UW - Maine Gamethread
Comments
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I watched the game recorded because I forgot they were playing. Maine is awful, and I'd been hitting my weed pen, but I was really happy with what I saw last night.
The defense is sick. Disruptors at every level. Ability (and Hop's willingness, which shouldn't be discounted) to give a few different looks each at a high level. McDaniels checking ball full court, half court trap, switching man, and of course the bread and butter zone. That versatility is going to fuck up a lot of teams, and I bet we see them play switching man a ton with certain lineups given everybody but Quade and Hardy's ability to guard almost anyone on the court and not get exposed. It's a weapon to turn to if a team is draining threes and has a guy comfortable with the free throw line jumper we concede in zone which is how Tennessee beat em.
They block a ridiculous amount of shots and are in every passing lane. No reason to think this isn't one of the best defensive teams in the country. Tipped passes and steals got them going on the break, and they actually converted. That's the recipe that will help the offense more than anything: Force turnovers and look to run as much as possible. I think they had 14 points in transition at halftime.
Shots weren't falling, especially early, but the offense looked different than the first three games. There was a sense of urgency. It felt to me like the emphasis from the coaching staff was "don't think, go get a bucket." Everybody was aggressive and most of the shots were good looks. Spacing was better, less standing around, ball was swinging, it's just a matter of time before shots fall.
-Stewart is a freak. Best two way big man I've seen at UW and it isn't close. Obviously a force around the rim but with the lateral quickness to close out and contest or even swat jump shooters in the corner. Beast on the boards. Safety blanket on offense. Incredible motor. He's got a good stroke and he'll get the face up game going soon and at that point it's a wrap. Loved that they got him off the block and into the pick and roll on offense. Him and Quade are going to be hell in the 2-man game by Pac-12 play.
-McDaniels is figuring out he can't get whatever he wants, whenever he wants like he's used to offensively, but it's a matter of time. He knows he's a bucket and it will come, even still he has tremendous value without scoring the ball. He directly forced 6 or 7 turnovers in the first half checking ball and his playmaking ability is absurd for a guy his size. He has to understand how important those aspects are, and not let missed shots effect the rest of his game. They didn't fall for him, but I loved that he was ready to catch and shoot from 3 as opposed to taking a dribble pull up deep 2 like he'd been doing constantly the first three games. He'll have games where he gets red hot and should have the ball in his hands every possession. That's coming, and it's scary.
-Naz is a fucking spark plug if I've ever seen one. He'll have his moments where he gets tunnel vision and drives into three players but you trade that for the weekly Sportscenter Top Ten dunk or three that's an instant shot in the arm. Got the crowd going and the team fed off the energy. Really happy with his leap on the defensive end. Another dude that's jumping passing lanes and locking guys up.
-Hameir being our best spot up shooter at this point is equal parts encouraging and horrifying. Another elite defender so his ability to provide value on offense is a big plus. Pleasantly surprised with how he's progressed from being a guy I didn't want to ever even touch the ball.
-Quade played his best game as a Husky. Was able to get to the basket and finish a few times, pushed the ball on the break, and knocked down a 3 (on a pass from Naz!! He passed!) Even he was active on defense with 3 steals and 4 boards. It's all comfortability with him and carving out his role. Last night was a step forward.
-Bey needs to be better.
-Timmins is... serviceable? on offense. Depth bigs are invaluable so him not being awful is good.
Free throw shooting is atrocious.
The all white walk-on lineup of 4 midgets and Gumby is fucking hilarious.
I just wrote 1,000 words on a basketball game against Maine if you're wondering how my life is going. -
That is what happens when the football team is not doing wellExtraChrisB said:I watched the game recorded because I forgot they were playing. Maine is awful, and I'd been hitting my weed pen, but I was really happy with what I saw last night.
The defense is sick. Disruptors at every level. Ability (and Hop's willingness, which shouldn't be discounted) to give a few different looks each at a high level. McDaniels checking ball full court, half court trap, switching man, and of course the bread and butter zone. That versatility is going to fuck up a lot of teams, and I bet we see them play switching man a ton with certain lineups given everybody but Quade and Hardy's ability to guard almost anyone on the court and not get exposed. It's a weapon to turn to if a team is draining threes and has a guy comfortable with the free throw line jumper we concede in zone which is how Tennessee beat em.
They block a ridiculous amount of shots and are in every passing lane. No reason to think this isn't one of the best defensive teams in the country. Tipped passes and steals got them going on the break, and they actually converted. That's the recipe that will help the offense more than anything: Force turnovers and look to run as much as possible. I think they had 14 points in transition at halftime.
Shots weren't falling, especially early, but the offense looked different than the first three games. There was a sense of urgency. It felt to me like the emphasis from the coaching staff was "don't think, go get a bucket." Everybody was aggressive and most of the shots were good looks. Spacing was better, less standing around, ball was swinging, it's just a matter of time before shots fall.
-Stewart is a freak. Best two way big man I've seen at UW and it isn't close. Obviously a force around the rim but with the lateral quickness to close out and contest or even swat jump shooters in the corner. Beast on the boards. Safety blanket on offense. Incredible motor. He's got a good stroke and he'll get the face up game going soon and at that point it's a wrap. Loved that they got him off the block and into the pick and roll on offense. Him and Quade are going to be hell in the 2-man game by Pac-12 play.
-McDaniels is figuring out he can't get whatever he wants, whenever he wants like he's used to offensively, but it's a matter of time. He knows he's a bucket and it will come, even still he has tremendous value without scoring the ball. He directly forced 6 or 7 turnovers in the first half checking ball and his playmaking ability is absurd for a guy his size. He has to understand how important those aspects are, and not let missed shots effect the rest of his game. They didn't fall for him, but I loved that he was ready to catch and shoot from 3 as opposed to taking a dribble pull up deep 2 like he'd been doing constantly the first three games. He'll have games where he gets red hot and should have the ball in his hands every possession. That's coming, and it's scary.
-Naz is a fucking spark plug if I've ever seen one. He'll have his moments where he gets tunnel vision and drives into three players but you trade that for the weekly Sportscenter Top Ten dunk or three that's an instant shot in the arm. Got the crowd going and the team fed off the energy. Really happy with his leap on the defensive end. Another dude that's jumping passing lanes and locking guys up.
-Hameir being our best spot up shooter at this point is equal parts encouraging and horrifying. Another elite defender so his ability to provide value on offense is a big plus. Pleasantly surprised with how he's progressed from being a guy I didn't want to ever even touch the ball.
-Quade played his best game as a Husky. Was able to get to the basket and finish a few times, pushed the ball on the break, and knocked down a 3 (on a pass from Naz!! He passed!) Even he was active on defense with 3 steals and 4 boards. It's all comfortability with him and carving out his role. Last night was a step forward.
-Bey needs to be better.
-Timmins is... serviceable? on offense. Depth bigs are invaluable so him not being awful is good.
Free throw shooting is atrocious.
The all white walk-on lineup of 4 midgets and Gumby is fucking hilarious.
I just wrote 1,000 words on a basketball game against Maine if you're wondering how my life is going. -
Timmons sometimes looks like a decent big. That’s been the case for two years. He still pretty much sucks. He’s a valuable reserve tho in case Stewart gets in foul trouble or the opponent has multiple bangers.
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Roberts left handed dunk on the pick and roll was nice. He will be needed when the inevitable foul trouble game(s) limit Stewart and/or McDaniels.
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where dat replay
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Better game/team recap:
Maine sucks, equivalent of a IMA team that has a full time div2 womens basketball coach.
Defense:
The defense isnt nearly as good as many people are saying it is. It is heavily reliant on out athleting everyone across the floor. And they get away with it against teams like Maine or in openers in high school gyms in Alaska but it isnt really sustainable long term through a decent Pac12 or for a deep run into the tournament against good teams.
- When in zone, teams are regularly able to get the ball between the top and the base of the zone.
- Hop clearly wants to play Mcdaniels across the top of the zone (logical)
- Mcdaniels defense at the top is mediocre at stopping the interior pass to the elbow or high post and doesnt help from behind in any way like Thybulle did.
- resorting to playing man against Maine rather rather practicing the lock down zone is not good.
- The length is great, its covering up fundamental flaws in the defense, the middle of the zone is too easily penetrated and the defense is not collapsing correctly once the penetration has occurred. Stewart is cleaning up many of the top of the zone mistakes.
Offense:
The offense is still the same Chris Petersen Babushka offense. Park Stewart (or timmons) low block and ISO or run Horns... There are so few ball screens, which is insane to me. The team is hyper athletic, have Stewart set a ball screen for Mcdaniels or Naz. The offense is also obviously suffering because no one can just stand in the corner and be a knock down 3pt shooter to spread the floor. I think @Tequilla is also on the right track when it comes to actually executing screens for each other and coming off the screens with a purpose. There is a ton of work to be done on the offense both from a scheme and execution standpoint.
With the youth, athleticism, and size all over the floor the offense should be a motion or ball screen offense not a iso low post block offense.
Other:
- Quade is Gaddy, he has relatively low athleticism and isnt a great shooter. On a bad team is he bad, on a good team he is fine.
- Mcdaniels does look like he has a bit of an attitude "thing". IMO he is just to used to dominating the game without really having to focus hard on team play or the little things that make people successful in high levels of play.
- Stewart is holding things together and is incredible. Without Stewart the team would fall apart, he is doing more than his job on both the offense and the defense and looks like a great leader. -
Roberts is still the ultimate project. Dude absolutely looks the part, big, tall, athletic, and looks to be in great shape. But man he is an offensive liability at this point. Had a really bad pass to BPJ (another massive project) that was bailed out because of a foul, and got blocked by an unathletic forward on a really poorly advised and executed attempt at a hook shot. The dunk was nice and his rebounding looks good, but he needs to develop a bit more on offense to get more playing time.ThomasFremont said:Roberts left handed dunk on the pick and roll was nice. He will be needed when the inevitable foul trouble game(s) limit Stewart and/or McDaniels.
I actual thought BPJs footwork looked better on offense than I saw in the past, he had a nice drop step, but was called for a pretty weak foul. Also props to him for making both his free throws, no one else could.
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Hardy looked like he had a nice free throw stroke, fwiwOreDawg said:
Roberts is still the ultimate project. Dude absolutely looks the part, big, tall, athletic, and looks to be in great shape. But man he is an offensive liability at this point. Had a really bad pass to BPJ (another massive project) that was bailed out because of a foul, and got blocked by an unathletic forward on a really poorly advised and executed attempt at a hook shot. The dunk was nice and his rebounding looks good, but he needs to develop a bit more on offense to get more playing time.ThomasFremont said:Roberts left handed dunk on the pick and roll was nice. He will be needed when the inevitable foul trouble game(s) limit Stewart and/or McDaniels.
I actual thought BPJs footwork looked better on offense than I saw in the past, he had a nice drop step, but was called for a pretty weak foul. Also props to him for making both his free throws, no one else could. -
Stewart is living up to the hypeHouhusky said:Better game/team recap:
Maine sucks, equivalent of a IMA team that has a full time div2 womens basketball coach.
Defense:
The defense isnt nearly as good as many people are saying it is. It is heavily reliant on out athleting everyone across the floor. And they get away with it against teams like Maine or in openers in high school gyms in Alaska but it isnt really sustainable long term through a decent Pac12 or for a deep run into the tournament against good teams.
- When in zone, teams are regularly able to get the ball between the top and the base of the zone.
- Hop clearly wants to play Mcdaniels across the top of the zone (logical)
- Mcdaniels defense at the top is mediocre at stopping the interior pass to the elbow or high post and doesnt help from behind in any way like Thybulle did.
- resorting to playing man against Maine rather rather practicing the lock down zone is not good.
- The length is great, its covering up fundamental flaws in the defense, the middle of the zone is too easily penetrated and the defense is not collapsing correctly once the penetration has occurred. Stewart is cleaning up many of the top of the zone mistakes.
Offense:
The offense is still the same Chris Petersen Babushka offense. Park Stewart (or timmons) low block and ISO or run Horns... There are so few ball screens, which is insane to me. The team is hyper athletic, have Stewart set a ball screen for Mcdaniels or Naz. The offense is also obviously suffering because no one can just stand in the corner and be a knock down 3pt shooter to spread the floor. I think @Tequilla is also on the right track when it comes to actually executing screens for each other and coming off the screens with a purpose. There is a ton of work to be done on the offense both from a scheme and execution standpoint.
With the youth, athleticism, and size all over the floor the offense should be a motion or ball screen offense not a iso low post block offense.
Other:
- Quade is Gaddy, he has relatively low athleticism and isnt a great shooter. On a bad team is he bad, on a good team he is fine.
- Mcdaniels does look like he has a bit of an attitude "thing". IMO he is just to used to dominating the game without really having to focus hard on team play or the little things that make people successful in high levels of play.
- Stewart is holding things together and is incredible. Without Stewart the team would fall apart, he is doing more than his job on both the offense and the defense and looks like a great leader. -
Hop said Stewart would be the most consistent player in the country and it’s not crazy. He still hasn’t had a monster game, which he will at some point, but he’s been very solid and consistent.
