Observations from a disappointing game

[zaglaw]

This is a very disappointing loss. We had a chance tonight to make a statement and take the lead in the conference. Instead we laid an egg. We got outworked on the glass tonight. SDSU had too many second chance opportunities and they took advantage. At 6'9 Daniel has got to pull down more than 4 boards in 29 minutes. Roman had one more board than he did and played 6 fewer minutes. Gary had the same number and played 12 fewer minutes. I am disappointed in Daniel's effort on the glass tonight. There were too many times were Amoroso would go up and tip the ball away, only to have it controlled by another SDSU player. This could be a problem in future games against BYU and Utah in particular who both have a tall frontline.

JR put forth another great effort with 24points 11 boards and 4 assists. The guy is playing great right now.

Toppert struggled from the floor tonight which will happen occassionally. Even the best shooters have off nights and tonight was one of those.

We killed ourselves from the line tonight going 10-20. This combined with a minus 10 rebound margin were the difference in the game.

The bench seems to have gotten even shorter tonight. I am not sure if that is a function of having a full week off and Alford thought the team was well rested, or a harbinger of things to come the rest of the way. Wills seems to have completely fallen out of the rotation.

I am off to bed in hopes that when I wake in the morning this loss will seem more palable. :cry

New Mexico Lobos
STARTERS MIN FGM-A FTM-A OFF REB AST PF PTS
D. Faris, F 29 3-8 3-6 1 4 0 3 9
R. Martinez, G-F 23 3-7 0-0 5 5 2 3 7
J. Giddens, G 34 10-18 3-6 4 11 2 0 24
C. Toppert, G 28 2-9 0-2 0 1 2 3 5
D Gary 17 3-5 0-0 1 4 0 2 7
BENCH MIN FGM-A FTM-A OFF REB AST PF PTS
D. Prentice, G 24 2-7 0-0 0 1 3 1 5
J. Smith, G 26 2-3 3-4 0 2 3 2 9
J Harris 10 0-2 0-0 1 1 0 2 0
M Pegues 9 0-1 1-2 0 1 1 1 1
TOTALS FGM-A FTM-A OFF REB AST PF PTS
25-60 10-20 12 30 13 17 67
41.7% 50.0%
TEAM REBS: 4
TURNOVERS: 8 (D Gary 2, J Giddens 1, D Faris 4, R Martinez 1)
BLOCKED SHOTS: 6 (C Toppert 1, J Harris 1, J Giddens 1, D Prentice 2, D Faris 1)
STEALS: 4 (D Gary 2, D Prentice 2)
3-PT FGS: 7-18, .389 (C Toppert 1-5, D Gary 1-1, J Smith 2-2, J Giddens 1-4, D Prentice 1-4, R Martinez 1-2)

[UNMfan]

It is tough when a team only has 3 'bigs' on a roster and especially when none of them play all that big.

SDSU was bigger at every position, it takes its toll no doubt.

But you are right, they laid an egg....hey, it happens...the timing stunk though.

But maybe this team needs a game like this every now and then to remind them that they are going to have to outwork all of their opponents to be successfull since they aren't of superior size and talent.

[UNMfan]

Win a few, lose a few. Me, I'll blame McK*y for recruiting few adequate big men. We'll have more bigs next year.

Yeah, let's go find a Liberty message board and blame McKay for all of our woes (a la "Iowa Fan"....lol)

[zoom]

with all the bad, i wouldn't be surprised if we beat them there...i've watched the aztecs play and they can play as poorly as they can play very well which they did tonite...

[wallyhopp]

bounces.. those damn unlucky bounces..

thats ultimately life though. i cant fault noone for much of what happened out there

[Wolfen1]

Alford said it all on the Post Game show when he said "we're just frustrated( coaches ) because we just don't know where we're going to get those rebounds from, other than JR, but he can't get them all."

[UNMfan]

It wasn't just "unlucky" bounces...it was missed free throws, blown defensive assignments and missed scoring opportunities and some boneheaded post play...(seems like everyone was in a shooting slump tonight)...

[LoboMike]

I'm stunned. That was a BAD loss. Alford can blame the lack of rebounding on our lack of size, but he's choosing to go smaller than he necessarily has to. Faris was atrocious tonight. Maybe Monquel and Johnnie need more of a chance???

[UNMfan]

Harris showed some offensive moves early on in the season, and seemed quite good at the pick-and-roll.

Faris was playing at a high level the last few games though...but as well as he played those games, he played just as poorly tonight.

[Canes-Lobos]

We lost to a team w/ more talent! The Lobos had been playing over their heads the past few games. When you look at the aztecs, they have the most talent in the conference. A buddy said this was the best overall game that the aztecs have played all year. It's difficult for Coach Alford to play Quel or Johnnie when they don't perform in practice and then miss easy assignments when given the opportunity during a game. We don't have the athletes to match the aztecs; nights like this they need to play a complete TEAM game to win. Outside of JR, what Lobo matches-up very well w/ any of the aztecs?

[UNMfan]

The team was ragged from the begining, even gaining the 14 point lead...i felt it was going to be a bad night....things were definitely not very crisp...

[LoboMike]

We lost to a team w/ more talent! The Lobos had been playing over their heads the past few games. When you look at the aztecs, they have the most talent in the conference. A buddy said this was the best overall game that the aztecs have played all year. It's difficult for Coach Alford to play Quel or Johnnie when they don't perform in practice and then miss easy assignments when given the opportunity during a game. We don't have the athletes to match the aztecs; nights like this they need to play a complete TEAM game to win. Outside of JR, what Lobo matches-up very well w/ any of the aztecs?

Wow. I'm not sure about that. SDSU plays about six guys, none over 6-8. Their starting PG was out, so they started a freshman there. Besides Wade and Spain, I just don't see all this supposed SDSU talent. I don't think they will "out-talent" BYU at all. We were simply outhustled, outworked and outplayed tonight.

BYU, IMO, is the most talented team. They have the wings (Cummard and Tavernari) to easily matchup with Wade and Spain and the hoss inside (Plaisted).

[growler]

Wow. I'm not sure about that. SDSU plays about six guys, none over 6-8. Their starting PG was out, so they started a freshman there. Besides Wade and Spain, I just don't see all this supposed SDSU talent. I don't think they will "out-talent" BYU at all. We were simply outhustled, outworked and outplayed tonight.

BYU, IMO, is the most talented team. They have the wings (Cummard and Tavernari) to easily matchup with Wade and Spain and the hoss inside (Plaisted).

Agree completely.

[wallyhopp]

lobomike, throw in OUTLUCKED.. many fans wont remember that crap but the bounces or tips that went against us time and time again were brutual. we seriously had ZERO breaks. the game was meant to be a loss imo.

[Dirtman]

Crisp or not the Lobos played to the end. Aztecs had a really good game and the lobos had a an off night. Alford will have them ready for the next game and this loss might keep the Lobos in check.

[Stratosphere]

lobomike, throw in OUTLUCKED.. many fans wont remember that crap but the bounces or tips that went against us time and time again were brutual. we seriously had ZERO breaks. the game was meant to be a loss imo.Not to mentions some bad calls at crucial points in the game.....

[UNMfan]

"luck" certainly played a role.....but oftentimes in basketball, as in life, you make your own luck...

[wallyhopp]

i dont know man. they were on the ground going after loose balls. they were getting steals and deflections yet time and time again, it ended up in an unguarded aztecs hands and just like that an easy set of pts.

i felt almost like the players going into TOs would tell coach, what the hell are we supposed to do? i mean what do you tell your guys when there playing balls out and just arent getting the lucky draw that night.

[LoboAuto]

Tru that, we couldn't buy a bucket all night, from the first to the last, it wasn't our night tonight. I thought we were going to put them away in the first half leading by 12. Then it was over. You win some you lose some. Go lobos.....................

[Roob]

Wow. I'm not sure about that. SDSU plays about six guys, none over 6-8. Their starting PG was out, so they started a freshman there. Besides Wade and Spain, I just don't see all this supposed SDSU talent. I don't think they will "out-talent" BYU at all. We were simply outhustled, outworked and outplayed tonight.

BYU, IMO, is the most talented team. They have the wings (Cummard and Tavernari) to easily matchup with Wade and Spain and the hoss inside (Plaisted).

Mike, SDSU has always had a reputation for having superior talent, but somehow, possibly because of Fischer's poor coaching, their talent did not translate into lots of wins. I don't think this year's team is any different. I still have confidence we can beat SDSU, but we need to be shooting well and will need a few breaks to go our way (long rebounds, officiating, etc.). It was their night tonight - it's going to happen from time to time. It wouldn't surprise me if we beat them on the road this year.

[Bloo]

It wouldn't surprise me if we beat them on the road this year.

I said the exact same thing to The Missus, San Jo, and sergriego in the shuttle back to the Vagabond after the game.

[LoboMike]

Mike, SDSU has always had a reputation for having superior talent, but somehow, possibly because of Fischer's poor coaching, their talent did not translate into lots of wins. I don't think this year's team is any different. I still have confidence we can beat SDSU, but we need to be shooting well and will need a few breaks to go our way (long rebounds, officiating, etc.). It was their night tonight - it's going to happen from time to time. It wouldn't surprise me if we beat them on the road this year.

They did a few years ago when they had Heath, Slaughter and Abukar all together along with some other pretty good players. No so this year, however. Aside from Wade and Spain, this is not an extremely talented Aztec team. They certainly outplayed us tonight, but I'm not buying that they were exceptionally more talented as an excuse. We just didn't come to play for whatever reason. That's quite disappointing.

[Mark]

Slaughters his name Roob! lol

[Roob]

Slaughters his name Roob! lol

Your power or recollection is astounding!!!!! How did you possibly remember?

[Roob]

I said the exact same thing to The Missus, San Jo, and sergriego in the shuttle back to the Vagabond after the game.

Shuttle??? What shuttle??? I walked back to the Vagabond. It was a nice walk except for having to outrun some panhandlers and a lady who wanted to "date" me. I think I'll wait for the shuttle next time.

[bo]

i was there tonight.

SDS had much more talented and bigger players up front and we just had no answers for them.
Help is on the way. Be patient people. Just be patient.

[loborick]

We got outhustled. The Aztecs wanted it more than the Lobos did. I was afraid that was going to happen...we were going to go in fat and happy and they were going into the game pissed. They were and they took it out on the Lobos. Half of rebounding is desire...they wanted the loose balls more than the Lobos did. I remember many times when a Lobo was closest to the ball, yet an Aztec came up with it.

I hope this is a wake up call. I think the team has been reading the press clippings too much. Well, Murky, Rick Wrong and Dicky will have fun tomorrow.

[LoboMike]

We got outhustled. The Aztecs wanted it more than the Lobos did. I was afraid that was going to happen...we were going to go in fat and happy and they were going into the game pissed. They were and they took it out on the Lobos. Half of rebounding is desire...they wanted the loose balls more than the Lobos did. I remember many times when a Lobo was closest to the ball, yet an Aztec came up with it.

I hope this is a wake up call. I think the team has been reading the press clippings too much. Well, Murky, Rick Wrong and Dicky will have fun tomorrow.

You nailed it, Rick. It's not that SDSU was way more talented or bigger inside. They simply wanted it more. I hope we learned a tough lesson tonight. That effort was unacceptable.

[Lobo_for_life]

I thought we had poor effort for about ten of the forty minutes, and were out-athleted at three to four of the five positions most of the night.

As for our poor inside play, Faris is still our best option. Monquel can't find the basket or his man, and Johnnie lacks any semblance of confidence or aggression when he's in there.

[LoboMike]

Are we going to make some adjustments in order to not get dominated on the boards? That's what I want to know. Playing a smaller lineup and playing zone is a recipe for that to happen and that is exactly what is happening. Not just tonight, but also at Wyoming. If Alford is expecting a Chad Toppert or Roman Martinez to out-rebound a Kevin Langford on Tuesday night, I can tell you right now that that isn't going to happen either. So, he needs to ask some of the players with more size to step up or devise a strategy to help the smaller lineup rebound better. Possibly less zone or something else like asking the guards to battle more on the boards. I don't know.

JR is doing all he can. Faris is someone who really needs to pull his head out. His performance was most disappointing tonight. I'm not against giving MP or JH more of an opportunity, as I've said. There has been games where this team has rebounded a lot better. We need to find out what helps us do that best.

[Bret]

I dont mean to reign on everyones "Downer" parade, but it is possible that the team could really make this game a lesson, and flourish after this.

Every team has days where they dont play so well. UNM Just came off of their first winning roadtrip in many many years. It is not abnormal to get overconfident.

We all know that they are not lazy, and I would expect to see a stellar effort the next time out.

Hey -- Even the Celtics lose.

Its all good

[Maxwell58]

Win @ TCU on Tuesday night and everything looks better.

[UNMfan]

A number of factors went into the loss. But one cannot discount the size and strength advantage that SDSU has...sometimes unlukcy bounces are really just a guy who's stronger getting a little bit more muscle into making the ball move a certain direction or getting an inch more of vert on a rebound attempt and tapping the ball out. UNM has to overcome that with crisp play...the team was ragged last night from the beginning really.

I do hope that Alford considers trying two bigs in the game at one time...at the very least their big bodies can box out the opposing team allowing the more mobile folks to grab the boards....

Ultimately though, this loss feels very similar to the Aggie road loss and the team responded quite well to that...so I am not really all that worried.

[TheMissus]

Shuttle??? What shuttle??? I walked back to the Vagabond. It was a nice walk except for having to outrun some panhandlers and a lady who wanted to "date" me. I think I'll wait for the shuttle next time.


Dude, that weren't no lady. :Afun)

[Garishwolf]

ROOBs,,,,,,yuuu,,,,,,,,,,,,,funy duude.

NOBODY TOOK CHARGE,,,,,,,,BUMMER,,,,,,,,MORE SHAKING NEEDS TO COMENCE,,,,,NOW.

OVER.

[Roob]

Dude, that weren't no lady. :Afun)

Good gawd!!!! :eek: You're on a roll today, Missus.

[lobotracks]

San Diego St , just play more physical then us, and with the officaling crew that showed up last nite it made for the right type of game for SDSU to beat us at home. SDSU maynot be more talented then us, but at two postions we were outplayed soundly. Alford shorted his rotation to about 7 to 8 players last night and he probably should have give a few minutes to Willis and more minutes to Harris. IMO the 4 position is keeping this team from winning a mwc title.

[Howler]

some have made the observation that we should consider playing two bigs simultaneously, or at least giving monquel or johnnie more minutes. I don't necessarily disagree, but I would only give them more minutes on one condition. That they understand they are on the floor to play defense, set screens, and REBOUND.

Neither of those two should consider themselves to be a primary offensive option (in moquel's case not a primary, secondary, tertiary or quadraphonic? option). I think johnnie already understands that but monquel looks to shoot way too often, imho. He shouldn't even think about shooting unless he's close enough to touch the rim with his elbow, and even then he should think twice.

I do agree that with the proper attitude and discipline, either johnnie or monquel could give us a badly needed boost in the rebounding department.

Also, as a general observation, all of our bigs need to practice free throws. If they're going to be in there banging they're going to be getting free throws. We can't be having two or three 50% foul shooters on the floor at the end of a close game.

[Roob]

some have made the observation that we should consider playing two bigs simultaneously, or at least giving monquel or johnnie more minutes. I don't necessarily disagree, but I would only give them more minutes on one condition. That they understand they are on the floor to play defense, set screens, and REBOUND.

Neither of those two should consider themselves to be a primary offensive option (in moquel's case not a primary, secondary, tertiary or quadraphonic? option). I think johnnie already understands that but monquel looks to shoot way too often, imho. He shouldn't even think about shooting unless he's close enough to touch the rim with his elbow, and even then he should think twice.

I do agree that with the proper attitude and discipline, either johnnie or monquel could give us a badly needed boost in the rebounding department.

Also, as a general observation, all of our bigs need to practice free throws. If they're going to be in there banging they're going to be getting free throws. We can't be having two or three 50% foul shooters on the floor at the end of a close game.

Nice post Howler. You make tradeoffs when you have 2 of our bigs in the game at the same time. You may pick up a couple of extra boards, but you then lose something on the offensive end. You can try to cover up some holes here and there, but ultimately it creates a hole elsewhere. Kind of like playing "whack a mole".

[Lobodawg92]

Dude, that weren't no lady. :Afun)

I was just getting ready to ask him how his date went after the game too. Now I'm a little sick! :Afun)

Go Roob!

[Lobodawg92]

Dude, that weren't no lady. :Afun)


Are we going to make some adjustments in order to not get dominated on the boards? That's what I want to know. Playing a smaller lineup and playing zone is a recipe for that to happen and that is exactly what is happening. Not just tonight, but also at Wyoming. If Alford is expecting a Chad Toppert or Roman Martinez to out-rebound a Kevin Langford on Tuesday night, I can tell you right now that that isn't going to happen either. So, he needs to ask some of the players with more size to step up or devise a strategy to help the smaller lineup rebound better. Possibly less zone or something else like asking the guards to battle more on the boards. I don't know.

JR is doing all he can. Faris is someone who really needs to pull his head out. His performance was most disappointing tonight. I'm not against giving MP or JH more of an opportunity, as I've said. There has been games where this team has rebounded a lot better. We need to find out what helps us do that best.

Dude, quit baggin so heavy on my man Faris! Everybody has a bad game, and he struggled a bit. He will work on his game and Coach will work with him!

Go Lobos!

[Roob]

I was just getting ready to ask him how his date went after the game too. Now I'm a little sick! :Afun)

Go Roob!

Dawg, I knew something was wrong when she offered me the "Pack the Pit" special for $10. That's a scary stretch of road to be walking by your lonesome. I've learned my lesson.

[Burro lobo]

Hey Roob, you're lucky she didn't offer you the "pick of the litter" special, ha ha .
Howler I feel the same way about Pegeus, time to improve his passing game. Those two need to step up their boards, no, those three need to. They should try to at least match JR's total. That is their real job in this offense, they can set up plays for them but they have to respond, if it's not open pass it out. Those offensive put backs by the Aztecs really hurt. And everyone should buy into free throws win games, early ones as well as late ones, just look what we had to do at the end when we had to foul and they put them all in.

[lobotracks]

I for one say we should give him a pass in this game , I think the only thing that I was disappointed in with Faris , is that he did not recognize the way the game was being called and did not turn up his phyiscally a couple notches to match or pass SDSU. Faris has improved but in a game that we needed his emotion , more phyiscal play he stayed the course because he knows how important it is for him to be on the floor instead saddled with foul problems. Chalk this one to his game inexperience and youth.

[LoboMike]

Dude, quit baggin so heavy on my man Faris! Everybody has a bad game, and he struggled a bit. He will work on his game and Coach will work with him!

Go Lobos!

No doubt. Everyone has a bad game. His problem seems more mental than physical, however. He was matched up against Amoroso, who is not one of SDSU's great athletes. Was disappointing to see him get outplayed by that guy. I think he'll bounce back.

[LostLobo]

The choice Alford has is between putting "bigger" players on the floor, or "better" players on the floor.
Most times, he has chosen "better".
Until and/or if Pegues and Harris get better, Alford will be limited all season. But we knew that about this team before the season.

[Mark]

The choice Alford has is between putting "bigger" players on the floor, or "better" players on the floor.
Most times, he has chosen "better".
Until and/or if Pegues and Harris get better, Alford will be limited all season. But we knew that about this team before the season.

I agree!

[BrutusXXX]

One can still consider himself a fan and see things as they truly are. The only player on the floor for the Lobos that matches up athletically was Giddens. Lobos have to do all the little things well to win against more physically talented teams. That means playing great defense, blocking out, and keeping focused. Lobos three losses all came against more athletically gifted squads, Miss, NM St, and the Aztecs. Lobos kept it relatively close in all those games, but, they lost. Why? They lost their focus and composure when the other team imposed their will on the boards.

Toppert had someone in his face all night long. That someone was stronger and more athletic. There is a misconception that that the Lobos have "BIGS" on this team.

Faris is a small 6-8 Foward, Peagues is slow and small 6-7, and Harris is 6-5 at best.

Lobos are very small. Aztecs are genuine 6-7 athletic studs. Alford and staff are doing an outstanding job with players they have to work with.

I also thought the Aztecs responded well to playing before a crowd of 17,000 plus. It brought out their best.

[UNMfan]

That was an excellent, and honest post Brutus.

[zoom]

brutus needs to get his tape measure...for every inch the lobos are shorter than advertised, the opponents are shorter than advertised also...it's all relative.

[wallyhopp]

RE: brutus's post..

adding to that, i hadnt seen so many open threes in transistion or even in the halfcourt (namely wade) in one individual game all season. im sure thats what killed the lobos @ ole miss and nmsu. i also saw wade with a powerful OPEN dunk with noone around within 5 feet. The defensive lapses were something i also hadnt seen all year except for this game. Aside from all that though, the FTs were really the nail in the coffin in an otherwise close games.

i'd have to pretty much agree that hte lobos have to play some disciplined ball to compete with the more athletic teams.

throw in some unlucky bounces and breaks and its a 5 point game.

time to look forward to the next big game tomorrow.

[lobotracks]

Pegues is about 6'8" about the same as Faris, but Harris is around 6'5" maybe 6'6" at the most. The reason I say this at the shirts and skins Harris was shorter then Roman and Toppert when they were staying next to each other. I ask Roman at the shirts and skins how tall he was and he said about 6'6". He said toppert was little taller then him.
Sdsu may at a inch or so , but they definitely had a couple better athletes.