3_n_out

Gonna have good field position here. We can’t piss it down our legs this drive

Man, we’re a beat down fanbase. Can we just have something good for once this season?

Doesn’t matter the team we play…good, bad…this defense treats everyone the same. EM needs to get chandler in a groove here. Don’t wait til the second half.

TD! Ward doesn’t need to be sticking the ball out one-handed like that. Hasn’t he learned from the UTSA game?

I can’t stand the 3-man front as much as I can’t stand our RT whiffing allowing the 3rd down sack

You’re being kind.

Exactly! Seems like Caponi doesn’t understand it either

Caponi’s services must have been highly in demand? That’s the only reason a first time DC would get paid that much…or Morris got bad sources.

The past two games were very winnable. Although we lack the size and interior presence as the other two, we hung with them. What lost us the games was our knack for missing layups, turnovers and loose handles. Last year, I know they didn’t initiate the offense until the shot clock has run down, but TP would bail us out or Kai hitting an open jumper. This time, we don’t have a guy who can create his own shot or create for others. Too much passing the ball deep into the shot clock which then forces bad shots against the shot clock. These guys aren’t iso players. I don’t see anyone able to beat their guy off the dribble. PnR easily gets stalled. Maybe more motion on offense or setting off-ball screens to get our shooters open shots. Would’ve been great to at least win one of the two games to show we’re an up and coming G5 program the nation could pay attention to. We still can be, but the national exposure truly would’ve carried the momentum from the NIT

We miss so many layups

Maybe switching intermittently to a zone defense could give them different looks, or even slow them down

Such poor ball handling

Ruben needs to learn to attack from the PnR more and stress that defense. Either he doesn’t have the ability to get into the lane, or he’s not being aggressive when attacking. Too many times from last night I saw him get cut off up top and the offense stalls

Better drive and dish game this game from our guards. And, they’re ready to shoot once they catch the ball.

They all have to understand that defensive close outs will come much faster when you’re facing better basketball programs in a better conference. I, personally, hope we add to the offensive sets. Most of the motion is up top with the guards and not a lot from the post. Plays should be structured to attack the rim and not passing the ball around

Regardless of the kind of season they are predicted to have, they still have way more resources to use compared to us…bigger NIL, better recruiting, facilities, respect. It will most certainly draw the attention of recruits if we win against these programs even if they’re having “down years”

These are the schools we want to ply. Despite being in the loser’s bracket, we get to face big time programs. This will show the guys and recruits we can play with anybody.

Tough loss, but definitely should’ve won if not for the turnovers and poor 1st half. My thoughts on the game… -defense was still good. They missed a couple of rotations leading to wide open 3s during scrambles -offensive sets were not executed well. Dribble handoffs and PnR abruptly stopped. Only quick screens were set, giving defense time to recover it appeared. -we’re lacking a true pg. Ruben often stopped or got stopped mid drive only to kick it back out to re-set the offense. Edwards looks like a volume shooter. Rarely saw him pass the ball. Lots of turnovers. -too much iso ball. Didn’t quite like the last play call to give the ball to Aaron and go one on one, essentially. If only they had off ball screens to get others open for a shot. -disappointed in the lack of involvement by Buggs. One way or another, they need to get him shots. -these guys need to look to score/shoot more before swinging the ball. You don’t stress the defense when they know you won’t pull the trigger. -lastly, despite all the turnovers and lacking offensive dynamics, we stood up and went toe to toe with a really good bball program. Definitely some growing pains early, but when we gel, we could be just as tough as last year.

We should be really good then coz we have the smallest DL ever

Anybody else on our staff ever run a defense before? Maybe he can be demoted to simply a position coach and someone else run the defense

Interesting response to possibly reconsidering this 3-3-5 defense. He knows it’s not working, but didn’t want to switch things up mid season due to having to readjust. Maybe doubt has set in around Caponi leading the defensive side from Morris. Problem is, what’s his solution? Will he allow Caponi to run a different defense from what he knows? Does he trust him to do that or could he possibly be gone?

My worry are the kids he’s recruited. If he’s fired, how many would renounce their commitment? Seems like we’ve had some nice commits on the defensive side of the ball.

You can probably fit those who will be going to the game in your van

Mississippi State just fired their HC, who also happened to be their previous DC the past 3 seasons. This was his first time being HC, and he worked under Leach. Maybe the Leach connection and the no job thing may entice him to catch on as a DC. P5 coach who has actual, real experience as a DC.