Looking at the box score, we were beat in every offensive metric. 30% (7/23) versus 50% (11/22) for 3's; 37% versus 43% overall FG; 78% versus 87% FT; 23 to 30 rebounds. The biggest problem is we do not have a stand out offensive player like Juzang when we made a deep run nor like Lanier who torched us with 4/5 from the 3 yesterday. I un…
Looking at the box score, we were beat in every offensive metric. 30% (7/23) versus 50% (11/22) for 3's; 37% versus 43% overall FG; 78% versus 87% FT; 23 to 30 rebounds. The biggest problem is we do not have a stand out offensive player like Juzang when we made a deep run nor like Lanier who torched us with 4/5 from the 3 yesterday. I understood at the beginning of the season that Bilodeau was suppose to be our Juzang but even when Mara was in and Bilodeau could play the four, he was OK but not great--2/6 from 3 and 1/3 for FT's. Mara is not the answer because he needs to be under the basket to utilize his 7' 3" height advantage to score (3/9)-- unlike a Vlad Goldin who has far better athletic skills and can hit shots from all over the front court including the 3. Maybe Mara can develop a mid range jumper next year but I do not see him being the answer to our lack of offense. Cronin needs to pick up somebody in the Portal to address this problem as he is not going to change his system from defense first and foremost and offense a weak second.
The worry for our ladies is the excessive number of turnovers which has been the case all season and Close does not seem to have the answer.
I frankly don't understand why our offense did not run through Mara. He should have been the first option on offense until they neutralized him. Waste of time for him to try to develop a mid range jump shot. He is too dangerous down down. Let offenses collapse on him and open up space for other guys.
Mara "shot" 3 for 9 under the basket--stamina and illness could have been partially responsible-- but he did not shoot well last night. Some teams next year, like a Michigan, have talented Bigs and will not need to "collapse" against Mara so a mid range shot would be helpful those circumstances. Cronin did say in his presser that a few times, Tennessee switched against our guards which meant smaller players were on Mara and we still took long jumpers instead of passing to Mara with he smaller players on him..
Mara was weak from his illness. He hit a jumper of about 10 feet from the baseline and his free throw shooting has improved, which is effectively a midrange jumper from the high post. Plus, he helps the offense as an excellent passer. If he is in the low post, the defense will likely double, so that helps create space for shooters at the 3 point line. Grabbing a 3 point shooter would be useful. Mara has a very beneficial role in the offense that goes beyond scoring. Plus, he displayed elite shot blocking skills without fouling again last night.
Looking at the box score, we were beat in every offensive metric. 30% (7/23) versus 50% (11/22) for 3's; 37% versus 43% overall FG; 78% versus 87% FT; 23 to 30 rebounds. The biggest problem is we do not have a stand out offensive player like Juzang when we made a deep run nor like Lanier who torched us with 4/5 from the 3 yesterday. I understood at the beginning of the season that Bilodeau was suppose to be our Juzang but even when Mara was in and Bilodeau could play the four, he was OK but not great--2/6 from 3 and 1/3 for FT's. Mara is not the answer because he needs to be under the basket to utilize his 7' 3" height advantage to score (3/9)-- unlike a Vlad Goldin who has far better athletic skills and can hit shots from all over the front court including the 3. Maybe Mara can develop a mid range jumper next year but I do not see him being the answer to our lack of offense. Cronin needs to pick up somebody in the Portal to address this problem as he is not going to change his system from defense first and foremost and offense a weak second.
The worry for our ladies is the excessive number of turnovers which has been the case all season and Close does not seem to have the answer.
I frankly don't understand why our offense did not run through Mara. He should have been the first option on offense until they neutralized him. Waste of time for him to try to develop a mid range jump shot. He is too dangerous down down. Let offenses collapse on him and open up space for other guys.
Mara "shot" 3 for 9 under the basket--stamina and illness could have been partially responsible-- but he did not shoot well last night. Some teams next year, like a Michigan, have talented Bigs and will not need to "collapse" against Mara so a mid range shot would be helpful those circumstances. Cronin did say in his presser that a few times, Tennessee switched against our guards which meant smaller players were on Mara and we still took long jumpers instead of passing to Mara with he smaller players on him..
Mara was weak from his illness. He hit a jumper of about 10 feet from the baseline and his free throw shooting has improved, which is effectively a midrange jumper from the high post. Plus, he helps the offense as an excellent passer. If he is in the low post, the defense will likely double, so that helps create space for shooters at the 3 point line. Grabbing a 3 point shooter would be useful. Mara has a very beneficial role in the offense that goes beyond scoring. Plus, he displayed elite shot blocking skills without fouling again last night.