Oral Roberts U

[WeberSki]

Over the Summer I remember posts touting all of Rahe's complex sets-- I sure hope he's not waiting 'till January to break 'em out, I see a very stagnant offense and awkward ball movement at best. Much of the time Hill is on the floor he just stands and watches the guards struggle to keep control of the ball; if he's part of an active play I sure can't see what his role is.

^This. It's painful watching this offense. For an offense that, according to Rahe is "very diverse", there sure is a lot of standing around and lack of ball movement. I saw very little interior play last night. Just a lot of standing outside of the three line and throwing up three pointers. Good thing we actually hit some of them or this game would have been a double digit loss.

Meh, Oral Roberts is the best team we've played all year. We certainly didn't play well, especially offensively in the first half, but I'm taking mostly positives from last night. I would guess that Oral Roberts wins the Summit and gets into the NCAA's. Gittens shut down Obi Emegano, and 4/4 from three, oh and that dunk.

I meant shut down.

 

[hawkssb04]

Well, I scared the crap out of my son twice last night, who was sitting on my lap when I jumped out of my seat for the halftime buzzer-beater and the the game-winner with two seconds left. I should have made Richaud and Jeremy put him down for bed afterward. Thanks... ;-)

 

[wsucatfan]

I have a few questions/observations

1. Was I the only one that noticed we went on that 8-1 run in the first half with Hajek 5, Bolomboy 4, and Hill 3 and we didn't see that line much after that. We saw in the second half Bolomboy 5, Colston 4, Hill 3 but I thought the first one was much more productive.

2. I am starting to agree with some others who stated that maybe Golden would be nice coming off the bench to give it a nice spark. I know Coach said Golden is close and that would be great for him and the team. Golden took way to many bad shots early in the game but in the second half he calmed down and got into the paint which got him into a nice rhythm. I could see him getting that kind of pace against the second team guards from the other team and remember just cause you don't start doesn't mean you won't finish the game on the floor.

4. I agree we have too many players playing out of position. Gittens struggled a bit against the big wing, Hill had some problems with their 4s and even Joel had a few defensive problems with their 5s. I saw Gittens move well against the 2s, Hill did really nice against their wings, he even guarded #24 well at times, Joel can kill most 4s.

Why doesn't James play more? I hope we keep working at it. Tough, hard fought win got to love those kinds they build character especially in a young team.

I am just curious to hear who everybody thinks should start over Golden...It's not like ANY of the bench players have exactly showed in games that they deserve to start over Golden. :twocents:

Golden is our best offensive weapon. He's only going to get better.

This was his best game so far, we need him to shoot better than 2-8 from behind the 3 pt line.

 

[Webergrad02]

One thing that we may have overlooked is the stout defense that Gittens played on #15 Obi. That guy has gone off a few times this year. We held him to 3-12 shooting and I think kept him in check. I believe he was the one who choked the free throws at the end.

 

[n.ogdencat]

If Golden is able to score 15pts when he is still getting use to the offense, imagine what will happen once he does get comfortable. Gittens and Golden definitely kept the Cats in the game and gave them a chance to win. Oral Roberts is a really tough and hard-nosed team. They are fighters and veterans and the Cats were able to gut out a win. I don't care how ugly that game was, Weber was able to pull off a W. That was a hard fought game by the Cats.

Areas of concern...Bolomboy looked confused and lost most of the game. He was man handled all game. He needs to toughen up. I know he ended up with 12 rebounds, but there were probably 5 he should have had but didn't because he got out toughed for the rebound. Kyndahl finished strong, but for the majority of the game was a non-factor. His defense needs to improve. On offense he looks totally lost and confused. Worst of all he looked beaten for most of the game and didn't really fight till the end. I'm glad he woke up and tried, but for the majority of the game he was non-factor. For the Cats to be successful going forward, Weber desperately needs our bigs to participate far more. I honestly feel that Coston should get more mins. I like Kyndahl, but he isn't in the games. Maybe coming off the bench would help give him and the team a spark.

 

[Webergrad02]

Coston is too small to play 4 plain and simple. He is overmatched going against the large bigs we have faced. I thought Bolomboys lack of effort was more noticeable than Hills. We need to figure out how to get more from our post as a whole and I don't think giving Coston more minutes is the answer.

 

[Purple_Posse]

Around the 12 minute mark in the first half, Rahe went with the big package. I think Hajek , Bolomboy and Hill were all in. It seemed like they played well (just my opinion). Wondering why he doesn't try that line up more. Thought Hunter looks much more comfortable at point than Senglen. :twocents:

 

[UtahPirate]

Always love to read what other see and think. Just a couple of notes from my viewpoint. I don't think we stole the game as we had played tough all second half. If we'd done that on the road, then you might call it a steal. But at home, that's what you get, a riled up crowd driving a team that was playing hard, missed FTs from the opponent, and some great drama at the end. That's how you draw it up at the end, and every once and awhile it works.

Gittens was tough defensively!!! In fact, I thought our man-to-man switches were much better, but Gittens especially played a great defensive game. In the second half he didn't get a rest till the 8 minute mark and was back in two minutes later. The kid played a great game on both sides of the ball! I also liked Rahe throwing a zone at OR a couple of times.

Oral Roberts was big, not just vertically, but in circumference. Bolomboy and Hill are just going to struggle against wide bodies. I did think the team played well when Hayek came in during the first half and everyone slid to their normal spots. But Hayek just doesn't have much quick on defense. I still would have liked to see that lineup a bit more.

Finally, that was the first game where the bench contributed across the board. We got hard play from them, they scored a few points and are looking more comfortable. That was the first game I've seen Richardson play. And though it was only for 4 minutes, you can see that he'll become a scorer once he gets more playing time. What a great stroke! I loved that we went 4 deep on the bench as 3 just makes us seem so shallow. Had we lost, I still felt quite a bit better about the overall effort. The team is making progress, and you can see Rahe's mark on them as they played with great heart, especially at the end.

 

[n.ogdencat]

Always love to read what other see and think. Just a couple of notes from my viewpoint. I don't think we stole the game as we had played tough all second half. If we'd done that on the road, then you might call it a steal. But at home, that's what you get, a riled up crowd driving a team that was playing hard, missed FTs from the opponent, and some great drama at the end. That's how you draw it up at the end, and every once and awhile it works.

Gittens was tough defensively!!! In fact, I thought our man-to-man switches were much better, but Gittens especially played a great defensive game. In the second half he didn't get a rest till the 8 minute mark and was back in two minutes later. The kid played a great game on both sides of the ball! I also liked Rahe throwing a zone at OR a couple of times.

Oral Roberts was big, not just vertically, but in circumference. Bolomboy and Hill are just going to struggle against wide bodies. I did think the team played well when Hayek came in during the first half and everyone slid to their normal spots. But Hayek just doesn't have much quick on defense. I still would have liked to see that lineup a bit more.

Finally, that was the first game where the bench contributed across the board. We got hard play from them, they scored a few points and are looking more comfortable. That was the first game I've seen Richardson play. And though it was only for 4 minutes, you can see that he'll become a scorer once he gets more playing time. What a great stroke! I loved that we went 4 deep on the bench as 3 just makes us seem so shallow. Had we lost, I still felt quite a bit better about the overall effort. The team is making progress, and you can see Rahe's mark on them as they played with great heart, especially at the end.

:clap: :clap: Excellent post!!

When the Cats play a zone, or the opposing team brings in a "big" 4 or 5, then I think Rahe should throw Hajek in at the 5, have Joel play the 4. Especially with the 3-2 that Rahe used for a second last night. He usually goes with a 2-3, but switched it up a bit to slow things down. I really liked the 3-2 and Hajek is big, which clogs the middle.

As for Coston over Hill...right now, Coston is working and putting forward the effort. He gave the team a bit of a spark with his play in the second half and got Weber back in the game. Oral made their last run after he left the game. He did get blocked pretty badly when he went up for his dunk, but he at least tried. His issue is that he isn't big enough to play the 4 against teams like Oral Roberts, but neither is Hill if he isn't going to fight and just ends up standing around. In the Sky or against teams that go small Coston will be fine. I just like Coston's game more. He can't stretch the floor like Hill, but he has some decent inside moves and knows how, and most importantly, when to shoot a jump shot.

 

[WeberSki]

Always love to read what other see and think. Just a couple of notes from my viewpoint. I don't think we stole the game as we had played tough all second half. If we'd done that on the road, then you might call it a steal. But at home, that's what you get, a riled up crowd driving a team that was playing hard, missed FTs from the opponent, and some great drama at the end. That's how you draw it up at the end, and every once and awhile it works.

Gittens was tough defensively!!! In fact, I thought our man-to-man switches were much better, but Gittens especially played a great defensive game. In the second half he didn't get a rest till the 8 minute mark and was back in two minutes later. The kid played a great game on both sides of the ball! I also liked Rahe throwing a zone at OR a couple of times.

Oral Roberts was big, not just vertically, but in circumference. Bolomboy and Hill are just going to struggle against wide bodies. I did think the team played well when Hayek came in during the first half and everyone slid to their normal spots. But Hayek just doesn't have much quick on defense. I still would have liked to see that lineup a bit more.

Finally, that was the first game where the bench contributed across the board. We got hard play from them, they scored a few points and are looking more comfortable. That was the first game I've seen Richardson play. And though it was only for 4 minutes, you can see that he'll become a scorer once he gets more playing time. What a great stroke! I loved that we went 4 deep on the bench as 3 just makes us seem so shallow. Had we lost, I still felt quite a bit better about the overall effort. The team is making progress, and you can see Rahe's mark on them as they played with great heart, especially at the end.

Great post! Yes Rahe did throw in, looked like a couple of zones and that threw them off balance.

ORU looked like men all with wide shoulders and body's tough for Hill and Bolomboy for sure, each of their guards weigh one of ours take your pick.

I think and hope we'll see more of Richardson, his stroke like Golden's is sweet.

Hunter lost all confidence after the air balled 3, and spiraled down from there. He did not re enter after that. Needs to keep his dober up.

 

[hawkssb04]

Around the 12 minute mark in the first half, Rahe went with the big package. I think Hajek , Bolomboy and Hill were all in. It seemed like they played well (just my opinion). Wondering why he doesn't try that line up more. Thought Hunter looks much more comfortable at point than Senglen. :twocents:

I think Randy calls that package "Heavy, jumbo action." :thumb:

 

[WSUProf]

A couple of thoughts/observations

While clearly the bench was much better last night, it was also the case that Senglin played the whole 2nd half (accept for 1 second near the end), Gittens played 18 minutes, Hill, Bolomboy, and Golden all played between 16 and 17 minutes and only Hajek and Johnson-Coston saw the floor off the bench in the second half.

As for the Hajek, Bolomboy, Hill line-up, my concern is offense. Weber is going to have to be a perimeter or wing-penetration team. That means Gittens, Golden, and Senglin right now. If only two of them are on the floor Weber is much easier to guard. Weber's strength last night was clearly Golden's penetration into the paint in the second half. Now, if he can learn to kick it out of there sometimes to Senglin or Gittens, the offense will really start to click.

Defense: while Weber's zone did present some problems for OR's offense, it seemed to me that OR was getting more second and third chance points against it. Zone defense tends to make weak rebounding teams even weaker as it is harder for players to find a body to box out than when playing man-to-man.

I do think some of you are not giving Bolomboy enough credit on the defensive end. Although he did not block a shot, he still forces opposing players to alter their shots at the rim, often times the opposing team's guards and other bigs.

But all in all, I can see some positives developing.

 

[UtahPirate]

Hunter lost all confidence after the air balled 3, and spiraled down from there. He did not re enter after that. Needs to keep his dober up.

I don't know whether to put smiley faces, or laughter ones here -- or what you do when it is a player you like and know it was a total freshman moment. But you're right on. Having established that I like Hunter early on, I could tell he about died with that shot, and never recovered. I slumped in my chair and hid my eyes I felt so bad for him... Imagine that shot on the road, the crowd would have been merciless!

Weber is going to have to be a perimeter or wing-penetration team. That means Gittens, Golden, and Senglin right now. If only two of them are on the floor Weber is much easier to guard. Weber's strength last night was clearly Golden's penetration into the paint in the second half. Now, if he can learn to kick it out of there sometimes to Senglin or Gittens, the offense will really start to click.

Great point. Golden is clearly a player that can get hot and carry a team. I'm sure he'll get more comfortable and we'll see these flashes of excellence more often. Now, if we could just get some of the consistency out of Senglin that he showed last year. He just seems to be pressing, but with two buzzer beaters he's further established himself as a team leader -- which is a role we need him to grow into.

 

[Webergrad02]

I don't know whether to put smiley faces, or laughter ones here -- or what you do when it is a player you like and know it was a total freshman moment. But you're right on. Having established that I like Hunter early on, I could tell he about died with that shot, and never recovered. I slumped in my chair and hid my eyes I felt so bad for him...

I coach 3rd grade girls and we play on a 9 foot basket. Hunters shot would have been right down the barrel on the baskets we play on. :lol:

 

[Da Bears]

Hunter lost all confidence after the air balled 3, and spiraled down from there. He did not re enter after that. Needs to keep his dober up.

I don't know whether to put smiley faces, or laughter ones here -- or what you do when it is a player you like and know it was a total freshman moment. But you're right on. Having established that I like Hunter early on, I could tell he about died with that shot, and never recovered. I slumped in my chair and hid my eyes I felt so bad for him... Imagine that shot on the road, the crowd would have been merciless!

Weber is going to have to be a perimeter or wing-penetration team. That means Gittens, Golden, and Senglin right now. If only two of them are on the floor Weber is much easier to guard. Weber's strength last night was clearly Golden's penetration into the paint in the second half. Now, if he can learn to kick it out of there sometimes to Senglin or Gittens, the offense will really start to click.

Great point. Golden is clearly a player that can get hot and carry a team. I'm sure he'll get more comfortable and we'll see these flashes of excellence more often. Now, if we could just get some of the consistency out of Senglin that he showed last year. He just seems to be pressing, but with two buzzer beaters he's further established himself as a team leader -- which is a role we need him to grow into.

It would be great if Senglin becomes a leader, but I'm confident that the last second shots are the worst thing that could happen to his development because it will help him forget all the bad decisions before it. Another night of charging into the paint and not passing or even having a plan. How many charging calls has he had this year? I think Weber is a better team if he learns to become a distributor.... not just taking the shot! I'm a firm believer that if he's doing his job, the heroic last second shot isn't needed. We need a floor general badly! Glad we got the win, but when BYU and Oklahoma comes knocking its going to require a better effort. I've never had a win feel so much like a lost!

 

[WSUfan4ever]

Coston is too small to play 4 plain and simple. He is overmatched going against the large bigs we have faced. I thought Bolomboys lack of effort was more noticeable than Hills. We need to figure out how to get more from our post as a whole and I don't think giving Coston more minutes is the answer.

I was watching the team warm up last night and could have predicted a number of the things everyone is pointing out today. The team does not appear to be having fun, and there seems to be a general lack of energy. So much of this has to be because of our youth as a team. I am just not sure why there appears to be a lack of effort, and whether it has more to do with confidence or perhaps they are just feeling too much pressure. For a few big plays during the game the entire team and bench were sky-high and other times they just seemed happy to be there and content with mediocrity.

 

[WSUProf]

I've never had a win feel so much like a lost!

Really? Felt like a great win to me. I didn't walk into the Dee last night expecting a 10-20 point win. In fact, given how the team has fared I was thinking a loss was very much in the cards.

Keep in mind, 1 turnover for the team the entire 2nd half, and Senglin was on the floor for the whole 2nd half.

 

[Da Bears]

Coston is too small to play 4 plain and simple. He is overmatched going against the large bigs we have faced. I thought Bolomboys lack of effort was more noticeable than Hills. We need to figure out how to get more from our post as a whole and I don't think giving Coston more minutes is the answer.

I was watching the team warm up last night and could have predicted a number of the things everyone is pointing out today. The team does not appear to be having fun, and there seems to be a general lack of energy. So much of this has to be because of our youth as a team. I am just not sure why there appears to be a lack of effort, and whether it has more to do with confidence or perhaps they are just feeling too much pressure. For a few big plays during the game the entire team and bench were sky-high and other times they just seemed happy to be there and content with mediocrity.

Interesting observation! We are not even into the grind of the season yet! This year has a weird vibe. Almost like we're getting into position for future years. My question is how does this improve? This is our team for the next two years. The starting 5 is probably not going to change. We'll have a better bench and the starters will improve, but I'm confident that this is our team for the next two seasons. Isn't Joel our only Senior next year?

 

[Itiger]

Coston is too small to play 4 plain and simple. He is overmatched going against the large bigs we have faced. I thought Bolomboys lack of effort was more noticeable than Hills. We need to figure out how to get more from our post as a whole and I don't think giving Coston more minutes is the answer.

I was watching the team warm up last night and could have predicted a number of the things everyone is pointing out today. The team does not appear to be having fun, and there seems to be a general lack of energy. So much of this has to be because of our youth as a team. I am just not sure why there appears to be a lack of effort, and whether it has more to do with confidence or perhaps they are just feeling too much pressure. For a few big plays during the game the entire team and bench were sky-high and other times they just seemed happy to be there and content with mediocrity.

Interesting observation! We are not even into the grind of the season yet! This year has a weird vibe. Almost like we're getting into position for future years. My question is how does this improve? This is our team for the next two years. The starting 5 is probably not going to change. We'll have a better bench and the starters will improve, but I'm confident that this is our team for the next two seasons. Isn't Joel our only Senior next year?

No.... Golden and Coston will be Seniors too! The question is can Jefferson, Braxton or the new Freshman break into the line up next year.

 

[catscratched]

Seniors next year are Joel, Chris, and Jae. This team will not only be much better next year, but they will continue to get better this year. I've seen improvement already. You are all forgetting the slow start we had last year, and how good we were by the end of the season. This team is extremely young. We all knew it would be an up and down beginning to the season. We have high expectations for our program, and rightfully so. They will get there. We just need to stick with them. Win or lose, this is a fun bunch to watch. :nod: :nod: