I will add my 2 posts from after the NAU game here as well. They touch on what is being said in this thread about our inside play, and tenacity.
Post 1
This is one disappointing game. A lot of missed FT's and open 3's we normally hit. A lot of uncharacteristic turnovers and few forced shots (from our Freshman Gfeller and Dunn). Terrible post defense. NAU hitting everything it seems.
Wayne has a tough decision to make. Either commit to balls to wall pressure defense, and uptempo offense, or commit to developing our options inside?
The positives, we know what we have in Deshields, Gregory, and Jamar. Beyond that, there is very little consistency in performance. I can give Dunn and Gfeller a pass. That is to be expected of Freshmen. Those 2 will only get better. I am not too worried about those 2. I am really concerned about inconsistent play from Weisner, Hutchison, Martin, and Kemp. Weisner is an upper classman now, and has plenty of experience behind him. There is no excuse for inconsistent play from him. Hutchison is a SR. Absolutely no excuse for not getting more from him on the boards and defense. Martin is still developing. It takes longer to build a big man than it does a perimeter player. I cannot be too hard on Andy. Growing pains are part of the process for a young big man. I have yet to hear any reason, why Kemp is not on the court more? Either way, have to say he is the biggest disappointment of this season so far. Athletically and physically, Kemp has a very high ceiling.
We know Gfeller, Dunn, and Bradshaw will all get better with experience. This comes down on how to get better play to make up for lack of a post game? If this were my decision, from what I have seen, I'd commit 20 plus minutes per game each to Martin and Kemp. Kemp has a lot of offensive and rebounding potential. Andy has a soft touch and always a presence on defense. I hate to be hard on a player, but it looks like the GRIZ cannot get much more out of Hutchison for whatever reasons. Offensively, unless more talent develops scoring inside, I would post up Kareem all day on off guards and small forwards. There is not a perimeter player in the conference who can guard him one on one inside.
Regardless of who gets minutes in the paint or personnel, I would do a lot more pressure defense and trapping to fully utilize our 1,2,3 depth. Defense has to create easier baskets for the team. Even an extra 2 to 3 baskets per game would be beneficial. I hope to see more commitment to Kemp and Martin moving forward this season.
If this team does not come out fired up against Sac State, it will be time to worry some. I am not quite there yet.
Post 2
Since my post, I caught up with the other game thread posts. I hate to be hard on any GRIZ team. It also looks like to me, compared to GRIZ teams over the last 5 years, collectively this group lacks consistent fire, tenacity, and willingness to run through walls. Gregory and Dunn have that every minute they are on the court. Beyond those 2, there are guys holding back. In a few cases, holding back often in terms of defense, and rebounding. I will also say, it is not any of our Freshman. I won't yet mention player names out of respect to Wayne, his staff, and the players, but this team is lacking some in areas of fortitude/attitude. There is no way in the world this would be accepted if Cherry and/or Ward were back this season. Leaders have to step up beyond what the stat lines will dictate.
