Luka - key

[Robster Raws]

Since the Mich game...we’ve played pretty poorly overall. We’re 4-4 since, but even the wins were touch and go and needed a few miracles.

Luka is averaging 6.7 pts, on 6 FGA/game in that stretch.

In my opinion, his production is key. Not earth shattering, I know. But even if teams take him away...Cook should feast. Or shooters wide open w a little ball reversal.

It just seems like we haven’t even tried to get him going, post touches he needs. He’s had a few games w early foul trouble (the 2 foul rule w Fran don’t get me started) but IMO, we stand a much better chance to turn this around when he’s getting 10+ FGA.

 

[EpenesaEpenesa]

He’s had 4 total rebounds in the last 3 games

 

[bojihawk44]

He can't rebound or defend and that's getting exposed. It's clearly hurt his confidence, but he can't stay in the game and get in a rhythm when he's become such a liability. Plus, he just doesn't understand how to use his body to defend and commits some horrendous fouls which leads to more bench time.

 

[Robster Raws]

I get and complain about his deficiencies all the time (bad D, poor rebounding) but he was/has been productive despite all that for a good chunk of the year.

But his offense and our focus on him offensively has seemingly vanished.

 

[Carolina Hawk]

He needs to stop shooting 3s

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

Teams have figured out that if he is in space, all you need to do is drive and he will try to move, but foul because his feet are incredibly slow.

 

[HawkLogic]

Garza's production drop definitely correlates with the slide, but I think a lot of the Garza's slide has been better opposing defense and refs are letting more things go in 2nd half of season. Getting friendly calls on road is always a challenge---but it didn't matter vs Wisconsin because Hawks sucked arse shooting ball/taking care of the ball/rebounding so they would have lost regardless of how friendly the refs were.

I think Garza needs to get bigger/stronger and at least defend post better. He's never going to be good defender in space/help defense.

 

[SotaHawk87]

He can't rebound or defend and that's getting exposed. It's clearly hurt his confidence, but he can't stay in the game and get in a rhythm when he's become such a liability. Plus, he just doesn't understand how to use his body to defend and commits some horrendous fouls which leads to more bench time.

Also he picks up his first foul every damn time in the first minute then plays soft the rest of the half and by that times it’s too late. Seriously wonder if Kreiner playing the first
Four minutes would help?

 

[Steve Waite]

Also he picks up his first foul every damn time in the first minute then plays soft the rest of the half and by that times it’s too late. Seriously wonder if Kreiner playing the first
Four minutes would help?

At this point I think Kreiner has earned the starting spot at Center. He was our leading scorer and he's a much better defender and rebounder than Garza.
The starting lineup has to change. I would start Jbo, Dailey, Weiskamp, Baer, & Kreiner for Nebraska.
Moss, Cook & Garza have been terrible and a liability on defense. I would bring Connor, Riley Till and any other walk on that wants to show effort off the bench for spot minutes so starters cam catch their breath.

 

[Ihawkhoops]

Since the Mich game...we’ve played pretty poorly overall. We’re 4-4 since, but even the wins were touch and go and needed a few miracles.

Luka is averaging 6.7 pts, on 6 FGA/game in that stretch.

In my opinion, his production is key. Not earth shattering, I know. But even if teams take him away...Cook should feast. Or shooters wide open w a little ball reversal.

It just seems like we haven’t even tried to get him going, post touches he needs. He’s had a few games w early foul trouble (the 2 foul rule w Fran don’t get me started) but IMO, we stand a much better chance to turn this around when he’s getting 10+ FGA.

I think opponents know what Luka's one and only move is. He is going to use a ball fake to get a guy in the air and go up and under. Stand there with your arms up and make him go through you. He has great touch and should square up and take mid-range shots. Pick and pop with him at the free throw line like the women do with MG.

Teams collapse on the post guys and the guards stare down the post and force passes into traffic. Even if the guy catches it he can't do anything with. Garza should be able to abuse smaller guys in the post with a simple step back or quick flip like Kriener uses but he doesn't have those moves.

 

[Bulldogs1974]

I think opponents know what Luka's one and only move is. He is going to use a ball fake to get a guy in the air and go up and under. Stand there with your arms up and make him go through you. He has great touch and should square up and take mid-range shots. Pick and pop with him at the free throw line like the women do with MG.

Teams collapse on the post guys and the guards stare down the post and force passes into traffic. Even if the guy catches it he can't do anything with. Garza should be able to abuse smaller guys in the post with a simple step back or quick flip like Kriener uses but he doesn't have those moves.

He's got to go with his first move once and awhile. He's gotten to the point that if his up and under isn't there he can't do anything. He need to get back to jump hooks, face ups, and pick and pops. Things will open up from there.

 

[Ihawkhoops]

He's got to go with his first move once and awhile. He's gotten to the point that if his up and under isn't there he can't do anything. He need to get back to jump hooks, face ups, and pick and pops. Things will open up from there.

I agree but I don't know if he is quick enough to take a guy who squares up on him. Once he puts the ball on the deck bad things tend to happen. Once he picks his dribble or tries to spin the ball is at his waist and his height advantage is negated. Of Cook, Garza, and Kriener I think Kriener has the best post moves because he feels for the defender first before making a move and gets some leverage. It seems spacing has become a major problem for the entire offense---guards getting too close to post guys, no clean passing angles and if the post guy touches it he is out of his comfort zone and isn't catching it in rhythm.

 

[Buddehawk]

This team can not function with 1 or 2 players performing well, they need 3 preferably 4 players scoring points for a majority of the game. All of our guys need the others to be performing well to create opportunities for them. Jbo, Cook, Joe could maybe carry them the last couple of minutes.

I think Luka's 9 lb tumor that was removed just before the season has caught up with him and he is drained, no energy

Joe's back has knocked him down a bit.

Everyone has forgot what it takes to play defense the way they were earlier in the year.

Most shots seem to be thrown at the rim rather than with correct focus and form. Their movement and timing is poor.

I think they got comfortable playing from behind and coming back from behind but winning percentage for teams that fall behind by 8-10 points in the 1st half can't be that good 30%?? at best??

How would I describe the play the last few games?? It looks like the are playing a pickup game in the rec center after an all night bender.