SE Louisiana Game Summary
Louisville wins at home in convincible fashion, 86-60. We all knew that SE Louisiana wasn’t a great matchup, but it was still nice to see us win by a large amount. We’ll breakdown the game then evaluate how the guys did individually.
One of the biggest takeaways that I was pleased with was how the offense ran itself. There looked to be attention on driving towards the basketball and finding higher percentage shots. Guys looked to cut towards the basket and make an effort to trying to get attempts inside the paint. We saw a lot less contested shots and more open looks due to this. There were numerous charge calls, some warranted and some being atrocious, but overall I would rather us be too aggressive than passive with the ball like how we have been. The charge call against Williamson at the beginning of the game was the worst charge call I have seen in awhile. Whoever made that call can go back to the KHSAA.
Defensively, we continue to look good and Mack seems to be fixing the kinks that we showed with the pac line. Most looked to close out on threes shot which seemed to be an issue towards the beginning of the year. The pac line allows for more open shots for three, but most seem to be in better position to be able to contest shots easier away from the basket. My only complaint was us being lazy on the glass and not boxing out. This seemed to be more of a lack of focus more than anything. We still out rebounded SE Louisiana 40-33.
Player grades will be below. I wont look at describing everyone because we had a lot of guys that played a select few possessions.
Locke(F) I had to start with Locke first. Locke showed a stat line of 0 points, 0 assists, and 2 rebounds. Locke had 15 minutes of playing time, and I’m so glad. His play should no longer be rewarded. Locke is not showing to try to take the ball into the lane and when he does to shows to be shy of contact. This really stood out to me whenever he wouldn’t go straight up to the basket and tried to fade away in transition, turning the ball over,The Maybin Show, which is 10-12 Monday – Friday on 93.9 FM, pointed out that he cannot make it through screens allowing for the breakdown for the defense as well. I don’t know what he provides when he’s not shooting well from three. I didn’t notice this and I assume its because it didn’t lead to a scoring possession. I hope he comes off the bench Saturday, but I don’t know how you balance his woes and retain his confidence.
Williams (A) Williams continue to look healthier and back to game shape. Malik had 15 points with 10 rebounds in only 17 minutes of playing time. Malik looked to score in the paint and take advantage of mismatches. He does something defensively to be able to steal the ball in the paint, which I love. He’s coming back into form.
Cross (B) Looked good starting again while not shooting well from three. Cross played 22 minutes scored 13 and had 5 rebounds. Cross did well playing behind the zone and getting open looks doing so. Cross has been showing a good basketball IQ and implementing, so I’m still waiting for him to piece it all together from deep. Hopefully dislocating his finger doesn’t have anything to do with this.
Davis (B) Dre had played 19 minutes went for 6 points and 6 rebounds. The stat line doesn’t speak for itself, but I continue to see him improve defensively with this pac line defense. He’s beginning to contest shots playing in this defense and get through basic screens. Dre continues to get better, which is exciting.
West (B) Jerrod went for 8 points, 5 assists, and a rebound. The reason I enjoyed him offensively today was that Jerrod was taking the ball into the lane and trying to finish. I hope this continues and he can show that he can beat others off the dribble at a higher level.
Withers (C+) Withers finished with a stat line of 3 points, 3 assists, and 6 rebounds. Withers did show to be listening to coaching and trying moves to score driving in the lane or in the paint. Withers showed some big man moves and even dunked in the paint, which I see as progress moving forward. He did show good passes and that opened up the offense, but still made some bad decisions with the ball. I don’t know what happened, but he seemed to lose confidence driving in the lane and may have questioned himself. I hope that doesn’t continue.
Williamson (D-) Sam finished with a state line of 7 points and 3 rebounds. Sam looks confident enough to drive into the lane and have some attempt, but the looks not great when he does. He had a really bad defensive possession where a guy from SE Louisiana drove around him in the corner then cut him off to where he couldn’t get in possession defensively. That’s bad against this team. Theres something up with him mentally and I hope that gets figured out because he hasn’t looked the same since Michigan State. The team would be different with him playing how we know he can.
Ellis (B+)El finished with 13 points and 2 rebounds in 18 minutes of playing time. Ellis looked great offensively and looks to be learning the defense better the further we go on this season. I didn’t rate him an A because of the team we played against. He looked a lot better running at the two guard and he has my vote to start over Locke.
Faulkner (B): Mason finished with 12 points, 3 assists, and 3 rebounds in 22 minutes of playing time. Mason looked better offensively and showed to take control of the offense, which I think needed to happen. He seemed to want to be pass first, but we need him to look to score. I hope he shows this ability to beat others off the dribble throughout the season. He did make some poor shot selections at times, but I think he will change that. Mason looked to respond whatever the coaching staff had said. Defensively he was horrible. Mason doesn’t understand the pac line and doesn’t understand positioning with his shown by wide open shots that are taken. He also can’t get around the screen which opens up teams offensively towards the lane. He’s a senior so I expect him to learn. Things look hopeful for Faulkner.
Traynor (D) He had 3 points in 5 minutes of playing time. Traynor had a horrible defensive possession right when he was subbed in and got pushed around in the paint. Traynor then couldn’t get around a screen and allowed an open look. He responded well by hitting an open three, but I think we saw why he’s not playing right now. Traynor needs more time it looks like and I hope he stays around.
Colbert (A+) that hair is amazing. Wow.
To wrap up, I enjoyed seeing how the coaching staff pressing what they want this offense to look like. Mack needs to find a way to do what is right with Locke without tanking his confidence and I don’t know how you do that, but the guy making millions will figure it out. Mack looks to clear up some small things defensively as well, and we will see how they carry this into a tougher opponent in Western Kentucky.
Stats via ESPN.com
Degenerate Card 