on ball on the defensive end. Yet he was still horrendous defensively. His recognition and rotation awareness is just awful after about 1.5 years as a starter. Malik is better at defensive awareness, but not great either. 

What does a team do with a guy that is an NBA level scorer but can't react well on defense no matter how hard he works at it? Sometimes the biggest problems exist because there is no readily apparent solution.

[Golfman25 5,337]

16 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

If I'm this coaching staff I have no freaking idea what to do with Mgbako and to a lesser extent, Reneau.

Last night I saw Mgbako diving on the floor, rebounding in traffic, and in stance and working hard on ball on the defensive end. Yet he was still horrendous defensively. His recognition and rotation awareness is just awful after about 1.5 years as a starter. Malik is better at defensive awareness, but not great either. 

What does a team do with a guy that is an NBA level scorer but can't react well on defense no matter how hard he works at it? Sometimes the biggest problems exist because there is no readily apparent solution.

Simplify your defense.  

[Dave from Dayton 3,194]

22 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

If I'm this coaching staff I have no freaking idea what to do with Mgbako and to a lesser extent, Reneau.

Last night I saw Mgbako diving on the floor, rebounding in traffic, and in stance and working hard on ball on the defensive end. Yet he was still horrendous defensively. His recognition and rotation awareness is just awful after about 1.5 years as a starter. Malik is better at defensive awareness, but not great either. 

What does a team do with a guy that is an NBA level scorer but can't react well on defense no matter how hard he works at it? Sometimes the biggest problems exist because there is no readily apparent solution.

In order to deal with Mgbako's non-offense related issues, there are three or so choices:

1.  It must be determined if his awareness, recognition and rotation can be improved, and how (Maybe the coaches need to do some sort of head check on him.  Does he have normal reactions?  His offense indicate that he does indeed have an elevator that responds quickly.  Then why not on defense?  Fundamentals?  Is development possible for him? Does his practice emphasize defense, too?);

2.  RMK said that the best teacher is pine time;  and

3.  I hate to say this but if the above two points do not do the job, then try to minimize his negative impact while on defense by surrounding him with good defensive-minded players.

The above three points, I know, are known by all here.  So, I apologize for stating the obvious.  Sorry.

Otherwise, and I hate to say it, maybe it would be a better fit if he did go pro...at the end of the season.

Well, after reading Golfman's post just above...maybe he is right...simplify the defense.

We really do need good defense.  

[Golfman25 5,337]

57 minutes ago, Dave from Dayton said:

In order to deal with Mgbako's non-offense related issues, there are three or so choices:

1.  It must be determined if his awareness, recognition and rotation can be improved, and how (Maybe the coaches need to do some sort of head check on him.  Does he have normal reactions?  His offense indicate that he does indeed have an elevator that responds quickly.  Then why not on defense?  Fundamentals?  Is development possible for him? Does his practice emphasize defense, too?);

2.  RMK said that the best teacher is pine time;  and

3.  I hate to say this but if the above two points do not do the job, then try to minimize his negative impact while on defense by surrounding him with good defensive-minded players.

The above three points, I know, are known by all here.  So, I apologize for stating the obvious.  Sorry.

Otherwise, and I hate to say it, maybe it would be a better fit if he did go pro...at the end of the season.

Well, after reading Golfman's post just above...maybe he is right...simplify the defense.

We really do need good defense.  

Look at some of the video reviews of our defense.  It is way too complicated for college, especially in the portal era with roster turnover.  It also requires, unique athletes, which college teams (IU included) may only have a handful of.  

[HoosierHoopster 6,963]

1 hour ago, Stuhoo said:

If I'm this coaching staff I have no freaking idea what to do with Mgbako and to a lesser extent, Reneau.

Last night I saw Mgbako diving on the floor, rebounding in traffic, and in stance and working hard on ball on the defensive end. Yet he was still horrendous defensively. His recognition and rotation awareness is just awful after about 1.5 years as a starter. Malik is better at defensive awareness, but not great either. 

What does a team do with a guy that is an NBA level scorer but can't react well on defense no matter how hard he works at it? Sometimes the biggest problems exist because there is no readily apparent solution.

There are all kinds of scorers who aren't good defenders, including in the NBA. God knows we need Bako's scoring. You 'hide' him on D / rotate, you simplify the D, it's easy, but Woodson's incompetent.

[IUFAN1976 3,097]

1 hour ago, Dave from Dayton said:

In order to deal with Mgbako's non-offense related issues, there are three or so choices:

1.  It must be determined if his awareness, recognition and rotation can be improved, and how (Maybe the coaches need to do some sort of head check on him.  Does he have normal reactions?  His offense indicate that he does indeed have an elevator that responds quickly.  Then why not on defense?  Fundamentals?  Is development possible for him? Does his practice emphasize defense, too?);

2.  RMK said that the best teacher is pine time;  and

3.  I hate to say this but if the above two points do not do the job, then try to minimize his negative impact while on defense by surrounding him with good defensive-minded players.

The above three points, I know, are known by all here.  So, I apologize for stating the obvious.  Sorry.

Otherwise, and I hate to say it, maybe it would be a better fit if he did go pro...at the end of the season.

Well, after reading Golfman's post just above...maybe he is right...simplify the defense.

We really do need good defense.  

I know how to simplify it, play a 2-3 zone and hide him in one of the corners.  At least with a 2-3 zone, players don’t have to think as much.  

[Stuhoo 80,578]

18 minutes ago, IUFAN1976 said:

I know how to simplify it, play a 2-3 zone and hide him in one of the corners.  At least with a 2-3 zone, players don’t have to think as much.  

That is 100% the most straightforward way 

[BA47591 364]

There's a maturity issue with Reneau that has gotten better but still questionable. I challenge anyone to listen to Mgbako speak and tell me that he is quick processing anything. He's to stiff and upright to be a good defender on the perimeter. Goode will never be a good defender but he tries. It's why I've said you can't have him and Mgbako on the floor together nor can you have Reneau and Ballo together for more than 5 mpg. Not against good teams. 

[sirhoosierlot 2,755]

51 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

That is 100% the most straightforward way 

hey, it tricked kenny payne 

[HoosierHoopster 6,963]

34 minutes ago, BA47591 said:

There's a maturity issue with Reneau that has gotten better but still questionable. I challenge anyone to listen to Mgbako speak and tell me that he is quick processing anything. He's to stiff and upright to be a good defender on the perimeter. Goode will never be a good defender but he tries. It's why I've said you can't have him and Mgbako on the floor together nor can you have Reneau and Ballo together for more than 5 mpg. Not against good teams. 

Bako's D needs a lot of work for sure. But he's a soph -- remember Wat as a soph? He was a sounding board for D jokes. His senior season? Defended everyone across the floor, and well. I don't believe in giving up on on guys, who are athletic and otherwise show strong bball skills. Bako is talented, he's athletic, he scores fluidly now. Imo the real lack is in the coaching, kid's coachable, he could be better on D. His growth offensively from his frosh year is clear. Next step, D.