RE: Valpo Game

[Michael Ryan]

Post passing - Paul, I've noticed that now in the last two games as
well.  We cant seem to get the ball into the post for A) a Max
turnaround jumper or B) a pass back out by Kareem or Max for an open
shot. This is a problem that needs to be solved. I remember this being a
problem last year. 

Armein - I don't think Bobbitt "played PG", though he did bring the ball
up the court a few times. However, Armein played the PG spot and his
passing was good and he drove the lane a few times. However, when you do
these two things well you should get either an assist or a trip to the
free throw line and he didn't get either !  (0 assists, 0-0 from the
line) I was surprised when I spotted that in the box score.

Armein came into the game with 8 assists and 1 turnover for the season.
He left the game with 8 assists and 5 turnovers for the season.  He also
has the most personal fouls on the team, even though he is 7th in
Minutes Played. Sheesh. I think he could be a capable PG for us, but
many things need to improve. 

I loved Bobbitt's spirit-breaking trey. The silence of the crowd was
noticeable on TV as well. 

Field - with under 4 mins left, Field got the ball ready for a trey and
was quickly approached by a defender. He dribbled left for a short
jumper. If he can do this with regularity, he could average 20 a night
instead of 14.  He is 8-12 on the year from >inside< the arc. He also
would get fouled more which would put him at the line for a guaranteed
two points, given his 90% FT shooting last year. 

I also cant believe this is the same scrawny Field Williams I saw in the
Summer League over 3 years ago. He looked scared back then, now he looks
confident and capable. 


Mike Ryan



-----Original Message-----
From: address@hidden [mailto:address@hidden 
Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2003 1:27 AM
To: address@hidden
Subject: [UC Basketball] Valpo Game


Just got back from the game in Valpo.  Fun place to watch a game.  Felt
like a big high school field house.  Loud crowd, good support for their
team.  Very physical game.  The refs at one point would call very weak
touch fouls and then would overlook some pretty blatant hacks.   Very
inconsistent but they didn't seem to be favoring either team.  A couple
of times there was some woofing between players but nothing big
happened.   

Observations:

1.    Bobbitt is definitely the spark on this team.  He is pure energy
at all times on the court and has calmed down and matured considerably
since last year.   He has very quick hands and feet on defense and is
playing in control on offense.  I think we have seen the results of his
hard work over the past several games and it looks like it will
continue.  I spoke with him after the game and he was basically playing
through cramps in his calf muscles all game.  Gutsy effort.  Favorite
play of the night was in the first half when Valpo started to go on a
run and their crowd got very loud and on its feet.  Bobbitt calmly
dribbles up the court, knows he shouldn't, but pulls the trigger on a
long three and drains it.  Crowd promptly shuts up and sits down.  Valpo
run over.

2.    Huggins is still searching for the right point guard.  Nick and
Chad are both pretty inconsistent right now.  Both had some stupid
turnovers and are still a step slow on defense.  Both let players run
back door on them several times.  He played both Kirkland and Bobbitt at
various times at the point tonight.   Kirkland looked good at the piont
late in the game but no one seems to be able to get the ball in to Max.

3.    Max is still trying to find his comfort zone.  His shot is still
very flat (remind anyone of the early Kenyon?) but in the meantime is
playing great defense and rebounding.  You could tell he missed Whaley
tonight on the offensive end (they were definitely keying on him).

4.    Valpo watched the game tape from Coppin State.  They were stuck on
Field all night but he still managed to get open for a few treys and had
some nice drives and dishes or finishes.  They had no answer for Bobbitt
though.  He's too quick to stop.  Having those two on the court together
is dangerous for other teams.

5.    Most impressive thing about this team is its defense. The team
knows how to shut down and intimidate others (even without the half
court trap).  Even if we're having difficulty on offense (as we will if
we keep relying on the 3 ball), we still will be in every game this
year.

Good team effort overall especially in a hostile environment.  Our bench
is very very deep and we are playing without two of our best players.
Can't wait for us to be full strength.   The bench really allows Huggins
keep the attention of the players on the court and keep them focused (if
they want to stay in the game).   We could be very dangerous.   Night
and day from last season.  Go Cats!

-Paul