Came out with intensity on both ends of the court. Tough D by Ish, who should have been starting from day 1 spurred the defense and Desi being Desi spurred the team on the other side of the court.
Was impressed early on with the crisp ball movement. But unfortunately as the first half continued the team began to play more one on one ball while taking shots too early during possessions.
The first half was punctuated by streaks and it was no coincidence that each streak was aided by the opposition's turnovers. First Vandy was loose with the ball allowing the Hall to stake out to a 9 point lead. Then the Commodores came back big time going up five on the heels of numerous Pirate turnovers. And then the SEC team lets the Hall back in the game at halftime again being loose with the ball.
The game was decided at the beginning of the second half with the Hall scoring early and never relinquishing the lead. Again aided by turnovers and missed shots from Vanderbilt. It seemed like there was a lid on the Vandy basket although credit should be given to the Hall's defense which stopped guard penetration protecting Angel inside.
Speaking of Angel, he is playing differently (for pro scouts?) than he has in the past. Angel more than ever is playing offense on the perimeter in the 8-15 foot range showing off his more mobile game. That however is taking him away from the basket.
Need proof? When was the last time Delgado had zero offensive rebounds in a game?
Gordon is playing within his abilities. He cannot play north to south in the halfcourt sets so he is playing it safe around the perimeter. Kudos for being the best player he can be. His goal is to maintain while he's on the court and so far job well done.
On the other hand and again I do not blame Carrington for this at all, our other PG continues to struggle on the court. You can see he is thinking every single time he has the ball. Deeno has lost his instinct to play loose and fearlessly and that's a shame. He can be so good and to date that talent is absolutely being wasted.
Hall fans can only pray at some point (pun intended) we get to see the the player who has graced the court in his first three seasons at the Hall.
Foul shooting continues to be a MAJOR issue as it has been in every single year except one under Willard's guidance. There was a brutal stretch in the middle of the second half that could have broken the game wide open if not for the continued woes from the stripe.
Desi had just hit an an one but missed the free throw. On the next possession Carrington got fouled and preceded to miss the front end of a one and one. And then Desi got fouled on a missed floater and blew both foul shots.
Who broke the streak? Well shockingly that would be Angel Delgado who after missing a shot was fouled and hit both freebies.
Almost like clockwork? In the second half after timeouts the Pirates go into a zone D. They did it often last night and have on different occasions all year long.
Shot selection during the course of the game hurt the Hall. Often, are you listening Myles Powell, the Pirates took terribly difficult jumpers with the expected lack of success. Hell, even Ish got into the act taking an ill advised three early in the shot clock in the second stanza.
For all of Powell's struggles on offense, especially from range, he continues to be a pain in the ass on D constantly disrupting the opponent's offense with his quick hands and anticipation.
Myles just has to learn to let the offense come to him. His long shooting percentage from the arc to date at SHU is not reflective of his shooting ability.
Bottom line....watching the Hall through 6 games I would classify them as a good team but nowhere near as good as I expected.
Still, the season is very early and when and if Carrington plays to his abilities this team can be a Sweet 16 one. But right now that's a distant dream.
Player profiles to follow later.
Was impressed early on with the crisp ball movement. But unfortunately as the first half continued the team began to play more one on one ball while taking shots too early during possessions.
The first half was punctuated by streaks and it was no coincidence that each streak was aided by the opposition's turnovers. First Vandy was loose with the ball allowing the Hall to stake out to a 9 point lead. Then the Commodores came back big time going up five on the heels of numerous Pirate turnovers. And then the SEC team lets the Hall back in the game at halftime again being loose with the ball.
The game was decided at the beginning of the second half with the Hall scoring early and never relinquishing the lead. Again aided by turnovers and missed shots from Vanderbilt. It seemed like there was a lid on the Vandy basket although credit should be given to the Hall's defense which stopped guard penetration protecting Angel inside.
Speaking of Angel, he is playing differently (for pro scouts?) than he has in the past. Angel more than ever is playing offense on the perimeter in the 8-15 foot range showing off his more mobile game. That however is taking him away from the basket.
Need proof? When was the last time Delgado had zero offensive rebounds in a game?
Gordon is playing within his abilities. He cannot play north to south in the halfcourt sets so he is playing it safe around the perimeter. Kudos for being the best player he can be. His goal is to maintain while he's on the court and so far job well done.
On the other hand and again I do not blame Carrington for this at all, our other PG continues to struggle on the court. You can see he is thinking every single time he has the ball. Deeno has lost his instinct to play loose and fearlessly and that's a shame. He can be so good and to date that talent is absolutely being wasted.
Hall fans can only pray at some point (pun intended) we get to see the the player who has graced the court in his first three seasons at the Hall.
Foul shooting continues to be a MAJOR issue as it has been in every single year except one under Willard's guidance. There was a brutal stretch in the middle of the second half that could have broken the game wide open if not for the continued woes from the stripe.
Desi had just hit an an one but missed the free throw. On the next possession Carrington got fouled and preceded to miss the front end of a one and one. And then Desi got fouled on a missed floater and blew both foul shots.
Who broke the streak? Well shockingly that would be Angel Delgado who after missing a shot was fouled and hit both freebies.
Almost like clockwork? In the second half after timeouts the Pirates go into a zone D. They did it often last night and have on different occasions all year long.
Shot selection during the course of the game hurt the Hall. Often, are you listening Myles Powell, the Pirates took terribly difficult jumpers with the expected lack of success. Hell, even Ish got into the act taking an ill advised three early in the shot clock in the second stanza.
For all of Powell's struggles on offense, especially from range, he continues to be a pain in the ass on D constantly disrupting the opponent's offense with his quick hands and anticipation.
Myles just has to learn to let the offense come to him. His long shooting percentage from the arc to date at SHU is not reflective of his shooting ability.
Bottom line....watching the Hall through 6 games I would classify them as a good team but nowhere near as good as I expected.
Still, the season is very early and when and if Carrington plays to his abilities this team can be a Sweet 16 one. But right now that's a distant dream.
Player profiles to follow later.
