“Playing For Fab”

[Maynardsgametrail]

Last season it seemed like you heard from players that they were “playing for Fab.” The juniors and Underclassmen really wanted to send Fab out in style by winning the conference and going to the dance. I specifically remember hearing that from Rorie and Oguine. The team did. They had someone, a leader, who they played for. Fab busted his ass, was vocal in a commanding style, and by far was the most motivating player on the team last year. Was he a prolific scorer? Hell no. He lead by example and was tough as shit. The underclassmen followed and succeeded.

This current team doesn’t seem to have that “play with desperation” that Coach Decuire was always preaching last season. There’s not one player on this team that plays/leads like Fab did...........yet. There’s no fire YET. There’s hope though. Pridgett(consistency) Falls(suspension) Manuel (consistency), Dorsey (senior or not) need to step it the eff up for Rorie, Oguine, Moorhead and Akoh. First step is getting Akoh back.

Once Akoh is back, and they regain some continuity, think this team will begin to play with desperation again. They need to or one of the best backcourts we’ve ever seen at this school is going to get bounced out of the BSC tourney pretty quick.

However, I have faith that this team will begin to pull it together during conference play. Those 4 seniors will take this team over and hopefully the younger kids will follow suit. They just need an identity. I’m sure it will happen.

Thoughts??

 

[Big Sage]

I hope you’re right, but maybe we just aren’t as good as we hoped to be

 

[AZDoc]

I hope you’re right, but maybe we just aren’t as good as we hoped to be

Agreed. Unfortunately if they DO win the BSC, they've guaranteed themselves a 15 seed with how they've played

 

[AZGrizFan]

Moorhead is a bust, IMHO. Simply can't have someone on the floor with zero offensive skills. He's had WAY too many games where he's gone O-for the field...

 

[Maynardsgametrail]

Moorhead is a bust, IMHO. Simply can't have someone on the floor with zero offensive skills. He's had WAY too many games where he's gone O-for the field...

Without Moorehead, we don't play EWU in the Championship last year. Offensive liability, yes. Bust? No. He just needs to start playing like a senior.

 

[AllWeatherFan]

Let's see where we are mid-way through conference before we start making grand pronouncements. Travis created a brutal non-conference schedule for a reason, and that was to prepare the team for tough conference road games. So let's see how this plays out.

And if we win the conference tournament, who cares what seed we are? The goal is to win the Big Dance, not merely to win a single game or get into the round of (sweet) sixteen.

 

[AZGrizFan]

Moorhead is a bust, IMHO. Simply can't have someone on the floor with zero offensive skills. He's had WAY too many games where he's gone O-for the field...

Without Moorehead, we don't play EWU in the Championship last year. Offensive liability, yes. Bust? No. He just needs to start playing like a senior.

We've been waiting for the promise he showed as a Freshman for three years now. Maybe it was his FRESHMAN year that was the anomaly, and the past three years of occasionally hot/mostly cold Bobby is his REAL talent level.

 

[griz71]

Right now the team is sorely in need of some REAL leadership. Unfortunately currently lacking anyone to step up and do so. Hopefully the Xmas break inspires Rorie or MO or perhaps even Akoh (if he can stay healthy) to do so.

 

[IdaGriz01]

Right now the team is sorely in need of some REAL leadership. Unfortunately currently lacking anyone to step up and do so. Hopefully the Xmas break inspires Rorie or MO or perhaps even Akoh (if he can stay healthy) to do so.

My thought too. Have only seen a few games, highlights and radio of others, but it seems like there is no take-charge guy out there who "refuses to lose." Hard to define, but easy to see ... when you see it. Have not seen that yet.

BTW, on a related note: Not so sure this team is as "loaded with talent" as some (me included) thought early on. Plenty of bright spots, but some glaring holes, especially in terms of depth. Better team leadership may bring out more than I'm seeing ... and we certainly hope.

Bottom line (re the main point): Coaches can only do so much.

 

[mtgrizrule]

Right now the team is sorely in need of some REAL leadership. Unfortunately currently lacking anyone to step up and do so. Hopefully the Xmas break inspires Rorie or MO or perhaps even Akoh (if he can stay healthy) to do so.

My thought too. Have only seen a few games, highlights and radio of others, but it seems like there is no take-charge guy out there who "refuses to lose." Hard to define, but easy to see ... when you see it. Have not seen that yet.

BTW, on a related note: Not so sure this team is as "loaded with talent" as some (me included) thought early on. Plenty of bright spots, but some glaring holes, especially in terms of depth. Better team leadership may bring out more than I'm seeing ... and we certainly hope.

Bottom line (re the main point): Coaches can only do so much.

I think the leadership is there. The problem is more with some who are still learning to follow, and/or trying to overstep the leaders we do have. Dorsey just has not found his game. Manuel has managed to be this year's supposedly good shooter that has lost his consistency (that's been a problem every season under DeCuire), and not filling that needed role. Timmy Falls is struggling with turnovers, inconsistent shooting, and playing within the offense. It looks like, he has been pressing. He needs to let the game come to him. Coach Cobb said it well, just now. They are stuggling with the inconsistency of the lineup.

 

[cmtgrizzly]

Right now the team is sorely in need of some REAL leadership. Unfortunately currently lacking anyone to step up and do so. Hopefully the Xmas break inspires Rorie or MO or perhaps even Akoh (if he can stay healthy) to do so.

My thought too. Have only seen a few games, highlights and radio of others, but it seems like there is no take-charge guy out there who "refuses to lose." Hard to define, but easy to see ... when you see it. Have not seen that yet.

BTW, on a related note: Not so sure this team is as "loaded with talent" as some (me included) thought early on. Plenty of bright spots, but some glaring holes, especially in terms of depth. Better team leadership may bring out more than I'm seeing ... and we certainly hope.

Bottom line (re the main point): Coaches can only do so much.

Talent is not the problem to me. Though we are thin at post just like we knew we would be. I feel the problem is something intangible and noone has been playing to their talent particularly Rorie and O.

 

[cmtgrizzly]

Right now the team is sorely in need of some REAL leadership. Unfortunately currently lacking anyone to step up and do so. Hopefully the Xmas break inspires Rorie or MO or perhaps even Akoh (if he can stay healthy) to do so.

My thought too. Have only seen a few games, highlights and radio of others, but it seems like there is no take-charge guy out there who "refuses to lose." Hard to define, but easy to see ... when you see it. Have not seen that yet.

BTW, on a related note: Not so sure this team is as "loaded with talent" as some (me included) thought early on. Plenty of bright spots, but some glaring holes, especially in terms of depth. Better team leadership may bring out more than I'm seeing ... and we certainly hope.

Bottom line (re the main point): Coaches can only do so much.

I think the leadership is there. The problem is more with some who are still learning to follow, and/or trying to overstep the leaders we do have. Dorsey just has not found his game. Manuel has managed to be this year's supposedly good shooter that has lost his consistency (that's been a problem every season under DeCuire), and not filling that needed role. Timmy Falls is struggling with turnovers, inconsistent shooting, and playing within the offense. It looks like, he has been pressing. He needs to let the game come to him. Coach Cobb said it well, just now. They are stuggling with the inconsistency of the lineup.

I think Cobb is right. This team needs to find a comfortable line-up/rotation or team chemistry or to “gel” or whatever you want to call it. It is missing and it has been apparent every game so far.