Anybody else notice that there was a Center in the game toward the end?

[hawkeye12345]

It's been an observation all season that Fran tends to go away from the C position whether it be Woodbury or Olaseni around the 10 minute mark of nearly every game this year and the results have not been good.

Last night was one of the first games that I recall where either Woody or Olaseni were on the floor with under 10 to go in the game with the game still in jeopardy.

 

[scullydirt]

It all depends on game flow and what he sees in his players. I thought Woodbury and Olaseni both had very good games last night, and both showed a great deal of agressiveness. Fran likes that.

 

[goldenhawk96]

I like Zach, but we are not the same defensive team with him in. It would help both of the Bigs if they could nail FTs more consistently.

 

[PCHawk]

It all depends on game flow and what he sees in his players. I thought Woodbury and Olaseni both had very good games last night, and both showed a great deal of agressiveness. Fran likes that.

I wish I agreed with this more but there have been quite a few games where one of the centers have had good games only to ride pine at the end.

 

[hawkeye12345]

I wish I agreed with this more but there have been quite a few games where one of the centers have had good games only to ride pine at the end.

This. See Mich state game and almost every b10 loss where we melted down with a lead under 10.

 

[NEIChawk]

Fran must've read this forum when someone started a thread about not having a center in towards the end of the Mich St game...see, we do know what we're talking about....

 

[CAARHawk]

Anybody else realize both centers are a liability at the charity stripe?

 

[JHHawk]

Fran needed a big in there vs Waney...who was a beast.

I suspect that Fran and his professional coaching staff have considered the pluses and minuses of their substituting patterns over the season. I will go with their judgement.

 

[HomerChampless]

Fran must've read this forum when someone started a thread about not having a center in towards the end of the Mich St game...see, we do know what we're talking about....

It was the Wisconsin game, thank you. Having a tall, strong? defensive presence in the middle is pretty much mandatory against most B1G teams except for NW, Michigan, and tOSU.

 

[PCHawk]

Anybody else realize both centers are a liability at the charity stripe?

They can't do much worse then White at the free throw line at the end of the game.

 

[Seth53]

This is why I am personally liking our NIT-run over a 1 and done NCAA game.

It's giving our players, and staff, more time to develop and implement strategies, and, for the players, learning how to win.

A work in progress for sure, but one that is progressing in the right direction.

 

[RocknRollface]

Anybody else realize both centers are a liability at the charity stripe?

Yep. But it looks like Fran finally realized that McCabe is 6'6 with a 7 inch vertical and is a much bigger liability overall.

 

[STILLBUSTER]

Anybody else realize both centers are a liability at the charity stripe?

Most times (as Gabe finished his "and-1", last night). However, it's been on the defensive end and rebounding where most of those blown leads were lost, not at the line.

Anyway, if someone's going to the line at the end of the game, it's going to be off designed plays for White or Marble.

 

[uihawk82]

Anybody else realize both centers are a liability at the charity stripe?

They should only get better with lots of practice.

When you have a 9-11 point lead you need that defensive, shot blocking and rebounding presence in the game at the end.

 

[Section136]

Gabe isnt a huge liability at the line. It may be ugly but it goes in at a decent clip.

69.4%, not bad for a center.

 

[IowaFan81]

At the end of the game having a center to defend and rebound is more important than 1 guy shooting free throws. Only those 2 can really play center and there are 4 other guys to get the ball to and get fouled.

 

[RocknRollface]

Most times (as Gabe finished his "and-1", last night). However, it's been on the defensive end and rebounding where most of those blown leads were lost, not at the line.

Anyway, if someone's going to the line at the end of the game, it's going to be off designed plays for White or Marble.

This. A center or at least Basabe should always be at the 5 spot unless the other team is intentionally fouling or its the end of a game and we need a 3.

Thats the only time McCabe should be at the 5.

 

[Seth53]

At the end of the game....while either breaking a press or running your offense, you simply keep the ball out of the centers' hands if you're worried about FT shooting.

 

[slmatt]

I like having a line-up at the end of the game of Marble, Gessel, White, Basabe, Gabe-O in. Worst percentage still above 65% and having your two best rebounders(White and Basabe) and your two best shot blockers(Basabe and Gabe-O) all on the floor. Until Woody gets a little stronger, maybe next year depending on how dedicated he is to his own improvement.

 

[STILLBUSTER]

Have noticed another nuance to Fran's lineup / substitution choices, especially during the NIT. He's factoring in hunches and psyche.

It was quite noticeable that Mel was sitting over the last several minutes last night. (I was getting very nervous with GO in and Mel on the bench with the game still undecided, cuz Mel was having a great 2nd half down low.) Why? Gabe was playing well, too, so he stayed with him to boost his confidence. (If you were there, the ovation when he came off the floor was 2nd only to May's)

He did the same thing in 1st NIT game, with McCabe shooting the technical throws. Could've gone with RDM but brought in Zach to "get him going" with his shot. It worked, not only to spark the team but to spark McCabe, as he scored like 8 straight points, including 3's.

Where this just hasn't worked much all season (except end of 1st half, last night) is with Oglesby.