Top 20 talent, but a coach who only plays one way (which doesn’t highlight his players best attributes) and then allows an opponent to dictate the pace and play the way they best see fit.
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We lost but we were ahead 69 to 68 with 3 minutes remaining… Carlos showed what he is capable of–18 points, multiple steals–and Mahi and Bal and Tilly played at a high level. The pieces are coming together. A few missed gimmes on well executed plays cost us… but I thought we were fearless (e.g., Mahi driving like a pro, a very strong Tilly going at them for a dunk twice) and although the outcome was not a win, I think it showcased the talent and spirit of this team. ASU was already rated a top 20 team, I think, and we came very close to beating them. We are in the game and set for a great season, in my humble opinion.
5 Likes
I know, right?! I really think Hurley’s seat is getting hot. 
Santa Clara isn’t going to win many games shooting 29% from 3 and allowing 40% from 3. Might’ve been a just a bad shooting night by the Broncos. But my lord being there in person and seeing some of the wide open misses by O’Neil were painful.
3 Likes
Unfortunately “wide open misses” by O’Neill seems to be a recurring theme. Hope he can reverse the mojo.
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A box score is finally available, still nothing on ESPN:
Men’s Basketball vs Arizona State on 11/8/2024 - Box Score - Santa Clara University
Lucas is spot on re: 3pt shooting. ASU made 15 3’s and shot 41.7% from 3 (15/36). You can’t allow that many attempts AND allow them to shoot over 35%, nearly impossible to win that way.
One positive on team stats: we had only 9 TO which is great. And net +6 on TO’s…that’s one reason we were still in the game late.
The two other positives from this game…Stewart getting untracked in the 2nd half showing his ability to score and disrupt on D with steals. And Mahi was the player of the game IMO, showed his ability to score in a variety ways, some good play making w/ 4 assists, defending well and had 3 steals and displayed a level of aggressiveness and above the rim play the Broncos sorely need.
And another really rough game for O’Neil…1/9 shooting, 0/5 from 3 in just 11 minutes. At least Herb had the good sense to sit him. 2nd year in a row he has started the season cold from 3. He’s a talented kid and having some scoring punch from the 4 especially w/ perimeter shooting would really aid the offense as a whole in spreading the floor but 0/8 from 3 to start the season is troubling. IMO, if Sendek decides to keep him in the starting lineup then they need to find some easy shots for him early in the game to hopefully build some confidence…back screen back door lobs; pick and roll; iso him in the post if he has a smaller guy on him. Anything that allows him to see the ball go through the hoop.
3 Likes
I think our boys have more depth than anyone and we can win any game. However - I disagree with staying with same rotations.
If you have a guy who’s getting hot - LEAVE HIM ON THE FLOOR. Tilly was getting into a groove and he subbed in Cam. If you wanted Cam out there - put him at the four and pull Jake or Johnny.
I’d like Cam and Tilly out there because Cam does a very good job at motivating Tilly. He gets Tilly going. He gets a lot of the guys going. He was ready to scruff with a guy last night who took a cheap shot on Mahi and Cam let him know in no circumstances whatsoever is that gonna be tolerated.
We need combos out there that are gonna back each other up. Do the dirty work and whatever it takes to win games.
That means abandoning this rotation mentality.
9 Likes
Yeah. Score doesn’t reflect the game at all. I hate the foul and place at the FT last ditch attempts. I’ve NEVER seen that turn a game around. Just the score.
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Totally agree 'femme.
Had the same thought in the example sequence you noted when Tongue subbed for Tilly late 2nd half.
We have a lot of guys who are versatile and who can play several positions but in the first two games we’ve followed a fairly rigid rotation. Herb did sit or limit minutes for O’Neil but only boosted Ensminger’s minutes, would rather see Cam get some of the extra minutes at the 4 especially when the other two guys aren’t exactly lighting it up.
So far Bal, Bryan and Mahi are effectively in a three man rotation at the 2 and 3 spots. But…Stewart can play the 1 or 2 but is only playing the 1 and Knapper is his backup. Ensminger can play several positions but is only playing backup 4 right now. Cam can play the 4 (his best position) or 5 but is only playing the 5.
I’d prefer to see Cam get 20 minutes a game (or more) and more or less equally split at the 4 and 5. Play Bukky or McEldon a few minutes at the 5 if needed depending on match-ups or if Tilly gets in foul trouble.
4 Likes
I could not agree with you more! If ONeil stays silent - move Jake out to the 3 (verses leaving him at the 4) and put Cam at the 4 and NOT just playing the 5. I feel we loose a huge bonus by not having Cam outperform every four man the league has to offer.
Heck. I’d even move O Neil to the 5 where he can get some buckets under the basket. Last I checked - he has three inches on Cam.
I saw great MATURITY in Cam last night when he tried to take the big to basket and verses crash and foul, he tried a reverse layup under basket and drew the foul (vs charge) to hit both FT! Progress.
And I HOPE folks noticed I did NOT want Cam going into that rotation because Tilly was getting HOT. lol
5 Likes
I think he is better at pull-up jump shots… and those put him in position to go to the basket if it is available. He is really good at those shots and can get over the 3-point slump… I also like him at the 5 a bit and Cam at the 4 with Tilly…
Other note: Ensminger also showed some of his point guard skills against ASU (that was his position with German team) with passing and ball control… and him at the three when Mahi is not out there, and not at the 4, seems right. I also think Oboye and McEldon have a lot to offer at the 5 and their contributions should come as the year goes on. We are loaded with talent.
4 Likes
Well played Patty. The only ammendment I would make to that statement (if I were calling out Hurley) would be top 75 talent.
Is McEldon 100% healthy I vaguely recall him having hip surgery at the end of last season. But I might be misremembering
1 Like
Carlos, Adama, Elijah, Cam, and Christoph together would be a pretty amazing starting 5, with great talent behind them.
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ASU still getting a couple of AP Top 25 votes. It doesn’t mean much (maybe nothing at all) but stings slightly less.
Hoping for a 2-0 week here.
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Gonzaga struggled with them right up to 3 mins too. But unlike us - they made smart choices.
So talent and skill are there with the best of em. Need some smarter decision making and coaches need to be more able to get away from rotations and into
Combos.
4 Likes
ASU just beat GCU by 11. Losing to them is stinging a bit less. The NDSU loss is big hole to dig out from tho.’
1 Like
I understand the boys have been informed that they are not producing, they are not playing. Hopefully that puts some fire under them.
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Were the coaches informed that they are not producing, they are not coaching? Maybe that would put a fire under them.
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Well, if the mandate holds - we may see things get mixed up a little. I am hopeful. I still believe this season can be turned around.
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