Game Thread: Dayton @ La Salle (Wednesday 1/16/13)

[paulxu]

I don't quite understand that. I think La Salle has about the same number of undergraduates as X (4,500?) yet they play in a gym smaller than Wofford's. Is it just because there are so many Div 1 programs in close proximity?

[X-band '01]

Cost of land and buildings is much more in Philly, though.

And yet here they are with a shot at their first Big 5 crown in about 2 decades.

[ExplorerFan17]

Originally Posted by paulxu

I don't quite understand that. I think La Salle has about the same number of undergraduates as X (4,500?) yet they play in a gym smaller than Wofford's. Is it just because there are so many Div 1 programs in close proximity?

That isnt an excuse though and yes about the same enrollment as Xavier. The problem is La Salle Athletic department does not do a great job of advertising or trying to get the city to watch lasalle basketball. Ticket price are good (10$/$15 depending on seat.) And students receive free tickets to each game. For a gym that is under 20 years old, Gola offers a very poor college atmosphere 3,400 seats with none on the baseline and mostly bleacher seating. In the last two years they have only 3 sellouts, both homecoming games and the thriller last Feb vs Temple. We couldnt even draw a full crowd for our NIT game vs Minnesota. For a team that plays competitive exciting basketball it is very discouraging as a true fan. They don't need a bigger gym, there are just many ways to improve Gola and the overall experience. I have been to several other small level arena's, and for me the best was Bucknell's, that is the way to build a small arena

[TheCobra]

I hear what you are saying about Oliver taking 3s and I don't disagree. But Devin is better off seeking contact and shooting on the move than taking the open jump shot. Just because teams don't close out hard does not mean you cannot drive past them or drive to a place you are comfortable and shoot over the top. Devin is big and strong enough to pass on the open J and go at the rim. I think that's what he should do more often.

Also, I think Devin should not take any 3s until after he has made a 2 pointer. He has such flighty confidence that he is much more likely to make it if he has seen the ball go in the hoop.

[AdamtheFlyer]

Originally Posted by TheCobra

I hear what you are saying about Oliver taking 3s and I don't disagree. But Devin is better off seeking contact and shooting on the move than taking the open jump shot. Just because teams don't close out hard does not mean you cannot drive past them or drive to a place you are comfortable and shoot over the top. Devin is big and strong enough to pass on the open J and go at the rim. I think that's what he should do more often.

Also, I think Devin should not take any 3s until after he has made a 2 pointer. He has such flighty confidence that he is much more likely to make it if he has seen the ball go in the hoop.

Confidence has always been his biggest issue. His mechanics are good, he rarely throws up a brick, he's just an inch off most of the time.

As for driving, his ball handling still limits him. He can handle it well in a straight line, but he can't move laterally with the ball. No crossover, a marginal spin, and I've never seen a euro step from him. If he can't beat a defender to the initial spot, he won't get past him.

He's just limited in his offensive role. The best thing they can do is to play small, but it's really hard to win at this level with a front line of 6'7" and 6'8". Coaches are very reluctant to bench a 6'10" senior. I'd love to see Devon Scott get some of Benson's minutes.

As it stands, Vee Sanford is the most important player. Needs to become a 30+ minute per game consistent performer. Can't just be a one half guy. Would take a ton of pressure off Dillard and allow all 5 on the floor to get the spacing needed to torch a defense.

[TheCobra]

Originally Posted by AdamtheFlyer

Confidence has always been his biggest issue. His mechanics are good, he's just an inch off most of the time.

As for driving, his ball handling still limits him. He can handle it well in a straight line, but he can't move laterally with the ball. No crossover, a marginal spin, and I've never seen a euro step from him. If he can't beat a defender to the spot, he won't get past him.

He's just limited in his offensive role. The best thing they can do is to play small, but it's really hard to win at this level with a front line of 6'7" and 6'8". Coaches are very reluctant to bench a 6'10" senior. I'd love to see Devon Scott get some of Benson's minutes.

As it stands, Vee Sanford is the most important player. Needs to become a 30+ minute per game consistent performer. Can't just be a one half guy.

I was referring mostly to when Devin is so open at the three point line that he could also take a dribble toward the rim, so no real handle required. But you're right, he is limited offensively.

You are probably right that he won't bench Benson, but I wish he would. Josh would definitely provide an offensive spark off the bench and could avoid foul trouble that way. He is just not a 5 and he isn't our best 4.

[AdamtheFlyer]

Originally Posted by TheCobra

I was referring mostly to when Devin is so open at the three point line that he could also take a dribble toward the rim, so no real handle required. But you're right, he is limited offensively.

You are probably right that he won't bench Benson, but I wish he would. Josh would definitely provide an offensive spark off the bench and could avoid foul trouble that way. He is just not a 5 and he isn't our best 4.

For my money, the one dribble pull up is the worst shot in basketball. Not sure a guy who struggles to make 3s should be taking that shot, nor do I think it would pull a defender out to him. If anything, he should be setting up at 17 feet instead of 20. That may force a defender to step out and try to play the passing lane, which would create some space.

[TheCobra]

One dribble driving toward the basket should draw a defender. Then anything may happen. I'm not necessarily suggesting a pull up jumper. Just that he can take advantage of being 'open' in ways other than shooting the 3.

[Chetburger]

Treys are bad shots for Oliver. Any jumpshot is. Its not a good shot if you are incapable of making it. Doesnt matter how wide open you are. Oliver needs to stop shooting shots hes not capable of making with any regularity. Just because he *should* be able to make it, doesnt make it a good shot for that specific player. London Warren should have been able to make 10ft shots too, but he was not. A good shot for any player is a shot they can realistically make 4-5 times out of 10.

[TheCobra]

I can see both sides of the Oliver thing, but, in my opinion, his 3s are not the problem or the solution. He is going to continue to be a key cog, as he should be, as the league's leading rebounder. But Devin missing free throws is really starting to hurt. He has a choice whether to continue to take 3s, but he has no choice but to take free throws.

For me, for us to go on a run, it will be because Dillard and Benson play smarter and better (or less). We need to get more shots for Pierre, too.

[xu95]

La Salle is spotting Dayton 5 points tonight. I have absolutely no idea what to think of that line. Typically I would say that there is no way Dayton loses to La Salle by 5, but this is not a typical year.

[LaSalle08]

Originally Posted by ExplorerFan17

It should be a good contest. To bad most of the La Salle fans dont realize the impact they can have by filling the arena against a good opponent like dayton. It will most likely be 2000 fans even for a big conference game like this. The attendance problem for lasalle is sad in such a great basketball city with solid competition almost all year.

I will bet you 10000 Stanley nickles that it will be close to sold out tonight. The Richmond and UPENN games both were at about 70% capacity with literally less than 10 students at each game due to the break. Plus there will be a smattering of red in the building as those Flyers love to travel, even to North Philly.

The lack of support comes from the alums, not the students (who show up in greater numbers than people realize). 20 years of losing will do that plain and simple.

[ItsyBitsySpiderII]

Huge game for Dayton. 0-3 is a nasty hole to dig out from in this league.

[ExplorerFan17]

Originally Posted by LaSalle08

I will bet you 10000 Stanley nickles that it will be close to sold out tonight. The Richmond and UPENN games both were at about 70% capacity with literally less than 10 students at each game due to the break. Plus there will be a smattering of red in the building as those Flyers love to travel, even to North Philly.

The lack of support comes from the alums, not the students (who show up in greater numbers than people realize). 20 years of losing will do that plain and simple.

I hope you are right. The students have done a good job recently of showing up. My only concern as you mentioned is the alums and others. A wed night game with crappy weather will not make people want to travel to gola. If the game is close to sold out it will be very fun atmosphere tonight, hopefully to watch a crucial victory for the explorers.

[College Hoops]

Gut check time for UD. 0-3 could lead to loss of confidence. I agree with those who think the Flyers would be better suited with Benson coming off the bench. Like to see what Scott could do with more minutes. he may not be the answer, but he wont get pushed around. Oliver and Dillard need to play to their strengths and not try to do more than they are capable of. May be time for Pierre and Sanford to be a little more aggressive on offense. Defense needs to keep up intensity on every possession.