Thursday, January 19, 2006
MATT B: GRUMPY OLD MAN
Jeff Jones and Company extended their win streak to 10 against Army last night, despite their best efforts to the contrary. There were a number of things that just didn't make sense, including:
1) Arvydas Eitutavicius, a guy that never played last year, continuing to get a ton of minutes;
2) Arvydas Eitutavicius, the worst defender on the team, guarding Jarell Brown, who was Army's only offensive threat last night;
3) Arvydas Eitutavicius, who shoots 36%, playing instead of Linas Lekavicius, who shoots 53%;
4) Andre Ingram's continuing inability to score when there are more than 10 seconds on the gameclock;
5) Paulius Joneliunus, a 6'11" 240 lb guy playing a total of 7 minutes, despite a breakout game at Colgate last week;
6) Senior guard Craig Weinstein, who is essentially a coach with a uniform on, somehow playing in the first half;
7) AU somehow going to a 7 man rotation all of a sudden; and
8) How in the hell AU actually won this game.
AU scored 18 in the first half. Some of that has to do with the fact that Jim Crews' offensive sets are "hold the ball for 20 seconds, then pass to a guy off the screen and take a jumper with 5 or less seconds remaining on the shotclock", which slows the game down to an almost unwatchable pace (think bizzaro Phoenix Suns). More of it has to do with the fact that AU played lethargic, with little offensive gameplan. If someone on AU came off a screen WITHOUT the ball, I would get on my knees and praise Allah.
Ugh.
NOW FOR SOMETHING MORE POSITIVE
AU's freshmen continue to impress, and at this point, that's more important than wins and losses. Jordan Nichols is capable of a double-double every time on the court, and will lead the team in rebounds and blocks by season's end. Mercer continues to improve, and if he starts gaining confidence in his jumper, he'll be as good as Andres Rodriguez soon enough. Brian Gilmore can't hit a shot to save his life, but that will come around soon enough. Garrison Carr is just plain fun to watch, but he is stuck behind a half dozen other guys at the guard position (including Eitutavicius, who who be the one averaging <10 minutes a game).
AU is certainly the underdog going into Worcester on Saturday. Yes, AU fans, it's time to be concerned. The good news is most of the teams in the league are as bad as AU right now, and they don't have the potential that AU does in the future. So you have to stay patient. At least that is what I'm telling myself... @ 11:34 AM
Jeff Jones and Company extended their win streak to 10 against Army last night, despite their best efforts to the contrary. There were a number of things that just didn't make sense, including:
1) Arvydas Eitutavicius, a guy that never played last year, continuing to get a ton of minutes;
2) Arvydas Eitutavicius, the worst defender on the team, guarding Jarell Brown, who was Army's only offensive threat last night;
3) Arvydas Eitutavicius, who shoots 36%, playing instead of Linas Lekavicius, who shoots 53%;
4) Andre Ingram's continuing inability to score when there are more than 10 seconds on the gameclock;
5) Paulius Joneliunus, a 6'11" 240 lb guy playing a total of 7 minutes, despite a breakout game at Colgate last week;
6) Senior guard Craig Weinstein, who is essentially a coach with a uniform on, somehow playing in the first half;
7) AU somehow going to a 7 man rotation all of a sudden; and
8) How in the hell AU actually won this game.
AU scored 18 in the first half. Some of that has to do with the fact that Jim Crews' offensive sets are "hold the ball for 20 seconds, then pass to a guy off the screen and take a jumper with 5 or less seconds remaining on the shotclock", which slows the game down to an almost unwatchable pace (think bizzaro Phoenix Suns). More of it has to do with the fact that AU played lethargic, with little offensive gameplan. If someone on AU came off a screen WITHOUT the ball, I would get on my knees and praise Allah.
Ugh.
NOW FOR SOMETHING MORE POSITIVE
AU's freshmen continue to impress, and at this point, that's more important than wins and losses. Jordan Nichols is capable of a double-double every time on the court, and will lead the team in rebounds and blocks by season's end. Mercer continues to improve, and if he starts gaining confidence in his jumper, he'll be as good as Andres Rodriguez soon enough. Brian Gilmore can't hit a shot to save his life, but that will come around soon enough. Garrison Carr is just plain fun to watch, but he is stuck behind a half dozen other guys at the guard position (including Eitutavicius, who who be the one averaging <10 minutes a game).
AU is certainly the underdog going into Worcester on Saturday. Yes, AU fans, it's time to be concerned. The good news is most of the teams in the league are as bad as AU right now, and they don't have the potential that AU does in the future. So you have to stay patient. At least that is what I'm telling myself... @ 11:34 AM
