Loose balls, bad luck all season long

[Smitty10]

It seems that everytime there's 50-50 balls it turns into 10-90 balls for the Flyers. I've seen this over and over again. And to be honest, and maybe naive, I don't see anything the Flyers are doing wrong. They are hustling and fighting to get them, but the ball always seems to wind up in our opponents hands, sometimes right under the basket with nobody around.

Just wondering does anybody else feel the same way that we've been on the wrong side of the so-called 50-50 ball an inordinate percentage and is there a reason for that other than just bad luck?

[rollo]

Loose what?

I thought you were going to discuss Sir Kendall adjusting himself mid-2nd half during a VCU FT...something must have been stuck because it took him a while to get things 'unloose'.

[Class of 73 Alum]

Originally Posted by Smitty10 It seems that everytime there's 50-50 balls it turns into 10-90 balls for the Flyers. I've seen this over and over again. And to be honest, and maybe naive, I don't see anything the Flyers are doing wrong. They are hustling and fighting to get them, but the ball always seems to wind up in our opponents hands, sometimes right under the basket with nobody around. Just wondering does anybody else feel the same way that we've been on the wrong side of the so-called 50-50 ball an inordinate percentage and is there a reason for that other than just bad luck?

I absolutely feel the same way. The problem is I feel the same way about my oldest son's team (a D3 girls team), my wife's high school team, and my youngest son's high school team. I'm starting to think something may be wrong with my perception...

[Smitty10]

Originally Posted by rollo Loose what? I thought you were going to discuss Sir Kendall adjusting himself mid-2nd half during a VCU FT...something must have been stuck because it took him a while to get things 'unloose'.

Yeah, I knew the title would cause this kind of reaction, but I went with it anyhow.

[CT Flyer]

Originally Posted by rollo Loose what? I thought you were going to discuss Sir Kendall adjusting himself mid-2nd half during a VCU FT...something must have been stuck because it took him a while to get things 'unloose'.

Maybe he was worried he wouldn't be on your "poll" last night...even though he is on your poll every other night.

[Smitty10]

Originally Posted by Class of 73 Alum I absolutely feel the same way. The problem is I feel the same way about my oldest son's team (a D3 girls team), my wife's high school team, and my youngest son's high school team. I'm starting to think something may be wrong with my perception...

I'm guessing that was sarcasm and if I'm wrong I apologize. However if it was, I did ask for an explanation if it wasn't just the lords of basketball giving us an unfair shake.

[SeasonTicketFan]

This team is a not a very good rebounding team. They are OK, but not great. Good rebounding teams hurt them. I was surprised that the rebounds stats last night were so close.

Getting rebounds and loose balls often means going after it. I think they hustle for loose balls, but so does the other team. But they don't get after it. Watching Tillman last night, every ball was in play for him.

I don't think it is 10/90. I think it is closer to 50/50. Kyle is the best on the team for winning 50/50 plays.

[CT Flyer]

That play last night when Kyle tipped a loose ball away from a VCU player and then tracked it down near another VCU player and pulled the ball in a dribble toward himself and started a fast break was amazing! His hands are as quick and soft as can be.

[springborofan]

Originally Posted by Smitty10 It seems that everytime there's 50-50 balls it turns into 10-90 balls for the Flyers. I've seen this over and over again. And to be honest, and maybe naive, I don't see anything the Flyers are doing wrong. They are hustling and fighting to get them, but the ball always seems to wind up in our opponents hands, sometimes right under the basket with nobody around. Just wondering does anybody else feel the same way that we've been on the wrong side of the so-called 50-50 ball an inordinate percentage and is there a reason for that other than just bad luck?

Some of that is making your own luck but I agree that the ball isn't bouncing their way more than 50% of the time. Yet, they overcome.

Maybe our breaks will come over the next 3 -4 weeks to even this out?!!

[BeckysTXA]

Originally Posted by rollo Loose what? I thought you were going to discuss Sir Kendall adjusting himself mid-2nd half during a VCU FT...something must have been stuck because it took him a while to get things 'unloose'.

I noticed this last night. Started early and seemed to just pile up. Ball rolls out of a pile on the floor under the basket right to a VCU player for an easy 3' shot. That was one of many balls that just bounced the other way. But with about 3 minutes left in a tight game I thought how great it would be to win this game inspite of all those times we just couldn't catch a break on these 50-50 balls. VCU is very physical. I'm glad we played them twice this year. It will serve us well if we run into a physical team in the NCAAs. So glad we have this experience playing rough and tough games.

[UDDoug]

Originally Posted by SeasonTicketFan I was surprised that the rebounds stats last night were so close.

That one is a bit of a head scratcher. Would have to chart it, but guessing it has a lot to do with two things.

UD shot the ball very well, so there weren't a lot of VCU defensive rebounds.

The offensive rebounds VCU got directly led to points, leaving an indelible impression of the impact on the game.

[Gazoo]

Originally Posted by UDDoug That one is a bit of a head scratcher. Would have to chart it, but guessing it has a lot to do with two things. UD shot the ball very well, so there weren't a lot of VCU defensive rebounds. The offensive rebounds VCU got directly led to points, leaving an indelible impression of the impact on the game.

1. We shot a very good %
2. We turned the ball over 4 more times than them
3. We shot and made more FT's (less defensive rebounds for VCU)

They had 16 offensive rebounds, we had 6. If not for 1-3 above, we would have been out rebounded by 10 or more.

[Class of 73 Alum]

Originally Posted by Smitty10 I'm guessing that was sarcasm and if I'm wrong I apologize. However if it was, I did ask for an explanation if it wasn't just the lords of basketball giving us an unfair shake.

Not trying to be sarcastic at all. Just pointing out that I feel the same way when watching a game in which I have a strong rooting interest. Maybe my feeling is true...that most of the 50/50 balls went the other teams way. Or, maybe it is just my perception. I really think it is the latter.

[jack72]

I am not sure about the loose balls going to the other team every game. We got our share last week against Davidson and in many other games.

We have three problems: bad anticipation of the long rebound because our guys play great defense to the end of the shot; our small size and for some guys lack of strength; and on offense some of our guys are busting back to get a start on defense, and on defense, some of our guys are busting down to get a fast break.

Let's face it, VCU is slightly stronger and better athletes than UD or almost any team, but they cannot shoot past 5 feet.

[Smitty10]

Originally Posted by Class of 73 Alum Not trying to be sarcastic at all. Just pointing out that I feel the same way when watching a game in which I have a strong rooting interest. Maybe my feeling is true...that most of the 50/50 balls went the other teams way. Or, maybe it is just my perception. I really think it is the latter.

See, I get what you're saying but I don't think it's just perception in this case because over the years, I always thought our teams were great at getting to these balls. But it seems over and over again this year, like BeckyTXA pointed out that it seems we play a great defense and a ball will get batted around on the floor right to someone standing free under the basket. It also seems this happens with saves from out of bounds. It doesn't seem to ever happen that easily for us.

I am going to say that it seems whenever one of those situations happens, our guys don't seem to have the best hands(save for Kyle).