Running out of games to rewatch and numbers to dig through during Providence’s 15-day holiday break, I found myself looking back at the biggest wins from Kim English’s first season as the Friars’ head coach.
Kevin, I think you hit on it, Kim actually showed some emotion, the team hung tough, and shared the rock. Good for them, the talent is def there, will see how Wed goes
Kevin, great comments. Some observations / questions:
I feel like Coach English is reading your blog. A dash of Pinnis, pinch of zone, some more Powell, a little more cowbell....he's either listening or you are pointing out what is becoming obvious.
Tim Brando made an observation that College basketball is about evolving as the season goes on - seems like we are seeing that. This isn't a 20 win team, but it's a team that can beat a ranked opponent on the road when down by a bunch and with foul trouble everywhere. So there's a continued reason to watch, and hope...
Lots of good things yesterday, staring with Vaaks setting his feet before he shoots. However, at the same time:
I cannot recall the last time a single player drew 15 fouls by himself like Zubi did. Our bigs are just terrible. I was rewinding the game at points and it was surprising how easily Zubi was shedding boxouts. Hargrove and Pinnis combined for 5 fouls in 7 minutes. Add in Powell and you have 9 fouls in 20 minutes. Hargrove had a couple of rebounds - but they just fell into his arms, and his basket was uncontested. Nothing he did helped his "QBR" rating, so to speak. I know you said he has looked better in practice compared to games, but my suspicion is that it's because he's practicing against Powell and Pinnis and Oswin, who make everyone look good. I love them all...but facts are facts.
I still scratch my head a bit at the big minutes and crunch time glue guy role Mela has; he can't shoot, can only score going right, turns the ball over if you make him dribble...but maybe those extra two inches he has over Floyd make him the better option at the end in a way that doesn't hit the stat book? Neither him nor Floyd is going to win "Best Supporting Actor" but I never feel terrible with them as supporting actors...and Mela's offensive rebound at the end was him at his best.
Jones is a revelation; weren't we all collectively thinking to ourselves all game long that he'd deserve to start over Bryce anyway if he had stayed before he even said it? Funny how that worked out - addition by subtraction based on the talent - not just attitude. Everyone is replaying that spin move later in the game...but he was doing so much all game; that tip back in the first half was crazy. I really, really want to read into his tweet to Hopkins of "stay on that side" to mean that he's not going to do the same thing to us eventually and leave for greener pastures. Because I want to enjoy this year and stay focused on the moment, but I also enjoy daydreaming about next season with Jones, Vaaks, D. Davis and B. Davis, Oswin, Mela, Pinnis as a returning core....still need a couple of expensive pieces to compete - but it's not a complete redo and English would have the continuity to build an enduring culture.
Coach English is sharp, has a vision, has drive, a solid supporting cast (Gomes, Felton, etc.) and he is, in my analysis, evolving his scheme to fit the reality of the BE court. Seems like some of the theoretical stuff that didn't work is being pruned back and some more effective elements are being grafted on. I like what's simmering, what's marinating. His presser yesterday was great one - there's a blueprint in his head and he's going to execute on it. Here, or elsewhere. But he's going to be a winner.
What a great all around performance we had. It’s the first time this year that I saw the players playing for each other. Let’s bring that fire next game vs U-Conn.
English finally put in a zone for more than one or two turns down the court which I thought was great. He showed a lot of emotion on the bench as well and calm during the 13-0 run. This was the first time in a couple of years that I found myself yelling and screaming at the TV, especially after the win .
Pitino is a great coach, but we outplayed the son of a B this time. Cichman 1974
What a great write up. Thank you for what you do.
Agreed. Great write up. Wonderful to wake up craving some more afterglow and getting it here.
Kevin, I think you hit on it, Kim actually showed some emotion, the team hung tough, and shared the rock. Good for them, the talent is def there, will see how Wed goes
Kevin, great comments. Some observations / questions:
I feel like Coach English is reading your blog. A dash of Pinnis, pinch of zone, some more Powell, a little more cowbell....he's either listening or you are pointing out what is becoming obvious.
Tim Brando made an observation that College basketball is about evolving as the season goes on - seems like we are seeing that. This isn't a 20 win team, but it's a team that can beat a ranked opponent on the road when down by a bunch and with foul trouble everywhere. So there's a continued reason to watch, and hope...
Lots of good things yesterday, staring with Vaaks setting his feet before he shoots. However, at the same time:
I cannot recall the last time a single player drew 15 fouls by himself like Zubi did. Our bigs are just terrible. I was rewinding the game at points and it was surprising how easily Zubi was shedding boxouts. Hargrove and Pinnis combined for 5 fouls in 7 minutes. Add in Powell and you have 9 fouls in 20 minutes. Hargrove had a couple of rebounds - but they just fell into his arms, and his basket was uncontested. Nothing he did helped his "QBR" rating, so to speak. I know you said he has looked better in practice compared to games, but my suspicion is that it's because he's practicing against Powell and Pinnis and Oswin, who make everyone look good. I love them all...but facts are facts.
I still scratch my head a bit at the big minutes and crunch time glue guy role Mela has; he can't shoot, can only score going right, turns the ball over if you make him dribble...but maybe those extra two inches he has over Floyd make him the better option at the end in a way that doesn't hit the stat book? Neither him nor Floyd is going to win "Best Supporting Actor" but I never feel terrible with them as supporting actors...and Mela's offensive rebound at the end was him at his best.
Jones is a revelation; weren't we all collectively thinking to ourselves all game long that he'd deserve to start over Bryce anyway if he had stayed before he even said it? Funny how that worked out - addition by subtraction based on the talent - not just attitude. Everyone is replaying that spin move later in the game...but he was doing so much all game; that tip back in the first half was crazy. I really, really want to read into his tweet to Hopkins of "stay on that side" to mean that he's not going to do the same thing to us eventually and leave for greener pastures. Because I want to enjoy this year and stay focused on the moment, but I also enjoy daydreaming about next season with Jones, Vaaks, D. Davis and B. Davis, Oswin, Mela, Pinnis as a returning core....still need a couple of expensive pieces to compete - but it's not a complete redo and English would have the continuity to build an enduring culture.
Coach English is sharp, has a vision, has drive, a solid supporting cast (Gomes, Felton, etc.) and he is, in my analysis, evolving his scheme to fit the reality of the BE court. Seems like some of the theoretical stuff that didn't work is being pruned back and some more effective elements are being grafted on. I like what's simmering, what's marinating. His presser yesterday was great one - there's a blueprint in his head and he's going to execute on it. Here, or elsewhere. But he's going to be a winner.
What a great all around performance we had. It’s the first time this year that I saw the players playing for each other. Let’s bring that fire next game vs U-Conn.
Kevin- fantastic write up as usual. Thanks!
English finally put in a zone for more than one or two turns down the court which I thought was great. He showed a lot of emotion on the bench as well and calm during the 13-0 run. This was the first time in a couple of years that I found myself yelling and screaming at the TV, especially after the win .
Pitino is a great coach, but we outplayed the son of a B this time. Cichman 1974