Once again, where was a lack of effort?

I am not certain I saw a lack of effort last night.  I did see some great execution on the Valpo offense.  During the 0-16 run by Valpo there was confusion and disarray but not sure there was lack of effort.

The second half was one where the Bobcats did not let the terrible end of the first half get in the way of winning.  The number of ties and lead changes could have spelled a totally different outcome than we got.

Am I happy with the play during the drought?  NO.  Am I happy with the coaching decisions during that same time? NO. Would I have liked to see a 25 point victory? SURE. 

On the other hand I will take the positive approach that this team overcame a terrific game plan by Valpo, a terrific second half of offense by Valpo and did not let each of Valpo's mini victories get them down.  A lesser team would have completely folded after the end of half 1 and the inability to land a final blow to the visiting team.

Are they ready for the end of the year run they will need?  NO.  Are they improving?  I think so.

        Another post by Dragon Boy,  talking out his ass because his head knows better,  I sit back and lurk most of the time,  but when you start bashing players, then I draw the line right there. There is one thing that Coach John Groce's team does not lack and that is EFFORT.  I have yet to see a Groce team lay down and not give it their all for 40 minutes,  If my memory serves me right,  Groce sent Armon Bassett to the locker room last year for not giving it his all. when Valpo took the lead late in the game.  Ohio could of gave up and layed down, but NO they fought back and found a way to win the ball game. That is EFFORT right there my friend. This Ohio team is averaging 78.8 points a game and your saying they lack EFFORT.  What a joke.

   Ivo and Reggie need to man up and rebound ?  Ivo Baltic 7.3 rebounds a game and Reggie Keely 6.5 rebounds a game, They are not going to get every rebound in the game, if you haven't noticed Dragon Boy,  there is a lot of banging going on under the boards and players get pushed around.  But I'll make sure that I tell Ivo and Reggie next time I see them,  that Dragon Boy says they need to man up and quit playing lazy.

  TJ, Ric, Nick, and Ethan all need to learn the offense ?  DUH !   In case you didn't know Dragon Boy, They have had the Play Book a little over 30 days,  New system and new plays, not gonna happen over night. Dam,  how many years you been in College?   WOW  you should of known that.

  Coach Groce pulled the plug a little to early last night and let Valpo get back into the game, Gonna take Coach Groce a few close games to know who he needs in there at games end, learn and move on, it's only the 4th game for cryin out loud and your saying This team is not ready for the MAC ?   You have a crystal ball hid somewhere that will tell us when we are ready ?  


   Truth hurts so bad Jeff McKinney had to delete sum of my post,  but I know what I wrote.   
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Dennis "Gman"      "DON"T  FLINCH" 

  

 

   

   

Should've read the entire thread, Dennis.  I specifically said I am not ripping the freshmen.  But I don't think I'm saying anything out of line that the sooner they pick it up, the better.

And yes, I am saying they didn't give the effort.  Yes, they came back and won, but that's because of the offense.  Valpo easily could have won.  Wood had an open look for three when they were down 2 with :15 to go.  He just didn't can it.  This was our worst defensive performance so far this season.

Thanks for the stats, though.  How about this one?  1.  That's the number of defense rebounds Reggie managed last night.  Ivo and Reggie routinely failed to box out and allowed Valpo to rebound 35% of their misses.  That is unacceptable.  That's not talent.  That's effort, and I will absolutely speak out against a lack of it.

Do you really, honestly think they gave 40 minutes out there?  Because I don't.  Feel free to tell them that, though, because I know I could've gotten some of those boards they simply gave away.

Do people really talk about the game in the chat room while they're at the game?

         I read your entire post Dragon Boy, You calling out TJ and Ric,  is just one of your arrogant ways in doing so,  then you act so innocent like "I wasn't ripping the Freshman"    All you are, is an Arrogant Pencil Pushin Sports Writer wanna be.  Maybe if you would of put a little more EFFORT in your appearance  last night,   like painting your face, we might of won by 30. But you failed to put out the EFFORT.

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Dennis "Gman"    "DON"T FLINCH"

Tough to judge intensity when all you see is the screen.  Might want to reserve those sort of comments to those times when you're actually in the house.

I saw no need for concern last night.  it's kind of like volleyball - struggled early and if i'm not mistaken, are MAC champs and playing in the big dance.

Give these folks a chance and take a break and watch "It's A Wonderful Life" between now and Christmas.

Never saw it. Any good?

(note: SBH, I just quoted your post due to the mentioning of Russ' comment on effort and Keely)

Are some of you guys serious?  Do you pay attention or do you just look for the negaitive.

I do not care what Russ says on the air, we out boarded Valpo by 10!!!!  Ivo Baltic had a career high 9 boards and someone says he didn't work hard enough!!!!!  That is NOT getting out worked!  We held them to 41% from the field and less than 30% from 3 pt, that once again is NOT shoddy defense.  We blocked 6 of their shots, that is not horrible effort.

Regarding Russ calling Keely out, here is his line and in only 20 min of action that is not bad production.

 Keely, Reggie....... f  5-8    0-0    0-0    3  1  4   3  10  2  1  2  0  20

I think there are three problems here:  1 some have unrealistic expectations of this team, because guys put up career highs and they are dogging it!, and if we don't win every game by 15 points we suck!  2.  Some of you simply complain to hear yourself, and really fail to educate yourself with any facts.  3 our style of play makes for a lot of possessions, which will yield higher point totals for and against, For years people decried the double high post grind that Larry employed with low scoring offense and pretty good defense, for an up tempo game.

If we were so bad defensively how did we out board them by 10?  How did we hold them to 40% from the field. (I am just giving you cold hard numbers, you guys are making inferences to judgements in no particular play)....To read your guys comments we are lucky we didn't get run out of our own gym.  Valpo is not chopped liver, they are a pretty good ball culb with a very good and veteran coaching staff.


And I love how for 8 months out of the year I am called Mr. Sky is falling, Mr. Negative, but when the season begins I am the one saying we are o.k., will be o.k..  Last year, I said all season this team was fine, they were coming along.  Few cared to enjoy watching them grow with me, they just jumped on the wagon at the end, and cried the rest of the time.

Hard facts here on Thanksgiving....I think some people are forgetting just how horrible MAC basketball is. I love it more than anyone, but this conference can't find a way to beat non-conference teams of equal talent on a consistent basis. Case in point...Ball State last night. The Cardinals held St. John's scoreless for 7 minutes and still lost. It's pathetic...I really thought the conference would improve in non-conference games this year, but I was dead wrong. It's still the same old situation.

This team won't be ready for the MAC? Think again.

I swear I heard you shouting 'Help!," Squared.