This "why won't they just look in the mirror" talk is part of what gets me so frustrated. Do you think Hurley doesn't know that the offense hasn't been good this year? Do you think it is just as easy as "oh let's go hire a tremendous offensive assistant coach" as if they fall from trees, or, "oh Davidson has a tremendous offense why don't we just play the same way they do" as if it is easy to play that style without specifically recruiting players for that system (who also happen to have severe defensive deficiencies - as I've said elsewhere, it's clear what Hurley prioritized). if a drastic offensive scheme shift was all that was necessary to make this team above-average on that side of the court, I have no doubt that the coaching staff would implement it. If it was that easy we'd all be HoF coaches after two weeks of watching film. What bothers me is when people say it is a lack of preparation, or drive, or what have you.Gonebarongone wrote: I just don't get why they won't look in the mirror and see the offense just won't work against good teams. It's goes all the way back to X. They are 7-22 against Kenpom top 100 teams in the last three years (including this year) and only one top 50 win. So, you and I can haggle on how much talent they have on offense, but you can clearly see the scheme is lacking, right?
Defending end-game situations is one of the easier things to do. Generally, coaches will have a sense of the two or three primary options, and they know exactly how long before the other team has to shoot the ball. Last-possession shots have a much lower success rate for all teams overall. This is not unique to URI. The last time I recall URI going "hero ball" (if that is what you call running EC off a high-ball screen) was the game against Fordham last year. Since then, I haven't seen that. I've seen good plays that were not executed - Jared's missed 3 against Davidson, Four's missed 3 against Valpo, and even Jared's look against Nebraska wasn't awful.I was flabbergasted that Four got that great look against Valpo. It's one of the few times in four years they didn't call "hero ball" in the closing seconds. Good, opposing coaches know exactly what is coming.
We will play lots of close games. Agreed that the FT shooting is deplorable and needs to improve but once again, pinning that on a lack of preparation or a failing of the coaching staff is asinine. I guarantee you Hurley and Co have tried everything in the book. And they will keep trying. I would not blame any of our losses this year on poor coaching, either in preparation or in-game. This is not to give Hurley a pass, undoubtedly he can do better and there are things that the coaching staff can do to improve, but there have been other factors.Without EC, this team is destined to play close games against better teams and bad FT shooting and bad coaching is not the recipe we need.
This team is not as good as GW, Davidson, or Richmond. But, difference of opinion that is pointless to argue about any further. Bob McKillop is a great coach but he would not have this team 8-2/9-1 right now because he can't coach defense and would have a team of offensively-deficient players trying to run his complicated system.I do think the roster, in total, is as good as GW, Davidson, and Richmond. Bob McKillop would have this team 8-2/9-1 right now.
It's because the natural improvement that we were expecting from Jared/Jarvis (point 6 in my original post) hasn't happened. I don't know why. I don't think it is for lack of trying. And of course, Iverson/Four/Thompson aren't just replacing EC, but also Biruta and TJ from last year.I am not a huge Iverson fan but why isn't Iverson/Four/Thompson plus natural improvement good enough to get close to replacing EC's minutes?
Mediocre teams have always danced. The style of play overall has changed over the years. The quality of the players and teams has not decreased. Quite the opposite.Take a look at bubble teams from the last decade. It's not exactly 1985 college hoops any more. Mediocre teams dance.