basketballjones

The problem with Cale at this level is that Cale is a smooth, patient, ball-control guy who is used to operating with the ball in his hands and manipulating things. Then taking advantage of mistakes, using his strength/athleticism, and whatnot... Where Sam is and has always been a shot out of cannon, energy, high IQ, quickness, flying around wild, water-bug type of player. So his game (Sam's) really translated well to being a walk-on role player. Cale's game, as a high schooler anyways, doesn't really translate to that type of role player. That being said, I believe that if Cale sticks it out, he can certainly carve out a role as a change-of-pace, quarterback style, point guard here at this level. Just a matter of if that's what he wants or not.

And he had 35 Tuesday on it. He's also just a phenomenal kid. I would be beating down his door to get him to Walk-on. But fwiw - I am fully aware of Connor's game and limitations at the next level. He's made the right decision for himself. I just watch someone like Sam Hoiberg play 37 minutes against an NCAA tourney team and go, "hey, maybe not everyone out here needs to fit this perfect mold of what we think a college basketball player looks like." (*as I stare directly in the mirror and call myself a hypocrite for my views on Keisei T.*)

He's a 6'9"+ Junior, with long arms and a shooting stroke/ball handling ability. You take a chance on that.

Watching what Sam Hoiberg is doing - does it make any of you re-evaluate the level of player Connor Milikan of Plattview could be? Significantly better hs player than Sam. Easily a comparable athlete, and taller.

But what if..... Never mind

How do we get the twin brother on the team too?

Agreed. This is one of the best "drilled" defensive teams I have ever seen. Zero hesitations in our positioning, help, and rotations.

Coaches in this thread... @Dean Smith maybe... What are you emphasizing in OT? What are the priorities? Any tips/tricks?

I'm curious if you have a source for this? Especially the "Loesner has all the scouts," part. That's pretty atypical for a staff, usually scouts are rotated. I think it's pretty clear that Loesner is the "lead assistant," and is constantly in Fred's ear and is also making adjustments on the fly/calling out things - I'm not arguing with that. But the defense we are playing this year is new to this year, and it's from Howard.

The defense we are playing, the base package, is 100%, entirely, completely, Howard’s matchup zone. Pass off first cutters, go with next guy and dribblers, Walker hard hedges or soft hedges ball screens while they pre-tag and then rotate top down, etc… this is entirely his defense. I’m sure Loesner scouts and whatnot and can make adjustments, but it’s assuredly not “his” defense.

This is entirely Howard’s match-up zone…. Am I missing something?

Yep. We were in our base coverage every possession but one late 1st half 1-3-1 match up, and a couple where we went pretty straight up 2-3. Other than that it was our base match-up zone coverage.

Well they didn’t. The first 10min of that second half were one of the most atrocious things I’ve ever seen.

Guys…. I was at that game. I’m physically and mentally exhausted omg… I’ve never seen a team get FU***D that hard by refs and still win.

Man I thought a ton of different scenarios in there and very few allowed us to be anything other than the 10 seed. It was very hard for us to NOT be the 10 seed and very hard for us to be anything but the 10 seed.

I've basically decided to tank my best HHCC season to date by taking Marlyand here in another reverse jinx. MD - 69 NU - 65

Shots go in when you do all the other little things right and have great energy.

It’s not even a question.

I’m just speechless with these guys…. What a testament to talent not being the most important thing, but playing as a team.

If we win some games in these last 5 and he continues doing what he’s doing I think you’re wrong. One of the biggest things that gets guys on teams is, “did we have to do special things to stop him?” And multiple teams now have had to tailor their entire defense to him now.

Dudes…. I don’t smoke but I’m gonna need a damn cigarette after this game.

I think this comment will get laughed at pretty hard but so be it. Sam Hoiberg is arguably the most important player in this run of us playing well these last few games. Im not going to criticize anyone else - but when you replace a player in the rotation with someone who doesn’t need shots, reverses the ball without an ounce of hesitation, makes all the correct drives, flies around on defense, makes true hustle plays… it opens up everything else for the guys who have scoring skills like KT and DW.

Well that was one of the best halves we’ve played

Ummmmm…. I’m absolutely in love with the 1-3-1 that matches up man to man once it goes to the corner. Completely threw off Rutgers there for a bit. Love it.