if my name was thaddeus matta

[jimotis4heisman]

this is the thread to discuss how you would change/correct things.

typical no bashing or slamming rules in place, this will be a place of free wheeling thought and hopefully will decrease some pollution in the real basketball threads.

im gonna toss some stuff out there first before i go on some sort of tirade.

butler has played 88% of the teams minutes this year, that includes blow out wins etc. he is also shooting effectively at a 56% clip. jamar ends the poes 22%of the time and takes 22% of the shots while he is on the floor, assist rate of 36% and to of 17%

lighty 79% of the mins, 19% of poessions ended and 18% of the shots eff shoots 50%, to rate of 24

O 64% mins, 20% poes, 21% shots, eff shoots 57%

KK 63% of mins, 27% of poessions, 33% of the shots while he is on the floor he takes, 50% eff shooting, 12%, to rate of 12

diebler 61% mins, 18% of poessions, 20% of shots, 39% eff shooting, to rate of 19

turner 58% of mins, 22% of poess, 15% of shots, 59% eff shooting, to rate of 33

twig 38% of mins, 13% poes, 14% of shots, 48% eff

dallas 18% of mins

pj 15% of mins

37% of this teams shots are 3s





all that garbage out of the way

time to talk basketball

i talked earlier this year about my old coach not letting us play in our regular uniforms, i brought that up over overall lack of effort. to me this continues, one thing i am not sure many of these kids realize is that they are back to back b10 champions, a final four team, a national runner up, all these things put targets on you, in addition this team carries the block o. back to back football and basketball titles, that will put a mark on you. up and down the roster i do not feel that the effort is there. one kid i am gicing a break, jamar butler, he is the only winning grade in my book in the effort department. the kid has played nearly 90% of his teams minutes, hes the lockdown defender and the only scoring threat, i honestly dont know how much more you can ask of one kid...

competitive composure: lets be honest, this team does not have. will it come, maybe. this team has an average i believe of 1.4 years of d1 basketball experience, they are very young, that said jan is almost over. no longer an excuse in jos book.

sense of urgency: do you feel that this roster shows a sense of urgency? how many players have knack for a big shot, a big bucket, how many daggers has this team shoved in the other teams throats? how many run stoppers has this team had, how many extended scoring droughts have they had? how many times did they need a stop and didnt get one, how many easy buckets came on those trips down the floor?

knowledge: this team has about one third of matta's typical number of sets in, why is that? maybe this team is so good they dont need so many, maybe they are young, maybe they dont take coaching well, maybe they are slower than some of the other teams, maybe they just arent mentally capable? who knows, but i do know you see a lot of guys standing around, a lot of messed up floor spacing, a lot of stuff that looks odd and doesnt fit in, little flow.

positives: this team is 12-6 with an rpi and computer rating of around 25-30, a young team, that is showing improvements. a team that is very well capable of a 21-10, 12-6 or 20-11 and 12-7 type record. not shabby with the reformatting of the b10 schedule.


their is so much more that could be talked about, rebounding, shooting :coughjdieblercough:, match up zones, man v man d, etc. it is nearing the time the puck drops in chi town and i am going to go watch that, have a good night, an excellent weekend and have fun discussing and pretending like you are thad matta...

 

[BuckWild03]

The main thing they need to do is GROW UP...learn to take the ball to the hoop. Turner and Lighty have done it effectively but too many times they settle for the three point shot which has been Matta's philosophy in the past. But they live or die by it and this year they are definitely dying. Until Diebler picks up his game, they have no real outside threat other than Butler.

Another thing...Until next year, Koufos is going to have to learn to play the post. That means, getting inside, working on his footwork and using the glass, not stepping out beyond the arc all the time and settling for that shot. I know he has the range, but with his size we need him inside more often than we need him outside. I realize there will be situations where we will need to draw a big man outside, but until that time comes, learn to play some inside down and dirty ball Koufos.

That's all I have to say about that...right now.
Sorry, it has been a frustrating year for me. I'm spoiled.

 

[Jaxbuck]

What would I do?

2 chicks at the same time.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

I'll bite...

all that garbage out of the way

time to talk basketball

i talked earlier this year about my old coach not letting us play in our regular uniforms, i brought that up over overall lack of effort. to me this continues, one thing i am not sure many of these kids realize is that they are back to back b10 champions, a final four team, a national runner up, all these things put targets on you, in addition this team carries the block o. back to back football and basketball titles, that will put a mark on you. up and down the roster i do not feel that the effort is there. one kid i am gicing a break, jamar butler, he is the only winning grade in my book in the effort department. the kid has played nearly 90% of his teams minutes, hes the lockdown defender and the only scoring threat, i honestly dont know how much more you can ask of one kid...

I agree that they don't feel the mark on their back, heck half these guys weren't here, and haven't been introduced well enough IMO...This is that type of thing that Seniors, upperclassmen pass on...That is guys like Butler, Twig, Hunter, Lighty that need to pass these things down, and those are also the guys that need to push the effort card as well, they need to push these guys just as much as the coaches try to...

I don't think that alot of it is effort tho...Maybe attitude and will/heart but not effort...I think they are all playing hard out there which can really be shown in terms of how hard they work on defense, but they just haven't put the smarts behind the effort...

competitive composure: lets be honest, this team does not have. will it come, maybe. this team has an average i believe of 1.4 years of d1 basketball experience, they are very young, that said jan is almost over. no longer an excuse in jos book.

I agree it is time to take the young mark off of them...Turner has stepped his game up, same with Hunter. I think it is time for Diebler to get out of his slump and for us to start playing better as a team.

sense of urgency:

do you feel that this roster shows a sense of urgency? how many players have knack for a big shot, a big bucket, how many daggers has this team shoved in the other teams throats? how many run stoppers has this team had, how many extended scoring droughts have they had? how many times did they need a stop and didnt get one, how many easy buckets came on those trips down the floor?

I see most of them looking to Butler to hit that shot...Much like against UT down the stretch on the second to last possession when Butler dribbled around the top of the key and then KK had to force up a shot...That is a point when either Butler needs to look for a 3 or try and get into the lane and get a 2 or create for someone else...

I do believe that Diebler wanted the shots against UT, That was his role in high school and you have seen it all year that he wants that 3 to push momentum or to kill it. He is just thinking too much and is your more traditional frosh in terms of how long it is taking him to shake the freshmen jitters...Much like Butler his frosh season.

Lighty was the one I thought would step up and want the ball in those situations and he seems to kinda float when times get tough...

knowledge: this team has about one third of matta's typical number of sets in, why is that? maybe this team is so good they dont need so many, maybe they are young, maybe they dont take coaching well, maybe they are slower than some of the other teams, maybe they just arent mentally capable? who knows, but i do know you see a lot of guys standing around, a lot of messed up floor spacing, a lot of stuff that looks odd and doesnt fit in, little flow.

Not really sure the reasoning behind this...I do know earlier in the season when I had the chance to watch practice they were messing things up all over the court...

positives: this team is 12-6 with an rpi and computer rating of around 25-30, a young team, that is showing improvements. a team that is very well capable of a 21-10, 12-6 or 20-11 and 12-7 type record. not shabby with the reformatting of the b10 schedule.

Either of those gets us in the tourney, and by the end of the season we will have more time under our belt...

their is so much more that could be talked about, rebounding, shooting :coughjdieblercough:, match up zones, man v man d, etc. it is nearing the time the puck drops in chi town and i am going to go watch that, have a good night, an excellent weekend and have fun discussing and pretending like you are thad matta...

This is a good start...


I just want to add one thing...Leaders...We just don't seem to have them...Butler needs to get in guys faces, yeah he is scoring leader, but he needs to try and install confidence in the other players, find ways to get them more involved...I remember back when he was a frosh and in talking to Junkie about Jamar was that he would be a very good player and had the skills to be a very good pg, but I always said don't depend on him to be a leader...He always had other guys to where he was never counted on to do that and it was masked, but this is his team, he needs to take a look around and realize that he needs the rest of the team to come with him and can just be a one man crew out there for this team to go far...

With this said I really think that O is trying to step up and take some of the guys under his wing and lead with effort...He is no longer a guy that is just a garbage man IMO...He is that guy that can bring energy to the floor and do some scoring...

I think a lot of it is confidence, I think Matta is struggling with his foot in terms of him being able to coach at a level he would like to...I did here him say the other day that when someone said that was a tough game the other day, he said every day is a tough one...I am sure this has a lot to do with his foot, and the ups and downs of the team...

 

[billmac91]

This team will be fine. Honestly, I think we're doing pretty well so far.

Things to keep in mind regarding this team:

1. Jamar Butler is better suited to be a SG. At times this year, Jamar has looked fantastic running the point. Against Syracuse he was a world beater. He's a great shooter and plays hard on the defensive end. But let's be serious, Jamar is a small SG. He likes to be set when he shoots, he isn't very quick with the ball, and he's not the best assist man. Doesn't mean he can't play a good PG, but he certainly isn't Mike Conley either. Jamar lacks the explosiveness to be a great PG and I think it limits this team very much. Not a knock on Jamar though, he is playing well and keeping this season alive.

2. We are extremely young. This excuse may become commonplace around here the way Thad recruits, but that's the MO right now. Kosta, Turner, and Lighty are all very young. We bring Diebler, Lauderdale, and Hill off the bench. That's a lot of youth and that in turn means a lot of immature play. They will continue to grow, which means this team will continue to get better as the season goes on.

3. We are implemeting a new Defensive system. I think a lot of us are forgetting that this new defense, is just that, new. We are one of the nation leaders in FG defense percentage and points allowed. Our rebounding has suffered, but again this a new defense and it will continue to get better.

I think we are an improving team, and we will continue to get better. Our we a national championship contender? No. Can we win the Big 10 tournament? Absolutely, but that all depends on how much we improve and how well we are shooting on that given night.

Rest assured, the talent is there though.

 

[OHSportsFan]

get Ohio State to score more points than the other team


j.o., thoughts?

 

[Bestbuck36]

First of all I would've somehow convinced Greg Oden and Michael Conley that they weren't quite ready for the NBA.

After that happened I'd pretty much sick the dogs on everyone and crush every team by 20 points.






Back to reality I would force the issue on several players.

By this point KK has to have a definitive role. Right now he's all over the place and not aggressive enough on either end.

I'd sit Butler more often and get Hill into the flow more or move someone over. Either way Butler needs to have his stamina at the end of the game for us to be as good as we can be.

Believe it or not, more Twig. A role player who knows his role. His instruction would be, set hard picks, get rebounds and hit the open shot. Pretty simple but alot of guys on this team cant do that.

I'd play Dallas Lauderdale more with Hunter. Make other teams box out and outhustle us for rebounds instead of just outnumber us under the boards.

On defense I might go 1-3-1 from time to time with Butler out top. Diebler, Koufos on the wings, and Lighty running the baseline with Hunter in the paint. Out of that I might come back man to man and see what kind of athletes we can get in the game.

I'd give Diebler the green light to shoot the 3 anytime he gets an open look and let the rest of the team know he'll be shooting that so they can crash the boards. I'd hope that Dieblers confidence would rise knowing that he's getting that shot every game no matter what. If it doesnt, keep the green light on but play Turner more often in his stead. Dont take the shot away from him, that would kill his morale, but play Turner more often and have him attacking the entire time. Same with Lighty.

Last and least. I'd get a cosmetic surgeon to take a look at the schnozz! The guy is making tons of jack and theres no need to have Gargamel on the sidelines! Am I right?!?!? Tressel's got his senators look, Matta needs something more flattering to go with his coaching ability.:)

 

[Mike80]

1. I'd look at seriously starting to mix in some man to man defenses in the middle of the game. I know that isn't typically Matta's style, especially this year, but teams are looking for it now. I think if the players can handle this switch, the rebounding will improve.

2. I'd have Hill in the game with Butler at the 2 and Diebs at the 3 just for fun. Hill can penetrate and either dish it inside to whoever is there or kick it out to the shooters.

3. I would find a way to get KK into some kind of normal rotation. Maybe bringing him off of the bench would allow him to settle into a role? I don't know. I do know that Lauderdale and Hunter can handle the middle for a time with help from Twiggy.

4. Maybe most importantly, I wouldn't change too much from what the base scheme is. Sure the shots don't seem to be falling and there does seem to be a lack of direction at times but I don't think, at this time, it's Matta's fault. We as fans have to remember that last year was a very special year with many different circumstances when compared to this year. Last year had quite a few veteran players who could help the freshmen get into the game the right way. This year's team doesn't quite have that veteran leadership IMO. Twig and Butler try, but it's not the same for some reason. That and Oden and Conley were seniors posing as freshmen it seemed....

 

[Fungo Squiggly]

Last and least. I'd get a cosmetic surgeon to take a look at the schnozz! The guy is making tons of jack and theres no need to have Gargamel on the sidelines! Am I right?!?!? Tressel's got his senators look, Matta needs something more flattering to go with his coaching ability.:)

Beat me to it! But you forgot about getting the kick-ass hairplugs, ala RichRod. Makes for a fine look.

1. Jamar Butler is better suited to be a SG. At times this year, Jamar has looked fantastic running the point. Against Syracuse he was a world beater. He's a great shooter and plays hard on the defensive end. But let's be serious, Jamar is a small SG. He likes to be set when he shoots, he isn't very quick with the ball, and he's not the best assist man. Doesn't mean he can't play a good PG, but he certainly isn't Mike Conley either. Jamar lacks the explosiveness to be a great PG and I think it limits this team very much. Not a knock on Jamar though, he is playing well and keeping this season alive.

I'll disagree with a lot of your points in regards to Butler. After seeing him at SG for much of last year, I'd say he's better suited at the point. I'll grant that he doesn't have the most quickness and he'll never be a superb penetrator, but I'm of the opinion that he's a much better player when the ball is in his hands.

The point I'll most strongly disagree with is about him being a better shooter when he gets set. It has always seemed to me that he is much better when he gets to shoot off the dribble. I know I commented to that effect several times last season, as well. FWIW, he was a 37.6% shooter from 3 last season and is at 42.2% this season (taking 1.5 more 3's per game).

 

[crazybuckfan40]

I'll disagree with a lot of your points in regards to Butler. After seeing him at SG for much of last year, I'd say he's better suited at the point. I'll grant that he doesn't have the most quickness and he'll never be a superb penetrator, but I'm of the opinion that he's a much better player when the ball is in his hands.

The point I'll most strongly disagree with is about him being a better shooter when he gets set. It has always seemed to me that he is much better when he gets to shoot off the dribble. I know I commented to that effect several times last season, as well. FWIW, he was a 37.6% shooter from 3 last season and is at 42.2% this season (taking 1.5 more 3's per game).

Man you stole the words right out of my mouth and I have said this ever since JB stepped foot on the floor, he is much better off the dribble, and it shows...He is not a great penetrator, but I think he can get the job done if he would be a little more aggressive going towards the rim, he is always looking for that 3...

Saw some highlights last night from the Tennessee game and he was really getting into the lane and distributing the ball...

 

[billmac91]

Beat me to it! But you forgot about getting the kick-ass hairplugs, ala RichRod. Makes for a fine look.



I'll disagree with a lot of your points in regards to Butler. After seeing him at SG for much of last year, I'd say he's better suited at the point. I'll grant that he doesn't have the most quickness and he'll never be a superb penetrator, but I'm of the opinion that he's a much better player when the ball is in his hands.

The point I'll most strongly disagree with is about him being a better shooter when he gets set. It has always seemed to me that he is much better when he gets to shoot off the dribble. I know I commented to that effect several times last season, as well. FWIW, he was a 37.6% shooter from 3 last season and is at 42.2% this season (taking 1.5 more 3's per game).

A lot of our struggles revolve around the running of our offense. Jamar has a difficult time starting the offense where it should be started, 3 point line and in. It's resulted in possesions that consist of Pick and rolls 5 feet beyond the arc, and players standing around waiting for something to happen. I think most of that can be attributed to Jamar's lack of explosiveness with the ball in his hands. He doesn't beat guys off the dribble. Not really a knock on him, I just think he's more of a David Wesley type player than a Mike Conley.

No doubt he'll have to play PG at the next level, but it's strictly about size, not what he's most comfortable doing.

 

[NastyNatiBuck]

turner 58% of mins, 22% of poess, 15% of shots, 59% eff shooting, to rate of 33

problem

 

[crazybuckfan40]

A lot of our struggles revolve around the running of our offense. Jamar has a difficult time starting the offense where it should be started, 3 point line and in. It's resulted in possesions that consist of Pick and rolls 5 feet beyond the arc, and players standing around waiting for something to happen. I think most of that can be attributed to Jamar's lack of explosiveness with the ball in his hands. He doesn't beat guys off the dribble. Not really a knock on him, I just think he's more of a David Wesley type player than a Mike Conley.

No doubt he'll have to play PG at the next level, but it's strictly about size, not what he's most comfortable doing.

This may be the problem with the offensive scheme, but not with Butler IMO...

What him in the open court when he is pushing the ball, he has some explosiveness and he does get into the lane on occasion, but he is just more a controlled player that doesn't attack that often...

That doesn't mean he isn't a good pg, he is for sure more comfortable with the ball in his hands, it has been there since kid was in the 5th grade, and we saw the struggles he had last year moving off the ball, he couldn't find ways to get himself open, and he shoots the ball better off the dribble and we have seen his numbers go up this year...

I really don't understand that whole pick n roll and then another pick n roll the other way, especially when you watch and the guys are barely touching Jamar's man with a screen.

Jamar's one downfall IMO is at times he falls in love with the 3 a little too much, and won't go inside the line, to make things happen...He has a very good pull up jumper from about 15 or so feet, but he also likes to shoot the ball from 25 feet.

 

[billmac91]

This may be the problem with the offensive scheme, but not with Butler IMO...

What him in the open court when he is pushing the ball, he has some explosiveness and he does get into the lane on occasion, but he is just more a controlled player that doesn't attack that often...

That doesn't mean he isn't a good pg, he is for sure more comfortable with the ball in his hands, it has been there since kid was in the 5th grade, and we saw the struggles he had last year moving off the ball, he couldn't find ways to get himself open, and he shoots the ball better off the dribble and we have seen his numbers go up this year...

I really don't understand that whole pick n roll and then another pick n roll the other way, especially when you watch and the guys are barely touching Jamar's man with a screen.

Jamar's one downfall IMO is at times he falls in love with the 3 a little too much, and won't go inside the line, to make things happen...He has a very good pull up jumper from about 15 or so feet, but he also likes to shoot the ball from 25 feet.

I'd say it more Jamar's responsibility to take his defender to the pick, than the screener getting the defender. That's how you get moving screens. But I think Jamar has a difficult time setting his defender up. I don't disagree about his handle, he has a great handle, he just doesn't have the speed/quickness to go with it. The biggest difference between the team this year and last year(offensively), is having a PG who can get into the paint at will and distribute.

Sometimes when the offense isn't flowing, the best offense is a PG who can just break his man down and dump it off for lay-ups or kick it out for open jumpers. This team is working a lot harder for shots, and trying to find an offensive identity.

I give Jamar a lot of credit though, he continues to do what's best for the team, and he plays his heart out.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

I'd say it more Jamar's responsibility to take his defender to the pick, than the screener getting the defender. That's how you get moving screens. But I think Jamar has a difficult time setting his defender up. I don't disagree about his handle, he has a great handle, he just doesn't have the speed/quickness to go with it. The biggest difference between the team this year and last year(offensively), is having a PG who can get intot he paint at will and distribute.

I agree, but the picks that are set by this team are very weak and not just ball screens either...I scream at the tv all the time to hit someone with the screens.

In terms of the screens, they know they are coming so there is only so much setting up you can do, when we run that high screen every time...

I will say that Jamar is not the fastest guys or quickest guy, but he has the ability to get past his man..

I will agree that is a big difference from this year to last year, but they are two totally different pgs...

But what Butler is able to do is break down the man to man press, bring the ball up the court, not turn the ball over, he is able to come off that screen and hit the open look if no one shows...

Sometimes when the offense isn't flowing, the best offense is a PG who can just break hi sman down and dump it off for lay-ups or kick it out for open jumpers. This team is working a lot harder for shots, and trying to find an offensive identity.

You hit it right there at the end...I think at times we are trying to get in sets and as JO said we struggle having many in, because I think guys struggle running them and remembering them...

The thing Butler is looking for teammates but is also looking for himself, that is why he doesn't get out of control and force things...

I give Jamar a lot of credit though, he continues to do what's best for the team, and he plays his heart out.

Agreed...

I know Junkie and JO will attest to this, but no one will ever be able to convince me that Butler is better suited for the 2g...Look at his numbers that he has put up in his 4 years here...Tell me when he was at his best and when he struggled...

Some might think from watching him and how well he shoots the ball that he is better suited for the 2g, but then really watch and you will see that he has the bounce before he makes a lot of his 3's and struggles at times when he is off the ball and catching and shooting and finding ways to get himself open that way...He doesn't turn the ball over and when you get to looking at his assists numbers he puts up quite a bit, of course he would have more if he wasn't a scorer himself, but you have to figure some of his assists would come if he was taking the open jumper himself...Conley knew he wasn't a great shooter and his best ability was to create for teammates and score in the lane...

I have said at times that Butler needs to not try and force things and get his teammates involved and I do believe that he has done more of that in the last two games...