Game 17—@Eastern Michigan

[1981 grad]

12 minutes ago, skip-zip said:

 

I mentioned this a few weeks ago.  He's simply carrying too much burden for this team.  Last night was a good example.  Utomi and Ivey had a lot of the rebounds.   That's really unusual.   

 

In Utomi's case, it's hard to have your primary shooter/scorer doing so many other things on the floor, and expecting them to still be able to shoot/score well.    

 

43 minutes ago, NWAkron said:

I'm not going to rationalize or defend what can't be defended, but I can be realistic in that the parts aren't there when we have two centers out of the game.  This is a really tortured analogy but imagine not having both Big Dog and Kwan out for a couple games last year.  Or maybe going without Zeke and Forsythe for a few games.   Im looking at the big picture and hoping end of February beginning of March will give us a few surprises.  I also really appreciate the wise analysis from all of you.

I do not buy the excuses for Utomi.  His shot has been off the last 3 games.  He has been playing some center but he is a great athlete, very strong, and he is working hard on defense.  He needs to find his shot.  This team will struggle if he does not score.  The whole time I was watching the game last night I kept thinking about how Big Dog (low post) and Kwan (high post) attacked the 2-3 zone surround by perrimeter shooters.  Instead we had two frosh, K low post and Parrish high post.  NO comparison.  The chemistry and experience to attack the zone is not there.  We are very athletic and the experience will come as long as they listen to Groce.  I think getting K extended minutes will help his game.  Lock him in the training room, show him his post up move that he made in the second half, and replay it until he understands he has the talent to go strong to the basket.  His extended playing time will hopefully pay dividends later in the season. 

[skip-zip]

4 hours ago, 1981 grad said:

 

I do not buy the excuses for Utomi.  His shot has been off the last 3 games.  He has been playing some center but he is a great athlete, very strong, and he is working hard on defense.  He needs to find his shot.  This team will struggle if he does not score.

 

I don't think anyone was making any excuses.  It's just the situation right now.  You have your best perimeter shooter being forced to play post, rebound, and defend on the interior.  They're using him in ways where it's possibly best for the team out of necessity, but probably not best for his personal scoring numbers.  That's why I've said all along that another perimeter scorer needs to emerge.   Guys like Reggie never had to fill the roles that Utomi is having to fill right now on this team.  And we had that luxury back then.