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Post by ALioninWinter on Jan 23, 2016 20:45:52 GMT -5
I don't know if I agree that this year's team is more exciting than teams in past years. Last year? For sure, but last year was horrible. Either way, it doesn't matter. LMU2015 is right. We need the students out. Their enthusiasm really adds electricity to Gersten. If the Lions continue to improve and can win some/most of their games, fan enthusiasm will improve. Gersten is a lot of fun when the stands are full and the fans are excited.
Tonight's performance wasn't very good. The guys were pretty flat footed, maybe a bit of a hangover from Thursday? Jacko was great, again. He for sure is the most exciting inside player we've had in a very long, long time. Tutu still has a lot to learn but I agree his aggressive defense turned the tide today. I think his PG future is solid.
CMD said the Lions would be much improved by the second half of the season. Over the past two weeks we've seen glimmers of that prediction. Let's hope CMD is right and the Lions can work themselves into the middle of the WCC standings.
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Post by LIONS90045 on Jan 23, 2016 21:26:31 GMT -5
One of our worst first halfs of the season. The team was flat and defense was poor. USD shot well, in part due to our poor defense. We pulled off a nice comeback in the second half - led by Jacko and Tutu. Tutu did have several ill-advised forays into the paint but that seems to be his game. His late drive with time expiring ended in an amazing Jacko dunk - I'm still not sure how the ball got to Adom near the rim!? Jacko is the team's motor - no doubt. A few silly fouls again but he managed to stay in the game. Johnson fouled out but I did not see anything I would have advised against - just solid hard play. Tutu's two late steals really pumped up Gersten - USD must have wondered where he came from on the second steal on an inbound play. I thought Humphries played an all-around solid game. He carried the offense in the first half with his two early 3's but then was quiet for a period. He had several steals and played solid defense. He is a difference maker in his own way. Good for David. Mornar did not score tonight but played well inside - at least one block under the boards. Brown is also lightning fast and several of his difficult lay-up attempts could have fallen but didn't. That's his style also. Haney had an average to less average night. He turned the ball over twice in the early going with weak passes and had a tough time with his drives but did hit some shots from the perimeter. Nice to get the home win but I'm disappointed in the margin - the spread was 7 and we did not beat it. In fact, there was a bit of nail biting late. Jacko had left the game with a 9 point lead and about 3 minutes to play, and I thought left for the evening. But the margin fell to 4 and he had to come back. Thank goodness he could even with 4 fouls. I think Tauch carries his weight for the team - he is a big guard and now has shown a perimeter shot. He has quick hands on defense and his athleticism with his size creates problems for the other team. As to whipping the Toreros at Jenny Craig Pavilion, a squeaker of a win is more likely unless we develop more consistency throughout the game. Lots of students in the stands helped - there was free pizza on the quad and free tee shirts at the game - maybe those helped along with homecoming weekend. Go Lions!
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Post by slblions08 on Jan 23, 2016 22:23:02 GMT -5
Haven't been to a game since Fullerton until tonight. If this is the "system" that Dunlap wants this program is destined for mediocrity. Of course being mediocre would be an improvement. But you won't see better than 4th. This wild style is very gimmicky. It looks entertaining to the general fans with the pace but it's playground basketball and against disciplined teams will essily get exposed. Against better ball handlers and shooters this would be s blowout. I don't think BYU was ready in the first half for it but then proceeded to out score us by 20 once they just straightened out. This barely got us a win against San Diego.
What's funny is that I thought Dunlap to be more of a cerebral coach who preaches systemic ball but it's the opposite .
Hey it's fun to watch a few alley oops and some speedy dribbling though and the ball flying around on both ends of the ball. Jacko is a great player for this system
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Post by lmu2015 on Jan 24, 2016 0:10:24 GMT -5
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Post by waterboy on Jan 24, 2016 1:04:20 GMT -5
Again, mediocre point play kept this game close. Brown has got to figure it out!! Tutu returned to throwing the ball at the basket instead of shooting it, but made up for it late in the game with a couple of jumpers. Humpheries continues to pass up on wide open shots. He gets the pass, and for some unknown reason does a head fake, which allows the defense to close in, and then he passes up on the shot because he's blown the open opportunity. He's got to learn to go up as soon as he recieves the pass.
A win always makes up for the lousy play. The defense stepped up an won the game. Lots of glimmers of exellence developing. Love the recruit on the bench. Jacko is for real.
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Post by lmu2015 on Jan 24, 2016 14:52:01 GMT -5
I forgot to mention how bad our rebounding was, jacko still relies on out jumping people for rebounds too much instead of boxing out, him not putting a body on Kok a couple times almost cost us. I'm excited to see what adjustments we make for the games this week. I want to see us play faster vs USD and a little slower vs BYU. I also think brown and tutu will be in the court more together in the BYU game, having the two quickest people in the court is always a nice advantage. I'd also like to see McClendon get a chance to guard collinsworth for a little bit, I think he's quick enough to prevent penetration, and strong/tough enough to keep him out of post position and the o-boards. I think it's important for McClendon to get a few minutes per game, as long as he doesn't foul, he always seems to contribute with good defense and some rebounds.
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Post by LIONS90045 on Jan 24, 2016 21:28:40 GMT -5
lmu - Great link re Jacko
"LMU's Adom Jacko will dunk on you and you will like it" "Loyola Marymount's Adom Jacko will throw down on you if you're in his way." Both true and great publicity. Jakco for President!
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Post by thx4leavinjimlynam on Jan 24, 2016 23:21:54 GMT -5
Yes, lmu, thank you for sharing the Jacko link!
Also completely agree regarding McClendon. He or Tuach have to be on Collinsworth. Give him the outside shot. Just don't let him drive.
Lastly, "winning ugly" is indeed necessary for growing teams. This was our first win when scoring fewer than 71. Ideally we don't have too many more games that ugly, but good to know we can win ugly if necessary.
Tutu was the X-factor last night. Humphries was the X-factor against USF, Spiers against CSUN and Haney in the second Fullerton game. Jacko and Brown, more or less, are consistent. Great to have a different player step up from time to time.
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