I do not expect us to win going to our House of Horrors and especially with them coming off a loss, but my question is: with where we are, what would you do with this team and how would you like to see them play? Offensively, I'd use a 4 out 1 in, with Ware on the wing more, picking and popping and encourage him to take 3s when he's open. I'd also be looking for Mbako at the 3 anytime and force feed him shots: transition 3s, early in the shot clock... get him looks. Secondary shooters like Cupps, Galloway, Reanu and Gunn, I'd ask to be ready to shoot and take the shots they are confident of. But, if you're not, use the shot fake. I'm not sure I've seen a team use the shot fake less, and then bite on so damn many shot fakes. Walker is not a shooter and shouldn't be shooting from 3 (should've been benched when he took a 3 with MM open), and we need to do a better job with finding the open man (and him being ready to shoot!) and especially Reanu passing out of double teams. Purdue uses that tremendously, and we don't. TJD got much better, so hopefully Reanu can too. And, push the pace and look for open/easy baskets; we need all
Defensively, I'd not switch everything and only when called out. I think all the switching causes this team to lose guys on the perimeter. And then block out and attack the glass. We have to rebound better to close out defensive possessions. Way too many second chance points for our opponents.
Lastly, Xavier. Gotta have a plan there. I think you have to do 1 of two things: convince him to try and hit the "reset button" and start him with explicit instructions for what you need from him, or suspend/dismiss him. If he's one of the locker room problems, it's #2. Not starting him isn't working and you can see it in his body language. If he was a football player, he'd be a diva receiver. Kills depth without him, but I'd not play him until he says/shows he wants to do what the team needs, but I'd live with Cupps, Galloway and Gunn and start getting Leal some minutes.
Defensively, I'd not switch everything and only when called out. I think all the switching causes this team to lose guys on the perimeter. And then block out and attack the glass. We have to rebound better to close out defensive possessions. Way too many second chance points for our opponents.
Lastly, Xavier. Gotta have a plan there. I think you have to do 1 of two things: convince him to try and hit the "reset button" and start him with explicit instructions for what you need from him, or suspend/dismiss him. If he's one of the locker room problems, it's #2. Not starting him isn't working and you can see it in his body language. If he was a football player, he'd be a diva receiver. Kills depth without him, but I'd not play him until he says/shows he wants to do what the team needs, but I'd live with Cupps, Galloway and Gunn and start getting Leal some minutes.