Is the dream through ?

[KnightNight]

The answer is of course - "No", but we are certainly taking on some water. Army Basketball again find themselves in an us against the world status. After a very solid pre-conference season and the most expereinced team in the league, there was reason for optimism. As Coach Spiker as been sharing with us since day 1 , " We need to win the day and play our best ball come tourney time". Thus, the season is alive. It is always alive in College Basketball as conference titles over a weekend can change a season of frustration into glory.

Obstacles - CONFIDENCE - has to be there every night starting with Saturday's game against Colgate at home. The Red Radiers are not a good team. A good foe given the current choices.

SHOOTING - both from the field and foul line. Will not win any games at 32% from the field and continue as the league low from the line.

COACHING - Are there any wrinkles that can move the team forward. Are we playing too deep a line-up. Can the staff make a difference in the second half of the season.

ABILITY - Ultimately, in the end, either you are better or they are better. Maybe the talent is not enough to get over the hump. That would not be a first and should not be looked on negatively. I believe this team will find a way to forge a winning record this season. They simply may not have the horses to win 3 games in a row in March when it counts.

 

[KnightNight]

Well, it is quickly becomin clear that we do not have the horses in the stable to get the job done. The past 2 losses against Holy Cross and Lehigh were both games where we were just outmanned - shoot too well, control the tempo , win the boards with us too sloppy with the ball. The effort is there and is complete - the talent piece of the equation is running its course. Season goal now, needs to be to find a way to post a winning record. American , on the road and Navy at home coming up this week. Let's see what happens.

 

[jimbearNJ]

It's over since the hope was a Patroit League title. Its now official that this is a very disappointing season for the Army Black Knights. With one of the most athletic in the league, the experience of seven seniors and a terrific defense many Army fans felt this was the year they could challenge for the Patriot League title. After starting 10-4 against an admittedly soft non league schedule under new coach Zach Spiker the Black Knights looked to Army fans as if they were the class of the league. Right now Army finds itself in an all too familiar place, the Patriot League cellar.

Army has dropped five of its last six games because of its offensive ineptitude. Army is a poor shooting team that relies on three players Cleveland Richard, Julian Simmons and Josh Miller for its scoring. Cleveland Richard has tried to pick up the scoring slack by being more aggressive driving to hoop. It's led to more free throw attempts but Richard hasn't been able to finish in close enough hitting only 40% of his shots the last six games. Simmons is Army's best shooter averaging 12.7 points per game and is hitting 432% beyond the arc. Simmons has been at times careless with the ball and it has led to his minutes being cut. He averaged only 18 minutes the last two games. Simmons needs to be on the floor if Army is going to score. The biggest culprit in the Black Knight slide is the decline of Josh Miller's offensive game. Since scoring 15 in the win over American Josh has averaged just 4.2 points.
He was held scoreless for the first time in 46 games against Lehigh. Miller has shot just 21% (9 of 43)
from the field including an anemic 1 of 17 from beyond the arc during Army's slide.

Since Army lacks the ability to mount a consistent low post game Army's reliance of scoring from its three guards is the key for this teams success. Unless Miller or some one else picks up the scoring slack its going to be difficult for Army to win.

Army does match up well with American. Army needs to do exactly what it did last time. Vlad Moldoveanu will score his points but the Black Knights need to pressure the Eagles guards and force turnovers like last game. Army held the rest of the Eagles to 8 of 23 from the field in January. A similar performance should produce a much needed Army road win.

However I've given up hope on making NCAA. This team will never shoot well enough over three games to advance and Lehigh simply owns them.

 

[KnightNight]

Thanks for the insights jimbear - I took the trip last night to watch the American game - differences from last game - American hit every open look in the first half , we continued to shoot like the Army team shoots - whether a 10 footer or closer or free throw. Simply a disappointing year and have no idea how to proclaim confidence going into next season. The rebuild will start - agao - after the Patriot League Tourney tilt - Which could very well open at Navy - which really adds to the pain of the conference season.

Next year can very well be back to the 5-6 win level unless something happens that I do not see coming. So sad....