Post by joshadam84 on Dec 3, 2014 21:15:53 GMT -6
I'm a bit behind as the Cougars have had five men's games and four women's games since the last update. Here's a brief update and my observations thus far:
Men's- The Cougars beat Trinity Christian College pretty handily, as they should given it's an NAIA school. Unfortunately, the Cougars have not had any luck against the D1 schools - losing their next four games. They've had a pretty common theme throughout this year and that is poor shooting. The team hasn't shot higher than 36.1% in the four losses. Even worse, the best 3 pt shooting percentage has been 32% in the four games. Also, they're averaging 17 turnovers in the losses with many of those unforced . Finally, the Cougars opponents' have shot 51% from the field during this four game stretch. It's pretty clear what areas they'll need to improve if they're going to have any success in the WAC this year.
As far individual players are concerned, Rosenberg will need to be the leader of this team. He's the only senior playing quality minutes and if they're ever in a tight game he's going to be the one the team goes to. With that being said, he's going to have to stay on the floor. Rosenberg makes several unnecessary fouls and is actually leading (tied) the team in personal fouls through 8 games. He's also going to have to hit his free throws. He struggled at times last year with it and appears to be a problem for him again (56.8%). Dimakos and Palmer lead the team in 3 pt percentage at 36.4%, but I'd say Glover has been their best outside shooter thus far. His percentage is slightly lower but he's shot 24 more three point shots than Dimakos.
Finally, the team just needs to get healthy. Karis has only played 11 minutes in two games. Williams has now appeared in five of their games averaging 12.2 MPG -- and as a fifth year player I'd expect more from him throughout the year. Muhammad has been a surprise to me. He's only played in 3 games and is averaging 2.3 MPG. I'm not sure if he's hurt or just the coaches decision. Regardless, he played a lot of minutes last year on a much better Cougars team so I have to believe he'd contribute a lot to the team if he gets the minutes (assuming he's healthy).
Women's- The women's team has a lot of the same problems as the men's. FG percentage - 37.1%. 3pt- 29.3%. Turnovers- 27.2 per game. Through five games, opponents are shooting 48.4% from the field and 40% from three against the Cougars. Of the above mentioned stats, the main issue for the women's side has been turnovers. I'm not sure how they can stay in a game if they continue to have 23+ turnovers. That's just way too many additional possessions to give to your opponent. If they can cut down on the turnovers, they'll definitely have a shot. Their shooting isn't great but it's definitely not horrible. If they are able to keep control of the ball then maybe we'll see a different outcome for the team. The team is spread pretty thin and a lot of starters have played large minutes so far this year. Bad decisions tend to occur with fatigue and I'm sure fatigue has set in on a number occasions for the players. The team hasn't notched a win yet this season but they haven't given up which I greatly respect.
The team's leading scorer is no surprise -- Paris Williams. She's currently averaging 10.2 ppg. Layne Murphy is just eight total points behind her on the season and is averaging 8.6 ppg. Post player Jakeisha Wells has shot 50% from the field so the team has to find a way to get her the ball. Their best outside shooter has been Konner Harris. Konner is 11/29 (37.9%) so far this year for three and she's definitely not shy to put it up. They'll need her to keep shooting and increase that percentage just a bit as she has really been their only outside threat. Layne Murphy has done the dirty work and leads the team in rebounds at 7 per game. No one else is really close to her in that stat.
If the women's team is going to have any success in the WAC this year, they'll need to limit their unforced turnovers and rebound the ball. The reason the Cougars have been outscored so bad early this season is the additional possessions they allow their opponents. The Cougars have been out rebounded 209 to 148. The offensive rebound difference is 77-40. Difference in TO- 90 (Cougars) - 136. Limit these two stats and we'll start to see a difference in the score (I know it's easier said than done!).
Men's- The Cougars beat Trinity Christian College pretty handily, as they should given it's an NAIA school. Unfortunately, the Cougars have not had any luck against the D1 schools - losing their next four games. They've had a pretty common theme throughout this year and that is poor shooting. The team hasn't shot higher than 36.1% in the four losses. Even worse, the best 3 pt shooting percentage has been 32% in the four games. Also, they're averaging 17 turnovers in the losses with many of those unforced . Finally, the Cougars opponents' have shot 51% from the field during this four game stretch. It's pretty clear what areas they'll need to improve if they're going to have any success in the WAC this year.
As far individual players are concerned, Rosenberg will need to be the leader of this team. He's the only senior playing quality minutes and if they're ever in a tight game he's going to be the one the team goes to. With that being said, he's going to have to stay on the floor. Rosenberg makes several unnecessary fouls and is actually leading (tied) the team in personal fouls through 8 games. He's also going to have to hit his free throws. He struggled at times last year with it and appears to be a problem for him again (56.8%). Dimakos and Palmer lead the team in 3 pt percentage at 36.4%, but I'd say Glover has been their best outside shooter thus far. His percentage is slightly lower but he's shot 24 more three point shots than Dimakos.
Finally, the team just needs to get healthy. Karis has only played 11 minutes in two games. Williams has now appeared in five of their games averaging 12.2 MPG -- and as a fifth year player I'd expect more from him throughout the year. Muhammad has been a surprise to me. He's only played in 3 games and is averaging 2.3 MPG. I'm not sure if he's hurt or just the coaches decision. Regardless, he played a lot of minutes last year on a much better Cougars team so I have to believe he'd contribute a lot to the team if he gets the minutes (assuming he's healthy).
Women's- The women's team has a lot of the same problems as the men's. FG percentage - 37.1%. 3pt- 29.3%. Turnovers- 27.2 per game. Through five games, opponents are shooting 48.4% from the field and 40% from three against the Cougars. Of the above mentioned stats, the main issue for the women's side has been turnovers. I'm not sure how they can stay in a game if they continue to have 23+ turnovers. That's just way too many additional possessions to give to your opponent. If they can cut down on the turnovers, they'll definitely have a shot. Their shooting isn't great but it's definitely not horrible. If they are able to keep control of the ball then maybe we'll see a different outcome for the team. The team is spread pretty thin and a lot of starters have played large minutes so far this year. Bad decisions tend to occur with fatigue and I'm sure fatigue has set in on a number occasions for the players. The team hasn't notched a win yet this season but they haven't given up which I greatly respect.
The team's leading scorer is no surprise -- Paris Williams. She's currently averaging 10.2 ppg. Layne Murphy is just eight total points behind her on the season and is averaging 8.6 ppg. Post player Jakeisha Wells has shot 50% from the field so the team has to find a way to get her the ball. Their best outside shooter has been Konner Harris. Konner is 11/29 (37.9%) so far this year for three and she's definitely not shy to put it up. They'll need her to keep shooting and increase that percentage just a bit as she has really been their only outside threat. Layne Murphy has done the dirty work and leads the team in rebounds at 7 per game. No one else is really close to her in that stat.
If the women's team is going to have any success in the WAC this year, they'll need to limit their unforced turnovers and rebound the ball. The reason the Cougars have been outscored so bad early this season is the additional possessions they allow their opponents. The Cougars have been out rebounded 209 to 148. The offensive rebound difference is 77-40. Difference in TO- 90 (Cougars) - 136. Limit these two stats and we'll start to see a difference in the score (I know it's easier said than done!).