Game 21: AT St. Louis, Feb 1st, 2:30 EST/1:30 CST, NBCSN

[Patriotfan49]

What's low percentage about it? Had it been run like it was drawn up, there were at least three options. Moore was told to drive and:

a. go all the way to the rim if it's open.
b. hit Allen coming off a screen for a short jumper
c. hit Holloway coming off a screen for a short jumper.

He also could have dumped it off to Jenkins or Copes if that was available. When Moore drove, he immediately realized that Allen and Holloway both froze, so he created an option by pulling up for a jumper. It obviously wasn't ideal, but he deserves credit for getting a shot up under those circumstances.

Also, there's a huge difference between a play being bad and the execution being bad. Your boy Colin Kaepernick said he would have taken that last shot to Crabtree 10 out of 10 times in the NFC Championship game; he defended the decision and just admitted he needed to make a better pass.

Also, not trying to be flip, but how many end of half/game situations have we had under Hewitt that were similar to yesterday's. I honestly can't remember any other than the ones that ended up in our favor, but I can remember at least a dozen under Coach L when we didn't even get off a shot or we ended up hurling up a rushed 25-foot 3.

Heck, even the 3 Tony Skinn made at WSU that got us into the NCAAT was ad-libbed by the players. After Coach L drew up a play for Jai Lewis, Tony told him to look for him on the opposite wing. Had they not deviated from the called play, our Final 4 run most likely never would have happened.

I just told you what was low percentage about it. You run the clock too low, and it removes any margin of error....how do we do just running the offense normally? How sound are the guys running the offense cleanly?

Colin Kaepernick is more clutch and has PROVEN it in his short career than anybody on our roster. Yes, the play was there and the throw needed to be better....but that isnt here nor there in regards to this.

This isnt a Coach L or Hewitt comparison, so dont make it that. The simple fact is, Hewitt and the end of game situations under him have sucked and all come up short. Period. All but one, in Markos 3 pointer against UVA.

 

[Patriotfan49]

My sense is that this was Moore's first end-of-game situation. He's earned the right to be in there given his recent pg play. It's also likely BA first end-of-game role NOT dribbling the ball but rather coming off of a screen to receive a pass. When both MM and BA get enough reps in their new end-of-game roles, the play will be more smoothly run.

As it was, there still was time for Jenkins to get the rebound and put up a shot, albeit hurried.

#1. Not true, BA has done many end of game situations and they are never smoothly run.

#2. That is my point, maybe if you start the play 3-4 seconds earlier Jenkins could get a better look. You make it low percentage and no chance to clean things up if they dont go as planned (which is often in sports).


The general theme here is Hewitt has nothing to stand on in his tenure here. Just a bunch of woulda coulda shoulda.....Eventually coming up just short and not being able to close can only get you so far.

 

[gmujim92]

That is my point, maybe if you start the play 3-4 seconds earlier Jenkins could get a better look.

To be fair, 49, you can't assume we're gonna get an offensive rebound there.

Knowing our luck this season, if Moore starts the final play 3-4 seconds earlier, SLU gets the ball and hits a buzzer-beater from 30 feet to beat us.

Then we'd ALL be killing Hewitt today.

 

[dr. gunnie]

To be fair, 49, you can't assume we're gonna get an offensive rebound there.

Knowing our luck this season, if Moore starts the final play 3-4 seconds earlier, SLU gets the ball and hits a buzzer-beater from 30 feet to beat us.

Then we'd ALL be killing Hewitt today.

As much as it pains me, I (gulp) agree with Jim.

 

[Patriotfan49]

To be fair, 49, you can't assume we're gonna get an offensive rebound there.

Knowing our luck this season, if Moore starts the final play 3-4 seconds earlier, SLU gets the ball and hits a buzzer-beater from 30 feet to beat us.

Then we'd ALL be killing Hewitt today.

Im not saying that either, but just in that specific instance we did.

In general I agree with you and thats part of the point, when you waste tooo much time you essentially render a second chance almost useless should you get one.

 

[gmutom]

The simple fact is, Hewitt and the end of game situations under him have sucked and all come up short. Period. All but one, in Markos 3 pointer against UVA.

I'd love to hear some examples other than yesterday since your memory is obviously better than mine. I remember the game-winners against Richmond and vcu. Those were great plays and great execution since they worked, right?

 

[gmubrian]

To be fair, 49, you can't assume we're gonna get an offensive rebound there.

Knowing our luck this season, if Moore starts the final play 3-4 seconds earlier, SLU gets the ball and hits a buzzer-beater from 30 feet to beat us.

Then we'd ALL be killing Hewitt today.

I am definitely glad we did not have the awful lineup we have had in other end of game situations of late. A significant improvement.

Jim and Gunnie-I have to disagree, though on your recent posts. We were rebounding well yesterday. In that situation I'd prefer to go with a little more time on the clock. We even got the rebound, but did not have enough time to do a solid try at putting it back in. And it doesn't matter if we lose in regulation or over time, we still lose.

I know most coaches do the waiting for the last shot thing, but I think it is horrible. I'd like to see some stats, especially for our team, for when we try to have the last shot what the percentage success rate is compared to running the game plan that has been working up until that point. My gut says we are significantly lower in those situations, but that may be because the failures stand out more.

 

[gmu05]

Bottom line here is........it doesnt work. Hasnt worked. Close doesnt cut it.

The cheerleaders on this board don't care. SUPER EFFORT GUYS!

 

[Patriotfan49]

I'd love to hear some examples other than yesterday since your memory is obviously better than mine. I remember the game-winners against Richmond and vcu. Those were great plays and great execution since they worked, right?

Tom, you criticize Jim frequently for not using his "bball" smarts and leaving them out in posts.....and then you offer stuff like this.

Are you really talking about the vcu prayer was anything more than just run down the court and throw it up and hope? Do you really want to use that as an example? Richmond, was a deep 3 prayer as well, but Ill give you that more than the vcu.

Shall I name the late game failures, or have you forgotten those? The late game bumblings outnumber vcu and Richmond just this year alone. Have you not been watching?

Like I said, late game situations and end of halves we have been trifling for 3 years. Simply watch every game we have the last possession in the half, as well as the failure to come through when the game is on the line with the last possession.

 

[gmujim92]

I am definitely glad we did not have the awful lineup we have had in other end of game situations of late. A significant improvement.

Jim and Gunnie-I have to disagree, though on your recent posts. We were rebounding well yesterday. In that situation I'd prefer to go with a little more time on the clock. We even got the rebound, but did not have enough time to do a solid try at putting it back in. And it doesn't matter if we lose in regulation or over time, we still lose.

I know most coaches do the waiting for the last shot thing, but I think it is horrible. I'd like to see some stats, especially for our team, for when we try to have the last shot what the percentage success rate is compared to running the game plan that has been working up until that point. My gut says we are significantly lower in those situations, but that may be because the failures stand out more.

Brian, I get what you're saying, but it's a risk-averse world we live in.

When you have the ball and the shot clock is off, the absolute worst thing that can happen is your opponent getting the ball with a chance to beat you.

So you hold the ball and make sure that you either win or go to OT.

It sucks that Moore isn't capable of knocking down a contested 15-footer under pressure at this point in his development -- with his quickness, he can get that shot whenever he wants it -- but I don't blame Hewitt for holding the ball as long as he did.

Right or wrong, if we lose in regulation yesterday on some crazy last-second shot, that's one of those things that eventually gets a coach fired.

 

[Patriotfan49]

Brian, I get what you're saying, but it's a risk-averse world we live in.

When you have the ball and the shot clock is off, the absolute worst thing that can happen is your opponent getting the ball with a chance to beat you.

So you hold the ball and make sure that you either win or go to OT.

It sucks that Moore isn't capable of knocking down a contested 15-footer under pressure at this point in his development -- with his quickness, he can get that shot whenever he wants it -- but I don't blame Hewitt for holding the ball as long as he did.

If we lose in regulation on some crazy last-second shot, that's one of those things that eventually gets a coach fired.

I disagree. Id rather score early and have to defend even 5 seconds, then waste the clock and come out empty handed anyway.

Even with our horrendous D, I would rather us have scored and have them need to bring the ball up and flawlessly and score.

 

[Harry]

I know most coaches do the waiting for the last shot thing, but I think it is horrible. I'd like to see some stats, especially for our team, for when we try to have the last shot what the percentage success rate is compared to running the game plan that has been working up until that point. My gut says we are significantly lower in those situations, but that may be because the failures stand out more.

Brian, I think you are right about our failure rate in end-of-game plays. I seem to remember that many times, we never even get off a shot. At first I wondered why BA did not have the ball at the end but he seems to have a tendency to turn it over in those situations. I have no complaint with St. Louis. Moore had a good look at the basket and Jenkins got the rebound. Maybe Moore should have shot two seconds sooner so that Jenkins had a better shot but Jenkins still had time.

 

[gmubrian]

Right or wrong, if we lose in regulation yesterday on some crazy last-second shot, that's one of those things that eventually gets a coach fired.

What does going 0-fer in conference (and a slew of other bad coaching decisions) get you...

I know what you are saying and I am not dinging Hewitt on that one in particular, I just don't like that play in general. Given that our execution is a little suspect up until now, I would wonder why he doesn't give an extra second or two for the inevitable need to tell the guys what they are supposed to be doing. Save an extra timeout or two and you give yourself even more options in that situation.

 

[gmutom]

Are you really talking about the vcu prayer was anything more than just run down the court and throw it up and hope? Do you really want to use that as an example? Richmond, was a deep 3 prayer as well, but Ill give you that more than the vcu.

I was kidding, dude. Of course those weren't designed plays. I guess I needed to put a after it to make it clear.

One serious note I will add, though, is that nobody here would be complaining had Moore or Jenkins hit their shot. I'm bummed they didn't fall, but to get off two shots within 10 feet in that situation is actually pretty good.

 

[CHRISTOPHER JAMES JOLLAY]

Gunnie was allegedly the guy that suggested Robinson single cover Percy Harvin back in high school. Not sure we should listen to him on coaching matters.

 

[GMUgemini]

Tom, you criticize Jim frequently for not using his "bball" smarts and leaving them out in posts.....and then you offer stuff like this.

Are you really talking about the vcu prayer was anything more than just run down the court and throw it up and hope? Do you really want to use that as an example? Richmond, was a deep 3 prayer as well, but Ill give you that more than the vcu.

Shall I name the late game failures, or have you forgotten those? The late game bumblings outnumber vcu and Richmond just this year alone. Have you not been watching?

Like I said, late game situations and end of halves we have been trifling for 3 years. Simply watch every game we have the last possession in the half, as well as the failure to come through when the game is on the line with the last possession.

Both vcu and Richmond were designed plays. vcu down to the number of dribbles Sherrod should have taken before shooting it. Richmond was a drive and kick situation with Sherrod coming off a screen. They were not adlib prayers as you mentioned.




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[CHRISTOPHER JAMES JOLLAY]

Hewitt hold this 43-8 lead late if he were Hawks coach?

 

[Patriot Lawdog]

Being called a moron here really doesn't bother me considering no one on this board really knows squat about basketball (myself included) so it's like being called dishonest by a bunch of thieves. That being said, had this game been our first or second game in conference, my attitude would be much different than it is right now. But from everything I've seen this season, this game has absolutely no carryover effect to the next game. It's not like we're all the sudden going to be able to string together full games....My Mason education tells me that 0-7 is 0-7 and nothing can polish that turd.

 

[Quentin Daniels]

I remember when we'd talk about wins and not almost wins as the best coached game of the season.

 

[azgmu]

It's nice to read other fans and ever writers give our team credit for how well we are competing. Refreshing. Now let's get that first W!

The irony is, the more consecutive games we lose, the more people credit GMU as being a good team. I agree, it's about time for a W.