TigerDave
goober
Posts: 61
Reg: 11-21-04
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02-05-05 02:16 PM - Post#3363
Well, I think we can safely bid the Ivy title adieu. It's not that it is technically impossible for Princeton to recover, it is just that they don't look anywhere near ready to contend at this point.
I think I am also ready to retract everything I said about this team "knowing how to win." These two losses in the league show that if they once knew, they have now forgotten.
While I can't join the Joe Scott lynch mob after 3 league games in his first season, I am beginning to have doubts. Not because of his "style," but more because of the way he seems to have botched the transition from JT3. I'm not sure it was best to totally revamp the team's defensive scheme and style of play in just one year. It seems to me that changes needed to happen a bit more gradually.
While Scott should shoulder much of the blame for this disastrous start, I don't think the players are devoid of responsibility, especially the seniors. Last night, it was the veteran players that apparently made some big mistakes - lane violations, missed free throws, turnovers, missed shots. Despite what their feelings about Scott may be, they should be mature and experienced enough to put them aside and step up for their teammates and their fans.
Finally, while I think it is fine and justified to criticize Joe Scott for what has happened, I would urge some restraint and patience. I don't think he is the monster some have portrayed him to be. By all accounts, he was loved by his players at Air Force and he did do wonders for that program. I'm still holding out hope that he will do the same at Princeton. That being said, I am very, very unhappy and my patience will along last so long.
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Rob
maximus
Posts: 327
Reg: 11-21-04
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Re: Bye Bye Title 02-05-05 02:30 PM - Post#3364
In response to TigerDave
I agree with much of what you say, but Logan and Wallace are playing through considerable pain for the team. I am not about to hammer them for last night, or anything.
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Redfish
Masters Student
Posts: 767
Loc: under a bridge in Phoenix...
Reg: 11-26-04
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If my memory is correct 02-06-05 05:09 AM - Post#3365
In response to Rob
It seems to me that Princeton's outside shooting has been below par for the past three years. The "Princeton Offense" relies on the three-pointer to open up the inside for the back-door cuts.
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Brian Martin
Masters Student
Posts: 963
Loc: Washington, DC
Reg: 11-21-04
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Re: If my memory is correct 02-06-05 06:28 AM - Post#3366
In response to Redfish
Quote:
It seems to me that Princeton's outside shooting has been below par for the past three years. The "Princeton Offense" relies on the three-pointer to open up the inside for the back-door cuts.
And yet, if my memory is correct, Princeton was 13-1 Ivy Champs last season.
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Redfish
Masters Student
Posts: 767
Loc: under a bridge in Phoenix...
Reg: 11-26-04
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Re: If my memory is correct 02-06-05 07:02 AM - Post#3367
In response to Brian Martin
Quote:
Princeton was 13-1 Ivy Champs last season.
That is why that three year span stands out in my mind. Penn won the title in 2002-2003 with a definitely superior team, but I thought Princeton should have blown everyone away in 2003-2004 - many of their wins were much closer due to poor shooting. This year, with some player losses, they have these absolutely mind-boggling defeats against teams that you don't envision even an "average" Princeton team losing to.
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sparman
PhD Student
Posts: 1339
Reg: 12-08-04
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Re: If my memory is correct 02-10-05 04:29 PM - Post#3368
In response to Redfish
Overall, 3PT % has been down the past few years, but in League play this year it has been around 40%. The poor shooting has been occured mostly against non-conference opponents and has been visible on televised games, but 40% should not be hurting League play.
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