Moving forward...

[ShortCreek]

Well, things sure look bleak and chances are the season will be every bit as rough as I predicted it would (18-12 or worse). And, as I have been saying on here it really comes as no surprise to me. We are very limited talent wise, skill wise, b-ball IQ wise, coaching wise, etc.

But going forward if Mack & staff are to salvage any semblance of a season here’s the way I see it:

Go small, real small. My starting lineup:
West
Ellis
Locke
Cross
Malik

Shorten the bench, a lot. Subs off the bench:
Wheeler
Faulkner
Davis

Let Withers & Williamson fight for the table scraps. I’ve grown tired of waiting on the so called “potential” of both. I fully expect Traynor to announce his transfer either at Christmas or after the season, and I don’t care if Withers & Williamson do as well.

This lineup gives the Cards virtually the only chance at a decent season. Of course, the 3’s will have to fall at a much higher percentage and everyone will have to rebound.

 

[2330859]

JJ played early on, and it was ugly, he has clearly digressed from last season. He has no hand and arm strength to play inside. Those long arms are a huge advantage in getting to the ball, but not much use if he cannot secure it in his hands.

Yesterday was another most disappointing performance, but I thought we should have utilized all three BIGs inside, as Wheeler, Curry and Gabe could have taken turns on putting a body on Goliath to neutralize his presence underneath. Actually Curry seemed to have some success in the very few minutes that he was on the court.

The 3 point shooting in Diddle Arena was as much a result of their comfort, and our poor defensive spacing. Conversely, we had several 3point shots that were air balls ……no excuse for some of the shot selection.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

You for sure warned the board OP. I was hoping the team could land on the good side of the bubble but after seeing a few games it was pretty clear they were in big trouble this year. Just don't have the horses.

The downfall has escalated quite quickly. The frightening regression of a couple returnees has been hard to watch. When Sam couldn't secure a starting role that was a real bad sign. When Withers lost his starting role that was another hint. When the only consistent player is an injury plagued Malik, the writing is just on the wall.

All of these players are good enough to reach D1 ball, but none are alphas. None of these guys would play any key role on a vintage UofL team, Malik and Cross might be good enough to be back end rotation guys, maybe. Collectively, it's just a bunch of pieces but nobody has proven they are next level to bail the team out when they need it.

It now appears the HC has lost the team and support from fans. Another poster called this a dead man walking situation and it's hard to argue with that.

As for getting the most out of what is in the cupboard. I will join you in a dream sequence for a moment and pretend there could be some way to salvage the season. I agree with you he should tighten the rotation been saying this for awhile. I don't think going small would be the answer. He needs to simply play his best defenders the most. Whoever they are. This team is never going to be good offensively. Only chance is to muck it up, grind out wins in the 50s and 60s. Seems unlikely.

Dark times brother!

 

[rockycard]

The best thing for our fanbase right now would be to self impose. This team isn’t going to do anything and it worked for Auburn last year.

 

[Knucklehank1]

You for sure warned the board OP. I was hoping the team could land on the good side of the bubble but after seeing a few games it was pretty clear they were in big trouble this year. Just don't have the horses.

The downfall has escalated quite quickly. The frightening regression of a couple returnees has been hard to watch. When Sam couldn't secure a starting role that was a real bad sign. When Withers lost his starting role that was another hint. When the only consistent player is an injury plagued Malik, the writing is just on the wall.

All of these players are good enough to reach D1 ball, but none are alphas. None of these guys would play any key role on a vintage UofL team, Malik and Cross might be good enough to be back end rotation guys, maybe. Collectively, it's just a bunch of pieces but nobody has proven they are next level to bail the team out when they need it.

It now appears the HC has lost the team and support from fans. Another poster called this a dead man walking situation and it's hard to argue with that.

As for getting the most out of what is in the cupboard. I will join you in a dream sequence for a moment and pretend there could be some way to salvage the season. I agree with you he should tighten the rotation been saying this for awhile. I don't think going small would be the answer. He needs to simply play his best defenders the most. Whoever they are. This team is never going to be good offensively. Only chance is to muck it up, grind out wins in the 50s and 60s. Seems unlikely.

Dark times brother!

The only potential season salvage situation is that the ACC is horrid. According to Ken Pomeroy, we’d currently be favored in 7 out of next 8 ACC games.

 

[rentalman]

JJ played early on, and it was ugly, he has clearly digressed from last season. He has no hand and arm strength to play inside. Those long arms are a huge advantage in getting to the ball, but not much use if he cannot secure it in his hands.

Yesterday was another most disappointing performance, but I thought we should have utilized all three BIGs inside, as Wheeler, Curry and Gabe could have taken turns on putting a body on Goliath to neutralize his presence underneath. Actually Curry seemed to have some success in the very few minutes that he was on the court.

The 3 point shooting in Diddle Arena was as much a result of their comfort, and our poor defensive spacing. Conversely, we had several 3point shots that were air balls ……no excuse for some of the shot selection.

Mack is very high on his strength and conditioning guy. Not sure why. JJ looks like he didn't do anything to get bigger and stronger over the off-season. And I don't see much progress in that area from Withers, Williams, and Williamson either. Maybe he should have fired one more staff member.

 

[nccardfan]

The best thing for our fanbase right now would be to self impose. This team isn’t going to do anything and it worked for Auburn last year.

Auburn is on 4 year probation and Pearl was suspended for 2 games.
Throw that on us and we get the death penalty, if that still exists. No, that’s not the answer.

 

[rockycard]

Auburn is on 4 year probation and Pearl was suspended for 2 games.
Throw that on us and we get the death penalty, if that still exists. No, that’s not the answer.

They aren’t banned from the tournament though. The ban threat kills recruiting

 

[earsky]

This team just looks like a bunch of pieces that don't fit together.
If Mack truly wants to speed up the game,press on every made shot from the jump.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

This team just looks like a bunch of pieces that don't fit together.
If Mack truly wants to speed up the game,press on every made shot from the jump.

I've read other posters say this would go against his philosophy and he prefers to keep his defenders in front and not gamble?

At this point, it is fair to wonder if Mack has also reached a point of just going through the motions, and not really reaching for answers.

We'll find out as the season progresses. It doesn't matter how "bad" the ACC is, UofL still has to play some as semblance of winning basketball to have a winning record.

 

[earsky]

Time to scrap the philosophy and let these little guys create havoc in the full court.

 

[Thecycle27]

You can’t win in college basketball without really good guard play and guys that support those guards. Louisville guard play is not good on either side of the ball. The supporting cast isn’t good enough to make those guards better or hide their weaknesses.

For this team to have any shot Sam and Jaylen had to be really good. Both currently are a liability. West is OK. Locke is a volume shooter, not a very good one at the moment. Faulkner/Ellis show signs but are turnover machines.

It is bad collection of players that don’t fit what they want to do.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

Cycle's post is spot on. It is so good, it is indeed worth repeating.

 

[nccardfan]

You can’t win in college basketball without really good guard play and guys that support those guards. Louisville guard play is not good on either side of the ball. The supporting cast isn’t good enough to make those guards better or hide their weekends.

For this team to have any shot Sam and Jaylen had to be really good. Both currently are a liability. West is OK. Locke is a volume shooter, not a very good one at the moment. Faulkner/Ellis show signs but are turnover machines.

It is bad collection of players that don’t fit what they want to do.

Your last sentence should read - they are a collection of players that don’t know what they are supposed to be.

Im not sure if it’s time to panick until we get into ACC play but moving forward, I would be willing to start Faulkner at the PG. He’s not a FR and he does have turnovers but he also looks to pass not just score like Locke and not just content to dribble around like West. We need a facilitator who could make Cross and dare I say it Sam better offensive players. Get the ball to those guys where they are most effective and not where they have to create their own offense.

Malik
Cross
Davis
Faulkner
Locke as the 2

 

[ShortCreek]

Your last sentence should read - they are a collection of players that don’t know what they are supposed to be.

Im not sure if it’s time to panick until we get into ACC play but moving forward, I would be willing to start Faulkner at the PG. He’s not a FR and he does have turnovers but he also looks to pass not just score like Locke and not just content to dribble around like West. We need a facilitator who could make Cross and dare I say it Sam better offensive players. Get the ball to those guys where they are most effective and not where they have to create their own offense.

Malik
Cross
Davis
Faulkner
Locke as the 2

Power to you sticking with Sam. I just can’t any longer. As usual, he wilted like a freshman playing his first road game yesterday. He’s soft, soft, soft - watching him it’s almost as if he’s afraid to succeed. I wish him well but I’d bury him on the bench if I’m Mack.

 

[2330859]

Sam is really hard to understand; his performance against MIssissippi State was indicative of his potential, but since it has been incredibly bad.