Two things need to happen with this squad...

[Jason Svoboda]

1) There needs to be lineup changes

There are guys that are starting that do not deserve to be starting right now. Yes, we're 16-5 and 7-2 in conference play. However, we have guys that are flat out under performing and making underclassmen mistakes as juniors/seniors. We've got several guys that come off the bench that, although they make the same mistakes, I don't have as many questions about their effort. Playing time is one of the few motivations guys have at this level so start dangling that carrot. Khristian Smith should be starting in place of Manny Arop against UNI until Arop decides to give max effort when he is on the floor.

2) The substitution patterns have got to change

I'm sorry, I understand that we've got guys banged up. However, it has happened way too many times this year where we'll have a guy that hits 2-3 in a row or that is playing out of his mind defensively substituted out for a guy that comes in and gives us nothing. Be it Gant last night, Khristian Smith multiple times this season or Dawon Cummings a couple games ago that had a 3, a steal and a blocked shot and then goes to sit -- it's got to stop. You are taking your own team out of the flow/rhythm doing this.

 

[Sycamore Proud]

1) There needs to be lineup changes

There are guys that are starting that do not deserve to be starting right now. Yes, we're 16-5 and 7-2 in conference play. However, we have guys that are flat out under performing and making underclassmen mistakes as juniors/seniors. We've got several guys that come off the bench that, although they make the same mistakes, I don't have as many questions about their effort. Playing time is one of the few motivations guys have at this level so start dangling that carrot. Khristian Smith should be starting in place of Manny Arop against UNI until Arop decides to give max effort when he is on the floor.

2) The substitution patterns have got to change

I'm sorry, I understand that we've got guys banged up. However, it has happened way too many times this year where we'll have a guy that hits 2-3 in a row or that is playing out of his mind defensively substituted out for a guy that comes in and gives us nothing. Be it Gant last night, Khristian Smith multiple times this season or Dawon Cummings a couple games ago that had a 3, a steal and a blocked shot and then goes to sit -- it's got to stop. You are taking your own team out of the flow/rhythm doing this.

Your point 2 has bothered me for several years. I once asked who I consider to be a good HS coach why he did it. His answer went something like this: it's a system I believe in. It keeps fresh strong bodies on the floor. It's better for a player to rest while he's got the hot hand--wait until he misses 3 or more shots and his confidence is gone for the game. He hasn't changed, and neither have I.

 

[Jason Svoboda]

Your point 2 has bothered me for several years. I once asked who I consider to be a good HS coach why he did it. His answer went something like this: it's a system I believe in. It keeps fresh strong bodies on the floor. It's better for a player to rest while he's got the hot hand--wait until he misses 3 or more shots and his confidence is gone for the game. He hasn't changed, and neither have I.

I totally get it. However, I think we take it to the other extreme. Additionally, your best players make plays. I'd rather have them taking and missing those shots over your 9th man, especially if one of your best players was just making plays. It could also be easily argued that by sitting them after they just had some stellar play could equally damage their confidence.

 

[sycamorebacker]

Does anyone else on here think that it is bad for team "chemistry" for one player to drive into traffic repeatedly and throw up a wild shot? I think we have a player that desperately needs some bench time.

If this player is a good passer, he should be driving and kicking it out to our shooters, which we have several.

 

[Jason Svoboda]

Does anyone else on here think that it is bad for team "chemistry" for one player to drive into traffic repeatedly and throw up a wild shot? I think we have a player that desperately needs some bench time.

If this player is a good passer, he should be driving and kicking it out to our shooters, which we have several.

No disagreement here. I think that is why Jake was sent to the bench last night and in recent games. If anyone has been making mental notes, we've gone on some of our biggest runs when he has been on the bench.

 

[Sycamore Proud]

I totally get it. However, I think we take it to the other extreme. Additionally, your best players make plays. I'd rather have them taking and missing those shots over your 9th man, especially if one of your best players was just making plays. It could also be easily argued that by sitting them after they just had some stellar play could equally damage their confidence.

I agree 100%. He and I still understand the other's point of view but neither of us has changed our beliefs.

 

[BallyPie]

No disagreement here. I think that is why Jake was sent to the bench last night and in recent games. If anyone has been making mental notes, we've gone on some of our biggest runs when he has been on the bench.

Totally agree......in actuality, if the refs aren't giving JO the benefit of a whistle when he drives the lane, he really isn't giving us much on the offensive end........plus, we never seem to get a lot of baskets in transition when he's in..........

I would like to add a #3 above.....and I've harping on this for a long time......

3. We have to change up our defensive schemes.

Everybody else does this based on their opponent and game flow......but for us, it takes an act of God for Greg to go zone. Last night, SIU was 2-12 from behind the arc.....you would have thought by the final score that they would've hit ten 3 pointers. Let's face it, our post defense sucks.....we give up way too many baskets in the paint. We never try to keep our opponents off balance with our defensive schemes.....everybody knows what they are going to get from us. man to man..... Don't you think that make us very easy to scout..??....I do....you know exactly where the switches are coming, you know who helps and who doesn't........we played right into Barry's hands last night....it was one basket after another in the paint.

 

[GuardShock]

Although most nights I am completely behind Dawon and I think he runs the offense well, last night 0 rebounds in 32 minutes. What the heck? I understand you might have a night off but that's kind of ridiculous. With the amount of shooters we have, it also surprises me that JO doesn't get more assists. It should be a pg's dream land. He can shoot the ball or pass it for them to make it.

 

[Patriot_Sycamore]

Totally agree......in actuality, if the refs aren't giving JO the benefit of a whistle when he drives the lane, he really isn't giving us much on the offensive end........plus, we never seem to get a lot of baskets in transition when he's in..........

I would like to add a #3 above.....and I've harping on this for a long time......

3. We have to change up our defensive schemes.

Everybody else does this based on their opponent and game flow......but for us, it takes an act of God for Greg to go zone. Last night, SIU was 2-12 from behind the arc.....you would have thought by the final score that they would've hit ten 3 pointers. Let's face it, our post defense sucks.....we give up way too many baskets in the paint. We never try to keep our opponents off balance with our defensive schemes.....everybody knows what they are going to get from us. man to man..... Don't you think that make us very easy to scout..??....I do....you know exactly where the switches are coming, you know who helps and who doesn't........we played right into Barry's hands last night....it was one basket after another in the paint.

Watch Golden's video from Lansing press conference after game. Another reporter asked Lansing why ISU didn't go zone.....there was a pause and he said "Good Question"


Its in Goldens tweet from last night

 

[Jason Svoboda]

Watch Golden's video from Lansing press conference after game. Another reporter asked Lansing why ISU didn't go zone.....there was a pause and he said "Good Question"


Its in Goldens tweet from last night

And it is a legit question that needs a better answer than "good question" unfortunately. I know Greg hates the zone but I hate things too but have to deal with them. SIU started out that game 0-7 from 3 point range and finished 2 of 12 from deep. They shot 26-50 overall for the game and if you remove the 2-12 shooting from deep you get 24 of 38 -- 63% from the floor.

Anyone that has been viewing my stats spreadsheet knows that is how opponents are scoring on us. Prior to last night's game, 51% of opponents scoring came from 2 point range with 65.6% of opponents FG attempts being 2 point field goals -- the highest in the Valley. We have a fundamental issue with our defense and we've been able to sneak out wins. When we're shooting poorly, however, you have results like Tulsa, Wichita State and Southern Illinois.

 

[Westbadenboy]

Hate to come down on Jake -- he has played very well at times over the past couple of years. But he also has disappeared for many games this season and last (see NIT vs Iowa ............see ISU vs WSU this year). He used to appear to be much more vocal, much more fired up than this year -- he needs to step up as a vocal leader -- right away. And at this point he as much as anyone should be sitting on the bench if he cannot be that leader.

By the way, with a few seconds left in the 1st half or in the game, why don't we just give the ball to Jake and let him try to create .................

Oh wait, THAT'S what we do EVERY time ..............EVERY time

Hummmmm ..............

 

[Jason Svoboda]

Hate to come down on Jake -- he has played very well at times over the past couple of years. But he also has disappeared for many games this season and last (see NIT vs Iowa ............see ISU vs WSU this year). He used to appear to be much more vocal, much more fired up than this year -- he needs to step up as a vocal leader -- right away. And at this point he as much as anyone should be sitting on the bench if he cannot be that leader.

By the way, with a few seconds left in the 1st half or in the game, why don't we just give the ball to Jake and let him try to create .................

Oh wait, THAT'S what we do EVERY time ..............EVERY time

Hummmmm ..............

Some people just aren't cut out to be vocal leaders and it appears Jake is one of them. That doesn't make him any less of a player and it appears that nobody in our starting five is going to be that guy. That is why I'm advocating for Khristian to move into Arop's starting role because I think he has the most potential to be that guy.

 

[Patriot_Sycamore]

Some people just aren't cut out to be vocal leaders and it appears Jake is one of them. That doesn't make him any less of a player and it appears that nobody in our starting five is going to be that guy. That is why I'm advocating for Khristian to move into Arop's starting role because I think he has the most potential to be that guy.

I mentioned this is another thread......it doesn't make you a bad guy or player to not be a leader.....but the glaring absence of one is huge. Some are natural, some have to work on it, but we need one to reach our potential.

 

[IndyTreeFan]

I mentioned this is another thread......it doesn't make you a bad guy or player to not be a leader.....but the glaring absence of one is huge. Some are natural, some have to work on it, but we need one to reach our potential.

Being a college campus, you'd think there would be leadership development resources that could be utilized. Just a thought...

 

[Jason Svoboda]

I mentioned this is another thread......it doesn't make you a bad guy or player to not be a leader.....but the glaring absence of one is huge. Some are natural, some have to work on it, but we need one to reach our potential.

Agreed, and to be fair, there are several types of leaders IMO. I've always thought you have the emotional leader, the doer and then the sayer, for lack of better terms. I think most would have no problems saying Jake for the most part fits into the doer category -- as a guy that performs on the floor or leads by example. The fact that he isn't as consistent as he once was, however, could have him falling out of that category.

What I think everyone wants is the sayer and/or the emotional leader.

 

[Jason Svoboda]

Being a college campus, you'd think there would be leadership development resources that could be utilized. Just a thought...

You were in a fraternity when you were on campus, right? Some guys just aren't cut out to be certain types of leaders no matter what training or help they get. Maybe have personality traits that just don't lend well to being a certain type of leader. Also, some people fully subscribe to the theory that leaders are born, not made.

 

[IndyTreeFan]

You were in a fraternity when you were on campus, right? Some guys just aren't cut out to be certain types of leaders no matter what training or help they get. Maybe have personality traits that just don't lend well to being a certain type of leader. Also, some people fully subscribe to the theory that leaders are born, not made.

All very true. However, the coaches spend enough time with these guys that they should know who the leader "candidates" are. I'm just wondering if a little help on being a leader, for those who seem predisposed to it, wouldn't help? Anyone who is a leader can always be a better one...