Army game thread

[George S. Patton]

Stats looked good and Dia's solid season continues. I'm just perplexed why he is adament about pulling the air out if I understand that correctly. Oh well nice to get a W. But I always feel uncomfortable defeating an academy team.

Big idea. Let's organize a group for the return game to West Point. That would be the ultimate.

[papawasamustang]

Enjoyed the game. Decent crowd/atmosphere.
Very nice 1st 33 minutes of the game.
Gotta get the ball down low to Papa more.
Good FT%. Need to bench McCoy.
He's lost out there. Bring him off the bench

[Hoop Fan]

i'm with you on McCoy, its now one of the most extreme cases of losing mojo you will ever see. I'd send him to a good sports psychologist at this point. Anything.

Army had a decent visiting group, but i felt like the home fans were as subdued as i have ever seen and that is saying something. Glad it felt different from another vantage point.

The field goal droughts in the last 10 minutes have become the hallmark of this team and Dohs era. Really weird how we all of a sudden cant score at the 10 minute mark. Maybe the whole team needs a sports shrink.

[Pony_Fan]

they have a tough time closing things out, that is for sure. Almost let this one get away. No reason Army should have been within 10 pts.

[friarwolf]

Our coach's penchant for controlling everything is what leads to these long scoreless stretches. He demands we burn the play clock - I guess his version of the Tar Heel's 4 corner offense........When we heat up, he cools us down with the endless 3 man weave routine........Williams hit 2 long 3's and a 2 with less than 3 seconds on the shot clock. Thank goodness Williams has the coolness to stroke those shots under the duress of an expiring shot clock........I think we had 2 shot clock violations after we passed up open looks with 10 - 15 seconds left on the shot clock.........It is frustrating to watch and it has got to frustrate the players......He just isn't going to change........

By the way, did anyone notice the SMU player introduction? Again, the starting five looked like they had just heard their name over the loud speaker to report to the principle's office. No fire, no laughter, nothing but walk out and then huddle. Sad to watch..........

[Hoop Fan]

the player intros are indeed painful. i noticed another thing last night. We had no fast break points and I don't think we even had any fast break opportunities. I know Army is a disciplined team that takes care of the ball and gets back on D, but how do we not have any fast break chances? Part of it is on the relatively passive brand of defense we play.

[papawasamustang]

My comments re: the crowd were #'s
related. For a holiday game, one of the better
crowds I can remember. Like the womens game prior.

When Army went to the 1 3 1 trap with about
7-8 minutes to go, the execution on
offense was really bad. Doh made no adjustments
and the team looked like they were playing
not to lose instead of attacking the trap & closing out
the game. Dohs gotta take his foot off
the brake.

Army had a Rice type team feel to me.
I enjoyed watching those fine young men hustle
& give it all they had. No quit.

Team needs to go 2 Dia. He looks outstanding.

What was wrong with Otis?

Good win!

[ontheedgeofmyseat]

Nice WIN, boys....good stuff! How 'bout a little 5-6 game streak?!?

[Pony_Fan]

Our coach's penchant for controlling everything is what leads to these long scoreless stretches. He demands we burn the play clock - I guess his version of the Tar Heel's 4 corner offense........When we heat up, he cools us down with the endless 3 man weave routine........Williams hit 2 long 3's and a 2 with less than 3 seconds on the shot clock. Thank goodness Williams has the coolness to stroke those shots under the duress of an expiring shot clock........I think we had 2 shot clock violations after we passed up open looks with 10 - 15 seconds left on the shot clock.........It is frustrating to watch and it has got to frustrate the players......He just isn't going to change........

By the way, did anyone notice the SMU player introduction? Again, the starting five looked like they had just heard their name over the loud speaker to report to the principle's office. No fire, no laughter, nothing but walk out and then huddle. Sad to watch..........

Yes, I didn't understand the 4 corners. That is a little outdated Doh! We have to keep pressing...instead we are begging to lose. I thought for sure they were going to give this one away. Thanks to clutch FT shooting, we didn't. Not sure we scored any baskets in the last few minutes?

With our height advantage..seems like we should have won by 15, but we just don't hustle on D or fight for rebounds. Army did a good hustle job and were all over our players in the paint most of the game.

PonyDoh, I'm beginning to see the McCoy dribble problem. He really just doesn't pass too much. I guess last year he was taking it to the hole and scoring and we didn't notice. He looks like Isham out there now...very lost. He is the new Hanc ock ball hog but doesn't score.

Give me more Haynes minutes. He seems to hustle. Harp actually made a bucket! Our movement w/out the ball is pretty bad. A basic pick and roll is not existent.

[ontheedgeofmyseat]

A TON of home games on the horizon...that can only be a good thing?

[Pony_Fan]

what was this on the broadcast about Williams missing team meetings? I could hardly hear it due to the reception.

[mr. pony]

what was this on the broadcast about Williams missing team meetings? I could hardly hear it due to the reception.

Williams didn't start due to missing a team breakfast, according to Doherty.

[friarwolf]

the player intros are indeed painful. i noticed another thing last night. We had no fast break points and I don't think we even had any fast break opportunities. I know Army is a disciplined team that takes care of the ball and gets back on D, but how do we not have any fast break chances? Part of it is on the relatively passive brand of defense we play.

The 4 guard/1 post alignment Army employs coupled with their discipline allows them to get back quickly on defense but you are right, it is the passive defense we play. They out rebounded us last night!! We simply are not aggressive in playing defense and aggressively going after rebounds is non-existent - at least with Otis and Luttman not playing. Has there ever been a softer big man than Nyakundi? Dude is a big body but he just sits out there at the 3 point line acting like a shooting guard and heaven forbid him actually putting a body on someone on D. Very disappointed in his game...............

[Eye In the Sky]

Speaking of player intros, anyone notice that there's ANOTHER new PA guy? From my understanding, the other guy is out. Don't know many details but apparently the "All Quit, No Grit" meltdown from last game didn't help.

The new guy seems fine. I believe he was one of the candidates for the Mavs PA job, and even got to do one of the preseason games.

Now if we could kill the Kiss Cam and "it's a Mustang Realty 3-pointer for SMU and <insert player>." By the time the announcement is finished, the other team is well into their offensive set on the other end.

[friarwolf]

Amen to the killing the kiss cam and I know it is sponsored........Since my wife and I attend most games, we have been on that damn thing 80% of the time. Last night, my wife left to get a coke as we saw the camera man cueing up to shoot us yet again.........The new guy did fine last night. He even pronounced the Army post player's (local kid from Plano) name correctly and its a name that can be messed up fairly easily.............

Halftime entertainment was excellent in comparison to what we normally have to be subjected to......