mat1992

Today at 4:30 for a chance to go to another finals. Fortunately less prsssure this season as a sixth seed and playing in D.C, https://x.com/towson_wbb/status/1769022211984093452?s=46&t=nScacl1TWT-KyOwj5stBaw

Not talking about incoming players or potential transfers. Assuming every player but Charles and Hicks is returning and yes, this list can change at the drop of a hat, but every player has eligibility left (even Chase). Without getting too stat-heavy and geeky. Just by watching every game and a handful of practices. *Jaiden Cole. Needs to get stronger at 6-3 or 6-4, 165. Shot is a bit lofty with a lot of arc, but he's not seeing PT without at least 20 pounds added to his frame. *Tyler Coleman. Not sure there's a lot he can work on other than his three-point shot. That would get him on the floor more or some. Has shed a lot of weight, but is limited athletically. Works hard. *Messiah Jones. Again, has been around a long time at Wofford and Towson. His two-point numbers (48%) weren't quite as bad as I thought, but he still needs to be around 58%, Was 39% from 3 (11 of 28) so that was a pleasant surprise. Defense is worrisome at power forward because this is a four-guard league. Needs to play more center. *Mekhi Lowery. Don't need the stats to know FT shooting and overall shot needs a lot of work. Put on about 20 pounds and needs at least 15 more so he could play 1-4. Sky is the limit with a 7-2 wingspan but may have competition in Chike Ndefo, who is supposed to be a big-time defender. Lowery could also be an all-league defender. *Christian May. Seems so far away because of the late-season slump, but isn't that far if he can put the effort in several areas. Starts with his handle. If he's going to play the 2, he has to handle the ball better. Needs a quicker release on jumper. That's what Timberlake did from his 3rd to 4th year. May will need to take that jump(er). Also work on the mental part. Defense is solid. *Chase Paar. If he returns, and I'm not sure he is, but has a year left, just continue working hard on his stamina and conditioning. Who knows about knees? Had some good and bad moments this season. Hands are going to be an issue when you give him the ball down low. Probably best used against (bigger 6-9 or taller centers) and kept away from speedier squads. *Tomiwa Sulaiman. Very similar numbers to Jones. Needs to use his body better down low. He's a tank at 6-6, 235+. Uses both hands. Needs to rebound better defensively. Defense wasn't bad but again, maybe play him some at center so he doesn't have to guard quicker players on perimeter. *Nendah Tarke. Not sure that he's going to change a lot in his fifth season. Better three-point shooter? Maybe needs to get a little more sleeker to get faster and more dynamic. That would also help defensively, where he was good but sometimes struggled against quicker guards. He can give about 5 of his pounds to Cole or Lowery. Like to see him drive and dish instead of just drive. To his credit, improved his FT shooting by about 10% from last season *Tyler Tejada. Improve Defense. Could also rebound better and it's time to move him to power forward with a few additional pounds. He's going to be the focal point of the offense next season and defenses will be focused on him. Has to know when to shoot and when to dish it. Stick with the three-point shot if it's there. Tends to overthink and then pump fake and drive. If he takes another step or two, this team could be very good and well, he could be gone. Which is fine. *Dylan Williamson. Improve defense. Play like you did in the CAA Tournament. Averaged 15 points in three games. Take care of the ball and make better decisions down the stretch, but could be really good if he takes another step this offseason (FT shooting, 3pt shooting, lefty drive). Probably best freshman point guard since Jerome Hairston (that didn't end well).

Drexel at 4:30pm on Flo Highlights. Damn this has been an inconsistent team this season but this was one of their best games tonight. Coach Harper is very unconventional at times. Instead of hold for a last shot at the end of the quarter, her team might shoot with 12 seconds left. With nine seconds left in the third quarter, Alexia Nelson was trapped in the backcourt. Harper called her second timeout of the half. If Nelson coughed the ball up or was tied up, it’s Charleston ball and they might be down by just four points Instead, after the timeout, Towson pushed the ball up the floor and Anasia Staton hit a three at the buzzer. Nine point lead into the fourth quarter https://x.com/caabasketball/status/1768819135402656047?s=46&t=nScacl1TWT-KyOwj5stBaw

Good win Staton was great tonight. Kayla Morris is injured. Fortunately we have depth Big break with Monmouth losing https://x.com/towson_wbb/status/1768812876221821209?s=46&t=nScacl1TWT-KyOwj5stBaw

Amiri Stewart 6-4 195 Senior from D2 Wlimington https://x.com/austingoetsche_/status/1768343260580221395?s=46&t=nScacl1TWT-KyOwj5stBaw

https://stats.statbroadcast.com/statmonitr/?id=519441 A 13-1 run at the end by Charleston. No words can describe this loss. Nendah Tarke gets stripped by Ryne Smith on a layup attempt. Christian May throws up an air ball on a free throw attempt on the front end of a one-and-one with an attempt to tie the game. So many misses at the end and so many attempts to run clock, instead of running offense.

Stephen Olowoniyi 6-8 195 VMI https://x.com/pdtscouting/status/1768301452299063695?s=46&t=nScacl1TWT-KyOwj5stBaw

Another year, another final appearance with no finals for the 32nd straight year. I'm going to use some analytics. According to BasketballReference.com, somewhat similar to KenPom. Towson went 20-14 with a 11-7 conference record. A SRS (Simple Rating System) of 0.63 (148th) and a SOS of -1.83 (182nd). The also had an ORtg of 105.6 (191st) and a DRtg of 99.6 (76th) For example, Charleston had a SOS of -2.71 (216th) and a SRS of 4.48 (113th) with an ORtg of 114.6 (27th) and a DRtg of 103.1 (163rd). (All out of 362 teams). In terms of overall stats, Towson shot 42.3% from the field (295th), made 24.1FG per game (319th), shot 47.2% from 2-point range (315th) and 32.8% (255th) from beyond the arc. They had 381 assists (259th) and 11.2 assists per game (322nd), 6.2 steals per game (225th), 4.2 blocks per game (70th), 12.1 turnovers per game (141st), 6.4 3 pointers made per game (291st) and 19.4 3-pointers attempted per game (285th) with 67.5 points per game. In conference, not counting tournament games, they averaged 10.8 turnovers per game (4th), 3.9 blocks (2nd), shot 33.7% from 3pt (7th), 47.5% from 2pt (11th), 42.7% from the field (9th) and 68.1 points per game. They also finished 13th in free throw shooting % (67.6%). In conference, they allowed teams to shoot 41.7% from the field (3rd), 46.5% from 2 point (2nd), 33.1% from 3pt (5th). Individual players Christian May: Shot 38.9% FG, 44.9% 2pt, 34.1% 3pt, 61.8% FT, 4.1rpg, 1.6TPG, , 10.8ppg Conference: Shot 38.4% FG, 44.6% 2pt, 34% 3pt, 71.8% FT, 4.3rpg, 1.7 TPG, 11.1ppg Nendah Tarke: Shot 32.9% FG, 37.1% 2pt, 27.7% 3pt, 70.2% FT, 5.1rpg, 2.2apg, 1.5spg, 1.6TPG, 9.8ppg Conference Shot 34.7% FG, 37.7% 2pt, 30.6% 3pt, 75.8% FT, 5.3rpg, 2.4apg, 1.2spg, 1.7TPG, 10.4ppg Dylan Williamson: Shot 40.3% FG, 46.3% 2pt, 33.8% 3pt, 68.1% FT, 2.9apg, 1spg, 1.5TPG, 10.2ppg Conference: Shot 41.5% FG, 47.6% 2pt, 35.1% 3pt, 48.6% FT, 2.8apg, 1.6 TPG, 9.8ppg Charles Thompson: Shot 50.6% FG, 50.6% 2pt, 59.9% FT, 8.2rpg, 1.4bpg, 2.1apg, 1.6TPG, 9.8ppg Conference: Shot: 55.6% FG (same 2pt), 55.4% FT, 8.6rpg, 1.4bpg, 2.5apg, 2TPG, 10.2ppg Tyler Tejada: Shot: 41.7% FG, 46.6% 2pg, 35.2% 3pt, 84.3% FT, 3.3rpg, 0.8apg, 1.4TPG, 10.1ppg Conference: Shot 42% FG, 44.4% 2pt, 39.4% 3pt, 92.6% FT, 2.9rpg, 1.6rpg, 9.8ppg Tomiwa Sulaiman: Shot 46.6% FG, 52.4 2pt, 33.3% 3pt, 83.7% FG, 4.1rpg, 0.7 TPG, 5.7ppg Conference: Shot 40.7% FG, 47.6% 2pg, 21.7% 3pt, 84.4% FT, 4.5rpg, 5.7ppg Messiah Jones: Shot 49.3% FG, 51.8% 2pt, 39.3% 3pt, 70% FT, 3.7rpg, 1TPG, 5.4ppg Conference: Shot 61.3% FG, 62.7% 2pt, 54.5% 3pt, 80% FT, 3.1rpg, 5.2ppg Mekhi Lowery: Shot 44.2% FG, 46% 2pg, 40% FT, 3.7rpg, 1.2apg, 1bpg, 3.4ppg Conference: Shot 28.6% FG, 30.4% 2pg, 0% 3pt, 47.6% FT, 3.1rpg, 0.9bpg, 1.4apg, 2.1TPG In terms of individual metrics Best ORTg Sulaiman 121.9 Jones 112.7 Tejada 110.1 Williamson 110.1 Thompson 109.1 Paar 107.1 May 104.6 Lowery 102.7 Tarke 100.8 Best DRTg of regulars Nendah Tarke 96.0 Charles Thompson 96.1 Mekhi Lowery 96.1 Tomiwa Sulaiman 99.7 Chase Paar 110.2 Messiah Jones 102.9 Tyler Tejada 104.3 Dylan Williamson 104.5 Christian May 104.8 Yes, take some of this with a grain of salt, but Tarke has the best defensive rating and worst offensive rating. May has the worst defensive rating somehow but in conference play is higher than Jones, Williamson and Tejada.

Menyelik Pilgrim ATH from Centreville https://x.com/menyelekpilgrim/status/1767689839820804401?s=46&t=nScacl1TWT-KyOwj5stBaw

Josh Odunowo 6-6 215 from Columbia. Not sure I get the interest here other than D https://x.com/recruitszone/status/1767639885815456015?s=46&t=nScacl1TWT-KyOwj5stBaw

I know it's probably a pipe dream to land a shooter and scorer of this magnitude, even if he's 6-1 and not super athletic. Has a nice floater game. I don't see him as a high major player, but he can flat out shoot it from deep and off the dribble. https://youtu.be/GWXZfnp5fIg

A Penn transfer Clark Slajchert 6-1 guard 18ppg on 42.2% 3pt from Los Angeles https://x.com/theportalreport/status/1767628267287155154?s=46&t=nScacl1TWT-KyOwj5stBaw

Finished at 20-14 and 13-8 in the CAA counting the tournament. Probably a tad better than I thought they'd finish. In the CAA Tournament, I thought we saw the future in three strong freshmen and then many questions after that. Charles Thompson gave what he had but it's time to move on. He also was suspended for the first half of the W&M game, had a Flagrant foul that was shaky against UNCW and then fouled out against Charleston. That Ante Brzovic dunk that basically won the game and was a huge mistake (apparently made by Sulaiman not helping out) was partially due to CT not being on the floor. He directed everyone and knew where to be. I'm not going to destroy these kids because I know they played hard and are feeling like crap after this loss. But facts are facts. This is a business now. Some are getting NIL money even if it's small or just bagels or whatever. Yes, I'm not saying the coach is not responsible for all of this, in terms of recruiting, gameplan, development, end of games coaching. Of course, he's culpable. *Christian May came into this tournament as the leading scorer. He had two decent shooting games against UNCW and NC A&T on the road (6-of-15 3pt) after going 1 for his last 14 from 3pt. In three games in the CAA Tournament, he went 1 for 9 from 3 point range and the one banked in. He did not take a 3 against UNCW, but also shot just 5 for 17 from the field in three games. Took just 17 shots in around 28 minutes per game. *Dylan Williamson. Breakout star for Towson. For some reason, didn't get to the FT line against Charleston and that hurt because he was 17-for-17 from the line in two games. He went from around 62% from the line to 68%. He averaged around 15 points in three games. He made 11 of 28 from the field and 7 of 13 from the three-point line with five assists and two turnovers. *Tyler Tejada shot 11 of 27 from the field and 5 of 14 from beyond the arc with 10 rebounds. Not great numbers but was certainly aggressive and scored 31 points in three games. Had 16 against Charleston in the semis. *Nendah Tarke had an erratic season and that continued in the tournament when he scored 29 points in two games, but went 0-8 when it mattered against Charleston, Wound up going 9 for 31 overall and 2 for 13 from 3-point range. Also 9 for 14 from the line. Did not get to the line against Charleston. Had just three assists in three games with seven turnovers. In his last eight games, he went 5 of 31 from three-point range. *Tomiwa Sulaiman started out with 12 points against W&M and then started the next two games and scored just three points. He was 3 for 3 from three-point range so you'd think they'd try to get him one or two looks against Charleston but no. He shot 6 of 9 from the field, but had just seven rebounds in three games. Assuming he returns, needs to improve on the boards, but he's a role player. *Messiah Jones scored just eight points in three games on four of 12 from the field and took no three-point shots even though he shot 39.3% from beyond the arc, small sample size at 11 of 28, but that was the best mark on the team. Had seven rebounds in the semifinals and 12 in three games. *Charles Thompson should not be included here since he's gone, but he was decent in this tournament scoring 32 points on 11 of 16 shooting. Also 10 of 13 from the line though he missed two FTs against Charleston. Had 17 rebounds in three games, seven assists and three blocks. He should have had more attempts in the paint. *Mekhi Lowery's impact on this team can't be judged by numbers. Defensively, he was everywhere with four blocks and two steals. Scored 10 points and that was in the UNCW game. Was 5 of 7 from the field. So took just one shot in the other two games.

Sun story https://x.com/edwardleesun/status/1767525457207959715?s=46&t=nScacl1TWT-KyOwj5stBaw

I didn't say dump everyone. But some have to go if you want to improve your team. I think we can figure out who and I wrote in another thread that we probably will never play like Charleston, but our goal is not to dribble the ball incessantly for 25 seconds. It's to move the ball. If you get the wrong type of players for your offense and you don't have many options at the 2 or combo guard, you wind up with Tarke playing about 30 minutes at the 1 and 2 and taking some questionable shots.

I have no problem playing a few locals a year. Who cares if they suck? It's not our fault. I'm not into asterisks. We were a pretty good team but not good enough. Arcadia or whatever is just a school we don't need to play even if nearly every mid-major does it. About the only thing it's good for is the deep bench, but we already play about 10 players.

A point guard needs to pass occasionally. He’s been around a long to time. If he’s back, if they want better efficiency, he should come off the bench.

Williamson may not be the alpha dog but he’s the best we’ve had in awhile. He should have started with Tarke or instead of Tarke. I know he plays starters minutes but I think one of tbe most important parts of the game is the opening of the second half.

Jake, we appreciate it and know you're going to do great things at The Sun and in the future. We're hurt after this collapse but some of us who have been around a long time are just used to it. From one "asleep at the wheel" to another. I know you won't miss all the ball busting. (lol). Maybe in a few years you can take over running the CAA communications department.

That’s not the press conference. There’s no radio guy that’s going to grill the head coach after the game. If I was there, I’d ask about playing not to lose.

Let's talk about the game. One of the things that Pat talked about at the end of the game was how he went four guards and he took out SuliaJones (4pts, 9rebs). That was fine but the fact that team went iso and stall ball the last 2:30 minutes but before that, it was dreadful, is a systematic problem. But let's delve more into this collapse. *Defense was fantastic. In that first game, I thought Charleston put on a masterclass of offense. An absolute clinic wasn't good enough. They weren't horrible, but the Cougars were fantastic. I thought this game was the opposite. We held the best team in the conference and the best offense by far to 61 freakin' points. They shot 38.5% from the field and 7-of-23 from 3pt (30.4%). *The offense was pathetic down the stretch and wasn't that good during the game. But when Tarke (0-8 FG) and May (3-6 FG, 1-4 3pt, 0-1 FT) give you nothing on on offense, you relying on three freshmen. Those three freshmen struggled late in the game, but May had a chance to tie it and throws up an air ball. *Charles was good but played just 29 minutes due to foul trouble. Had 14 pts and 6 rebs with three blocks. That's the best he played possibly all season, but why did we stop going to him in the post in the last 10 minutes. *The bench is fine but Paar really struggled late in the year. Maybe it's the knees, but the hands were rough as well. But having him playing even 11 minutes was a detriment. Hewas a -12 and May was a -16.

Before I get to the recap, here are Pat's comments on a very long postgame on radio and not the press conference. "We had a lead that kind of evaporated. We went four guards late because we were strugglig to score. We struggled to put the ball in the basket. A couple of turnovers. Pushed out on a couple of shots. Dylan, Tejada, CMay. Tried to go offense, defense "Didn't have a great night on the offensive glass. We did fight. We were spotty. Didn't get to the foul line. Didn't finish some drives through contact. We secured defensive rebounds and then got it knocked out of our hands. "Breakdowns late on the ball screen play. They hit Brzovic on the lob. We had the chance to tie it at the line. Tejada had a decent look. He was sensational. He and Dylan made a lot of tough shots. Wish we could get easier shots. Whistle came out on Charles in the 2nd (assume 2nd foul?). Guys are hurting. Played hard against a terrific team. It's such an honor and a privilege to coach Charles. His leadership and character. This one stings. As a human being and the type of person, you just don't find guys like that. We've been invited to some other tournaments. We have turned it down a few times. We had the summer and Canada. A lot of wear and tear. Think about it. Went toe to toe. Didn't close it. Our defense was awesome and our offense was inconsistent. A microcosm of how we've been this season on offense. Feel bad for the guys that worked so hard. Had three freshmen on the court late in the game. We'll learn from that."