Scoring Droughts

it is kind of disappointing that this was so predictable.

Away from Hilton. So much to gain, but not much to lose. When a TJ team has their backs against the wall they always pull through, but when they’re in position to make the fatal strike it’s always a miss.

For some reason this team needs their ass handed to them by a worse team regularly to play to their potential. I think there’s no chance at a deep tournament run due to this.
I don't buy this narrative. It's pretty obvious that we aren't as talented as some teams and don't have the athleticism to match up with some of the top teams. We rely on a defensive system to overcome these shortcomings. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't.

Our offense is still an issue. We still don't have a dynamic guard or forward who can go get a bucket when things break down. Jefferson struggles to finish. Momcilovic can be shut down with physicality or when his coaches forget he can do more than just shoot threes. Lipsey can hit 3 threes one half and go 0-7 the next. We're just not a overly gifted offensive team.

I'd like to see us get Momcilovic in the post more often. And Jefferson needs to use his baby hook more often instead of the fadeaway he's been favoring. He struggles to finish at the rim against size. The bottom line is we're still at a talent deficit against a lot of top teams.
 
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Tamin was the same way as a freshman, Toure's offensive game will improve with age, his roll with this team is to play defense more than anything else when the team is scoring. Last night we again saw what happens when they struggle to make shots. Outside of Jefferson, we get very little scoring from our other bigs, most nights, which means that Milan and Lipsey have to get us points.

I was really impressed with the way BYU was taking it to the hoop early in the game last night, spread them out and drive, we need to be doing more of that, but you have to finish if you are going to do it.
Ok, who's driving for us?
 
Not really. The OP said TJ can't win anything when things are on the line. Coming off the TCU loss with those two home games, things were on the line...
I'm the OP, I didn't say that.
 
Ok, who's driving for us?
Lipsey did a good job taking it to the hoop in the past, we have not seen Nelson for a couple of weeks and he was great at it. Too win at a high level you have to be able to score in a multitude of different ways, and this team some nights just cannot do that. I can understand that, but there is zero reason to come out flat like we did last night, against TCU and Cincy. We were out rebounded last night by 11, not by a team with an impressive front court, but from lack of hustle and desire to get the rebound. BYU wanted it more last night, while we were trying to just show up and win.
 
I think we are a very good team. Well coached in what we do. The team is greater than the sum of it's parts. The parts are good, but have flaws. And when we don't function as a a team effeciently, those flaws get exposed. In reality all teams are the same. We have exposed weaknesses on other good teams.

Our weaknesses are, imo, athletic related. First, we are a below-the-rim team. That requires effort, positioning, even grit to overcome. Usually we have that. Secondly, we don't have shooters who can create their own shot. The true lottery type player. Third, the weakness of our coaching is lack of a half court offense to consistently get our scorers the ball where they can score - thus leading to the aforementioned scoring droughts. Just my opinion.
 
For some reason this team needs their ass handed to them by a worse team regularly to play to their potential. I think there’s no chance at a deep tournament run due to this.
Eh, usually theres a 1 or 2 seed that gets pushed a little early, a little closer for a little longer that youd expect. And it kind of focuses them for the next game or 2.

Maybe we can be that team this year.
 
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Under TJ it is not secret there have been multiple 4 minute plus FG droughts or outright scoring droughts. It has plagued this program. The early years you can probably give a pass for it happening as there may not have been the offensive firepower. The good news is it doesn't happen as frequently now. But with this team, it should never happen in my opinion. Tonight we had a freaking 6 minute scoring drought and another one for 3 minutes. 8 minutes of basketball and no points. How do we get out those, or prevent them. I guess one obvious thing is call a time out. I noticed when BYU went into a rut, they called a time out and ran a successful play out of it. Why can't we do the same? Thoughts?
Under TJ we also force a lot of scoring droughts.

Every team will have 4-5 empty possessions in a row most games.
 
We’re 23-4 with wins over St. John’s, Kansas and Houston…sky isn’t falling here fellas. Shoot you could still snag the 1 seed if you win out and Houston/UCONN both take another loss. With that said yes we lack playmakers so when our offense stagnates it’s challenging to score. Could really use a Brockington or Keshon Gilbert type player
 
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We’re 23-4 with wins over St. John’s, Kansas and Houston…sky isn’t falling here fellas. Shoot you could still snag the 1 seed if you win out and Houston/UCONN both take another loss. With that said yes we lack playmakers so when our offense stagnates it’s challenging to score. Could really use a Brockington or Keshon Gilbert type player
I thought Nelson was going to be this guy, it doesn't seem like that has played out as I hoped when we picked him up.

Seemed like a good piece that could get drive it hard and get to the line regularly.
 
So fire him?

You are kind of laying out the ultimatem there aren't you?

If TJ always loses when matters and we can't win anything with him what is the point of keeping him.

Wonder if anyone will try to hire him.
Keep James Franklin out of this! / sarcasm
 
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We’re 23-4 with wins over St. John’s, Kansas and Houston…sky isn’t falling here fellas. Shoot you could still snag the 1 seed if you win out and Houston/UCONN both take another loss. With that said yes we lack playmakers so when our offense stagnates it’s challenging to score. Could really use a Brockington or Keshon Gilbert type player
Don't forget road win at Purdue. I agree that having that type of player would be a nice piece. I believe Toure and Batemon will both develop that, but it's not a consistent part of their games this year.
 
It's ISU. We've never really won anything of consequence. When a team looks good enough to change that it can be frustrating when they stub their toe. Have to hope they are really playing well as the season closes and the tourney starts. Best season in history is still out there.
 
It's ISU. We've never really won anything of consequence. When a team looks good enough to change that it can be frustrating when they stub their toe. Have to hope they are really playing well as the season closes and the tourney starts. Best season in history is still out there.
You must feel the only thing of consequence is a national championship.
 
Houston scored 4 points in the last 7 min against us and also went on a 7 minute scoreless run against AZ on Saturday. Just saying that to highlight that other elite teams also go through scoring droughts. I think the better question to ask is why do we struggle so much on the road? Obviously, we've got Hilton Magic but even in neutral site games we've been good. It seems like we've got a much bigger disparity between our home and road performances than any other team in the country, would love to see if there's actual stats to check.
 
I think we are a very good team. Well coached in what we do. The team is greater than the sum of it's parts. The parts are good, but have flaws. And when we don't function as a a team effeciently, those flaws get exposed. In reality all teams are the same. We have exposed weaknesses on other good teams.

Our weaknesses are, imo, athletic related. First, we are a below-the-rim team. That requires effort, positioning, even grit to overcome. Usually we have that. Secondly, we don't have shooters who can create their own shot. The true lottery type player. Third, the weakness of our coaching is lack of a half court offense to consistently get our scorers the ball where they can score - thus leading to the aforementioned scoring droughts. Just my opinion.
Very well summarized. I think this is a very fair breakdown.

It is not easy for a team to always be the more assertive, more aggressive, more physical, more desperate team. This is really hard because we are playing in a tough conference where the opponent also wants to "dictate" these things, especially in their home building. To TJ's credit, designing the program/team around these pillars has been amazing because it has enabled us to 'level up' and be capable of beating anyone, and essentially be unbeatable at home. 23-4 is really, really good folks. But when we don't win the physicality battle, ALL of our weaknesses shine through and are pretty glaring. I sincerely believe it has been that simple this season with this squad; when we "bring it", we win. We have a lot of really good players and when they are the more physical and desperate team, you're not beating Iowa State. When the opponent matches that intensity and also has more athleticism and 1 or 2 more individual playmakers than we do - we're in trouble.