GWRising wrote:

We don't come up with 50-50 loose balls that often. .

I've been frustrated by this, and it seems like we've been having problems with this for a few years now.  I sort of understood not being to overly aggressive at times in past years because our bench was so thin and the team didn't want to pick up ticky-tack fouls.  But with the amount of talent we have on the team now there should be no excuse to not get in there are secure the ball.  There were quite a few times last night that we were hesitant and Murray took advantage.

LSF and I are sitting in the GC airport, still a bit stunned about what happened last night. Have to admit I had trouble getting to sleep thinking about all the ways we could have won. I won't bother with much analysis because I think the rest of you have already hit the key points.

Only additional comment I have is that it seems to me the frequent substitutions may be preventing the guys who already in from getting into any flow or rhythm. I think one of CC's biggest challenges is finding the best sub pattern when he's playing 9 (or 10 when Bevins gets in) guys. The argument that using this many guys helps them keep up defensive pressure and intensity wasn't in evidence this week.

I still have faith in CC and, after rooting for GW for 55 years, I remain an eternal optimist. What other choice do we have?

BTW, on Jess Settles, I had a brief conversation with him in which I mentioned the IA-GW game. He laughed and said I have a long memory. He also mentioned his respect for Jarvis and how he was impressed by Koul and Shante' during that game. Settles seems like a nice guy who deserves to be forgiven for beating us.

A lot of good points in the posts above, from defense to toughness to 50-50 balls.
Think it wouldn't have hurt to have some pressure in the backcourt on the game-ending coast to coast play.
But even without, couldn't we have picked him up somewhere before he is literally going up for the layup.
Just herd him toward the sideline without fouling as is often done. Though even an early foul would have been preferable in retrospect. As would going for 3, even though we didn't need it. But we made the right play offensively and then totally blew it defensively.
Definitely McNeese and also Murray State seemed to want it more, and were more hungry as our
seemingly lifetime curse Jess Settles would say. At one point, yesterday a Murray State airball
bounced right in front of us and they came up with it.
   The tournament felt like we read all of our social media clips and believed we were invincible after defeating South Florida (we'll see how they do against VCU today). Then we got punched in the mouth early from McNeese State and a much more motivated Murray State that had already lost 2 games.
They didn't get the memo that they should roll over to mighty GW and took control of the game for significant stretches. 
   Part of it is shot selection, too, as noted. When we have a lead and need to milk clock or at least use it sensibly, sometimes we take quicker, low-percentage 3s. And sometimes as pointed out, we make them. But sometimes, it is a game, lead or comeback killer.
  In the Murray State game, did Garrett get any shots near the end of the game? Sometimes, he is off, but
in general would rather ride Garrett, Trey Austin who makes big shots, and Tre D, only when he is really hot at the end of the game.
  To our credit, we are passing a lot. And while Castro had a huge game, we are inconsistent in finding him.
  Something interesting positively is Arunguren is a really crafty, scrappy player when he serves his ro
Even Settles noticed, which may have sealed our fate.
    We need that kind of hard, smarter work from everyone.

Disagree with JF that shot selection is our problem. We have the 16th highest effective FG% in the nation, and we’re top 40 in both 2 and 3 point FG%.  We’re getting good shots, consistently. 

Defense is where I’m disappointed. I do think both McNeeae and Murray made a bunch of shots they wouldn’t normally make, but that’s how it goes sometimes.  But even with that, we aren’t getting enough stops against the decent teams on our schedule. Losing. Marshall hurt last game (and may have been the difference), but either it’s our interior defense that’s struggling (188th in 2 pt FG% defense.).

I do remind myself that it wasn’t until basically January that we found our defensive identity last year and it’s still early.  The hard part, though is, in the new era of college basketball, a team at our level has to be almost perfect in November (while P4 teams can start slow and still save their season).

We’re still 63 in KenPom, and before the season, most of us would have been thrilled to be 63rd after the Caymans.  It’s just that we all know we could be special if we can get it together.

Great info from LSF. Keep any more coming.
Interesting about the teams flying together, hopefully convivially.
Wonder what the GW mood was like?
Safe and swift as possible travels. Don't know if you are in Miami or Charlotte.
 But with this deeply troubling tournament, outside of the weather, Long Suffering has again earned
his moniker.

Last edited by jf (11/26/2025 9:49 pm)

Long Suffering Fan wrote:

CC has been lobbying for a charter for these trips.  This disastrous flight back may boost the argument.  Murray State flew together because both had changes in
Charlotte.The Murray State kid I spoke with said his team was really boosted by their strong fan support at the games…much larger than GW

I’m both amazed and dismayed that there wasn’t charter - especially given the travel was occurring literally during the busiest travel days of the year. What could go wrong?  Guess you and the guys found out the hard way. LSF. Hope you make it back.

Last edited by Alum1 (11/27/2025 9:52 am)