Two types of teams that have constant targets on their back

[Smitty10]

The first is a great team that get their opponent's best game every time they hit the court. The have a couple blips throughout the season but still have great wins and a great record and 90 percent of the time takes their opponent's best shot and walk out victorious.

Then there is the overrated team. The one that gets their opponents best game every time out because the opponent believes in the myth of how great they are. This team continues to get beat in games they are favored and winds up having to win their conference tourney(which is unlikely) or in the NIT if they're lucky.

The Flyers fall into one of these categories.

[NJFlyr71]

What? No POLL?

[Smitty10]

Originally Posted by NJFlyr71 What? No POLL?

Out of respect to the King, I don't start polls.

[rollo]

And since the moderators have a bad habit of blocking my Polls, I’m no longer in that business.

You can thank TonyT…
Posted via Mobile Device

[steverino015]

not sure a poll is even required today,

[Smitty10]

Originally Posted by rollo And since the moderators have a bad habit of blocking my Polls, I’m no longer in that business. You can thank TonyT… Posted via Mobile Device

I only have one "thanks" in me for TonyT and that's saved for when he gives up moderating and also can make a post without 50 emojis in it.

[NJFlyr71]

For a team with length we play like we're too tall Sisters of the Poor in a majority of our games.

Hate to go back in time but just the previous game against Davidson we almost lost that .... we started to melt like a Coney Cheez Dog at the end of that game.

I know we beat them at their place but if we played that game on Tuesday away again ... we lose using todays' fine display of game ready physicality

[CoffeeCan]

We are losing bc teams are figuring out our strengths and taking them away.

We are also losing bc we are not doing the same to our opponents.

We were never in a position to win today.

[AZFlyer85]

UD always gets the other A10 teams best game especially on the road. Can anyone hear that jagoff LaSalle announcer scream POW!!! when they make a 3??? We are an overrated, underachieving team that everyone still loves to beat.

	LaSalle LA SALLE In 1863, La Salle University was established through the legacy of St. John Baptist de La Salle and the Christian Brothers teaching order, which De La Salle founded 300 years ago. Located in Philadelphia, La Salle is an educational community shaped by traditional Catholic and Lasallian values. La Salle's main campus is an ideal place for students to pursue an education. The 130-acre park-like setting includes 54 buildings and is located approximately six miles from Center City Philadelphia. The University can accommodate 2,114 resident students in its 12 residence halls, two apartment complexes, and 75 townhouses. Fellow members of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Explorers. Notable athletes include Tom Gola and Lionel Simmons.

[P-Man]

I think that opponents get exceptionally motivated to play a third category of teams: those teams that are better funded/have stronger national recognition.
The UD men's basketball budget has consistently been near the top of the A10 for quite a while. UD also gets invited to reputable OOC tournaments which are televised on ESPN networks.
If was a an athlete at a lower profile program, I would be highly motivated to play UD and attempt to show everyone that I, and my team, is in the same class as UD.

[Smitty10]

Originally Posted by AZFlyer85 UD always gets the other A10 teams best game especially on the road. Can anyone hear that jagoff LaSalle announcer scream POW!!! when they make a 3??? We are an overrated, underachieving team that everyone still loves to beat.

If we did have a poll, I think that would be one vote for the 2nd option.

[bcross]

Ahead of schedule. Next year is the year.

[frisco flyer]

It took Grant forever to come out and do his post game interview. It is plainly clear that he is not happy with the effort the team is putting forth. There’s no obvious chemistry issue, but we seem to be leaderless, and that hurts. We are finally at full strength. We’ll see if this team finds its soul and starts playing to its potential, or fizzle away and leave us wondering what might’ve been.

We still have a lot to play for, including a bid, and there’s a lot of season left. But we are behind the eight ball and fresh out of wiggle room. We didn’t do too well being the team to beat, we’ll see how we do chasing from the rear.

[marco red eagle]

Underperforming, lack of toughness and boring slow pace.

Not worth the time watching? I've lost the feeling. Pay attention in March?

[Don]

Originally Posted by bcross Ahead of schedule. Next year is the year.

Not if Camara and Amzil go pro in Europe, Holmes goes to the NBA and we don’t recruit step-in ready 3-point snipers who can sustain 40+% from outside. If the first three leave, who will defend the middle, score reliably, and rebound?
I think THIS was the year.

[zmz723]

It was. What are the excuses going to be now? Mail and Elvis are back
Posted via Mobile Device

[Smitty10]

Originally Posted by Don Not if Camara and Amzil go pro in Europe, Holmes goes to the NBA and we don’t recruit step-in ready 3-point snipers who can sustain 40+% from outside. If the first three leave, who will defend the middle, score reliably, and rebound? I think THIS was the year.

Holmes won't go to the NBA this season. What he might do is transfer to another program to get the input of a 2nd coach.

[CT Flyer]

Originally Posted by frisco flyer It took Grant forever to come out and do his post game interview. It is plainly clear that he is not happy with the effort the team is putting forth. There’s no obvious chemistry issue, but we seem to be leaderless, and that hurts. We are finally at full strength. We’ll see if this team finds its soul and starts playing to its potential, or fizzle away and leave us wondering what might’ve been. We still have a lot to play for, including a bid, and there’s a lot of season left. But we are behind the eight ball and fresh out of wiggle room. We didn’t do too well being the team to beat, we’ll see how we do chasing from the rear.

Is it a possibility that the coaching staff should not be happy with their own effort in not figuring out that the offense we run is lousy and has been for a quite a while now?

[Piqua Flyer '66]

I think it's time to use our strength - ATHLETICISM
Start pressing full court when the opponent gets off the bus.
Then fall back into the 1-3-1 half court with Carmona at the point.
Why? Because our bigs work hard but are too weak to finish unless it's a slam dunk...therefore we have to create transition points so that we dont pass it around the perimeter for 25 seconds and cast up a three as the clock expires.
I understand why this move was not possible until now but we are back to a full roster. If necessary to call off the press for a few possessions for "rest" - do it and then get back at it.
I love this team and their hustle.....but their talents do not lend to a ordinary half court offense.

GO FLYERS!

[frisco flyer]

Originally Posted by CT Flyer Is it a possibility that the coaching staff should not be happy with their own effort in not figuring out that the offense we run is lousy and has been for a quite a while now?

Yes. Grant also said that he needs to do better to put the team in position to win.

[CT Flyer]

Here's a thought, and I'll admit I don't know what the roles are currently, but could AG continue to be the "defensive coordinator", which he is obviously very good at, and turn over the offensive reins to another coach like Greer or Brannen?

[CT Flyer]

Originally Posted by Piqua Flyer '66 I think it's time to use our strength - ATHLETICISM Start pressing full court when the opponent gets off the bus. Then fall back into the 1-3-1 half court with Carmona at the point. Why? Because our bigs work hard but are too weak to finish unless it's a slam dunk...therefore we have to create transition points so that we dont pass it around the perimeter for 25 seconds and cast up a three as the clock expires. I understand why this move was not possible until now but we are back to a full roster. If necessary to call off the press for a few possessions for "rest" - do it and then get back at it. I love this team and their hustle.....but their talents do not lend to a ordinary half court offense. GO FLYERS!

I'm all for anything that could help and especially if it quickens our excruciatingly slow pace. But I'm not sure we don't have players that can play in the half court, I think we have a system that doesn't work for our personnel.

[VirgM]

Seems like we seen this movie every year. Have a good run and then a major letdown against also-rans that are out for us. I guess that's college BBall. Young kids that waver in their effort and attitude from time to time. Sure wish we had some players that had the killer instinct every week and just wanted to crush the opponent every week. Guess I'm dreaming.

[Smitty10]

Originally Posted by VirgM Seems like we seen this movie every year. Have a good run and then a major letdown against also-rans that are out for us. I guess that's college BBall. Young kids that waver in their effort and attitude from time to time. Sure wish we had some players that had the killer instinct every week and just wanted to crush the opponent every week. Guess I'm dreaming.

And that can be expected, there are a lot of trap games on every schedule. But you wouldn't expect it to happen in the 2nd game after the collapse against VCU. VCU should've been a wake up call, not a quick jolt awake (Davidson game) and then hitting snooze again.

[DGO67]

It took a few games to adjust playing w/o Mali and Elvis.
It's going to take a few to adjust playing with them.
If after 2-3 more games we continue to flounder, then the season
is caput!

[OSU Flyer]

Originally Posted by zmz723 It was. What are the excuses going to be now? Mail and Elvis are back Posted via Mobile Device

Very difficult to play at that altitude
Posted via Mobile Device

[T-Bone 84]

Frisco, I think your comment about the team being leaderless (at least, regarding the players) is very valid. Comparing the squads of the past 2 years to the teams that preceded them, it’s obvious there’s no Crutcher, no Landers, no Mikesell on this squad at this point.

Maybe the guys are being too deferential to each other? Maybe they’re TOO friendly, to the point they’re concerned with hurting each other’s feelings? Dunno. But we desperately need an @$$-kicker like Trey was for us in 2019-20. I think he liked all of his teammates, but I don’t think he was afraid to call any of them out when they were stinking up the joint. It doesn’t look like we have that “drill sergeant”. We need one.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by marco red eagle Underperforming, lack of toughness and boring slow pace. Not worth the time watching? I've lost the feeling. Pay attention in March?

Slow pace....squarely on AG. Watch when Mike or Mali come up the court with the ball quickly.....you'll see AG have his hand out telling them to slow it down.

[CvilleFlyer]

Originally Posted by VirgM Seems like we seen this movie every year. Have a good run and then a major letdown against also-rans that are out for us. I guess that's college BBall. Young kids that waver in their effort and attitude from time to time. Sure wish we had some players that had the killer instinct every week and just wanted to crush the opponent every week. Guess I'm dreaming.

We did, the 2019-2020 team with Obi Toppin, Jalen Crutcher, Ibi Watson, Trey Landers, Ryan Mikesell and Rodney Chatman.