In Game: vs UMASS

[MrMac]

Getting those straight-on three pointers would be good for Bobby's confidence as well.

[Acorn]

Bailey has improved his outside shooting but teams let him alone when he has the ball on top of the key.

We were told that he and others had improved their outside shooting during the offseason, but he’s shooting 21.1% on threes. Down from 34.5% last season.

[quickcat]

Reed shoots 80% on FTs - he has good shooting form and a good eye. It is very possible that if he spends an hour a day working on making 3s a part of his game that he wants to use, he could be better than Jake Cohen or Luka Brajkovic, given how much he's improved his game going to the basket this year.

[CatsRom]

2) they do not have a single player capable of taking a jumper off the dribble. ....thoughts?

I think Bobby has that ability.

Certainly he would be our best hope. But at this point in his young career he doesn’t feel dynamic enough off the bounce to reliably get into a clean look if given the ball, a green light, and a couple screens.

[CatsRom]

Very good analysis, CatRom.
I would change just one thing: Matt is already obsessed.
Obsession only gets you so far.

Trials and hardship like this team have faced have a way of either completely defeating, or causing a leader to dig even deeper. I like what I’ve seen in resiliency from the team despite results, and gives me confidence Matt is made of the right stuff to turn it around.

But wins would really help!

[ScootCat]

Matt has the right stuff. The results will hinge on recruiting.

[Steve Rodgers]

Matt has the right stuff. The results will hinge on recruiting.

It always does. It's not the x's and the o's.....

I heard from ex players that Lefty was pretty bad at the X's and O's. But he got the Jimmies and Joes and motivated them.

[JerseyLawyer]

This team is resilient and hasn't quit in the face of breathtaking adversity. That said, watching the games is so painful because I'm waiting for the piano to fall on their heads. Hopefully this young team is learning what needs to be done to win these close games next year.

[i77cat]

Hopefully this young team is learning what needs to be done to win these close games next year.

Unfortunately, the big thing that needs to be done is finding better basketball players. We have too few. Late in games, our guys look exhausted and flat-footed. No surprise, since they've been giving maximum effort all game.