2015-16 Friars' Mens Basketball Thread: Dunn Guns for 3rd-straight NCAA Run

HomeRunBaker

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If PC loses that non travel call is going to be huge.
That was an awful call but so was the foul on Bullock's breakaway that fouled out Jones. Huge Huge Huge road win! Cooley managed the first half foul trouble masterfully while Bullock and Edwards 3's were devastating for Butler. Dunn is still leading candidate for Player of the Year!

Nothing less than a National Championship!!!
 

CouchsideSteve

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I can't believe they won that game: Only 25 points in the first half; 56 (!) in the second.

Dunn was his typical self, and Bullock deserves praise for stepping up in a big, big way with the 6 threes. But my god, is Ben Bentil clutch or what?! Iced the game with that J from the elbow, and a perfect 4/4 from the FT line (important ones, at that).

Ed Cooley has done a masterful job with this team. So pumped.
 

PC Drunken Friar

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I can't believe they won that game. That's the game they always lose... Go down early, big comeback... Only to lose at the end. This is going to be a special season
 

pdaj

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"This has the looks of the best Friar team of All-Time. It's Dunn and Bentil playing as Ernie and Marvin as we'll have to two best players on the floor in virtually every game throughout the season. Yes and New Years Eve is set up to be an amazing family sports day." -- HRB

I replied to this post last week (or so I thought), but apparently it didn't go through. As I continue to see this team improve and perform, I can't help but yell out loud ... why, Chukwu? Why?! This team's one major weakness is front court depth, and every time Bentil gets into foul trouble, we'll be reminded of it. Once Fazekas returns, we can go small for decent stretches vs certain teams (Bullock, Fazekas, Lindsey), but MAN, with Paschal still on this squad, I'd be disappointed in anything less than the Final 4.

One could argue, however, that this team's chemistry wouldn't be the same with a "me, me" player like Chukwu. How much of Bentil's ridiculous improvement this season was sparked by having to be the man?

ANYWAY, awesome win today.

So, um, is Edwards good for at least 12-15 minutes per game going forward?
 
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Mloaf71

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You guys said it all. Love Cooley getting emotional post game. This is a season PC fans too young to remember the glory days have never seen before!
 

Drocca

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Threw a little bit of cash on Providence to win the National Championship last night. This is a special team led by a generational talent. In a year without a truly dominant team, I really like Providence.
 

Marceline

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Threw a little bit of cash on Providence to win the National Championship last night. This is a special team led by a generational talent. In a year without a truly dominant team, I really like Providence.
What odds did you get? I was in Vegas a few weeks back and got in at 75 to 1.
 

shawnrbu

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Great to see The Dunk packed on Saturday.

Lunardi has PC as a 3 seed playing in Brooklyn for the East region. There is potential for a Brooklyn to Philly Final Four run for the Friars.
 

PC Drunken Friar

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Whelp, that top-10 ranking was fun while it lasted.

While the Dunn/Bentil combo is lethal and can carry them far, when they score 48 of the 63 points...that is a problem. Last night also highlighted why Dunn probably isn't the POY. He is prone to dumb turnovers and mistakes...2 or 3 turnovers down the stretch and a stupid foul 90 feet from the basket and 2 missed free throws, all in the last 4-5 minutes of the game.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Whelp, that top-10 ranking was fun while it lasted.

While the Dunn/Bentil combo is lethal and can carry them far, when they score 48 of the 63 points...that is a problem. Last night also highlighted why Dunn probably isn't the POY. He is prone to dumb turnovers and mistakes...2 or 3 turnovers down the stretch and a stupid foul 90 feet from the basket and 2 missed free throws, all in the last 4-5 minutes of the game.
Not necessarily. Kentucky at 9 also lost last night and with conference play starting this week there is a good chance several other teams ranked 10-15 lose one of their two games played by Monday.

We got caught reading our press clippings that's all. After the 3rd possession I told my Dad (who I try and watch every game with) that we were losing this game. They didn't come mentally prepared to play a conference game while Marquette played with the desperation of a decent team coming off two double-digit losses. Once we got up 8 we reverted back to coasting and that isn't gonna work. Give Wojo credit for having his team ready and out coaching Cooley down the stretch when we had no answer for their zone.

On to Creighton.
 

shawnrbu

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After making only 5 field goals and shooting in the teens in the 1st Half, PC is up to a sizzling 27.5% FG for the game. Ugly game for the first 32 minutes, but watching Dunn take over the game over the past 4 minutes has been a thing of beauty. Need to learn from the Marquette game and finish the comeback strong.
 

HomeRunBaker

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What a GREAT and ugly conference road win! Dunn is really good at managing his energy levels throughout the game which is necessary as he does everything for this team. It's like he knows exactly how much he needs to have left in his tank for the games final 5 minutes. We need to appreciate what we have here as it may never get to see this again.
 

Mloaf71

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Dunn took over down the stretch and that is a huge win on the road.

Is anyone concerned about the turnovers the past two games (both by Dunn and the entire team in general)? One of the strengths of this team non-conference was taking care of the ball. The last two games Marquette and Creighton were doubling and tripling Dunn and Bentil everytime they touched the ball and the Friars were coughing it up....I imagine teams will continue to do so until they show they can beat it.
 

PC Drunken Friar

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Great , ugly win. While I do think that a Dunn/Bentil led team can make a deep NCAA run a la Napier/Walker, I also fear an off night by Dunn and/or Bentil and another 1st round disappointment.
 

shawnrbu

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Wish the Friars could move up the start time of Saturday's game against Seton Hall, but I guess there is no flexibility with the timeslot due to the game being televised on FS1. The crowd is going to be checking their phones for the score of the Pats game constantly.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Wish the Friars could move up the start time of Saturday's game against Seton Hall, but I guess there is no flexibility with the timeslot due to the game being televised on FS1. The crowd is going to be checking their phones for the score of the Pats game constantly.
There isn't much leverage with FS1 these days now that The Big East ratings are in the toilet and you've got a $500m contract! I'd hate to have been the Big East rep making that phone call......I'm sure it didn't end pretty most likely with a reference to how many people clicked off the Creighton/PC game the other night when it was 3-0 at the 14:30 mark.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Taking my two nephews and niece to The Dunk tonight. Got the good hookup 2nd row behind the bench so I'll share some live observations that television doesn't capture! Butler is a good matchup for the Friars. I can't believe we are only a 2-point favorite....we should be able to dictate tempo and take control of this game early.
 

NoLastCall125

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I haven't been to a game since I had floor seats to when they were ranked 25th and played #18 Texas at home and lost in overtime on a PJ Tucker buzzer beater. I went tonight and it was a blast. Drew Edwards has become one of my favorite players (he seems to do everything right even if he's not filling the stat sheet) and it was awesome to see Dunn and Bentil in person. I've got tickets to see Xavier next week too, but hopefully this Butler win can give them confidence to hold their own against Xavier.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Post game thoughts......

* I don't mean to sound like "that guy" but we couldn't make a perimeter shot to save our lives yet the game was either tied or we were down a couple throughout. You just knew that if Dunn could stay in the game with his fouls he'd find a way to finish in the final 5 minutes.

* I've harped on the college rules taking the fun out of watching special players at this level and tonight was no different. Butler extended their 2-3 zone to have a second guy shadow/double Dunn at every moment. On those occasions he'd get out in transition he is able to navigate the special attention as there wasn't a player on the floor close to being able to contain him from getting where he wanted.

* If we made an average number of uncontested shots Kris may have had 16-17 assists tonight. Once we begin knocking down shots again this team can beat anyone in the country.

* Kyron Cartwright kept us in the game in the 1st half with 3 big 3-point shots when Dunn was on the bench in foul trouble. Huge huge shots while jawing back at the Butler assistant coach who was daring him to shoot.

* Cooley really got the crowd going following a timeout ripping his jacket off and waving it to the crowd while stepping out to the FT line with about 5 minutes to go. Nice to have 11,000 fans on their feet screaming down the stretch!

* The officiating was mostly inconsistent favoring Butler big time in the first half while getting us a call or two down the stretch to help offset. Among the screams/chants heard LOUDLY was the "Bulllll-Sh*ttttt! chant with a guy in my section yelling during a semi-quiet FT attempt, "Hey Old White Ref! Get your head out of your A*****!!!"

* This place can get electric. I expect several big wins in this building over the next 6 weeks.
 
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HomeRunBaker

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The snowstorm has moved the PC-Villanova game from Saturday's original start time to Sunday at 1pm!! What a PERFECT pre-game to the Pats at 3!

The downside is the team has been in Philly since yesterday afternoon and have nothing to do except wait through a snowstorm (well, that and study). Not the best way to approach a big road game but no real other choice either. Yuck!
 

NoLastCall125

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I understand Lindsey has really pretty form when he shoots, but he's currently 1-17 in the last five games shooting threes and he's the most frustrating PC player to watch on offense that I can remember. I don't want to see him shoot his way out of his season long slump anymore, especially when it seems like every shot he misses is a wide open three.
 
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Mloaf71

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I've convinced myself Cooley is giving Lindsey the same treatment Cotton got...keep shooting, build confidence, once you make a couple game on. I can only hope the result is close.

Either way, love the way the guys played today. Huge win, season is still on track looking sharp.

Can't wait to hear HRB's take!
 

pdaj

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What a freakin' gigantic win. There were so many times in this one where I thought the game was going to slip through the Friars' fingers, but they were just so tough. I love Edwards energy and potential, but Lomomba's game today is exactly why you want him on the floor more often than not. He was big time today ... played just like those tough, tenacious guards Pitt/Cincy always seemed to have.

When Arci' nailed that impressive, game-tying 3 at the end of regulation, I thought that was it. (Dunn being hobbled a bit didn't help my confidence, either.) This is a different team, though, epitomized best by the Friars' current road schedule.

Not going to be easy playing Xavier Tuesday with only one day of rest.
 

HomeRunBaker

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I've convinced myself Cooley is giving Lindsey the same treatment Cotton got...keep shooting, build confidence, once you make a couple game on. I can only hope the result is close.

Either way, love the way the guys played today. Huge win, season is still on track looking sharp.

Can't wait to hear HRB's take!
Obviously a great great win as a LOL 12.5 point underdog.

I can be critical of Cooley's substitution patterns like when he rests Dunn/Bentil/Bullock in a scheduled pattern as if he's coaching an NBA team while pacing them for 82 games and a 48 minute game. Today he had no choice but to leave them on the floor the entire game and guess what.....it worked!! Let them dig into their energy reserves down the stretch they are 21 years old not 31.

Kyron is quickly developing into a trusted complementary player who can contribute in a number of ways. We really need him to continue knocking down 3's! Lomamba is a glue to our core group as well.....I like the reference to those guys Cincinnati always seems to have. He serves a purpose out there and is a good finisher at the rim.

Teams are going to continue playing an extended 2-3 zone against us to best contain Dunn. Come March we will need someone to be "that guy" each game who gets hot like Edwards a few games ago. Lindsey is so frustrating to watch as he should be knocking down shots but doesn't, should use his length better but doesn't, and makes some boneheaded plays that make me question his heart.

Dunn's days of putting up video game numbers may end due to the college zone but Bentil is reminding me of James Posey's final year at Xavier. He is undersized to be a full time 4 at the next level but should be able to be a second unit guy or stretch 4 like Posey IF he can develop his 3-point shot as James did his final year of college and into his NBA career. The good thing for us is that as a tweener he won't be viewed as a top prospect so we will get at least one more year out of Ben and maybe two.

On to Xavier and I'll be in the stands at The Dunk on Tuesday!
 

shawnrbu

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The voters really liked PC's win over Villanova. Up to # 10 in the AP and Coaches poll. Villanova is # 6 in both polls while Xavier is # 7 in the AP and # 8 in the Coaches.

When was the last time the Dunk hosted a game between two Top 10 teams?
 

NoLastCall125

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This run is reminding me of when they played #4 UConn, #11 Villanova and then #21 Syracuse back in 1994-95. They're playing at such a high level. So glad I decided to grab tickets to the game tomorrow. Work will be painful the next day, but if they can beat Xavier, it'll totally be worth it.
 

MillarTime

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Nova alum just stopping by to congratulate you guys. You have an excellent team and, with Dunn at the helm and Bentil inside, a shot to make some real noise in March. Was really surprised with Cartwright as a third option- he looks like quite a player as well. Great game.

Also, really, really pleased with how the BE is developing. Three top 10 teams an at least others with a good shot at the tourney. Need to do some collective damage in March though!
 

PC Drunken Friar

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Lets keep it up tonight. I honestly do not know anything about X this year, haven't really paid much attention outside of PC. What should I expect? Are they a good match-up for the Friars?
 

HomeRunBaker

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Nova alum just stopping by to congratulate you guys. You have an excellent team and, with Dunn at the helm and Bentil inside, a shot to make some real noise in March. Was really surprised with Cartwright as a third option- he looks like quite a player as well. Great game.

Also, really, really pleased with how the BE is developing. Three top 10 teams an at least others with a good shot at the tourney. Need to do some collective damage in March though!
Thank you MillarTime......there is room in Houston for both of us in April. ;)
 

Mloaf71

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Loudest I ever remember the Dunk coming across on TV
 

PC Drunken Friar

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If this team could find an actual 3 point shooter, they really could be a final four favorite, but just a contender

Edit: not just a contender
 
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HomeRunBaker

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I counted 7 airballs from 3 and I probably missed a few others.......and we still had a chance to beat the #7 team in the country down the stretch. I hate wasting such golden opportunities at historical wins for the simple fact that you don't get that many. On a positive note we split with Nova and Xavier which you can't complain about. Saturday will be a tough one at Georgetown......the top of this conference is really really good.
 

PC Drunken Friar

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I counted 7 airballs from 3 and I probably missed a few others.......and we still had a chance to beat the #7 team in the country down the stretch. I hate wasting such golden opportunities at historical wins for the simple fact that you don't get that many. On a positive note we split with Nova and Xavier which you can't complain about. Saturday will be a tough one at Georgetown......the top of this conference is really really good.
While I think PC can't say they didn't give the #7 team a game...PC is the #10 team. Still have G-Town twice, X on the Road and Nova at home. If PC really is going to be a top-10 team and a final four threat, it needs to win games against these teams. Moral victories are out the window when you are supposed to be this good.
 

NickEsasky

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Fazekas' mono is killing this team. He has been a shell of himself since his return. Right now it's Dunn, Bentil, and a bunch of guys who couldn't hit water if they fell out of a boat.
 

HoyaSoxa

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My Big East brothers - I like your program, your coach, and I suspect your team will give my alma mater all they can handle on Saturday, but are some of you perhaps overly optimistic about the chances of a team currently standing at No. 42 in the KenPom rankings and No. 41 in Sagarin?
 

HomeRunBaker

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My Big East brothers - I like your program, your coach, and I suspect your team will give my alma mater all they can handle on Saturday, but are some of you perhaps overly optimistic about the chances of a team currently standing at No. 42 in the KenPom rankings and No. 41 in Sagarin?
Thanks for chiming in Hoya.

We have now played 4 teams who are KenPom Top-15, are 2-2 in these games.

Villanova is 4 and we beat them in Philly.
Arizona 12 we beat them in CA tournament.
Michigan St 13 we let off the hook down the stretch.
Xavier 15 we shot ourselves out of the game and still battled back to make a run.


I don't feel our results depict that of the 42nd best team in the country. I will say this.....parity in todays college game makes for little separation between Top-10 and 42.

The other thing is that having Dunn and Bentil on the floor plays up much better in bigger games as they are often the two best players on the floor and focused. Against lesser competition it is more common for them to not go all out for 40 minutes and our complementary pieces aren't good enough sometimes to withstand this.

In other words I see the correlation between us playing up to the competition with Dunn and Bentil......and for playing down to it in less magnified games.
 

HoyaSoxa

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Although I admit my original post was a bit of a put-down, I was more chiming in to note my surprise that the computer rankings of PC are well below our perception of the team - to be honest I was looking at KenPom in hopes of seeing that an upset by the Hoyas on Saturday night would be a major resume win, as they surely need the help after a fairly catastrophic December (sorry, conference-mates). I was surprised to discover that Georgetown at home might even be considered the slight favorite, though I doubt Vegas will see it that way.

The Villanova win was great and those other games mentioned above show a team with real potential that I believe is clearly the third best team in the conference to date. Bentil is very frustrating for Georgetown fans who feel like he was one who got away, and given Isaac Copeland's relative sophomore slump and Paul White's lost season he would have looked great in blue and gray. Dunn is fabulous and could potentially take you on a Walker/Napier type run, especially in the absence of any dominant teams this year. So although I don't think any team ranked outside of the Pomeroy top 25 on Selection Sunday has won the championship, and only 3 such teams have even made the Final 4, I would love to see it for the sake of the program and the conference (not to mention my father in law is a PC alum and a big fan). Best of luck in all but 2 of your remaining games.
 

Mloaf71

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Like the way the Friars played last night. Got to the rim and minimized the 3s. Shot a much higher percentage with only taking good looks.

Don't know if this was a product of Gtown playing a lot of man allowing Dunn and Cartwright to blow by the initial defender or a new game plan by Cool and the Gang.

Hopefully they can build confidence against DePaul and carry it over to finally playing well at home next weekend vs Nova.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Like the way the Friars played last night. Got to the rim and minimized the 3s. Shot a much higher percentage with only taking good looks.

Don't know if this was a product of Gtown playing a lot of man allowing Dunn and Cartwright to blow by the initial defender or a new game plan by Cool and the Gang.

Hopefully they can build confidence against DePaul and carry it over to finally playing well at home next weekend vs Nova.
I am out of town and missed the game but from what I heard we took advantage of horrific strategy by Thompson in playing so much man. You allow Dunn to do whatever he wants when you play man.......nobody in the country and slow him down playing man. He had seen how others have used strictly a zone to beat the Friars and he choose not to follow suit. It's mind boggling how anyone can not play an extended zone allowing for traps on Dunn against Providence. This was a coaching loss for the Hoyas based on what I heard.
 

shawnrbu

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The blueprint is out. JT3 chose to ignore it. Play Zone and this team turns into an absolute puddle on offense.

DePaul leads 19-8 and outrebounding the Friars 13-3 in the first 7 minutes.
 

Mloaf71

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The blueprint is out. JT3 chose to ignore it. Play Zone and this team turns into an absolute puddle on offense.

DePaul leads 19-8 and outrebounding the Friars 13-3 in the first 7 minutes.
I wouldn't say that. Offense isn't the Problem in this game. Bentil's injury and complete lack of rebounding and D is an issue.