Tgr4life

12 hours ago, mat1992 said:

It's difficult not to applaud this team. They became the first Towson squad to win a CAA regular season title or shared at 15-3. In some ways, they overachieved and in some ways underachieved. What do I mean? Let's look at the stats.

When it comes to underachieving and things we need to improve on:

1)Foul shooting at 72.1%. Cam Holden got to the line 181 times and that was nearly twice as much as the second-high Nick Timberlake (97). Timberlake shot 80.4% from the line. Holden shot 70.7% (128-181) and while he has a propensity to get to the line, which is great. He needs to shoot closer to 75%. Some of that might have been the mask and some the wrist he injured against Northeastern. Thomspon shot 63.1% (53 of 84), though he was a tad worse in conference play (61.2%) and Holden was worse as well (67.7%). Gibson shot 89.1%, but getting to the line (41 of 46) is not his game. Nolan also struggled at 62.3% and that's way down for his career numbers of 67.7%. Last year, he shot 81% from the line at Bradley and 34.3% from beyond the arc. He shot 29.6% from the three this season. Getting players that can get to the basket and either finish or get to the line who can make FTs, can't hurt.

2)Fouls. Part of that is due to our aggression on defense. You aren't going to average 7.2 steals per game without fouling at times. But with all that aggression and some pressure D, you'd like to see more than 12.8 turnovers forced a game. Two seasons ago, when we had a decent team, we forced 10.9, so that certainly is an upgrade. But I think what we showed tonight, with a little more length and athleticism, that press could be more effective. Not saying, we will be VCU, but it could become a part of our system.

3)Postseason. In three games in the postseason including the NIT and two CAA games, we shot 21 of 74 from the three-point line for 28.3%. We shot 35% from the field. We had 30 assists and 37 turnovers. Not saying the Thompson and Holden injuries weren't devastating, but the guards had some looks and couldn't get them to go in.

Getting to the postseason is the ultimate goal, Winning the regular season has been accomplished and now it's time to get even better. But when you look at the players expected to return in Timberlake (14.4ppg, 4.4rpg, 40.6% 3pt), Cam Holden (13.5ppg, 7.9rpg, 42.8% FG,  3.1 apg, 26.9% 3pt, 67 steals), Charles Thompson (10.8ppg, 53 blocks, 6.7rpg, 60.4% FG), and Jason Gibson (9.8ppg, 43.3% 3pt, 2.7apg), you have the best group of starters returning since JB. Guthrie, Damas and Burwell came back in 2013-14. The problem with that team was that Jerome Hairston was booted from the team early that season so they basically played with no point guard. This team has a point guard in Gibson returning, but Holden was more of the "point forward" and ran the team. The need for a point guard is going to be the key part that is missing with Terry Nolan not expected to return.

Nolan had his moments and was at one point in the top 20 in assist/turnover ratio. He provided some really good things early, had a respiratory condition, missed seven games and played limited in about 4-5 games and struggled to get his rhythm after that. But there's nothing wrong with having a 6-4, 200-pound athletic point guard who can defend. You'd like to see one who can slash to the basket and finish better preferably like a certain Drexel point guard who just transferred.

Now for the rest of the team? Who returns and who comes back by playing themselves in the rotation. I'm not going to assume everyone returns.

1)Antonio Rizzuto (6-3, 210). Shot decently but what an amazing coincidence. He shot 35.5% from three-point range! That's incredible because he's now shot around 36% from three-point in all four seasons. He opened the season going 0-5 from three-point against his old team Albany and wound up going 0 for 8 in his last three games. He's a good defender and played with a knee injury most of the season that limited his jumping ability and quickness. Does he return for his last season of eligibility? He can be a useful player off the bench if he returns, but the numbers are the numbers. He does that every season. He's basically a three-and-D guy, but is all or nothing from 3-pt and can't create his own shot. 

2)Chase Paar (6-10, 255). If he returns as the backup center, he has to get in better shape. Can't continue putting the ball low when he's in the paint. He averaged 3.4ppg and 2.7rpg in 11.1mpg. Shot 52.5% from the floor and 61.2% from the line. Missing those 2 FTs against Delaware and the missed layup against WF is hard to forget and really crushing moments for the team. A broken hand in preseason and loss of his mother couldn't have helped. Brother Cole could also be on the team in the fall and is similar size.

3)Radhir Hicks (6-0, 170). At times, Hicks looked like he was going to spell Gibson and Nolan for about 10 minutes per game. At other times, he was invisible because they need some offense and he averaged just 1.5 points on 31.7% shooting (0-8 3pt) in 12.7mpg. His defense is outstanding, but when you are point guard with the ball in your hands, you need to be more than that. Also needs to get bigger and stronger.

4)Tyler Coleman (6-7, 230) and Chris Biekeu (6-7, 235). Can you keep both? They both look good on the hoof, but Coleman appears to have the better hands and more offensive skills. Biekeu has the length. If Coleman continues to get in better shape, he could be the backup 4 and 5 next season (though I think we all would prefer another 3-4 guy like Juwan Gray). Biekeu has shown flashes but when CT leaves next year or the year after, is he really going to be next five man or even backup five?

5)Tyler Gill, Darrick Jones Jr. . Jones has never found a role in two seasons here and even though he was a 3* guy at Oak Hill, the best part of his game is the layup line. Maybe he just needs to be in a different more up-tempo style, but you have to play both ends. Future is probably not here. Gill is 5-11 and he's not growing, but in the Elon road game with no point guard, he ran the team a lot better than Hicks did. Yet, he hasn't played much and that's likely because Hicks is the better defender. 

I would think there will be a minimum of two more ships available. Maybe three. 

Transfer portal needs:

1)Point guard who can run the team, score in crunch time and not turn it over.  Must be able to finish at the rim

2)Wing with some length who can get to the rim and can shoot over 34% from 3pt. 

3)Big forward who has the versatility to play the post and the wing. Can come off the bench, defend, rebound and score some. Can replace Holden or play with him.

Christian May (6-6, 200) and Dylan Williamson (6-1, 190) are impressive freshmen, but it's not likely that they will have a huge impact, but who knows? The last two freshman classes did not have a player who could play in the rotation. These players appear to fit what this team needs. May could play some four, is unselfish, can shoot it and is very athletic. Williamson might be able to find his way as a rotation player due to his ability to shoot. Can either defender? That's always a tough task for a freshman to handle.

As for Holden, he was spectacular at times this season. What does he need? A left hand. He goes right about as much as John Davis used to go left. That jumper certainly needs work and some extra pounds couldn't hurt. I know that's a lot for an All-Conference player, but we don't need him to be good. For us to get to the next level. we need somebody to be GREAT. 

I don't think you can ask much more from CT. He exploded in conference play as he took his game to the next level. Better at the FT line. Better mid-range shot. A few more rebounds. 

Timberlake was terrific this season. Went from Sixth Man of the Year two seasons ago to First-team All-Conference. Consistency on D, finishing better (using left hand some) or a floater. A bit more poise when they get down.

Gibson also had a solid season. Sometimes hot and cold, but did the best he could as a point guard, going against quicker players. He's not going to make the All-Defensive team, but he has become competent defensively. Playing off the ball more would help. Shot 43% from 3-point. Not much more you can ask other than getting a little bigger so he can finish in the paint. 

Very good season. Was very proud of the way they fought back in the second half against Wake Forest, but now is the next step and that's playing better when the lights are on. Maybe and apparently, they need a player from another program to step in and become that alpha that's needed to get to the Big Dance for the first time in 32 years. Could that have been Curtis Holland?

Matt,

Very good analysis. Just as a note in regard to the fouling.......I had a chance to talk to John Wooden before the UCLA-Memphis State Championship game. I asked him how UCLA played aggressive defense, but nobody ever fouled out. He noted that the vast majority of fouls are  called on the boards while rebounding. He taught his players to go to the basket with their hands in the air as opposed to raising them once they are under the basket. It was his opinion, that this drill in practice made a huge difference in fouls during the season. I found that to be very interesting. Clearly being aggressive in the open court does make a difference, but there are things that can be done to help that situation. 

2 hours ago, Tiger93 said:

So should we fire him after wining 25 games and having a great season? My point is we can continue to build off of this and we damn well better. Is Skerry's conference tournament record terrible? Yes. Is he much better than any coach we have had here since Truax? Yes, by a longshot. Could we do better with someone else. Maybe, maybe not. Depends on the decision-making mechanisms in place. I do think with a new AD here, Skerry is going to get the benefit of the doubt if he puts up season 20-win seasons and does well in conference play, and he won't if he struggles. 

I have the same frustrations as you guys do regarding the tournament, my only point is I would love to use this season as a starting point for longer-term success. What year Skerry is in is completely irrelevant if he can do this going forward and eventually win a conference tournament. People can actually, learn, grow and get better at their jobs. He does have some stuff to fix with the tournament, but I do think it is easier to figure out when you are playing at very high level for most of the year. It is the years where we suck that I worry about where this program is going. 

I am as hungry as anyone for a tournament appearance, but I would rather have this season than go 11-19 and have a lucky run to get there. The point is to have a good program, not just one flash in the pan season. I think we have some building blocks off of this season and that is all. Those are my main points. That is why NET rankings, conference play, doing well in the non-conference matter more than three games in March in a big-picture program sense. I get that it doesn't in a short-term tangible sense, but to get where we all want to go this program needs to get used to a high standard on a day-to-day basis.  

Pat Skerry took us from pathetic to solid (and really good this year). Solid is not good enough on a consistent basis. I would like to live in a world where regular-season titles, high NET rankings, good non-conference wins and of course first and foremost NCAA Tournament berths become the norm (this does exist in other mid-major programs). However, it takes a lot of different ingredients to have this. We got halfway there this year and I want to build off that. Please don't mistake that for me not caring about getting to the tournament when I am flying halfway across the country to root for this team in-person in hopes that I might witness a conference tournament performance. 

Without knowing anything about you other than what you post.....you are a great fan and more realistic than most. I agree with a great deal of what you post. I guess the bottom line is now that this team has posted a good season, they need to follow it up with another. Being, as you say, a flash in the pan, feels good for a minute. In reality it sucks if it is not followed up. Unfortunately, this is the world of college athletics......big bucks....but you are paid big bucks to win.....Skerry does not get extensions because his team gets a 3.0 GPA. When he wins he wants an extension. Can you imagine the extension he would have wanted if they won the conference championship!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  When he doesn't....there are consequences. I guess the question is who is defining winning!!!!!!!!!!!!!The way of the world. 

21 hours ago, Tiger93 said:

I guess that makes sense. There are also many more fans of Wake Forest than Towson so for every opinion we have on there multiple it by 50-100 times and it will probably be amplified. The more opinions the more arguments and so on. 

I will put my partially negative hat on here for a second. There are four major things I want to see a head coach do with this program. Beat notable teams in non-conference play to get people excited and boost up our NET (and other pertinent) rankings, have good quality rankings (NET and otherwise), be successful in regular-season conference play and win the conference tournament. 

We accomplished two out of the four this season. Two things our program has been terrible at since my sophomore year (when we best West Virginia and Lousville, and St. John's my freshman year) has been getting notable wins against power conference teams and obviously the one we all bitch about here, not winning the conference tournament (which we have documented ad nauseum has been even longer).

We still have time to get a fairly significant program win with this matchup against Wake Forest. I at least want to see a game where I feel we have a chance to beat them or I will be disappointed. We can argue whether that is unrealistic or not, but this is a second chance to do something noteworthy after missing out on winning the conference tournament (obviously it can't completely make up for it).

Hopefully we are up for it and play a good game. There were a lot of frustrating aspects of the Delaware loss, but the worst part was after winning 25 games and having a great season we had one of our three worst performances of the year in our biggest game of the season. Hopefully we can bounce back and get back to the quality level of pay we have shown for most of the season. These players deserve another chance and hopefully they will take it and run with it. Go Tigers!

I would agree with your outlook as this being a base for future success if this were Skerry's first or second or even third year. Being here for a decade or more and JUST NOW figuring out what needs to be done to set a base is unacceptable. They played well during the regular season and many keep pointing to that. It is true, but my point has always been....that gets you nothing....it did not even get Towson fans coming to games. 

Winning one tournament game and "figuring out how to set up something to build on" taking a decade....does not work for me. 

Hope they win tomorrow...but one game does not change the past decade. 

I feel bad for the players. They played hard...competed well and never gave up. I also think with a new AD there will be some additional pressure on the coaching staff next year, especially given the quality players that are returning. I hope they play a little more free wheeling and less pressure filled once the NIT starts. It is like they say on Wall Street....the first million is the hardest to make......here...the first championship is the hardest to attain

1 minute ago, Chris Datres said:

So the coach can just push buttons and the robots move into the correct spots?  

No one said that....now that we got past name calling.....one of the coaches main responsibilities is to know which buttons make each player feel comfortable enough to perform to his max. I don't know what he says or does...but whatever it is does not have the desired effect. the players make or miss the plays, but the coach has to put them in a position to succeed both physically and mentally

1 minute ago, Chris Datres said:

Please enlighten the masses on how coaching plays a part in wide open shots not going down and open layups being missed.  I'll hang up and listen...

Without knowing what he says to players and gets them either loose or tight for a big game, that can not be answered....

1 minute ago, TowsonTiger11 said:

Players didn’t play well tonight but it is weird that even good skerry teams always seems to not play well when the pressure is on (in the tourney). And those teams have had different players each time but same results every time. He has done good for this program but his teams seem to choke when tourney time comes. Coaching plays a part in that. 
 

Will be interesting to see how this team shows up for the NIT. Do they fold or do they fight. Will say a lot about the teams character…

That is a great point. The mindset of players going into big games can make a big difference I assume

3 minutes ago, griggey20 said:

What did Skerry do to lose the game? 

If you get the credit when they win, you take the blame when they lose....the life of a coach...what you sign up for

2 minutes ago, TuTigers2012 said:

 

4 minutes ago, Tgr4life said:

Just now, Chris Datres said:

I'd expect a post like this from the resident jackass of this board but....sigh...not even going to bother.  

You can go through Towson History and find it littered with great regular seasons and no post season recognition. You play to win the big game. I have rooted for every Towson Team for over 25 years...but i do get tired of excuses year after year for a basketball program that has won next to nothing and put the coach on a pedestal....that just bothers me. Sorry if that offends you

Just now, Chris Datres said:

So a conference regular season title means nothing to you?

What does it get you....and in actuality they tied and won a tiebreaker......thre are only three games that matter .....the rest are exhibition games at this level

Not to be a Debbie Downer, but Skerry's teams are generally real good in games that don't matter. Win a big one and then we can talk about this program going in the right direction. YOU GOTTA WIN A BIG ONE TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY! Otherwise you get a participation trophy

2 minutes ago, omniland said:

Even with a bad game, we have enough of a tough game to just hang in and give hope but you need something.  Just no 3’s really to speak of even with decent looks and what can I say about CT.  I feel bad for him.  He gave it his best but he missed so many points that he would probably make that it was everything.  If he is healthy Delaware has to adjust and many things open up.  Just unfortunate.  We don’t have a back up big man game.  It is him or not much else.  I’m taking nothing away from Paar but he is not there yet.  Can spell minutes but not ready to score like CT.

 

While CT injured made a difference.....Delaware's two best players were on the bench for the vast majority of the second half. If you cant win in this league against a team without their two best players, you don't deserve a post season bid

Two concerns tomorrow

1. Tigers read their own clippings

2. NE plays their usual fundamentally sound game and the Tigers 3 point shooters have an off day.

 Fundamentally sound basketball travels well. 

35 minutes ago, AtlantaTiger said:

While I am critical of Coach Skerry, I don't think I'm unfair and so he deserves credit when credit is due.  That was a great, confidence-inspiring win.  Great job from top to bottom.

Keep it going, boys! Do NOT take your feet off the gas.

Go Tigers!

I agree and feel like I am on the same page. The key now becomes following through on what was, IMHO, the biggest win during Skerry's time at Towson. This will also change the perception other teams have for Towson and may be a little more revved up once the tournament comes. I dont ever remember Towson playing with a target on n their back. It is now time to stand up and be counted. For all of the good this season has brought thus fr, the season actually will be judged by what happens from here on in. The players need to remember that. 

I do understand all of the projections for this new fellow. We just need to maintain an air of patience and see what he truly brings to the table. Interviewing for a job is an art unto itself. Once you egt the job and have the authority to make department changing decisions....the interviewing answers often disappear. Hope for the best, but anything projections based on previous actions is total speculation. Everyone thought that the decency of Mike Hermann was the answer....then the aggressiveness of Mike Waddell was the answer...then the fund raising of Tim Leonard was the answer. Let's just wait and see. 

11 hours ago, mat1992 said:

I know I act like an idiot sometimes after losses and I do apologize to those out there when I take things too personally.

Absolutely not. You are just a true loyal fan who wants the best for the Tiger programs. No need to apologize. Your efforts are appreciated. 

That being said, i do think this team is pretty good but not too much more than that and mediocre coaching does not help.

1 hour ago, TuTigers2012 said:

Jinx. Doesn’t matter if we can’t win ..

any time you play Northeastern, you need to be alert. Bill Coen continues to prove how you can win games being fundamentally sound, even with teams are are far less athletic than their competition. Very few mental errors and generally exceptional passing. He is an amazing coach. 

14 hours ago, tu_fan said:

Am I the only one that things that Dan should promote the team more often through social media?  For someone that I imagine wants to compete for this promotion, he does not seem to have much of a social media presence.  Waddell was a rabid advocate, including posting on this board as TU_Marketing (or similar to that).  It feels to me that Dan is missing an opportunity to show leadership.....

This is such a difficult situation for Dan and the department as a whole that it is ahrd to imagine. As Interim, Dan has limited ability to go out on a limb. He is Interim at a time when the CAA has made itself a much weaker league by adding three team that no one really cares about. We will not draw one additional fan to SECU or Unitas Stadium by adding Stony Brook, Hampton and Monmouth. Most fans know that but it is hard to say that out loud. If Towson has any intention of being "Baltimore's College Team", the school needs to be a part of a conference that brings higher profile and more competitive teams here...year after year after year. If JMU from a one horse town of Harrisonburg, VCU from a smaller town and smaller TV Market of Richmond can move to more competitive conferences there is no reason to believe Towson can not do it with the correct leadership.....but that assumes that the goal is to be at a higher athletic level....a question that we can not answer at this point. 

I do think that this particular hire as AD will be the turning point in Towson Athletics for the foreseeable future. In my opinion, we need someone with Waddell's drive and foresight, but without his lunacy and lack of financial discipline, again, based on the ultimate goal of the university administration.

Just a few passing thoughts. 

1 hour ago, TUTigers said:

Seems like this will get tossed out. May does bring up one good point though. RA never got put on leave when he was accused of doctoring practice logs and bullying players. 

not so sure

Maybe a call should be made to the floor manufacturer to make sure that the proper cleanser was used. Not to even suggest this was done, but sometimes when purchases are made, a generic brand is ordered as the price is generally lower. Often times the products are not precisely the same and therefore react differently to the floor on which they are applied. Certainly seems to be worth checking out. That would also be valuable in regard to any insurance claims. 

On 1/20/2022 at 5:51 PM, tu_fan said:

While I can't argue with you, I'll take Skerry over PK, Hunt, or any other coach heading back to Truax.....If Skerry can get shooters and passers, and then impress upon them his style of defense and rebounding, it's a winning formula.  I would cringe at Spiro's post game interviews with Skerry where we would lose, while out-rebounding the other team, but have 3 assists.....And rather than ever mentioning spacing, ball movement our outside shooting, Skerry would provide his canned answers that "we need to guard & defend better," when the real issue was offensive style and skill.  He was (and perhaps still is) such a one trick pony, to a fault, and it carried over to his recruiting, much to our detriment.  

Skerry is a defensive whiz.  If he commits to finding scorers, shooters, and passers, and then imparts his defensive style, we will win.  This year is the first year I have ever heard Skerry say things like....."I was proud of the ball movement" or "we are going to shoot 3s" etc.  Maybe he and his staff have FINALLY connected the dots......

I graduated in 1994.  It's been heartbreaking to see how utterly pathetic our teams have been the last 25 years.  In my mind this season has already been a smashing success as the team is a joy to watch.  You could see it the first game against Albany where those of us in the chat were like, "who is this team...".....I've had more pleasure watching these guys share the ball, shoot lights out, not need to rely on one specific player (like a gary neal, fobbs, martin, JB, etc.), while the rest of the team was awful, each and every night.  I realize there is more to be done, but after having sand kicked in our faces for 25 years, it's great to see a team win, in some cases dominate, and do so in a way that is beautiful basketball.  

 

I agree that this is a different type of team than most previous squads. I don't agree that Skerry is a defensive whiz. He merely focuses more on defense than offense. There is nothing unique about his defensive style, as opposed to lets say a Jim Boeheim who runs a terribly unique defense that gives folks fits. He recruited players that were defense oriented, therefore his defensive numbers were better.

We will see if he knows how to coach offense. I do hope they succeed, but not yet on the bandwagon. Too many years have gone by where we thought that "this is the year"....only top have mediocre conference  teams whoop them in the tournament and despite all the talk of not using the tournament as a barometer....in a one bid conference, that is the measuring stick. Again, he has had a decade to prove it and we are still waiting....many are waiting too patiently. 

3 hours ago, Tiger93 said:

I know I am probably nitpicking a little much, but if we were a No. 1 seed in the conference tournament (meaning we won the regular-season) I would consider the season a success before the conference tournament started. If we lose anywhere in the tournament it would be a bitter disappointment, but it would not make the whole season a failure.

I agree that out of three phases of the season I listed the conference tournament is the most important, but they all build off each other. Hypothetically if we had somehow beaten Ohio State and San Francisco we would have a NET ranking good enough to get us an automatic bid going into conference play. If we finished first and lost three or less games in conference play that bid still might be in play. That would lessen the importance of the conference tournament. My overall point is I would like the raise the standards on those different phases of the season and the overall quality of our program's level of play for the season so we don't have to only rely on a conference tournament to define success. This season is a good small step in that direction. Call it "pie in the sky" if you will, and it probably is now, but I find it more important to build a team where this is a possibility than one that can win in the conference tournament. 

Sometimes you can control when a No. 8 seed (or any other team) shoots out of their mind and knocks you. The one point where I will completely agree with TuTigers2012 is we have to play better in the conference tournament. That is a Pat Skerry issue now because he is the coach, but it has been an every coach issue at Towson since I have been here (with a couple of exceptions where we maxed where we belonged). 

My final point is good mid-major programs take care of business the whole season and let the chips fall where they may. That is the place I want to get to. 

I appreciate your thoughts regarding building a program that is solid beyond the goal of conference championship. You talk about strong foundations, so that we can be good for years going into the future, etc. These are worthy and noble goals. You mention this is a Skerry issue because he is the coach now....which is true. I suggest you remember that he has had over a decade to get this done and he has not accomplished this goal. The team is having a very good year thus far. If any coach coaches long enough, that coach is bound to have one good year, if only by accident. I will wait for ongoing proof before acting as this is that magic moment that Towson becomes Gonzaga. It is fun to watch this squad but there is still quite a bot to prove. Skerry teams have set a low bar to get Towson fans excited about. 

On 1/14/2022 at 10:19 AM, sr16 said:

We have seen this song and dance before. We all know it comes down to March. 

Sounds like you have Skerryitis....very contagious disease

Credit where it is due. The team played exceptionally well last night. Great passing, shooting and defense. As good a game as I have seen the Black and Gold play in at least a decade. Now the object is to keep it going. 

After watching the game last night and seeing the totally stupid technical for unnecessary and dumb push by #55, I was left with the same thought as every year. Skerry teams always find some dumb play that cost them the game. Without that tech, they likely would not have won, but at least had a chance. Total loss of poise. History repeating itself.