IT’S GAME DAY! Miami notes below:
And here are SMU’s notes, they are a big team:
And for those that haven’t seen it, here is mz343’s excellent SMU scouting report, although personally I don’t know how anyone can beat my report of “they are a big team”!
SMU will be the best team we’ve played this year though Akron is a fair comparison, especially with their perimeter players. We will have to play our best game to win, but we will have opportunities, especially offensively. Defensively, we’re going to need to communicate and be really dialed into what’s hopefully a great scouting report.
When we have the ball, SMU will look to stay in front of us but they don’t put extreme pressure on the ball. Their big guy drops and then some on the pick and roll. Their perimeter players trail screens the majority of the time so our ball handlers will come off screens with options. While the jump shot may be there, the better options will be the pocket pass to the roller (Woolfolk) or drive and kick. SMU crashes hard into the lane, or at least they did against Louisville (the game I watched), another really good 3 point shooting team. I’d be surprised if whoever is guarding Byers crashes hard, but whoever is guarding Elmer might because consistently, they look to help on the driver since their big guy, while big, is slow of foot. Also, off the ball movement is vital. Because they trail screens, curls or even straight back door cuts will be there for a drive or drive and kick. SMU was unimpressive in defensive transition, getting lost a number of times. If you get Walters guarding you, attack him off the dribble, don’t settle for the jumper. We should have chances to score. SMU is also a below average defensive rebounding team.
SMU’s offense goes through Miller and Pierre. They’re both nightmares to try and guard because they’re both quick and very good 3 point shooters. Defending them might come down to mastering certain situations. For instance, when Miller and Pierre are going right off high ball screens, they are looking to get into the paint, so go under the ball screen, see if they can make a 3 off the dribble going right and this way you’re protecting against Yigitoglu on the roll. If they go left, hedge and recover and live with a 2 at worst. Now when they run ball screens on the wing, I’d double hard, making the pass to Yigitoglu really difficult. Washington and Edwards are good 3 point shooters, but I only saw them make 3s off kickouts, so we can’t overhelp on the drive.
Only watching 1 game, banking on these tendencies may be the wrong move but these subtleties may be enough to steal some stops. But no matter what, we’re going to have to play our best 1-on-1 defense all year. I would alternate who’s guarding Miller. I would put Elmer on Pierre and live with Byers on Washington and force him to make off the dribble 3s.
Some other tidbits: SMU is excellent in offensive transition. On defense, they didn’t guard out-of-bounds plays well. I think Robbins should see some time. I don’t know what the matchup for Atlason is in this game. You can’t leave Walters open on the perimeter; he’s a sniper from 3. SMU isn’t the deepest team. If Edwards does come back, the most important thing he does is give them another body. Woolfolk needs to finish strong at the rim. SMU is a great offensive rebounding team; all 5 guys need to rebound.
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On the banks of the Great Miami River.
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Tonight is going to be a great night for the red and white.
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Nothing like March Madness, when we all gather round and remember that TruTV exists.
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I was worried about truTV and who needs another app on their tv? Turned on the game last night and got the play in games no problem. Think it was CBS/Tru TV or similar. Have HULU as provider.
Pre game, Sir Charles was great! Said in no uncertain terms we were screwed and should not have to been in the play in. Paraphrasing…” can’t help it if all the teams in their league suck.”
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The Report SMU Preview:
A cliche is a cliche - generally because it is true.
I obviously have no idea how Travis is messaging this - but at some point you are riding with 8-10 guys on the floor, playing a game and you need more points. This team can use a big dose of that cliche - forget seeding, even at some level the school you play for.
They got attention because of the winning, and so everything is just about the winning. Make shots, play defense, play with confidence always. No one gets or loses anything by fate.
Ok Prairie View and Lehigh… whatever you do, settle it in regulation.
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JV Rules are in effect
Did Prairie View bring the band? I’ve been to the first day of the NCAA tourney a few times, and having an HBCU band in the house always livens up the atmosphere.
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BJ Edwards is out
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Wow. Didn’t expect that…
I’m too lazy to look. Is he a pretty big impact player for them?
Averaged 12.7 ppg. After he was injured in late February, they lost 5 of 6 games.
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