CAA Playoffs - Game 1 vs UNCW

[Wags]

Thanks all (I believe Wags and FD) for the perspective on Cohen at NU. I truly did not realize or pay much attention to his weak work early on...

Pretty cool to see that considering HU and JM seem to be going through a lot of the same stuff... actually maybe better at HU.

That doesn't excuse what we are seeing from JM of course, and I know you guys are not saying that at all either. But it is good to see. It does give some hope that it can be done and fortunes reversed... and I know that. BUT I just don't believe JM will change to make it happen.

Right, sometimes it just takes some time, more than we'd like, because we're all (understandably) impatient to win. And as we saw last night, when we thought a Joe-led HU team was the only one in the CAA that could be in that position and blow it the way they did, NU choked even more. So it can happen.

However, I'm still not happy with the approach. You know I've been one of the ones banging the drum for years on the defense, not being a fan at all of the "we'll simply outscore them and win every game 90-85" approach. In fact, I've received heat here for calling it out when they were winning games that way. I said it again when they lost 90-87 at W&M and 86-85 against Charleston. And I was told... yeah, but they just gave it away late, they should've won. And I said, no they shouldn't have been in that position in the first place because they should've played D and not given up so many points; THAT'S where they lost. But still, I was told it's exciting and it's fun, better than those Pecora-led rock fights. And I said, it IS fun, but it doesn't win. Only after the tourney loss to UNCW on Sunday night, did people see what I meant.

So yeah, now we ALL see that needs to be addressed. I still point to the stark difference in those to Elon games this year as to their ability to do what's necessary to correct that WHEN THEY WANT TO.

[Polito]

I hear you and largely agree, solid points, but let's be clear here on one thing:

A SIXTH place picked team does not "choke".

NU overachieved, and should be commended for a fantastic season. HU, not so much. I know HUSID is all over the picked 4th finished 3rd thing, but I'm not going to go as wild as a 6th to 2nd (big difference), AND HU literally barely finished there by the skin of their teeth... was up to like the last game or two, so far from an impressive feat.

Anyhoo, with you 100% on the approach. Someone said it (cactus maybe?), JM's strategy beats teams that have lesser talent, or once in a while, catches someone on an off night (i.e. FSU, Dayton). But those ultimately prove to be flukes, and the minute HU faces someone of similar talent, they either get smacked or blow a close one in epic fashion (typically in the biggest games of the year unfortunately).

Therefore, JM isn't winning this conference until it is adequately and appropriately addressed.

What I find very concerning is the very large lack of faith from the dominant supporting diehard fanbase in JM's ability or willingness to do so. There's a LOT of collective years of experience, insight, knowledge, etc. around these parts. Fan confidence in the leader being so low is a very, very bad sign because Joe isn't 30. And after 5 years, he hasn't shown he can or will do anything about it.

IF that turns out to be the case, it will be 2 more VERY frustrating years with zip to show for the efforts. Hope like heck this 'old stalwart' can and is willing to learn new tricks, for the programs sake.

[Wags]

A SIXTH place picked team does not "choke".

Again, picked 6th based on what? That the media didn't know who Pusica was yet? And had they, would they have picked NU 3rd? 2nd?

They were up 17 in the second half.
They turned it over 5 times in the first half, 15 after that.
Chealey had 9 at halftime, 23 after that.
They choked, and they choked even slightly worse than HU did two years ago.

If you're going to condemn HU for it, you can't give NU a pass for it. I'm sure even NU feels today that they choked.

[Flying Dutchmen]

Anyhoo, with you 100% on the approach. Someone said it (cactus maybe?), JM's strategy beats teams that have lesser talent, or once in a while, catches someone on an off night (i.e. FSU, Dayton). But those ultimately prove to be flukes, and the minute HU faces someone of similar talent, they either get smacked or blow a close one in epic fashion (typically in the biggest games of the year unfortunately).

I don't know, I mean you're clearly overrating our talent then. We've handled of business against the bad teams consistently, and have been competitive with the top of the CAA. FSU, St. Bonnies on the road, Dayton, were nice wins for our program, Hofstra has so rarely won games against more talented teams.

Joe's done a good job avoiding bad losses. Yes, the defense has let us down, particularly this year, that's what we're all arguing about, but like I was saying a few posts ago, I actually think Joe's offensive system has translated better to the CAA than I thought it would. I think that's why I'm a little more positive about the coaching staff than most. Our offense has been consistently good, top 75 overall, regardless of the personnel. Pecora's teams for example, the offense/defense wildly varied based on personnel.

Not to get too philosophical, but I believe defense is more about instinct, because it's reactive. Sometimes it looks like the staff is trying to choreograph the defense like they do to the offense, which I believe is a mistake, and what they have to change. We've given up too many points on blown coverages and confusion. I've watched nearly every game the last 5 years, other than the 2nd half of the '16 season, I can't remember a stretch were guys weren't throwing their hands up in frustration for blown defensive coverages.

[Wags]

Not to get too philosophical, but I believe defense is more about instinct, because it's reactive. Sometimes it looks like the staff is trying to choreograph the defense like they do to the offense, which I believe is a mistake, and what they have to change. We've given up too many points on blown coverages and confusion. I've watched nearly every game the last 5 years, other than the 2nd half of the '16 season, I can't remember a stretch were guys weren't throwing their hands up in frustration for blown defensive coverages.

This is an excellent point which has not been made nearly enough here. Each player on the floor has to be put in positions in which they know each know what's expected of them and when they can and cannot trust help from their teammates. But then, that's also why Joe has a whole staff looking at tape. They should be able to spot that on film and work toward simplifying things for the players to minimize the confusion.

[Wags]

Some will be happy to know: Hofstra will NOT play in the 2018 CBI:
https://twitter.com/CBITourney/status/9 ... 5028243456

No word yet on the CIT.

[cactus]

Some will be happy to know: Hofstra will NOT play in the 2018 CBI:
https://twitter.com/CBITourney/status/9 ... 5028243456

No word yet on the CIT.

The CIT is a little over half full and no word of Hofstra receiving or accepting a bid to play.

[Wags]

Some will be happy to know: Hofstra will NOT play in the 2018 CBI:
https://twitter.com/JasonBelzer/status/ ... 4918836224

No word yet on the CIT.

...and no CIT either. Season over.
David Robinson remains No. 1 with 1,314 boards, Rok No. 2 with 1,305. So close.

Joe's former team IS playing in the CIT.

Best wishes Rok, Hunter and Joel.

[Cards]

Anyone know if we were invited and declined or simply not invited.

I don't see NE playing anywhere and I cant imagine they were not invited. Can anyone confirm that they declined an invitation?

[Wags]

Anyone know if we were invited and declined or simply not invited.

I don't see NE playing anywhere and I cant imagine they were not invited. Can anyone confirm that they declined an invitation?

I tweeted at those who released the teams for each tourney, but no response (yet).

[Hofstra]

-30-

[Cards]

Has to be that lots of teams declined. Some of the teams in the CIT are teams with RPIs in the 200+ range.

[Wags]

-30-

?

[Wags]

Has to be that lots of teams declined. Some of the teams in the CIT are teams with RPIs in the 200+ range.

Probably. Even more reason for the NIT to go to the 64 best remaining teams after the NCAAT selections, and get rid of the CBI and CIT.

[Hofstra]

-30-

?

–30– has been traditionally used by journalists in North America to indicate the end of a story.

[Wags]

-30-

?

–30– has been traditionally used by journalists in North America to indicate the end of a story.

Ah, gotchya.

Would've fit more if that were identified by -9- (given how close Rok got).

[The Shadow]

To Wags, I am in favor of your idea to expand the NIT. If I am not mistaken, I recall that HU was part of a 40 member NIT field. I think it was the Nebraska, St. Joe's, ODU year.

[Hofstra]

[/quote]
–30– has been traditionally used by journalists in North America to indicate the end of a story.[/quote]
Ah, gotchya.

Would've fit more if that were identified by -9- (given how close Rok got).[/quote]

I liked Rok, but to think if he had put his hands up a few times, some made shots might have missed and he could have had that record. His totals will always be remembered by the lack of defense, which is crazy. He had huge totals, but horrific defensively.

[Wags]

To Wags, I am in favor of your idea to expand the NIT. If I am not mistaken, I recall that HU was part of a 40 member NIT field. I think it was the Nebraska, St. Joe's, ODU year.

That's correct, in 2006.

[Polito]

Very curious if HU turned down or wasn't even given a chance to...?

If a team plays a road game does that mean they pay nothing, or just less?

Silly tourneys and a waste, and looks like many others feel exactly the same - IF a lot of quality programs DID turndown this year that speaks volumes IMO

And YES! NIT is looooooong overdue to expand