Southern Mississippi (1/9/14)

An Aquarian · January 10, 2014

Not sure I would call our offense a going one on one plan. I would actually much prefer that. We really seem to pass it around and then suddenly drive it into the paint out of control in hopes of a foul being called. I missed the days when you would ISO take a step and knock the jumper over the defender. I swear I have not played in a couple years and I could still but my shoulder into some of these guys and drop the fader over them for three. It's something these guys are capable of doing and idk why they do not. They pass on some really easy scoring opportunities.

Nice post. And God yes we do. I was screaming shoot!

BillySee58 · January 10, 2014

Man, Andrew, I really don't like to bash you at all and I like when I get to agree with you, but come on.

Things you've said lately:

1. BYU will be a top 20 team because of the way they shellacked us. Basically you've been downplaying teams before games, saying we have a chance and/or they aren't that good, then saying they're a good team after they blow us out or play us much closer than they should have.

2. Northwood is as good as a bottom level CUSA team. Maybe we do better against the bottom rung of CUSA than we did against Northwood, but come on.

3. We are 11-4 in your world. You better believe we should be 11-4 or better, especially considering we probably have not played a team more athletic than us all season. But we aren't.

4. Turnovers, missed free throws, fundamentals are not coaching problems. You constantly overlook player development and the fact that a good coach has teams that are fundamentally sound. How often do you hear "yeah he's a good coach but his teams are never fundamentally sound and don't play well together," in situation's outside of our's. CJ's development under Benford has been one of the most disappointing things during his tenure.

You aren't a Benford backer, but I really feel like you need to open your eyes and take the green-tinted sunglasses off.

Andrew · January 10, 2014

Man, Andrew, I really don't like to bash you at all and I like when I get to agree with you, but come on.
Things you've said lately:
1. BYU will be a top 20 team because of the way they shellacked us. Basically you've been downplaying teams before games, saying we have a chance and/or they aren't that good, then saying they're a good team after they blow us out or play us much closer than they should have.
2. Northwood is as good as a bottom level CUSA team. Maybe we do better against the bottom rung of CUSA than we did against Northwood, but come on.
3. We are 11-4 in your world. You better believe we should be 11-4 or better, especially considering we probably have not played a team more athletic than us all season. But we aren't.
4. Turnovers, missed free throws, fundamentals are not coaching problems. You constantly overlook player development and the fact that a good coach has teams that are fundamentally sound. How often do you hear "yeah he's a good coach but his teams are never fundamentally sound and don't play well together," in situation's outside of our's. CJ's development under Benford has been one of the most disappointing things during his tenure.
You aren't a Benford backer, but I really feel like you need to open your eyes and take the green-tinted sunglasses off.

I will not back off of many of my opinions because they are backed by coaches and former NCAA basketball players. I could give two craps what people on here think because most have never touched a hardwood floor in any manner much less at the college level. I will listen to the people I know who do this for a living over a someone behind a computer screen who is probably a 40 year old fan who just yells at the tv and finds a way to blame everything on everyone (aka my father in law). Sure he sounds good yelling about things he knows nothing about but I would never trust him within 100 feet of a basketball court.

UNTFan23 · January 10, 2014

I will not back off of many of my opinions because they are backed by coaches and former NCAA basketball players.

So if it is the players that have poor fundamentals (boxing out, free throw shooting, etc) who should be responsible for making sure those are corrected? The players or perhaps the coaches?

I'll hang up and listen.

Andrew · January 10, 2014

Go find a player and talk to them, get answers simple enough. A few of them work within the district. Heck Holman was helping out at guyer and is also a personal trainer. Alonzo can be spotted at church just about every Sunday (downing on where he goes. He bounces around). And always on Facebook. Try this. Talk to a player. Who actually earned a scholarship and goes to practice. Yea they speak the truth and yea they know Benfords ups and his downs. But they play the game and they known how it works. Just for starters. Then you could get out and find other people. Tons of former players from other schools find a home at UNT to join the kines department and play in intermurals. Run on a team with them, learn something. That's what I did. I don't speak just for my self.

Andrew · January 10, 2014

So if it is the players that have poor fundamentals (boxing out, free throw shooting, etc) who should be responsible for making sure those are corrected? The players or perhaps the coaches?

I'll hang up and listen.

When it comes down to practice you are only allowed a set amount of time. You coach fundamentals but the focus is in the next team and what offense and defense your going to run, it's prepping for the team. But I'm sorry how many years were you a starting point guard in division one.... I'm waiting.... You must know everything. Because you played right? Oh no? You didn't... Ok well I will listen to people who played and how practices were run on the teams they played on.

Quoner · January 10, 2014

I will not back off of many of my opinions because they are backed by coaches and former NCAA basketball players. I could give two craps what people on here think because most have never touched a hardwood floor in any manner much less at the college level. I will listen to the people I know who do this for a living over a someone behind a computer screen who is probably a 40 year old fan who just yells at the tv and finds a way to blame everything on everyone (aka my father in law). Sure he sounds good yelling about things he knows nothing about but I would never trust him within 100 feet of a basketball court.

I'm 32 and I think we technically all have to type at a screen - unless you have Google Glass or something super cool like that. I also hope you never stop being you and saying what's in your heart. Have you considered a weekly Heard This? feature where you convey some of the knowledge and insights your contacts convey to you without giving up actual names? I know I would enjoy the education and would love to learn more about hoops since my parque floor was recently repossessed because of a credit card I signed up for and forgot about after just wanting a free t-shirt. Just an idea so the rising tide can lift all ships...

Not the Crimson Tide though. They lost to OU and the SEC sucks now. Just a little sports humor about the week

UNT90 · January 10, 2014

I remember when intelligent basketball conversation occurred here.

What, about three years ago?

Then there was a post about the 2-3's effectiveness against the 3., and we have steadily slid into the basketball abyss ever since. Coincidence? I think not.

By the by, Channel 4 announced our 10 point loss in their sportcast, stating that we never led in the game. Any pub is good pub, I guess.

Edited January 10, 2014 by UNT90

Andrew · January 10, 2014

I'm 32 and I think we technically all have to type at a screen - unless you have Google Glass or something super cool like that. I also hope you never stop being you and saying what's in your heart. Have you considered a weekly Heard This? feature where you convey some of the knowledge and insights your contacts convey to you without giving up actual names? I know I would enjoy the education and would love to learn more about hoops since my parque floor was recently repossessed because of a credit card I signed up for and forgot about after just wanting a free t-shirt. Just an idea so the rising tide can lift all ships...
Not the Crimson Tide though. They lost to OU and the SEC sucks now. Just a little sports humor about the week

Then instead of insightful comments it because smart A comments because you cannot tell me what happens in practice. I work during those times but I know people can show up from time to time, why does someone someone go to a UNT practice and share with us what goes on. I have only heard things. I can say that last Benford came in to soft and was trying to be buddy buddy with the players and then went over the top as the year went on and had to regain a lot of control. That is about all I know from practices last year. Someone go to a practice and fill us in,

UNTFan23 · January 10, 2014

When it comes down to practice you are only allowed a set amount of time. You coach fundamentals but the focus is in the next team and what offense and defense your going to run, it's prepping for the team. But I'm sorry how many years were you a starting point guard in division one.... I'm waiting.... You must know everything. Because you played right? Oh no? You didn't... Ok well I will listen to people who played and how practices were run on the teams they played on.

I understand that you only have set amount of time for organized practice but players can go and do things on their own ... like practice shooting free throws. And you can certainly point out in a film review that we weren't doing a good job of boxing out, especially at one point in the second half where USM was allowed 3 consecutive trips to the line within a one minute period. That is just totally unacceptable at any level of play.

Until the poor fundamentals are addressed I do not expect our level of play to improve.

Andrew · January 10, 2014

I remember when intelligent basketball conversation occurred here.

What, about three years ago?

Then there was a post about the 2-3's effectiveness against a zone, and we have steadily slid into the basketball abyss ever since. Coincidence? I think not.

By the by, Channel 3 announced our 10 point loss in their sportcast, stating that we never led in the game. Any pub is good pub, I guess.

Yea posting stats is "intelligent" I have read nothing but stats and history. Nothing about the actual sport. You can google how to shut down the three with 2-3. You wouldn't not be able to. Just guessing your to old and slow. But certainly 4 guards and a center would be able to with ease. Works for some college teams. Worked at Syracuse and worked at my buddies school Houston baptist (I know they are not a fantastic school but I would like to see anyone else get a job coaching or playing at the division one level).

GRN-WHT · January 10, 2014

Andrew, why does Benford recruit and play guys who have poor fundamentals?

Andrew · January 10, 2014

I understand that you only have set amount of time for organized practice but players can go and do things on their own ... like practice shooting free throws. And you can certainly point out in a film review that we weren't doing a good job of boxing out, especially at one point in the second half where USM was allowed 3 consecutive trips to the line within a one minute period. That is just totally unacceptable at any level of play.

Until the poor fundamentals are addressed I do not expect our level of play to improve.

Yea they talk about it when they watch film. You do not think Benford will not drill into Collin or Mo about not boxing out? I know for a fact he will. He did during the game and had the assistants drill it into them on the bench when he pulled them. Players like coaches make bone headed mistakes. It happens. But put the blame on the person doing the action. I agree we gave them 4 points with the weak boxing out. I just cannot out that on the coach and I know the players would never do that.

The players do (or use to) play in the rec together all the time and run against some of the intramural teams. Not sure how much free shooting they did but they worked together and it was fun to watch and play.

Mean_Green09 · January 10, 2014

And what was with the intentional foul on Vaughs? Can someone explain to me how that is two free throws and then the ball? It was not an open lane foul. Alzee was ahead of everyone on the play so why would he get free throws? I thought you only got free throws if they had an open lane and no defenders in front of them? Is that not correct? That is how it works in the NBA. Alzee was ahead of everyone on that play so it made no sense. Not to mention Colmans moving screen which was called a flagrant foul..... Yea. Awful refs tonight. Just awful.

Didn't make a play on the ball he just grabbed the guy. Going to get an intentional foul every time especially on a fast break play

GrandGreen · January 10, 2014

I was impressed with NT. If USM is indeed the cream of the league, NT should do fine. NT was just as athletic and played just as hard.

The problem with this game was a horrible job by the refs. I don't think I have ever seen as many traveling calls. I don't dispute most of the calls but you can call a legitimate foul almost at anytime, but good referees don't completely take over the game.

I thought NT played very well against the their press. The only compliant I have against Benford, is I don't understand why he only let his hottest player only play about half the game. Jordan Williams let the comeback charge, only to be benched for the middle part of the second half.

Another bad game for the NT bigs, if they ever get it together; this team could be very good. Gant looked like Tony Mitchell swatting those USM shots in the beginning of the game.

Andrew · January 10, 2014

Didn't make a play on the ball he just grabbed the guy. Going to get an intentional foul every time especially on a fast break play

But since when does that mean free throws. They do that often when they want to stop a play in it's tracks. Players drive to the rim and get hugged out a lot. They call it on the floor, take it out of bounds and reset. That should not have mattered. You can hug a player all you want. It's a normal foul and you take it out of bounds. The only way you get free throws if it was excessive (which it was not) or if he had an open lane (which he did not because Alzee was ahead of the pack. It made no sense. At all...

ChristopherRyanWilkes · January 10, 2014

When I said we would win tonight, I meant like.. Metaphorically, and stuff.

Army of Dad · January 10, 2014

Stupid question. I would not say not boxing out once somehow means a player has poor fundamentals. Players mess up. They take responsibility man up and try to get better. Of course your just one of those finger pointer. It's everyone fault but yours right...?

Finger pointer? Sounds like Benford during a post game interview

BillySee58 · January 10, 2014

But since when does that mean free throws. They do that often when they want to stop a play in it's tracks. Players drive to the rim and get hugged out a lot. They call it on the floor, take it out of bounds and reset. That should not have mattered. You can hug a player all you want. It's a normal foul and you take it out of bounds. The only way you get free throws if it was excessive (which it was not) or if he had an open lane (which he did not because Alzee was ahead of the pack. It made no sense. At all...

If it's a clear-path-to-the-basket call on a breakaway then it means free throws. Comparing it to anything that happens in the half court is not a good reference. Edited January 10, 2014 by BillySee58

Andrew · January 10, 2014

If it's a clear-path-to-the-basket call on a breakaway then it means free throws. Comparing it to anything that happens in the half court is not a good reference.

Again Alzee was in the front of the pack so it was not a clear path to the basket foul. At least I have never seen it that way. If one of your players is ahead of the ball then it's not considered that. Alzee was ahead of both USM players and Vaughn's when he fouled him. The worst call I have seen in my life. Edited January 10, 2014 by Andrew

ChristopherRyanWilkes · January 10, 2014

Ask Romo,it's hard to be a Tony in this town.

UNT90 · January 10, 2014

Yea posting stats is "intelligent" I have read nothing but stats and history. Nothing about the actual sport. You can google how to shut down the three with 2-3. You wouldn't not be able to. Just guessing your to old and slow. But certainly 4 guards and a center would be able to with ease. Works for some college teams. Worked at Syracuse and worked at my buddies school Houston baptist (I know they are not a fantastic school but I would like to see anyone else get a job coaching or playing at the division one level).

You sure are defensive for being the guy that claims he wasn't the guy that made that post.

Good to see you again, Skiver.

EDIT: funny thing is, I screwed up the original post, yet Skiver still knew EXACTLY what I was talking about. Lol!

Edited January 10, 2014 by UNT90

Mean_Green09 · January 10, 2014

Again Alzee was in the front of the pack so it was not a clear path to the basket foul. At least I have never seen it that way. If one of your players is ahead of the ball then it's not considered that. Alzee was ahead of both USM players and Vaughn's when he fouled him. The worst call I have seen in my life.

I've seen a lot worse. It was not clear that Alzee was out in front. He was on the other side of the court pretty much even with the USM players. They were in the bonus, but an intentional foul is always 2 shots and the ball. It was the right call.

The bad calls I saw tonight were not allowing our players to hit the ground after they shot. I saw at least 3 or 4 times when our shooter was hit causing him to fall down. You have to let the shooter finish his shot.

Edited January 10, 2014 by Mean_Green09

Andrew · January 10, 2014

I've seen a lot worse. It was not clear that Alzee was out in front. He was on the other side of the court pretty much even with the USM players. They were in the bonus, but an intentional foul is always 2 shots and the ball. It was the right call.
The bad calls I saw tonight were not allowing our players to hit the ground after they shot. I saw at least 3 or 4 times when our shooter was hit causing him to fall down. You have to let the shooter finish his shot.

I'm still not sure about that foul... Maybe I need to do some research. Is it different in college then in the pros? An intentional foul can be used for a lot of purposes though. Force the offensive to reset, stop the clock, etc.. So why would an intentional foul mean two free throws. I get the free throws because they were in the bonus. I just do not get them getting the ball back. Sorry just not convinced yet haha.

Andrew · January 10, 2014

You sure are defensive for being the guy that claims he wasn't the guy that made that post.

Good to see you again, Skiver.

Or maybe there have been people who know what they are talking about who get "laughed off here" by a bunch of old grouchy people who think they must know better then someone who has played. I know it works because that is what I was taught by someone. If you think 4 people on the three point line cannot stop the three then you might as well just stick five out there and let a team dunk on you all game. Are you that foolish? 4 out is way better then having 2 or 3 players chasing the ball around the arc. At least to a person who knows basketball or even better math....