Thanks for that recap, smed.
 

Quote from: smedindy on February 04, 2006, 05:25:08 PM

Denison seems to have an aversion for defense at times. They have some good offensive talent, but seem to do a lot of one-on-one stuff.

I think your observation is dead-on re: DU's interest in guarding people.

Also, a very quick glance at the box revealed 12 Big Red turnovers from two guys:  Hern and Gognat (six each).  That's going to be tough to overcome no matter who you're playing against.

Thanks LG.  I thought it would be awfully tough for Denison to sneak in there and steal one - I'll be interested to read the recap.

Anyone have a final from Crawfordsville?  It didn't look too good for the Big Red at the half, but maybe they made a run...

Quote from: DenisonFan on February 02, 2006, 09:54:48 AM
But OH LOOK....how many guys did he play???  EIGHT  and what happened..they won!!

It is just too bad Ghiloni and company could not have figured it out before the start of the season.  I am not going ot say we beat Witt, Woo, or Akron.  But the others were certainly games we should have been in.

So in your distorted world, do you believe that Coach Ghiloni sacrificed those early games just to give the end of his bench some experience?  That is absurd.  The much more logical explanation is that the upperclassmen and starters were not doing what they were asked to do.  You are a broken record and you don't make any more sense in February than you did in December.

Hodgkinson has been better as the season has gone on - and I'm not talking about his numbers.  He'll never be a great defender, but his effort on that end of the floor has improved tremendously.

Izzo's play has improved too - again, largely because his effort has improved.  He's committed to defending and getting on the boards.  The offense that he provides is a bonus.  His scoring last night came from a number of backdoor cuts and moves to the basket.

Hern continues to be an enigma.  I'm not sure I've ever seen someone with his ability care so little about defending - and he's supposed to be providing senior leadership!  The second half last night was embarrassing.  He might be the easiest guy to screen in the country.

The bottom line is you have to beat the teams you're supposed to beat, so it was good to see the Big Red pick up another win and get back to .500.  This team and program, like many others, continues to be a work in progress.

DC,

I apologize if this has ever been covered or if I'm breaking some forum rule by questioning another poster's identity, but I must ask: what is your background?  Did you play? coach?

I'm too new to be able to award karma, but if i could, you'd get points from me for 50%+ of your posts.  I really enjoy your insight and the level of understanding you bring to the discussion.

I've only been around for a few weeks and I don't frequent other forums outside the NCAC page (well, I read, but never post), but I have to say that the "regulars" are a pretty knowledgeable group.

I'm an equal opportunity fan when it comes to basketball - I love high school, D1, D3, etc. - everything except the NBA - and the comments and opinion that I get in here are top-notch.

Now on a more important note - Go Big Red - here's your chance to knock off number 1.  Wish I could be there...

If only we could get a quote from the Kenyon player to clarify the situation

Wow - I was happy to hear that it was a 3 pt. ballgame inside 10 minutes.  Didn't see this one coming.  Any details are appreciated.  Huge win for the Big Red!

Good choice to broadcast the EC/DU women...

Keep the updates coming Billy.

Another win for the Big Red - that's 6 out of 7.  Denison is showing that when they play teams with similar levels of talent, they can compete.  They're also starting to develop a little confidence as a group.

It's also been fun to watch Steve Koecheler's continued development - he did a really nice job of defending the post and was active around the basket yesterday.  I have to believe that his improved play is a result of experienced gained early in the year.  Izzo contributed nicely yesterday with 13 and 7, and the two Shea's were solid.  That's the kind of balance that Denison is going to need the rest of the way - and again, is return on the experience they picked up at the start of the season.

Much improved ball movement (compared to November and December) resulted in better looks from the perimeter and 8 of 14 from three - 57%.

Wednesday evening is going to be a tough one, but it would be great to see the Big Red surprise Earlham to keep things going...

My problem is more with this rediculous code and the underlying message that players have to protect their turf - you don't allow someone to disrespect you by dunking in "your house."  I hated that attitude when I played and the older I get, the more I hate it.  To be fair I also hated the guys who would step out of a play to avoid getting dunked on.  If you're able to legitimately challenge the shot, then do it.  Fatigue and frustration sometimes lead to bad decisions.  Let's hope that's all Pfouts is guilty of.

Quote from: DenisonFan on January 19, 2006, 05:28:25 PM
Let's take a quick look at Witt and Wooster.  Last time I checked they were #1 and #2 in the NATION.  Now let's look at who starts for them.  OH WHAT A SHOCK.. the same 5 guys each and everygame for the ENTIRE SEASON. 

I want to see Denison continue to improve and ultimately compete with the conference elite, but please don't compare the Big Red to Witt and Woo just yet.  Upperclassmen in established programs set the tone and teach the youngsters how to be successful.  When you're building a program from the bottom up, you have to reward behavior that you want to see repeated.

If Denison had the talent that the number 1 & 2 teams in the nation enjoy, Coach Ghiloni would probably be happy to settle in with a regular rotation.

I have to give it to you DenisonFan; if nothing else, you are consistent.

After 6 games or 16 games you absolutely start the guys who played hard and smart that week in practice.  Is he supposed to reward poor effort or lack of preparation?

The up side is that the Big Red have won 5 of 6 and three straight.  Here is hoping for another win on Saturday.

EA,
Your points are well made - except that the guy admitted he couldn't get there in time to legitimately contest the dunk.  No one is saying that hard fouls aren't part of the game.  Guys sometimes lose control because they are playing so hard, but there is a line that should never be crossed.  That line is crossed when (in a split second) a defender makes the decision to stop another player from scoring at all cost.

When a guy admits after the fact that he was motivated to stop someone from dunking in his "house," that's dirty.

Agreed WooBoo.  It's one thing to challenge an opponent who is going hard to the basket, but another thing entirely to go after someone when you know you can't get there in time to legitimately contest the shot/dunk.

You see this kind of thing regularly, whether in a pickup game, high school game, etc.  It's surprising that more injuries like this don't occur.