by AcesAces » January 13th, 2022, 8:11 am
It’s simple. UE is a bad basketball team. Look at the MVC team stats. They are last in most categories. They are the worst rebounding, and offensive and defensive shooting % team. Coming into the season, the 3 was going to make or break them. They have had many open looks in every game, but they do not have the players to make those shots consistently. They are the worst 3-point shooting team in the MVC.
They have no size or physicality to stop opponent’s penetration or to control the defensive board.
The team is weak physically and mentally. They are soft.
Sure, they have 2 good guards in Newton and Givance, but neither seems able to create his own shot. Yes, they both can create a wild shot and make it every now and then, but they cannot create an easy, dependable shot for themselves against MVC teams.
The other 2 seniors are not at the level of starter in the MVC, yet they are getting the most minutes. If given time to set up they used to be able to shoot the 3, but not this year. They have been terrible in every category.
2 of the starting seniors are leftovers from Marty Simmons and the other 2 are from McCarty. If Licklitter returns, he must prevent any more transfers and pick up size and an experienced confident scorer in the portal. UE must look for tough, confident players if they are ever to be competitive in the MVC again.
