We see what plays out in front of us. The kid has heart but it doesn't mean the criticism of him is off. He is second on the team in turnovers and he often takes really bad shots. I've said he is a maddening player and there is nothing that will occur this year to change my thoughts. I say that about him because, like I said, he will make some nice plays only to make a bad play right behind it. There is a reason his minutes were really going down the last few games. Again, he is our best offensive rebounder. He has the most on the team if I'm not mistaken and that's an underrated part of the game. He is not as good of a defensive rebounder and I want him to improve on that. There is no questioning his heart. I will definitely give him that.
His defense is lacking for sure and opposing coaches take advantage like they did tonight with the high ball screens to get him to switch the the ball handler. I feel like that’s more on Bob to get him out of those situations. Anyway, who is leading the team in turnovers?
Stroman leads in turnovers but he also has the ball in his hands and is tasked with distributing so its somewhat understandable. His defense does trouble me but there is little Marlin can do to get him out of the pick in rolls at the top. Teams will just take whoever he is guarding and work them up top. Tonight, they were going to him there and in isolation. What really triggers my criticism is the offensive end. Its decision making. A lot of his turnovers and bad shots are just judgment problems when trying to do too much. Last year, when our team was really moving the ball to our playmakers, he'd come in and stop moving it and take bad shots. This year is not as noticeable at times because we aren't moving the ball as well.
Let me also acknowledge that while I have been critical of Miller and his defense is lacking, we have bigger issues on defense than just him. It's a team and systemic problem. Tonight we did a much better job in getting in front of offensive players on the dribble and help defense. That allowed us to not have to provide so much help defense on the perimeter thus being able to close out on shooters. In Georgia State's big run, we relapsed and they were getting wide open shots that they were making but most of the game was a big improvement and thus helped us keep them under 80 points. The question is whether we can give that type of effort every night.
Haven’t seen a made shot chart, but I promise a big blob for GAST on the right of the basket. Double digit layups.
This game was a tale of two Justin Miller's for sure. State isn't in the game if they don't take advantage of Justin as a defensive liability for stretches - there were a lot of uncontested shots where he just didn't make it out to defend - but we don't win the game without Justin's heart and gutty play to close it out with his late rebound and free throws. Nothing that happened tonight, not the good nor the bad, are totally on him. But to deny one exists while playing up the other is not being honest.
Justin is fine if he would avoid dribbling in traffic. That was a money rebound at the end.
And my goodness, Hunter was the dumb ars coach in the building tonight. Gant out game and he has his team play for the 3 and win instead of the tie. They were driving freely to the hoop all night, take the deuce and go OT. Maybe the crowd got in his head, don’t know, but he had the numbers in OT to win if he went that route.
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