UMass

[MikeWaters]

This team just can't play defense well enough to bump itself up to the next tier.

Back in the day, Rose used to play mostly man-to-man. But he got away from that during the Jimmer days. And he's held on to the idea that we don't have to be very good defensively because our zone will bail us out.

Nate Austin, aka, peanut brain, is not a good defender and not very smart to boot. If there is a game-losing foul to be made, he is ready are the fore.

Also it appears that Haws has been reading his clippings more than he has been committed to becoming a better defender. He is woefully outmatched at the 3 position. The idea that he can block out 6'8" athletic shooting guards is ridiculous.

I like Carlino as a defender as well as Collinsworth. And Mika is not as good as his athleticism would suggest at rim protection, but I will give him a break because he is generally trying to avoid fouls.

You add this to extremely poor foul shooting....inexcusable that our guards are this poor at foul shooting.

I saw a lot of "hero" ball from our guards against UMass. I saw our guards with the ball turn down a lot of open guys at the 3. The offense looks like Syria sometimes. Hello? How about a little bit of discipline and taking open shots. And moving the ball.

I still don't understand why Sharp is not on the floor more. We are getting killed, and he plays a 4 guard lineup.

I wish there was someone in the media who wasn't a vag, and could ask Rose these questions.