Thoughts Through Nine Games

[elonhoops4life]

So here we go.....I have seen 8 of the 9 games up close and in person and the only game I was not aat was the Jacksonville St. but I did watch on ESPN+. After the outcome of that game I hate to say but I am not sure Elon was even at that game. 

Yes - We are bad. Zac is a huge disappoint me. He had a nice shooting game against UNC-G but other than that he has been a liability. Out 3pt. shooting as a team is horrific and Zac puts up his fair share of shots. I was told at the start of the season he would be their best player and would make a 100 three's this season. We all know that is not going to happen.

This team absolutely lacks athleticism. We cannot run and gun the way Coach Taylor wants us to run. We were promised we were shooting for 50 points a half. We have been lucky in a few games to get 50 for the game. The team is not athletic enough to play the style of offense that Taylor wants to play. They are slow and clumsy, they cannot handle the ball, itis an absolute train wreck.

Sam Sherry plays harder than anyone else on the court. Hell he may be our best player right now. He and Max Mackinnon had amazing performances against High Point and Same played pretty well and definitely played with passion against UNC-G.

Ahead of Zac on the disappointment scale is Torrence Watson. He probably should be the leader of this team and he has done NOTHING. His shooting is nothing short of pitiful. I see nothing he brings to this team. WHen he went out the first couple of minutes against UNC-G - HE was never missed. Him and Zac both are the most disappointing players on this team.

Halloran puts up good numbers on paper but he is also a turnover machine. His Assist to Turnover ration is practically 1 to 1. He drives the lane far too often but what's he supposed to do dish out for the three (Only for someone to miss). I have not checked the numbers but we have to be among the worst 3 point shooting teams in the CAA. It is nothing short of awful.

Junkin is only getting about 3 minutes a game which is disappointing but when he is in he is a non-factor.

I like Max and think he will be a good player over time. He has had flashes of greatness but is a bit inconsistent right now.

That brings me to Jadun Michael - He is right up there on the disappointment scale with Zac and Watson. He was starting at the beginning of the season and is now playing off the bench and only getting 10 - 12 minutes a game. In that time he is non-productive. His shooting is horrible, defense is lacking and just looks lost at times. He is supposedly one of our highest recruits ever but is so deep on the bench now. He looks pissed all the time and does not look happy. Not sure anyone noticed but he did not even get in the game in the second half against UNC-G. RJ Noord had more minutes then Jadun Michael. I can definitely see his transferring out because of his lack of playing time. But not sure any D1 school would want to touch him at this point.

I spent a small fortune to travel to Asheville to see this team play two games and will spend another small fortune in March to go see the entire CAA Tournament as I have done the last several years. WHY? Because I am a fan of Elon Basketball. It is hard to watch them lose game after game but I cheer them on regardless. I do not blame Coach Taylor. He came into a bad situation with little time to gather talented players for this season. Sure he through together players like Bowen and HAlloran to fill a roster. I agree Bowen is little to no help and has never been a good D1 player but he is a body and that is what Taylor needed. He and his staff are on to a good start with recruiting solid players for next season such as Kendall Campbell. We will win a few games just because we will be hot shooting one night while another team is cold. It will be a long season but I will still pull for my Phoenix.

[phoenix15]

We are really bad. Like one of the ten worst teams in D1 bad. We are playing maybe one (MacKinnion) D1 caliber player right now. Outside of Pratt and MacKinnion development this season is painful. Hope to infuse some talent with the portal but given Taylor’s track record we will pickup D2 players who show why they were in D2 when called up.

I know that’s a pretty negative outlook, but I think it’s a fair assessment of the state of the basketball program.

[elonhoops4life]

KEep in mind that by the time Taylor came in the portal was pretty well picked over. He got a late start coming into the program. Sure there were players available but why were those particular players there in the first place and why had no one already taken them. Now if he does not utilize the portal next season out of the gate to being in actual D1 players, we have a problem. Not sure it is fair to say "his track record" when he hasn't had a fair shot at it right from the start.

In addition to your comments about Max and Pratt, I think Sherry is showing some promise and developing right along with both of those guys. 

[epx]

Dec 5, 2022 8:30:35 GMT -5 elonhoops4life said:

I spent a small fortune to travel to Asheville to see this team play two games and will spend another small fortune in March to go see the entire CAA Tournament as I have done the last several years. WHY? Because I am a fan of Elon Basketball. It is hard to watch them lose game after game but I cheer them on regardless. I do not blame Coach Taylor. He came into a bad situation with little time to gather talented players for this season. Sure he through together players like Bowen and HAlloran to fill a roster. I agree Bowen is little to no help and has never been a good D1 player but he is a body and that is what Taylor needed. He and his staff are on to a good start with recruiting solid players for next season such as Kendall Campbell. We will win a few games just because we will be hot shooting one night while another team is cold. It will be a long season but I will still pull for my Phoenix.

After seeing what was in the tank at Elon, I think Taylor would enter the Coaches Transfer Portal if there was such a thing. I agree with the three on the "disappoint-o-meter". However, my order is different. I am either hoping for the players to wake up or myself to wake up, because this season has been nothing short of a nightmare thus far. I keep thinking when many of us were saying "all we need is a better venue and we'll be among the top mid majors in no time!" How silly that was. Then we jumped from the toilet into the sewer by firing Matheny to hire Schrage. Our RPI is 354 out of 363. I have no way of knowing, but I think this is our lowest rating since we've been D1. There is at least one bright spot. We could/should get one D1 win against Stony Brook. Their RPI is 359... I'm sure the CAA is so proud, SMH. But I, like you, will continue to go to the games & cheer for the team.

[phoenixfan23]

Dec 5, 2022 14:11:16 GMT -5 epx said:

Dec 5, 2022 8:30:35 GMT -5 elonhoops4life said:

I spent a small fortune to travel to Asheville to see this team play two games and will spend another small fortune in March to go see the entire CAA Tournament as I have done the last several years. WHY? Because I am a fan of Elon Basketball. It is hard to watch them lose game after game but I cheer them on regardless. I do not blame Coach Taylor. He came into a bad situation with little time to gather talented players for this season. Sure he through together players like Bowen and HAlloran to fill a roster. I agree Bowen is little to no help and has never been a good D1 player but he is a body and that is what Taylor needed. He and his staff are on to a good start with recruiting solid players for next season such as Kendall Campbell. We will win a few games just because we will be hot shooting one night while another team is cold. It will be a long season but I will still pull for my Phoenix.

After seeing what was in the tank at Elon, I think Taylor would enter the Coaches Transfer Portal if there was such a thing. I agree with the three on the "disappoint-o-meter". However, my order is different. I am either hoping for the players to wake up or myself to wake up, because this season has been nothing short of a nightmare thus far. I keep thinking when many of us were saying "all we need is a better venue and we'll be among the top mid majors in no time!" How silly that was. Then we jumped from the toilet into the sewer by firing Matheny to hire Schrage. Our RPI is 354 out of 363. I have no way of knowing, but I think this is our lowest rating since we've been D1. There is at least one bright spot. We could/should get one D1 win against Stony Brook. Their RPI is 359... I'm sure the CAA is so proud, SMH. But I, like you, will continue to go to the games & cheer for the team.

I hate to break it to you but we do play Stony Brook only once and it’s on the road lol. KenPom has it as a loss for Elon. Elon’s KenPom ranking is currently 342 which is the worst since Elon went D1. It’s also last in the CAA, just behind Stony Brook at 340, and the lowest raw ranking for a CAA team in the history of KenPom.

[topher99]

Outside of Johnson & Wales, Massey has Elon favored in three games – home games with A&T (63%), W&M (57%) and Hampton (69%).

[phoenixfan23]

Dec 5, 2022 8:30:35 GMT -5 elonhoops4life said:

So here we go.....I have seen 8 of the 9 games up close and in person and the only game I was not aat was the Jacksonville St. but I did watch on ESPN+. After the outcome of that game I hate to say but I am not sure Elon was even at that game. 

Yes - We are bad. Zac is a huge disappoint me. He had a nice shooting game against UNC-G but other than that he has been a liability. Out 3pt. shooting as a team is horrific and Zac puts up his fair share of shots. I was told at the start of the season he would be their best player and would make a 100 three's this season. We all know that is not going to happen.

This team absolutely lacks athleticism. We cannot run and gun the way Coach Taylor wants us to run. We were promised we were shooting for 50 points a half. We have been lucky in a few games to get 50 for the game. The team is not athletic enough to play the style of offense that Taylor wants to play. They are slow and clumsy, they cannot handle the ball, itis an absolute train wreck.

Sam Sherry plays harder than anyone else on the court. Hell he may be our best player right now. He and Max Mackinnon had amazing performances against High Point and Same played pretty well and definitely played with passion against UNC-G.

Ahead of Zac on the disappointment scale is Torrence Watson. He probably should be the leader of this team and he has done NOTHING. His shooting is nothing short of pitiful. I see nothing he brings to this team. WHen he went out the first couple of minutes against UNC-G - HE was never missed. Him and Zac both are the most disappointing players on this team.

Halloran puts up good numbers on paper but he is also a turnover machine. His Assist to Turnover ration is practically 1 to 1. He drives the lane far too often but what's he supposed to do dish out for the three (Only for someone to miss). I have not checked the numbers but we have to be among the worst 3 point shooting teams in the CAA. It is nothing short of awful.

Junkin is only getting about 3 minutes a game which is disappointing but when he is in he is a non-factor.

I like Max and think he will be a good player over time. He has had flashes of greatness but is a bit inconsistent right now.

That brings me to Jadun Michael - He is right up there on the disappointment scale with Zac and Watson. He was starting at the beginning of the season and is now playing off the bench and only getting 10 - 12 minutes a game. In that time he is non-productive. His shooting is horrible, defense is lacking and just looks lost at times. He is supposedly one of our highest recruits ever but is so deep on the bench now. He looks pissed all the time and does not look happy. Not sure anyone noticed but he did not even get in the game in the second half against UNC-G. RJ Noord had more minutes then Jadun Michael. I can definitely see his transferring out because of his lack of playing time. But not sure any D1 school would want to touch him at this point.

I spent a small fortune to travel to Asheville to see this team play two games and will spend another small fortune in March to go see the entire CAA Tournament as I have done the last several years. WHY? Because I am a fan of Elon Basketball. It is hard to watch them lose game after game but I cheer them on regardless. I do not blame Coach Taylor. He came into a bad situation with little time to gather talented players for this season. Sure he through together players like Bowen and HAlloran to fill a roster. I agree Bowen is little to no help and has never been a good D1 player but he is a body and that is what Taylor needed. He and his staff are on to a good start with recruiting solid players for next season such as Kendall Campbell. We will win a few games just because we will be hot shooting one night while another team is cold. It will be a long season but I will still pull for my Phoenix.

I haven’t watched as much as you have but I think your analysis is really spot on.

[bigmike55]

Zac tries to force things. You can tell he is rattled.

I wish they would lower the price of tickets and get some fans in the door. The level of play is bad and the empty stands makes it more depressing.

[phoenix15]

I don’t think lowering prices is going to improve attendance. No one is going out of their way to attend an elon basketball game.

But also fair to wonder how they justify their prices in the first place.

[epx]

Middle school promo. EVERY Saturday game. Discount coupons for 1 drink, 1 hotdog and 1 box of popcorn. 20 mile radius from Elon. Choose one or multiple schools. Free tix for middle school aged children, $5 Tix for parents/chaperones, (max 2 adult tix per middle school child). 10 minute halftime shooting contests. T-shirt, mini plastic Elon basketball, or some other inexpensive premium gift on exit from game. The Key is the players have to visit the middle schools to promote the program, very few of local middle school kids have seen 6'5"+ college basketball players = Cool factor. Players could hand out the coupons/free tix at middle school "pep rally". I thought this up in less time than it took me to type it, so there are lots of things you can do to enhance it.

Why middle school? The kids are old enough to appreciate sports but aren't old enough to drive so they have to bring their parents. Also builds lasting bonds with the community.

You can complain about lost seat revenue, but I would assert that, in the absence of a winning program, it's better to have butts in seats regardless of the "loss". An empty seat is a greater loss in my opinion.