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Post by Rogobob77 on Feb 25, 2022 9:57:21 GMT -5
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Post by uofdfan1983 on Feb 25, 2022 12:36:49 GMT -5
In our PFWEOWE Game Notes, I found this interesting stat:
Detroit Mercy committed 12 turnovers against Cleveland State and is second in the HL and 95th in the nation with 11.8 turnovers per game.
I never thought of us as being particularly TO-prone this season but also never thought we were better than most. As many of us mention, AD will make some glaring TOs throughout the course of a game, but I am noticing that we seem to be winning the TO battle more than not lately and in a close game like yesterday's, it becomes a key factor. It seems like some of our TOs turn into runout dunks by the opponent so they tend to stick in our craw longer. But I do remember some sloppy and boneheaded TOs by Cleveland yesterday as well.
While AD is not a classic PG, he has greatly improved his decision-making and is sharing the ball much better. McAdoo is fairly similar in that regards. Kyle is a true PG - doesn't look to shoot but is strong and solid with the ball and even starting to attack the lane on the dribble a bit. Others such as Johnson, Harvey and very big guard Waterman actually handle the ball pretty well. Willie tends to fumble the ball underneath sometimes but is a very solid ballhandler/decision-maker from the . high post where he usually hangs out.
Just a realization that something that has bothered me about the Titans for years has actually become an advantage.
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Post by Rogobob77 on Feb 25, 2022 19:27:13 GMT -5
Just wanted to pass along that there will be free Buddy’s pizza in the Titan Club for tomorrow’s game. Be sure to get to Calihan early as there will be Senior Day festivities honoring Antoine Davis, Matt Johnson, and Willy Isiani beginning at 12:40 p.m.
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Post by Commissioner on Feb 25, 2022 21:35:09 GMT -5
Fort Wayne When: Saturday, February 26, 1:00 p.m. Where: Calihan Hall TV: ESPN Plus (Now with added caffeine!) Radio: WLQV 1500 AM & 92.7 FM
Much has happened since the Titans and Mastodons faced off six weeks ago in scenic Fort Wayne. The Elephants beat a cold-shooting Titan squad by just two points 62-60, the Titans first defeat in conference play. Fort Wayne split their next 6 games (including a gimme win over UM-Dearborn), and then caught fire in February, and come into this game on an 8-game winning streak, with a chance to gain a share of the regular season title if they can beat the Titans and have Oakland knock off Cleveland State. They've clinched a first round bye in the HL tournament, and will claim the #2 seed with a win. If they lose, however, perhaps the most likely scenario is that Wright State and Northern Kentucky win, and PFW drops to the #4 seed--which means they could host the Titans on Thursday in the tournament quarter-finals.
While their 8 game winning streak has finally gotten people paying attention, the 'Dons have been playing good ball since early in the year--they're 14-3 since January 6. Detroit, meanwhile, is playing for at least a chance at a first round bye--they need to win, and have Robert Morris upset Wright State in Dayton. We're also trying to extend a 15 game home court winning streak. A win would guarantee at least a .500 season two years running, which hasn't happened since a 4 year run over .500 from 2010-13.
As I noted in the preview of our January match-up, "the Mastodons are a team loaded with three-point shooters, which makes them very dangerous on any given night." Currently PFW is 33rd nationally at 37.24%, down a bit from last year, when as a team they hit 40% and were 4th best in the nation. The Titans are right behind them at 37.11%, 36th nationally. The Mastodons nailed 16 treys in blowing out Oakland on Thursday at the McRena. If you like the long ball, this should be your kind of game.
Fort Wayne is led by a pair of high-scoring senior guards, Jarred Godfrey and Jalon Pipkins. Godfrey, the big (6-5) all-purpose guard, is averaging 15.1 points while shooting 38% from three. He also leads the team in assists. Pipkins is averaging 13.7 points, but has shot just 30.7% from three (down from 44% last year). Back-up guard Deonte Billups is shooting over 40% from deep and forward Bobby Planutis over 38%. A third guard, Damian Chong-Qui, is sinking 36.4% of his three point attempts. Senior power forward Ra Kpedi is the team's leading rebounder and primary low post threat, although he only takes about 5 shots per game.
Besides three point shooting, the other things Fort Wayne has going for it are age, experience, and regularity. Pipkins, Planutis, and Kpedi are 5th-year seniors (actually juniors in eligibilty thanks to last year's Covid waiver); Godfrey and Chong-Qui are true seniors, 6th-man Billups a junior. Back-up forward Cameron Benford is also a 5th year senior. The same 5 players--Chong-Qui, Godfrey, Pipkins, Planutis, and Kpedi--have started all 29 games, except that Kpedi gave way to Benford for one game two weeks ago at Cleveland State (Kpedi ended up logging 40 minutes in a double overtime game). Freshman guard Jo Jo Peterson is the only other player who sees significant minutes, although sophomores Jonathan DeJurnett and Jarvis Walker see the floor most games.
The Mastodons use a free-wheeling offense with few set plays and barely any set pattern, and having all those seniors helps make it work. When they get rolling you have to keep your poise and slow them down. They're also a superb free-throw shooting team. Pipkins, and Chong-Qui are at 87% and 82% respectively, Godfrey at 78%, and Planutis at 96%, albeit in just 28 attempts. Intentional fouling isn't going to work if you're behind late--which is what the Titans found in January, when the Mastodons scored all but two of their points in the final 6:30 from the foul line.
PFW plays an up-tempo game, but its offense isn't terribly efficient and, as often happens with that style of play, they can be prone to turnovers. But they press a fair amount and force a lot of turnovers, too. The Titans have had a lot of trouble with the press the last few seasons, but they did a reasonable job breaking WSU's press in the second half last weekend, and a better job breaking CSU's press on Thursday. In contrast to the Mastodons, Detroit has been a very deliberate team this year, so there should be some tug of war there as the two squads battle over tempo. While both teams are excellent at the foul line, the perimeter style of play favored by both means they rarely get to the line. This game could flow by quite quickly, with relatively few work stoppages.
Big game. Go Titans!
Probable Fort Wayne Starters PG: #2, Damion Chong Qui, 5-8 Sr. (10.2 ppg, 3.7 apg, 36.4% 3Pt) SG: #50, Jalon Pipkins, 6-4 RS Sr. (13.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.1 apg, 30.6% 3Pt) G: #1, Jarred Godfrey, 6-5 Sr. (15.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.9 apg, 38.1% 3Pt) F: #0, Bobby Planutis, 6-8 RS Sr. (8.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 38.2% 3Pt) PF: #3, Ra Kpedi, 6-9 RS Sr. (8.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 64.7% FG)
On the Bench G: #15, Deonte Billups, 6-4 Jr. (9.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 40.4% 3Pt) SG: #10, Jo Jo Peterson, 6-5 Fr. (3.5 ppg, 35.8% 3Pt) G: #4, Jarvis Walker, 6-2 RS Fr. (2.0 ppg) F: #5, Jonathon DeJurnette, 6-8 Soph. (2.6 ppg) F: #24 Cameron Benford, 6-8 RS Sr. (0.8 ppg)
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Post by Rogobob77 on Feb 25, 2022 21:55:16 GMT -5
Titans favored by 3.5 points.
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Post by Commissioner on Feb 26, 2022 9:06:29 GMT -5
Anybody got any word on AD's status? How's the shoulder?
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Post by uofdfan1983 on Feb 26, 2022 9:57:20 GMT -5
Heard he went to the Doctor Fri AM and got an OK to go. Not sure if it will affect his game today but he's very lucky that it popped right back into place. My wife (ER Doc) said the pain usually subsides substantially as soon as it is put back into its socket (that's what happened Thurs night) but she recommends not raising the arm above your head for about 2 weeks. In his case, AD raised his arm above his head about 2 minutes after it was popped back in place and swished a 3 pointer in the process.
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Post by Commissioner on Feb 26, 2022 10:06:59 GMT -5
BTW, AD should easily pass Steph Curry on the NCAA's all-time scoring list today, along with Troy Bell (Boston College 2000-03) and Jon Elmore (Marshall 2016-19). He would need a big game (33 points) to catch Oklahoma's Waymon Tisdale and enter the top 30 on the all-time list.
Personally, I'm hoping for a blowout win that allows MD to limit AD's PT, rest his shoulder and finish with 10 points.
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Post by upbasketballfan on Feb 26, 2022 13:18:19 GMT -5
My wish for today is that Jeramy Otto will shut up and just watch the game. He absolutely ruins the game.
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Post by udballer on Feb 26, 2022 13:29:17 GMT -5
IPFW starting strong. They share the ball well. I didn't recall them being this good of a passing team. Has resulted in some easy early dunks.
After a poor first couple minutes, were keeping within striking distance
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Post by upbasketballfan on Feb 26, 2022 13:30:51 GMT -5
Gotta love Koka, McAdoo’s guy beats him on a drive and Our 7’0” guy backs up and screens out his man allowing a lay up.
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Post by Commissioner on Feb 26, 2022 13:51:45 GMT -5
So, at the half PFW is shooting 75% overall and 67% from three, and up just 8 points. They've also got fewer turnovers. So have we dodged a bullet, and will overpower them in the second half? Or is the damn about to break on a blowout loss?
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Post by Commissioner on Feb 26, 2022 13:58:48 GMT -5
My wish for today is that Jeramy Otto will shut up and just watch the game. He absolutely ruins the game. I find Jeremy to be easy to listen to. He's not the best, but he's a young guy. His voice isn't grating, he has just the right amount of excitement. As long as the play by play guy isn't a total homer and doesn't feel the need to have a stupid three-point call ("Of courrrsse!") I don't really care who does the play by play. Except I will always be a Keith Jackson fan.
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Post by motorcitysam on Feb 26, 2022 14:03:30 GMT -5
I'm listening to the game, not watching it, so I don't have the best insight. Seems to me that Matt Johnson is playing well, but he got the harshest criticism from MD Jr. in the halftime interview. For some reason, MJ always seems to be the target of the coaches, but his play doesn't seem to warrant that. At least from my vantage point.
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Post by udballer on Feb 26, 2022 14:10:46 GMT -5
I'm listening to the game, not watching it, so I don't have the best insight. Seems to me that Matt Johnson is playing well, but he got the harshest criticism from MD Jr. in the halftime interview. For some reason, MJ always seems to be the target of the coaches, but his play doesn't seem to warrant that. At least from my vantage point. Completely agree. I've thought the same. Calihan not enforcing any kind of mask policy today. I see several people that I'm pretty sure didn't even come with one. Other than the occasional announcement, seems completely lax.
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