[Doo-rett]

I am definitely not hyping LaSalle. They will be picked in the second half of the conference next year in the preseason, and rightly so. But I am eager to see what DrG does with some real guards. This team has been plagued by bad ball-handling and lack of playmaking for three years. G's fault, of course, that this situation has festered. If Murray blossoms and the LaSalle gets good old-fashioned guard play, however, I could see this team being a darkhorse to finish in the 6-7 range.

What concerns me, though, is the mediocre team defense and the seeming unwillingness of G to force his players to show more care with the ball. Could be a personnel question, but I need to be convinced. Injuries aside, this team seems to have regressed in some fundamental areas this season.

WH couldn't agree with you more. Defense and ball handling continue to plague us. Our on the ball defense is weak. Inside Murray offers good help defense but is often unable to stay with slower men with very deliberate drop step moves. We lost more defensively than most thought with Paul Johnson graduating and Goodridge not getting the extra year. Our two uninjured seniors in the lineup each had 5 turnovers last night. Rodney Green has some excellent skills, but court vision, passing, and decision making are not high among them. He is just not a point guard. Whatever the reasons we have not had the season expected by many (including the A-10 coaches), at the end of the day it doesn't matter. No excuses. We're just not getting it done. As for next year, it is fine with me if everyone picks us near the bottom. Let us work ourselves up.

* Not represented by Explorer Steve in any way shape or form

 

[Mac539]

If you saw the game, you saw Rhodey get every advantage and critical call tonight and La Salle still almost pulled out the game without Barrett and without Guillandeaux. The Rams got away with at least 5 travel violations tonight and got a critical call that should have been a turnover with 56.8 seconds remaining and the score 82-79. Mejia threw the ball off the back of the backboard but was bailed out by ref Karl Hess on a bogus call against Murray. Hess called Green for a travel earlier but he clearly passed the ball before sliding in the lane (the lead would have been cut to 75-74)... this was another critical call. Don't tell me the A10 isn't instructing these refs... we saw in the Temple game on Saturday also.

Muddy's brother.

 

[Mik]

Where is Mik these days?

In the preseason, he was telling me I was "on crack" for touting my Spiders...

Maybe he's smoking crow...

I am here Spider. What was the exact quote? Can you get it for me? Then I can respond. I am positive I never said the Spiders sucked if that was what you aqre implying. I have always said they were in the top 4 area. I believe La Salle was right there with Richmond at the beginning of the aeason and still believe that if we didn't have 2,000 points on the bench hurt. It is easy to to look back when we are decimated with injuries.

 

[Mik]

The officiating was atrocious. But as others have said, we had our chances regardless and didn't get it done. URI deserves the credit for making key plays while we did not. The officiating didn't decide the game. However something needs to be done about the officating in not onis conference but all over college basketball. No one can tell me Duke doesn't get preferential treatment either.

 

[AdamtheFlyer]

If you saw the game, you saw Rhodey get every advantage and critical call tonight and La Salle still almost pulled out the game without Barrett and without Guillandeaux. The Rams got away with at least 5 travel violations tonight and got a critical call that should have been a turnover with 56.8 seconds remaining and the score 82-79. Mejia threw the ball off the back of the backboard but was bailed out by ref Karl Hess on a bogus call against Murray. Hess called Green for a travel earlier but he clearly passed the ball before sliding in the lane (the lead would have been cut to 75-74)... this was another critical call. Don't tell me the A10 isn't instructing these refs... we saw in the Temple game on Saturday also.

Loose Change 2: Or Why La Salle Really Won the A10.

 

[Bill Russell]

The officiating was atrocious. But as others have said, we had our chances regardless and didn't get it done. URI deserves the credit for making key plays while we did not. The officiating didn't decide the game. However something needs to be done about the officating in not onis conference but all over college basketball. No one can tell me Duke doesn't get preferential treatment either.

I couldn't agree more, Mik. The A-10 officials decide FAR too many games with crucial, crucial calls. I can think of a few on the Bonnies this season (late-game charges @ Charlotte and @ Duquesne) that simply shouldn't be called. Calls like those decide outcomes of basketball games. It's true for every team in this league, too. Everyone can cite at least one instance where they have had a crippling call cost them a game. Poor officiating is running rampant in college basketball and there is far too much homerism across the board. It has to stop.

 

[WH]

Injuries are always a thorn, but LaSalle didn't look great in the first four games when Ruben and Barrett both suited up. Yes, the Explorers would have gotten better, and they would have won some of the close A-10 games they lost. I am just not sure the team would have been much, much better with both of those players. The ball-handling problem would still have existed.

Water under the bridge, of course. I guess the good thing is that Murray and now Grant are being forced to grow up faster as Div. 1 basketball players.

 

[Mik]

Injuries are always a thorn, but LaSalle didn't look great in the first four games when Ruben and Barrett both suited up. Yes, the Explorers would have gotten better, and they would have won some of the close A-10 games they lost. I am just not sure the team would have been much, much better with both of those players. The ball-handling problem would still have existed.

Water under the bridge, of course. I guess the good thing is that Murray and now Grant are being forced to grow up faster as Div. 1 basketball players.

WH G's teams always start slow. Every year. I am sure you know that. Not sure why but he has a winning % in February since he has been at La Salle and December is his worst winning %. There is no doubt in my mind with Ruben and Kimman we beat Charlotte and have much better chance at victory against URI and Richmond. We also don't lose to either Cornell or Binghampton. Sorry but the season would have been different. Not an NCAA but we would have won high teens again.

However, it is not like it hasn't happened to other programs. I am just glad he has really addressed our guard issues. We may be young and make freshman mistakes next year but I think we have a chance to still be pretty good next year.

 

[ExplorerSteve]

I think all of us realize the value of a true point guard... winning in division 1 without at least one is extremely difficult.


* Not represented by Doo-rett in any way shape or form :smackalot:

 

[JHG722]

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