With a low of 7F and high of only 31F, our Dawgs will face the coldest weather so far this season. Luckily, they aren't playing outdoors! (Dad joke)
UMass beat Providence in their last game and have won 2 straight. They managed 70 pts in a loss to South Carolina. This is not a good team. With that being said, I hope we work on some things :
1. Playing with and increasing a lead. Multiple times this season we have jumped out to a sizable double-digit lead, only to see that lead dissapear before half. In those situations, I would much prefer to keep the starters in as much as possible to increase the lead over 20+ points, then start subbing a lot. This is a departure from CMF's philosophy of subbing frequently in the first half to keep starters "fresh" for the second half, except he has also started different lineups in the second half, so, maybe that wasn't the reason. Regardless, we are good enough to get up 20+ on this team.
2. Work on some traps and full court pressure. We have a very athletic and long team. We have done a bit of it over the first 8 games, but not enough, imo, so that if we need it, we are ready.
3. Stop with so many turnovers. I know, I know. CMF teams are notorious for high numbers of turnovers. But we have so many lazy passes, 3-4 illegal screens/gm, over dribbling, and piss-poor entry passes into the lane that it should be EASY to cut them in half. The time is now... Under 10 turnovers (including illegal screen calls).
4. Getting Hammonds back in the flow. He has been standing around A LOT the past 3-4 games. He looks hesitant to drive or to shoot. In the first 4 games he just played and it looked effortless. Now it looks like he is "thinking", which is dangerous! Get out of his head, coaches!
5. Zero 3 point attempts from certain players, and increased 3-pt attempts from other players. We know who is in each category.
6. Solving the enigma that is E'torrion Wilridge. Starts first 4 games; has maybe 8 minutes on the floor since. While we are at it, let's play "Where's Harris and Diatta?"
What about you, what gifts from the team do you want under your tree this Saturday?
UMass beat Providence in their last game and have won 2 straight. They managed 70 pts in a loss to South Carolina. This is not a good team. With that being said, I hope we work on some things :
1. Playing with and increasing a lead. Multiple times this season we have jumped out to a sizable double-digit lead, only to see that lead dissapear before half. In those situations, I would much prefer to keep the starters in as much as possible to increase the lead over 20+ points, then start subbing a lot. This is a departure from CMF's philosophy of subbing frequently in the first half to keep starters "fresh" for the second half, except he has also started different lineups in the second half, so, maybe that wasn't the reason. Regardless, we are good enough to get up 20+ on this team.
2. Work on some traps and full court pressure. We have a very athletic and long team. We have done a bit of it over the first 8 games, but not enough, imo, so that if we need it, we are ready.
3. Stop with so many turnovers. I know, I know. CMF teams are notorious for high numbers of turnovers. But we have so many lazy passes, 3-4 illegal screens/gm, over dribbling, and piss-poor entry passes into the lane that it should be EASY to cut them in half. The time is now... Under 10 turnovers (including illegal screen calls).
4. Getting Hammonds back in the flow. He has been standing around A LOT the past 3-4 games. He looks hesitant to drive or to shoot. In the first 4 games he just played and it looked effortless. Now it looks like he is "thinking", which is dangerous! Get out of his head, coaches!
5. Zero 3 point attempts from certain players, and increased 3-pt attempts from other players. We know who is in each category.
6. Solving the enigma that is E'torrion Wilridge. Starts first 4 games; has maybe 8 minutes on the floor since. While we are at it, let's play "Where's Harris and Diatta?"
What about you, what gifts from the team do you want under your tree this Saturday?
