I wasn't going to pile on, but I can't help myself. Brutal game. I am a loyal fan, and in trying to understand this game, have the following take.
We know the talent level of every player, and have seen them perform at higher levels. It's in there. So whats missing?
Christian Thomas... Or an acceptable inside player with good hands. Our current bigs are not as mobile as CT.
Chemistry still not there. Turk, not getting his shots in the right space. Instead we have several players lofting away, without rebounders under the basket. I think with our speed we should be breaking the press more quickly. I see the same just get over the line in time over and over.
We seem to play down to the level and speed of our opponent. Transition should be our strength. WE will see this zone until we demonstrate we can penetrate and pass for good shots Earl and Milton can drive and dish with the best,but someones gotta catch and DUNK or shoot open looks. Defense requiring double teams always seems to leave Ben Richardson diving after an opponent who is always, so it seems naiingl that shot. Seen this way too often. Would be nice to have the luxury of not putting so much pressure on our guys to play doubling defenses. (Back to big guys).
Also wish info on Montel or Kiki. We were quick the entire Creighton game, and turtles the Cleveland game. No time to cry about lack of fans or media coverage until the real deal is o the floor. gonna happen, hopefully soon. PM can figure this out., then players gotta play.
Go Ramblers

Yes, I agree that PM got outcoached. Yes, we didn't utilize our speed and can't handle the press. Yes, we should be able to get Turk open more, BUT the real problem is lack of talent First, I hate to break it to Ramble die-hards, but Milton Doyle is extremely over-rated. I LOVE my Ramblers, but Milton's turnovers and sloppy play more that counter his positives. He has played well very, very sparingly. Big- Terrible. Absolutely terrible. Very unathletic and no BBall IQ. No rebounding ability and very little defense. Ingram is our best defensive bet, but he is undersized. Richardson-yes, he can pop from 3 and hustles, but way too many turnovers and dumb plays. Not growing athletically or mentally. Can't handle the press. Stupid fouls too often. Peterson- A decent player with limited skills, but I rather have his energy on the floor than not. Turk- not being utilized. I believe he can not only hit 3s but create movement by driving and shooting or passing. I know he's not great but he creates some excitement. I'd actually like to seem him more active and slashing a bit more through the middle. Bottom line-we are not nearly as talented as we thought we were. And how can a team with about 9 guards be so darn bad at handling the ball????

We have some talent but the continual issue seems that we have players out of position. The only true point guard we have is Jeff White. The other guards are off guards yet we ask them to handle the ball a ton.. The double down is a real problem. It is the only way we can defend the post...and if the big can pass out of it we are in trouble. ON the other hand we have no one that needs to be doubled in the post therefor we have to work extra hard to get open 3s.
I also think our advantage is length and quickness and some sort of aggressive pressure trapping might get us into transiton.......we arent going to be a great transition otherwise because we will not rebound well and may eventually have to send 5 guys to the boards like the good old days.
Think we need a new game plan quick.

I don't think talent is the issue. We had the better of the talent last night and lost, and we have the talent to compete in the Valley.

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MBB Scholarship Chart

Agreed. I mean, we can alway use more talent on the team, but that was not the reason for our loss yesterday. It was a plethora of offensive and defensive lapses, along with the fact that our crowd was terrible. It's hard to play with a high level of energy when there are less than 1k people at a game.

One interesting stat that stood out to me was that that Loyola finished the game shooting 41% from the field vs. Cleveland State's 34.5%, yet we still lost.

I don't know what the announced crowd was but I would say between 175-225 people were actually there.

That would just seem to be so depressing. Maybe they have to figure out a way to schedule in tournaments over break. If Home COurt is not going to be an advantage.....then maybe travel more..... I have to guess that everyone thought that after last year there would be increased attendance......and if it is it is slight................. Does anyone know if there has been increased money put in marketing and or any kind of change in the marketing organization.????

Yeah I know Im replying to my own reply but this just flew into my mail box and thought it was interesting. The Cats are playing Sacred Heart ,,,schools out.......people are etting ready for christmas so they were pro-active

http://pacmail.em.marketinghq.net/funct ... 887cd8ec9b

In response to previous comments:
It is harsh to imply that Earl is a decent player.... He has game time skills, is excellent in driving to the basket, finishing plays.
Milton has been sporadic, but excuse me,no one I have watched in recent years at this school has come close to showing the
skills he possesses, as well as toughness through injury.... He makes others better and is not selfishly trying to do everything. Yet, when it is not happening, then he is forced to overplay the situations, and turnovers happen. Maybe if a big guy could catch a pass, Milton would look better.
I believe this pool of players is just like a baseball lineup. One batter is better when he is in position ahead of another hitter, etc.
You can't just toss out five guys with skills and no " pecking order" of what their role is to be. Chemistry is not yet there.
I wouldn't say the bigs are terrible. They simply do not have the desired understanding or skill set for the rest of our players at this point in the season. Doesn't mean it is not going to happen. Besides, at least having three bigs to share fouls is better than one guy fouling out asap.
We need to focus on the conference schedule. The past is gone and cannot be rewritten. I believe our players want to perform, are not lazy or uncaring.
Basketball is a team game and when we play as a team, not just guys passing the ball around, results will show up. We need to stay the course, support the program, including PM. Grumbling for what we don't have is pointless. Lets be just as concerned for building a fanbase as well as a team.
I want success as much as anyone, but think continuity of coach will pay off rather than starting to rant about his skill set. We have a long way to go, but I want to see it happen, not constantly start over again. Go Ramblers. Lets get one on Saturday. Lets not just win one, but dominate one game....

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