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Post by The Honey Badger on Nov 26, 2014 23:12:11 GMT -8
Lots of talented players, we are deep and i believe we have the skill and a ceiling high enough to make a deep run in the tourney. Only downsize is JJ playing elite teams, we definitely need an upgrade at his spot, as he is logging some serious minutes there and he is just not a next level kind of player.
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Post by survalli on Nov 26, 2014 23:13:18 GMT -8
team is much better than I thought it would be. should be favored in every game they play the rest of the year. the depth is unreal. we should have won this game. i think we would have with a days rest. no shame in losing to AZ
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Post by AztecBill on Nov 26, 2014 23:18:30 GMT -8
I see a lot of last years team. No inside game at all. Poor three point shooting. Poor free throw shooting. No ball movement. Didn't see one pick and roll. Yes we have a lot of good athletes but they just haven't jelled. I think Fish is going to narrow this down to eight that play. To have some consistently. And what has been said before we need to find a point guard that can run and control this offense. Shep to me looks like he hasn't improved at all. Polee not sure what is wrong with him but he has regressed. jJO still cant make a layup. Chol looks like he can be good but gets into foul trouble a lot to stay on the court. DaKari needs to be in the court more. Pope needs to trust his legs. Kell and Zabo are still young but I like Kells guts and offensive game, I think he is starting to believe he can play at this level and the nerves are being lessened. Why is Williams not playing I think he transfers after this year. Take a few days off and bring on USD I lot of what you write makes it seem like you only watched one game this year.
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Post by AZK619 on Nov 26, 2014 23:59:17 GMT -8
I see a lot of last years team. No inside game at all. Poor three point shooting. Poor free throw shooting. No ball movement. Didn't see one pick and roll. Yes we have a lot of good athletes but they just haven't jelled. I think Fish is going to narrow this down to eight that play. To have some consistently. And what has been said before we need to find a point guard that can run and control this offense. Shep to me looks like he hasn't improved at all. Polee not sure what is wrong with him but he has regressed. jJO still cant make a layup. Chol looks like he can be good but gets into foul trouble a lot to stay on the court. DaKari needs to be in the court more. Pope needs to trust his legs. Kell and Zabo are still young but I like Kells guts and offensive game, I think he is starting to believe he can play at this level and the nerves are being lessened. Why is Williams not playing I think he transfers after this year. Take a few days off and bring on USD I lot of what you write makes it seem like you only watched one game this year. Didn't you start a thread alluding to this team potentially going undefeated.. You should be the last to cast stones here.
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Post by enolt08 on Nov 27, 2014 1:19:23 GMT -8
A lot of #hotsportstakes here. Jesus, can't we be happy that we almost beat #3 team in the country?We played well. We lost to a better team. I think there is a lot to be happy about, but no I consider Aztec basketball way past the moral victory stage. I completely agree that we are past having moral victories. That doesn't mean we should act like the sky is falling though.
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Post by bobcooper84 on Nov 27, 2014 8:05:33 GMT -8
I agree with much that's been said. Throughout the tournament, I saw two weaknesses. The obvious one defensive rebounding - all about tenacity & wanting, & lack thereof is the only reason Utah and BYU stayed in their games. If you don't desire to want the ball more than your opponent, you don't deserve to win. The other, more subtle problem is at point guard. I love Trey Kell. What's not to like. However, he's not a point guard. Defensively, he cannot stay with elite teams quick guards. Sorry, Fish cannot teach foot speed. This was also evident on the inbounds turnovers. Clearly Dakarai had a role, but Trey couldn't free himself from Johnson. This last criticism will only be obvious against the elite teams, ones we may face in March. I'm only knit picking because we all can see the talent is there to reach the final four. What made last night's loss a little disappointing is when the pressure to perform really mattered against an elite team - our kids fumbled a bit. The beauty of playing Arizona is they can tighten the defensive screws against us like no other team we will face (until the big dance)Easy for me to say from the comfort of my lazy boy. Read more: aztecmesa.proboards.com/thread/41142/winston-shepard?page=1#ixzz3KHjcgDR7
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Post by Luchador El Guerrero Azteca on Nov 27, 2014 8:18:57 GMT -8
I don't think Arizona wants to see us later in the season when our freshman have gotten used to the game speed at this level, our hurt players are with us and the team has really gelled.
Sent from my Admiral Mark 01 Telegraph machine via Sputnik with dial-up
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Post by AztecBill on Nov 27, 2014 8:26:21 GMT -8
I lot of what you write makes it seem like you only watched one game this year. Didn't you start a thread alluding to this team potentially going undefeated.. You should be the last to cast stones here. Yes. So? You watched one game against the #3 team in the country, one of the best defensive teams, one drew conclusions from that single game. All I said was we could go undefeated but it was unlikely.
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Post by The Aztec Panther on Nov 27, 2014 8:36:07 GMT -8
So far, so good.
The team is getting better as the games go on. The team is starting to gel offensively. You had to expect that there would be some growing pains, but by January this team should be a legit top 10 or 12 team. Right now I'd say #15 is about right.
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Post by bobcooper84 on Nov 27, 2014 9:01:43 GMT -8
Why so concerned with rating....If the Aztecs were East coast based, they'd be a ranked 6-10. In my opinion, I believe there are only four teams better than us. Arizona, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Duke and Louisville. And we can play with any of these teams. The question is, can we beat them when it counts? Only time will tell!
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Post by bobcooper84 on Nov 27, 2014 9:02:07 GMT -8
Sorry, five teams!
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Post by waxxon on Nov 27, 2014 9:07:48 GMT -8
From my jaded viewpoint this team is good and has a chance to be exceptionally good. We did get accustomed to tremendous rebounding in years past, and this team needs to improve here. However, this team does have multiple offensive options that have been lacking in last couple of years. Clearly no one has taken charge like X did last year, he was a special player. However, Shepard is definitely improved and just needs to be aware of his ball handling limitations. I like that he is going to the basket instead of the weak ass fall away shot. Right now it seems Shepard is trying to take charge of running the O in crunch time but as the season goes on I think Kell/Zabo will handle this more.
Cutting down on TO is essential, it was killing us last night and should be easier to correct than the poor free throw shooting.
We all have high expectations this year and six games into the season this fan is looking forward to a great year form this team
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Post by 84aztec96 on Nov 27, 2014 9:32:44 GMT -8
Overall I think our team is actually better than last years team (that went 31-5!).
Chole is a huge upgrade. Didn't expect him to play this well initially, esp offensivel.. He will continue to improve.
Shepard has improved his game again this year. Hope the trend continues throughout the season. If he can finish at the rim, he could be the difference maker this year.
Trey looks very solid as a freshman. I do think he will continue to improve on D and scoring. He will be a big time player for us the next few years.
I'm supprised by Zabo. Didn't expect him to get much PT this year. Looks quick and smart. Gives us quality minutes.
Skylar continues to be a defensive presence, really controls the middle. Offense is what it is.
JJ remains a quality player on offense and D that makes good plays.
Polee is struggling a little. Needs to focus on D (and rebounding) and not try too hard to create his own shot. That really isn't his game. Get transition scores and step in 3's.
Quinn has been a huge suprise to me. Both offensively and defensively he looks strong on the court. Looks very confident in his shot and game.
Haven't seen enough of Pope to really comment. Glad he is getting some minutes. It is amazing he hasn't played competitively in two years. Hope he continues to get time on the floor and his game developes while remaining injury free.
Dakarai. I really like his game too. Defensively I think he is coming around. Offensively he is very explosive to the basket. I think he might be getting more minutes. Wish he had an outside shot! (does he?)
Finally, our team competes HARD! They are a joy to watch even when the offense is struggling.
So grateful I can root for a team of this quality, with a future that is so bright. We are truly lucky! Go Aztecs
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Post by fisherville on Nov 27, 2014 9:52:22 GMT -8
I think there is a lot to be happy about, but no I consider Aztec basketball way past the moral victory stage. I completely agree that we are past having moral victories. That doesn't mean we should act like the sky is falling though. I don't see anyone really acting that way.
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Post by smoothcat on Nov 27, 2014 10:02:40 GMT -8
It was a disappointing loss but certainly nothing to be ashamed about...SDSU could have very easily won that game, but Arizona just outplays us down the stretch of close games.
Shepard showed me something last night, he looks like he is finally figuring out what he needs to do but they are putting him in tough spots asking him to create offense with the shot clock winding down...would rather see the ball in Zabo's hands for that.
Polee is the biggest concern, he is playing like he is in a fog and honestly may deserve to lose some minutes if it doesn't improve soon. JJ O'Brien is just overmatched against the top teams and makes a lot of crushing mistakes in the big games.
This team is a work in progress, they should be able to stay in every game with their defense but they are going to need to find a consistent rotation and develop their offensive identity as far as what they want to do on that end.
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Post by standiego on Nov 27, 2014 10:47:21 GMT -8
Go pull out the article Zeigler wrote last April in the UT . The battle for PG could last through the fall, or be shared by a few players. Without a true PG the team could take some time to get it all together and is key for a quality team . Team may not have the D of last year or the offense to start the season but should get better as the season goes on . Does Polee have the stamina to be a starter from day 1 . Will Shepard rise to the opportunity and be Consistent? Can the Aztecs get offense from Down Low and more importantly the rebounds ? Key games Utah , BYU, Arizona , @ Washington @ Cincy . Most would have guessed the games so far, KEY the two road games . BE PATIENT is important with the team. but OOC is vital for MM , because the MW can not help our ranking or seed for MM only hurt us. Various Players have been up and down all year and even from the first half of a game to the second half . FT hurt last night and are key when you play quality teams . So is Rebounding and Finishing at the basket . Need better movement not the old ball screen offense . Hope both the players and the staff continue to move forward and improve. Has not helped with Pope and Cheatham injured
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Post by pdraztec on Nov 27, 2014 11:51:37 GMT -8
Nothing really wrong with our team......just got beat by #3 by 2 points. Could we have won?....yes. Did we win ?......no. Why? Look at the stats and you'll find the answers: They had less turnovers They had more rebounds They had more assists They had more steals ....and the coup de grace: They shot 83% on FTs and we shot 54%.....major ouch.
We are good and will get better. Lots of new people and combinations to assimilate and shape.
Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving and be thankful for our team and coaches.
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Post by breaztec on Nov 27, 2014 12:41:39 GMT -8
I see a lot of last years team. No inside game at all. Poor three point shooting. Poor free throw shooting. No ball movement. Didn't see one pick and roll. Yes we have a lot of good athletes but they just haven't jelled. I think Fish is going to narrow this down to eight that play. To have some consistently. And what has been said before we need to find a point guard that can run and control this offense. Shep to me looks like he hasn't improved at all. Polee not sure what is wrong with him but he has regressed. jJO still cant make a layup. Chol looks like he can be good but gets into foul trouble a lot to stay on the court. DaKari needs to be in the court more. Pope needs to trust his legs. Kell and Zabo are still young but I like Kells guts and offensive game, I think he is starting to believe he can play at this level and the nerves are being lessened. Why is Williams not playing I think he transfers after this year. Take a few days off and bring on USD I lot of what you write makes it seem like you only watched one game this year. No I've wetched a few. This team as others said lacks rebounding, lack of a leader either point guard or go to guy when the game is on the lineMuch better than our game against Bakersfield. And yes they will improve. Just some of our returners just don't seem to have improved at. What I do like is we have incredible depth. Playing nine or ten and still have two to come back from injuries
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Post by aztecanthony on Nov 27, 2014 13:04:55 GMT -8
Lots of talented players, we are deep and i believe we have the skill and a ceiling high enough to make a deep run in the tourney. Only downsize is JJ playing elite teams, we definitely need an upgrade at his spot, as he is logging some serious minutes there and he is just not a next level kind of player.
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Post by aztecanthony on Nov 27, 2014 14:00:40 GMT -8
agree 100%, jjo is killing us against top 5 elite type teams, only 3 pts in 31 minutes. I'm sure he's a great practice player for Fisher but we are once again reminded that jj does not have elite level talent when it counts (bright lights shining). I would have Chol in whenever the game is close, atleast it appears that his free throw has a chance to go in. Coach Fisher was so quick to yank Polee for failing to box out Johnson in the first half. Problem is that he had just hit 4 straight shots!! Why the short leash for DP and not for others who are throwing up bricks from 2 feet??
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