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Post by LIONS90045 on Feb 15, 2015 22:23:13 GMT -5
San Francisco Dons – Part II
The season is winding down and the board is a bit down with our recent losses but we have three games remaining in the regular season. There won't be a post season for this squad so these games will help define our season along with the WCC playoffs in Vegas. We have USF and SCU at home this week and end with a road game in Malibu vs the Waves.
USF is now 10-16 and 4-10 in conference, just ahead of the Lions (4-11) for 8th place in conference. The Lions won our first match up on the road 70-69 with a last second tip in by (who else) Evan Payne. Since that game, the Dons lost to BYU, USD, Portland and Gonzaga before beating Santa Clara last Saturday (69-62) in overtime.
In their latest win, the Dons had 4 players in double figures: Derksen 18, Watson 13, Pinkins 12 and Christiansen 10. Glover and Pinkins both had 10 boards as the Dons out-rebounded the Broncos 41-34.
I look for a win this Thursday vs the Dons but I expect they are doing the same up in SF. Should be a competitive game in any case.
Will Evan earn the respect he deserves with more minutes Thursday? I note that Mornar and Humphries both played 37 minutes in our loss to Portland and I have no problem with that. But Evan had only 21 minutes.
Go Lions!
Gametime: Thursday, Feb 19, 8 pm at Gersten. TV: TWCSN (Out of area TheW.tv)
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Post by ALioninWinter on Feb 15, 2015 23:27:51 GMT -5
21 minutes for the one guy every coach in the country would acknowledge is our best player. I know CMD is head strong and doesn't appreciate much that varies from his vision of the right thing to do, but he really seems to be shooting himself in the foot. Is he trying to drive Evan out?
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Post by husky on Feb 16, 2015 13:16:58 GMT -5
Twenty-one minutes! Yeah whatever is going on isn't obvious. I think we all understand sitting a player down when he is trying to do too much, is overly exited, out of control, totally ineffective, or a dozen other reasons. Similarly, disciplining a player for missing a schedule, being late, insubordination, academics, substance abuse, etc. likewise, no mystery. To the naked eye Evan does not seem to be sulking or pouting and he plays hard if not immediately in rhythm when he finally does get in.
So what is going on? Is it the "team" thing? Granted the other players may tend to take a "let Evan do it" attitude rather than risk taking an open shot themselves. However, isn't it the coaches job to instill confidence in his team and elevate the others toward's Evan's level rather than deconstruct Evan to theirs? Basketball is not supposed to be a zero sum game. I have wanted to resist the Dunlap control theory but that may be it. The team dutifully runs the plays, some of which designed to get Evan an open shot. The problem is that the opponents simply key on Evan through the repetitive patterns without being mis-directed and he remains closely guarded; other times he ends up too low among the bigs where he all to often forces up an impossible shot, often to beat the shot clock.
Now at the end of close games where we are making a real charge; the patterns are out. We move the ball toward the basket without stopping 40 feet from the basket for 20+ seconds while the other team gathers itself and sets its defense with emphasis on Evan. Then Evan's shots are neither the result of cleverly drawn up set plays nor the end result of some grand strategy and the coach has clearly forfeited total control. We are left to wonder, "why wait until the last couple of minutes?"
But the bottom line, without someone leaking inside information we will likely remain puzzled on top of our usual frustration as Lion fans.
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Post by slblions08 on Feb 16, 2015 20:53:29 GMT -5
the difference between Evan and the next guy on the team in terms of talent and ability is like Kobe and the Lakers. When Evan is on the floor the other team keys on him to ridiculous amounts. When this happens other guys on the team will get open looks if he passes it to them and they can build confidence. However, Dunlap gets excited and then puts Evan on the bench. These guys still with confidence will still play better for a little bit thinking that they can do it and the other team doesn't know who to guard or key their defense on. That might steal a couple wins.
However, these guys aren't that good so suddenly a team that is legit like a Gonzaga St. Mary's and BYU enters the gym and suddenly each of their guys is good enough by themselves to handle our guys sans Evan. Now confidence is shot, team realizes that they aren't as good as they thought they were and now their spirit is broken, plus now the other teams have tape or video to show how to lock down everybody else.
Put in Evan, and he'll be a jolt, but eventually it will just be a full cycle.
Dunlap says team over Evan, okay that might work in the SWAC or MEAC, but this it the WCC where disappointing third place BYU still gets a mention in ESPN tourney watches. You need good players to play a team game. Alienating and marginalizing your best player is stupid and shows that you are not a good coach or teacher.
As a teacher, I have one class period where I have four students who are going to UC schools and the rest are happy to make it to junior college. If I eliminated those top four students I'd actually have an easier period because then I could simplify lessons for everybody, assign projects that were more to their level. Instead I attempt to bring up the whole class level and challenge everybody. Some people will complain and even those top kids still complain. But thats where my effectiveness as a teacher comes in.
Instead of bringing the team down, coach everybody up a level. However Dunlap is showing me that he can't. I feel like he's going to recruit a bunch of euros because they already know fundamentals and are desperate to listen to him and stick with their sholarship because its their ticket out of war torn Eastern Europe or their way out of boring Australia (as the Aussies I met on a contiki trip told me). Going to the Euro route tells me that he isn't a basics teacher and that he can't connect or motivate the "entitled AAU" class.
As of now I expect what we've seen thus far. Dunlap will lead a team that annually loses at least 4/6 to Gonzaga, ST. Mary's and BYU and then maybe go .500 against the rest of the league. Obviously that will be much better than LMU will have been for the past 20 years so I guess its improvement. Maybe the pay off will be when he leaves after 5 years as he gets close to retirement and suddenly a perrennial .500 team will look good to the next coach.
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Post by aussielion on Feb 16, 2015 21:15:41 GMT -5
Nothing boring about Australia slblions08 before you go making statements like that pay us a visit' (as thousands of Aussies will tell you, contiki trip give me a break mate).oh well back to the doom and gloom perhaps a 'bunch of Euros' might just do really well in the next couple of years.
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Post by LIONS90045 on Feb 16, 2015 21:22:13 GMT -5
aussie - slb makes some good points but misses the boat regarding Australia. I've been to Sydney twice and loved my visit each time. Plus, I never met an aussie I did not like. The thrust of our concerns here is that Dunlap may be alienating our best player and that doesn't comport with "good" coaching at least in my opinion. Bring in all the Aussies we can gather - they are tough but fair-playing lads!
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Post by ALioninWinter on Feb 16, 2015 21:38:18 GMT -5
I agree. I've not been to Aussie-land but everyone I've ever met from there loves the place, and I've never heard the word "dull" used to describe life there. .
I have no problem with pulling in Euros or Aussies, but I agree with slb's comments on coaching, teaching and how CMD Is using his roster. I've been downright shocked and disappointed at some (many) of the things I've seen this year.
I am currently hoping that I simply am too thick to see the brilliance of CMD's approach ... And that his wisdom will shine through in a couple of years.
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Post by husky on Feb 17, 2015 11:05:22 GMT -5
I was in Sydney on R&R from Vietnam one million years ago before I met my wife. Not boring. Kings Cross, Motor Club and "Janice". Other areas of the continent also sound interesting; however, the only area I ever had a chance to "visit" was Woomera, up from Adelaide. That area makes Death Valley appealing; so I guess it depends on where - it's a big place.
Back to the Lions. I've been expecting the Dunlap fan club to pipe in and cheer us up. Seriously, things couldn't possibly be as bad as some of us fear. Maybe all we need is a couple of wins this week with Evan playing 35 + minutes, scoring 20 + points with 10 assists, and at least 4 other lions in double figures-- then it will be Kool-aid all around!!!! Go Lions.
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Post by aussielion on Feb 17, 2015 16:08:06 GMT -5
husky Woomera (which is Aboriginal for Spear Thrower) was a rocket range and America had a base there all to do with the cold war (i Think)its in the back of beyond in South Australia i worked in a copper mine close by and used to go there every saturday to play Aussie rules football great times many years ago,and a lot of Americans married Aussie girls while they were stationed there.Heres a bit of info if any one is interested.......http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/travel/destinations/2010/05/woomera-nuclear-danger-zone/
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Post by LIONS90045 on Feb 17, 2015 22:13:12 GMT -5
Fascinating article aussie - thanks for posting. I get the feeling that Woomera might have been the inspiration for the Mad Max movies. Further, if I moved to Australia, I might need to take "Australian Second Language" classes to understand all the terms in the article. I now see why Australia is a nuclear-free zone and I hope Husky isn't permanently damaged from his visit to Woomera. The U.S. (among other) government has parallel embarassing incidents trying to hide damage to naive recruits from our "secret" weapon systems.
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Post by LIONS90045 on Feb 18, 2015 17:11:01 GMT -5
Early line had the game as a toss up! Getting a bit more respect from Vegas.
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Post by slblions08 on Feb 19, 2015 3:42:11 GMT -5
Sorry to ruffle your feathers "mate". I was just going off the 19-24 year olds Aussies that find Melbourne, Sydney and wherever they were from boring, hence the need for holiday or gap year or whatever. Maybe it's an age thing. I'm sure just as any country there are things to do. Maybe one day I'll make the trip to play with a koala or toss a boomerang or watch a sloth sleep in a tree.
And it's not like Aussie players haven't done well for us before. I would love to have a real post player like Matt Knight on our team, or a good defender and ball-controlling PG like Damian Martin. Of course, I'd rather have Dante Exum or Patty Mills or even Dellavadova (who is currently making a niche on Cleveland). Is there the next Shane Heal somewhere looking for a college scholarship?
But let's not get lost here. This is a huge month for Dunlap and LMU. It could be the end for Payne as a Lion if he keeps being alienated. It could be a chance for Dunlap to show that team basketball will make LMU a conference champion one day. Unfortunately I think its over for us finishing 7th or higher. With 4 wins and three games left, the most we could finish is with 7. #6 Santa Clara plays 4 games with 6 wins to their name, including one against Pacific. Most likely we finish 8th or 9th (doesn't matter) and we get the right to play San Francisco for the chance to get slaughtered by Gonzaga in the quarterfinals. At least we'll be on TV for that one and kids in Europe watching ESPN3 at that moment might be inspired to play for us.
A win tonight could give the program a big morale boost.
We should congratulate Dunlap's 1 year anniversary on being in charge of the LMU program. If we go based on Good's angry words in the grantland article or the reports from people on this message board that basically Dunlap knew he'd be the coach since last February, he's basically had a calendar year now to his tenure.
Dunlap also has a month and a half to convince somebody to want to play for our program. Lots of slim pickings here in LA, so it seems we won't be making much of an imprint in the largest hotbed of talent in the nation this time. My question is, how does Dunlap do international recruiting? does he travel to europe to watch guys play against live competition or does he invite them here, watch them play against the air or cones or punching bags and then offer scholarships? Or does he do what we do and watch YouTube highlights? I always wondered how that worked for low budget schools. Realistically Dunlap is not in Europe or Australia scouring talent all over two continents.
I also wonder now that George Karl is back coaching if they'll be doing any sharing of any valuable information that will help us beat Gonzaga.
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Post by guarddad on Feb 19, 2015 15:22:48 GMT -5
Hi Guys / Ladies
slblions08: "Realistically Dunlap is not in Europe or Australia scouring talent all over two continents". Maybe not but has Head Assistant Coach Peterson been at every game? Food for thought....
GO LIONS!!
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Post by husky on Feb 19, 2015 17:24:38 GMT -5
The spread seems about right. Just hope we that we make our three throws and don't count on another miraculous come back. I forgot to take a flu shot this year and am paying the price by not being in Gertson for tonights game. The last Div 1 home game I missed was in 2010; I remember clearly since it was the last time we beat Gonzaga. I can only hope I am missing another key home win tonight. GO LIONS!!
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Post by LIONS90045 on Feb 19, 2015 22:43:48 GMT -5
guarddad - thanks for the insight! Our coaches are not stupid and can find talent. It seems to me that Matt is younger than most on the team, probably because he rose to the top and kept on climbing in his basketball career. I'm expecting great things from Matt in the coming years, and I look forward to our new "Euro" recruits or, preferably, Aussies - but that is a 17 hour flight from LA.
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