Now that we've had some time to vent frustrations to how the season ended, thought it'd be good for a quick wrap up to the season that was and a slight look forward.. it was the first season that MT had consistent guard depth and the difference was significant. The team played really hard and for each other and it was a fun group to root for as fans.
26-11 overall, 24-11 vs D1s, 13-5 in CUSA regular season- East Division Champs, 7-4 non-conf, 4-2 postseason
13-0 at home, 5-9 on road, 6-2 at neutral sites- current streak of 17 home wins is T-7th best in the nation.
Final Rankings: NET 95, RPI 60
Like many young teams MT struggled early in the year to find offensive flow and really took a little longer than I hoped to figure out what good perimeter shots were- but eventually they found overall confidence in the outside shooting.. had the COVID break which coincided with the start of CUSA play but the team responded in a big way reeling off wins in 13 of the next 14 games after that 3 game losing skid.. momentum obviously shifted some when Jefferson went down late.
The teams identified was established on the defensive side of the ball- advanced stats show:
#78th team in defensive ratings (opp points/100 possessions)
#47 in steal %
#45 in block %
#46 in 3pt % allowed
#88 in 2pt % allowed
#58 in overall FG% allowed
Worst defensive stat: #229 in defensive rebounding- some is the scheme (gambling for steals/help/recover/out of position) and some is not boxing out or guys leaking out before the board is secured.
Team was #307 in fouls.. we all knew this was an issue and MT will need improvement/smarter situational play in this area going forward.
Offensively the team ended up figuring things out shooting wise- despite the poor OOC shooting..
#62 in the country in 2 pt %, #125 overall FG %- but #205 in 3 pt % bit the team in a few games, especially that Ole Miss game..
#49 in FT %
#109 in Offensive Rebounding
Major areas for improvement aside from the 3 pt shooting is in the assists area:
#188 in assists/gm
#215 in assist/TO ratio
#220 TO/game
#307 in fouls
I'd like to see more growth/consistency in true road games.
Some roster questions still to be answered with 1 or 2 scholarships in play:
Seniors: Dishman, Jordan
Juniors: Weston, Lawrence, King, Millin, Coleman-Jones
Sophs: Buford, Lenard, Fussell- new additions Jestin Porter, TreVon Smith
Freshmen:
From a position breakdown (in no particular order)
PG: Weston, Porter
SG: Jordan, Smith, King
Wings: Lawrence, Buford, Lenard
BIGS: Dishman, Fussell, Millin, Coleman-Jones
I won't post yet on individual areas for improvement with each player but if Lawrence and King are any indications then the staff and players are doing well in these areas and know what they need to do..
26-11 overall, 24-11 vs D1s, 13-5 in CUSA regular season- East Division Champs, 7-4 non-conf, 4-2 postseason
13-0 at home, 5-9 on road, 6-2 at neutral sites- current streak of 17 home wins is T-7th best in the nation.
Final Rankings: NET 95, RPI 60
Like many young teams MT struggled early in the year to find offensive flow and really took a little longer than I hoped to figure out what good perimeter shots were- but eventually they found overall confidence in the outside shooting.. had the COVID break which coincided with the start of CUSA play but the team responded in a big way reeling off wins in 13 of the next 14 games after that 3 game losing skid.. momentum obviously shifted some when Jefferson went down late.
The teams identified was established on the defensive side of the ball- advanced stats show:
#78th team in defensive ratings (opp points/100 possessions)
#47 in steal %
#45 in block %
#46 in 3pt % allowed
#88 in 2pt % allowed
#58 in overall FG% allowed
Worst defensive stat: #229 in defensive rebounding- some is the scheme (gambling for steals/help/recover/out of position) and some is not boxing out or guys leaking out before the board is secured.
Team was #307 in fouls.. we all knew this was an issue and MT will need improvement/smarter situational play in this area going forward.
Offensively the team ended up figuring things out shooting wise- despite the poor OOC shooting..
#62 in the country in 2 pt %, #125 overall FG %- but #205 in 3 pt % bit the team in a few games, especially that Ole Miss game..
#49 in FT %
#109 in Offensive Rebounding
Major areas for improvement aside from the 3 pt shooting is in the assists area:
#188 in assists/gm
#215 in assist/TO ratio
#220 TO/game
#307 in fouls
I'd like to see more growth/consistency in true road games.
Some roster questions still to be answered with 1 or 2 scholarships in play:
Seniors: Dishman, Jordan
Juniors: Weston, Lawrence, King, Millin, Coleman-Jones
Sophs: Buford, Lenard, Fussell- new additions Jestin Porter, TreVon Smith
Freshmen:
From a position breakdown (in no particular order)
PG: Weston, Porter
SG: Jordan, Smith, King
Wings: Lawrence, Buford, Lenard
BIGS: Dishman, Fussell, Millin, Coleman-Jones
I won't post yet on individual areas for improvement with each player but if Lawrence and King are any indications then the staff and players are doing well in these areas and know what they need to do..