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| Username | Post: Columbia vs Maine on December 30 | |
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Columbia 37P6 Postdoc Posts 2180 |
12-16-17 01:21 AM - Post#240300
Only one more DI opponent for the Lions before they start the Ivy League Season, namely Maine on December 30. In effect, that game will be the Lions' last opportunity to try a starting line-up of Smith, Meissner, Faulds, Hanson and Bibbs, or perhaps a starting line-up of Smith, Adlesh, either Faulds or Tape, Hanson and Bibbs. Of course if Castlin returns healthy, I would expect Engles' starting line-up to be Smith, Castlin, Faulds or Tape, Meissner and either Adlesh or Hickman. In my opinion, whatever line-up the Lions use it must include at least one freshman. The all-vet starting line-ups have been unsuccessful thus far. |
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internetter Postdoc Posts 3400 |
12-16-17 12:57 PM - Post#240316
Given the frequent, major substitutions Angles makes, the starting lineup is of limited import.
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Chet Forte Postdoc Posts 2973 |
 12-16-17 03:40 PM - Post#240328
Even if Castlin is not ready I would not start Hickman. I like a lineup assuming no Hickman or Castlin of Smith, Meisner, Faulds, Hansen and Bibbs. Second unit would be Tape, Adlesh, Hickman, Stefanini, Hunter. If Castlin is ready he should start in lieu of Hansen or Bibbs. Let’s play the guys with the highest upside.
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Columbia 37P6 Postdoc Posts 2180 |
12-16-17 04:18 PM - Post#240337
You are right, but that was Engles' style last year and it certainly was a difficult one to comprehend as his multiple substitution style seemed to be a major detriment to the team's performance specially in the Ivy League race. This year, however, Engles has changed his approach in regards to the rate of substitutions so that is no longer a major issue. The problem this year is the starting lineup he is using is repeatedly getting off to a great start only to see the lead collapse. In Columbia's case, the Lions are using an all veteran starting line-up with Mike Smith as the focal point. The question is what is going wrong game after game and how do you correct it. There is really nothing that unusual about the way the Lions are repeatedly losing game. I presume there are several well-known remedies in the coaching textbook. Regardless of whatever remedy Engles uses to thwart the declines, he really needs to give his best freshman players more playing time as a group so as to foster their individual skills and their cohesiveness as a group. In my opinion, the best way for that to happen is to put as many freshmen as possible on the floor with Mike Smith from the the start of the game. |
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SomeGuy Professor Posts 6413 |
12-16-17 06:05 PM - Post#240345
Is it really the starting lineup that creates the problem, though? If Columbia is taking a lead early every game, isn't it the starters who are predominantly producing the lead? I'm curious what the plus/minus numbers are for the various combos. Usually if a team consistently takes leads and loses them, they likely lack effective depth and/or they generally aren't as talented as their opponents. Less talented teams often play tougher early because they have an advantage in terms of game planning. To put it simply, Columbia game plans for Nova, but Nova does not game plan for Columbia. That means Columbia may have an initial tactical advantage, but that advantage goes away as the game goes on and the more talented team is able to adjust. To the observer, this can lead to the critique that there is a coaching failure, but in truth there may only be one approach that gets you the lead against a superior team, and once they adjust there isn't an effective counter to be made. As a Browns fan, this is how I generally saw Bellichick's Brown's teams -- looked great for a quarter or a half due to superior initial gameplan, but always lost in the second half. And lots of Browns fans thought he was a lousy coach as a result of the second half losses. Could be what is going on with Columbia. But of course it could be a coaching failure. Just wanted to throw a competing theory out there. |
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internetter Postdoc Posts 3400 |
12-17-17 01:01 AM - Post#240375
Thank you; I stand corrected about Engles substitutions.
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Chet Forte Postdoc Posts 2973 |
12-17-17 08:55 AM - Post#240385
I think part of what happens is that opposing teams try to get Meisner in foul trouble early, putting our second best player on the bench. And I hope I don’t sound like a broken record, but opposing teams don’t need to worry about Hickman when he is on the floor. What has been remarkable over the last few games is the stunning all around play of Mike Smith, who is playing at a POY level, but he is playing 38minutes a night and is going to need some help when the Ivy season starts.
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SRP Postdoc Posts 4911 |
12-17-17 12:55 PM - Post#240398
Haven't watched the Lions this season, but a good rule of thumb is that when fans can't understand why a player is getting PT, the answer is usually defense. |
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internetter Postdoc Posts 3400 |
12-17-17 01:33 PM - Post#240401
In an interview, Engles said he played his star at NJIT just about every minute.
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Dr. V PhD Student Posts 1539 |
12-17-17 04:26 PM - Post#240408
I believe that Some Guy is right. I've re-warched the Stony Brook game (watching a game the second time around reduces some of the cognitive distortions caused by a fan's emotional investment in a team), and it was pretty clear that Stony Brook had a good deal more talent. Then instead of feeling frustrated that our coaches supposedly again failed to help get us over the finish line in a game that we might have won, one starts thinking in terms of boy, what did they do to get us to lead and then stay so close for so long? We were outshot overall (43.9% to 37.5%) and, incredibly, at the foul line (we were 13-23 for 56.5%, they were 21-28 for 75%), although we shot better from beyond the 3 point line (40.7% to 27.8%) and we were out rebounded 42-30. A good team almost always has one or two seniors who demonstrate poise, consistency and competence. Our one senior shot 2-7, 3-6 at the line with 2 rebounds and 6 TOs. I'm beginning to think that our running out to leads and then playing fairly close for long stretches is some combination of Smith, who can be extraordinary on O but whose size limits his effectiveness on D somewhat, and a lot of smoke and mirrors. The "smoke and mirrors" includes some very good individual games by Meisner, Adlesh and others, and I do not mean to demean their contributions. My point is simply that we all may have overestimates the amount and certainly the depth of talent with which our coaches are working. |
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cc66 Postdoc Posts 2204 |
12-17-17 05:08 PM - Post#240411
Sad, but probably true. After all, we lost the one senior in the lineup who was probably going to be effective (Castlin), so that most of the time, we are playing one relatively ineffective senior (Hickman) along with a large # of first years. Hence, although the longer term trajectory of the program is probably quite good, the team's lack of depth and experience caps what can be reasonably be expected for this season. |
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internetter Postdoc Posts 3400 |
12-17-17 09:19 PM - Post#240424
Meisner, just about every game, Adlesh, starting recently, often the first sub if he isn't, are both juniors, provide experience and scoring. Tape, also a jr., has been very inconsistent. Point: with Smith, the key players have seen lots of minutes. Perhaps a search for a reason for the pattern of the games: too many away, too little rest in between. The Ivy schedule poses its own physical demands; but at least there's a significant period during which to recuperate and plan for future games.
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Chet Forte Postdoc Posts 2973 |
12-17-17 09:34 PM - Post#240426
Tape is not a junior. He is a sophomore. So there is still hope. Hunter is a junior.
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cc66 Postdoc Posts 2204 |
12-17-17 10:20 PM - Post#240428
Here's the allocation of minutes through 10 games: First years: 481 (24%) Sophs: 543 (mostly Smith 364 & Tape 166)26% Juniors: 662 ( 80% Meisner and Adlesh) 32% Seniors: 339 (317 from Hickman)18% It is a young team, with first and second years getting half of the minutes. |
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internetter Postdoc Posts 3400 |
12-18-17 03:16 AM - Post#240430
Thanks for the correction, Fulvio.
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internetter Postdoc Posts 3400 |
12-24-17 04:27 PM - Post#241260
Maine game is audio only, apparently.
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Columbia 37P6 Postdoc Posts 2180 |
12-24-17 09:15 PM - Post#241269
The Ivy League Digital Network appears to have the Lions' home game with Maine scheduled for both audio AND Video. Sarah Lawrence game also has a duel listing. |
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internetter Postdoc Posts 3400 |
12-25-17 01:20 AM - Post#241272
There was a tweet a few hours ago that said audio only. Men's Basketball Maine--Columbia-- 02:00 PM EST Men's Basketball Columbia Men's Basketball vs. Maine | Audio Only
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Columbia 37P6 Postdoc Posts 2180 |
12-25-17 07:07 PM - Post#241299
The Ivy League Digital Network is still showing both audio AND video. Maine athletics is still showing both audio AND Videai. I haven't checked Columbia athletics yet, but it would be out of character for Columbia athletics not to broadcast a home basketball game and I can't find any such tweet on Columbia Basketball. Where did you see the tweet? |
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internetter Postdoc Posts 3400 |
12-25-17 08:59 PM - Post#241304
This is strange because the last 2 lines of my previous post are from the ILDN site. http://www.ivyleaguenetwork.com/columbia/schedule C's pages are often somewhat behind times and the holiday period has few if any workinfg. I don't recall the origination of the aforementioned tweet.
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internetter Postdoc Posts 3400 |
12-28-17 05:28 PM - Post#241483
An AD announcement by email just (4:30 ET) said it will be on ILDN. Guess we'll have to see what's happening at game time.
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cc66 Postdoc Posts 2204 |
12-28-17 10:33 PM - Post#241495
FWIW, game notes are posted, with Meisner but no Castlin. |
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Chet Forte Postdoc Posts 2973 |
12-30-17 02:29 PM - Post#241616
Looks like Castlinis ready and Bibbs is out. Meisner is wearing a face guard.
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Chet Forte Postdoc Posts 2973 |
12-30-17 04:01 PM - Post#241625
Some rust but we are a better team with Castlin. Up 19 at the half. Smith and Adlesh look good. Hansen will be a good one. Meisner seems hampered by the face mask. Tape and Faulds are bottling up the inside on defense. Hansen is basically a small forward but has good size for that position. Hickman hasn’t done much and has seen his minutes significantly reduced. No offense from Hickman and Hunter can do the other things Hickman does but better.
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cc66 Postdoc Posts 2204 |
12-30-17 05:08 PM - Post#241633
We win by 12, 83-71; we led by 20 most of the second half until the reserves were inserted. 16 for Smith and Adlesh, 12 for Tape, who displayed some offensive moves that he hasn't showed before. Cashlin does make a difference. We are still weak inside, but we move the ball better now. 5th in the IL is a reasonable projection. But what happened to Bibbs? |
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Chet Forte Postdoc Posts 2973 |
12-30-17 05:52 PM - Post#241635
It looked like Bibbs was injured. He was there but not dressed. This game was a 30-35 point blow-out until Engles pulled Smith and Meisner with around 11minutes to go and took his foot off the gas, in my judgment excessively so. I also thought that for a good part of the second half the refs were trying to keep the score under control, causing us to play 5 on 8. As far as what this says, Castlin is really good and made some moves around the basket that only Smith is also capable of making. Smith and Adlesh played a very good game against a fairly small team. I see a problem with we play teams with tall back courts. Meisner looked like he was bothered somewhat by the facemask but still had a solid all around game. Tape may have had his best game of the year, and I also thought that Faulds showed some flashes. Hansen is very athletic and can play in the front court. Again, I thought that Hickman has played his way into a reserve role with 8 or so minutes off the bench.
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internetter Postdoc Posts 3400 |
12-30-17 06:50 PM - Post#241637
During wrap-up, no mention of ILDN video covering SL. I seem to recall it did a couple of years ago. Tape noted in the post-game interview that they had, used new plays. Perhaps that contributed to the 22 assists. In addition to his 16 points, Adlesh had a career high of 7 assists, some quite impressive.
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cc66 Postdoc Posts 2204 |
12-30-17 07:28 PM - Post#241640
Did Meisner break his nose? When he was injured three weeks ago, I thought he was pulled because his back was bothering him. Did he break his nose in practice over the last couple of weeks? |
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Dr. V PhD Student Posts 1539 |
12-31-17 02:19 AM - Post#241654
Lance Meadow said that Meisner had broken a cheek bone. |
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Chet Forte Postdoc Posts 2973 |
12-31-17 08:20 AM - Post#241656
The box score is interesting. Meisner had 10 points and 9 rebounds in only 20 minutes. Perhaps his broken cheek bone was a factor in his limited minutes and in his not driving more to the basket. I’m not sure if anybody else on this board was also at the game, but you do see little things that are not apparent on TV. One big takeaway for me was the almost palpable sense that I got that when Castlin was on the court we were a better team. He seems like a much better, more polished, and complete player than what I remember. To me the best lineup right now is Smith, Meisner, Adlesh, Tape and Castlin, with Faulds in for Tape or Meisner, Bibbs in for Smith, Hansen in for Castlin, and Stefanini in for Adlesh. For defense and rebounding I like Hunter, but until he develops an offensive game his minutes will have to be limited. He is a really good athlete but has to develop some sort of offensive game. Against taller teams he will see more minutes. Based upon yesterday’s box score (1 for 9 from the field) plus not taking several open threes Hickman really is in a very deep funk/slump.
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Dr. V PhD Student Posts 1539 |
12-31-17 03:09 PM - Post#241673
I was at the game and had a similar sense re Castlin. He plays good D, he doesn't do dumb things on the court, and he's relaxed and confident on the floor. That has to have a positive effect. I've always liked Adlesh's play. He's heady and gets the most out of his skills, but yesterday's line is ridiculous: 16 points on 6-9, with 4-6 threes, 4 boards, 7 assists with NO TOs, and a steal with no PFs. |
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cc66 Postdoc Posts 2204 |
12-31-17 06:08 PM - Post#241676
I think it is pretty clear that the team with a 226 rating in KenPom is not the same team we are going to put on the floor for the IL season. How much better is the unknowable issue. Probably the most significant weakness we must remedy is our interior defense. Our guards have difficulty stopping drives, while Tape and Faulds don't yet seem very effective blocking shots in close. If either the guards or the frontline got significantly better, then we'd have a decent chance against most of the rest of the IL. |
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Columbia 37P6 Postdoc Posts 2180 |
12-31-17 10:50 PM - Post#241677
Hansen seemed to have suffered an injury to his hand or arm near the end of the game. Hopefully, it was not serious. |
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Murph Masters Student Posts 626 |
01-01-18 09:09 AM - Post#241680
As a Browns fan, this is how I generally saw Bellichick's Brown's teams -- looked great for a quarter or a half due to superior initial gameplan, but always lost in the second half. And lots of Browns fans thought he was a lousy coach as a result of the second half losses. I grew up in Ohio as a Cleveland Browns fan. I couldn't wait for the Browns to fire Bellichick, mostly based on the fact that he ran home town hero Bernie Kosar out of town. Then of course, Bellichick went to NE, developed Brady into the quintessential pocket passer, and became arguably the greatest coach in NFL history. Meanwhile, the Browns have devolved into arguably the worst team in NFL history. Words cannot describe how much I despise Bellichick. It was nice to see the Lions showing signs of life against Maine. Hopefully the season isn't over yet. The RPI rankings show the Lions could still contend for the playoffs. The return of Castlin is huge. If I were Engles, I'd shorten the rotation going into Ivy play. I think he has the starting lineup right. Castlin should play starters minutes off the bench, with limited minutes going to Faulds, Hanson, Stefanini and Hunter. |
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Columbia Alum Junior Posts 247 |
01-01-18 10:18 PM - Post#241717
Castlin is back, time to play Hickman under 5mins/game. If we do this we'll be in the running for top 4. If Engels remains hard-headed and Hickman plays 25+/game, we are firmly bottom 4, possibly last |
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Filippo2014 Freshman Posts 83 |
01-02-18 04:25 PM - Post#241774
Team is also really missing Jake Killingsworth, who was deemed a starter by Engles last year as a Freshman. His last time out early in the season, he was 3 for 3 from 3 against Longwood. I have not heard what his injury is but it appears to be season ending. |
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cc66 Postdoc Posts 2204 |
01-02-18 07:41 PM - Post#241792
Let's hope Hanson's injury isn't season-ending either, or our reserves are really going to be thinned out. |
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