[BBGuru]

given that other teams have 2 losses, I'll hope that Duke just leapfrogs us and Louisville in the rankings, returning us to #4 and Louisville at 5 for now. We really need to refocus on defense and on the guard penetration, which more often than not leads to good outcomes.

However, the comment about certain players not playing aggressive defensive because they're afraid to foul and then be pulled from the game is a good point. Almost appears that the abundance of talent is hurting us if Taylor or anyone else isn't as aggressive as they should be.

When you reward aggressive D with a long trip to the bench it makes players too tentative. They know their diligent efforts will result in a punishment, so they back off and allow their opponents to have their way. I think this is a coaching mistake and it sets a climate of hesitancy, but it's not the only mistake.

IMPO players need the freedom and permission to be spontaneous on offense too. Teams like Washington who do well against us have players who aren't afraid to take chances. They're spontaneous on the ball and they take even the slightest opportunity to score.

Our players, especially the guards, usually have to wait around and dribble forever and default to an established offense. There's very little catch and shoot or points scored in transition off quick passes that take advantage of a break in the defense. There's that robot-like resignation to look to the bench, set it up, and either hold the ball too long or dribble forever and give the defense a chance to get in place. Then we pass it back and forth around the 3 pt line until we're forced to take a shot. I like 3s but coaches shouldn't allow a team to live and die by them.

I'd like to see more creative, spontaneous offense and have those efforts be positively rewarded by the coaches. We should be taking players off the dribble, making the quick long pass to cherry pick, hitting players with the ball before their defenders can get set up, making our passes much quicker, and basically playing without so much FEAR! Fear that if you make a mistake you're on the bench possibly never to be seen in the game again.

[BBGuru]

given that other teams have 2 losses, I'll hope that Duke just leapfrogs us and Louisville in the rankings, returning us to #4 and Louisville at 5 for now. We really need to refocus on defense and on the guard penetration, which more often than not leads to good outcomes.

However, the comment about certain players not playing aggressive defensive because they're afraid to foul and then be pulled from the game is a good point. Almost appears that the abundance of talent is hurting us if Taylor or anyone else isn't as aggressive as they should be.

When you reward aggressive D with a long trip to the bench it makes players too tentative. They know their diligent efforts will result in a punishment, so they back off and allow their opponents to have their way. I think this is a coaching mistake and it sets a climate of hesitancy, but it's not the only mistake.

IMPO players need the freedom and permission to be spontaneous on offense too. Teams like Washington who do well against us have players who aren't afraid to take chances. They're spontaneous on the ball and they take even the slightest opportunity to score.

Our players, especially the guards, usually have to wait around and dribble forever and default to an established offense. There's very little catch and shoot or points scored in transition off quick passes that take advantage of a break in the defense. There's that robot-like resignation to look to the bench, set it up, and either hold the ball too long or dribble forever and give the defense a chance to get in place. Then we pass it back and forth around the 3 pt line until we're forced to take a shot. I like 3s but coaches shouldn't allow a team to live and die by them.

I'd like to see more creative, spontaneous offense and have those efforts be positively rewarded by the coaches. We should be taking players off the dribble, making the quick long pass to cherry pick, hitting players with the ball before their defenders can get set up, making our passes much quicker, and basically playing without so much FEAR! Fear that if you make a mistake you're on the bench possibly never to be seen in the game again.