I think that Ames earlier in the season would finish his drives at the rim, now he seems more likely to pull up and spin to a fade away in the paint. Lower percentage, doesn't get fouled, more difficult shot, and he almost always misses that he has a cutter to the basket (I've counted at least 4 times in the last two games where Dort or Bell or Camden were wide and available and in his line of sight and he still forced his shot).

If he can just slow back down, spot the cutter, and be more decisive--as in when you drive just drive or straight pull up, no more reverse spin fade aways--he can get his game back.

RedlessWardrobe said:

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Not trying to finger point, just commenting: Yesterday Ames and Ilic EACH had 5 turnovers. Among other things, this absolutely killed us.

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That was clearly part of their game plan (particularly with AMES). Sometimes, it is a good strategy to play to an opponents STRENGTHS - since they don't expect that and have trouble reacting to it.

Madsen will gets this ball pressure figured out. Perhaps play Ames more off ball if they want to pressure and double.

Johnfox said:

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Madsen will gets this ball pressure figured out. Perhaps play Ames more off ball if they want to pressure and double.

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With all due respect, we are 28 games into the season. In certain games, (Louisville, Clemson, Pitt) we have not handled ball pressure well. Do you really think there is a magic solution that MM can come up with this late in the calendar? Me, no I don't think so.

Ames has a similar game to Wilkinson. I saw that in some low-res video taken high up in the stands that was posted on social media (and then taken down) before the season

But Ames struggled last two games because the opponent put long, athletic defenders on him, and teams figured out he almost always goes left so their rim protectors are now there.

Wilkinson is more athletic and pays above the rim so is able to more often score or get fouled against those same defenders

We need to have a counter for him… example: I'd like to see him drive and then pass outside, and then wheel pass to a shooter

6956bear said:

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blungld said:

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I think that Ames earlier in the season would finish his drives at the rim, now he seems more likely to pull up and spin to a fade away in the paint. Lower percentage, doesn't get fouled, more difficult shot, and he almost always misses that he has a cutter to the basket (I've counted at least 4 times in the last two games where Dort or Bell or Camden were wide and available and in his line of sight and he still forced his shot).

If he can just slow back down, spot the cutter, and be more decisive--as in when you drive just drive or straight pull up, no more reverse spin fade aways--he can get his game back.

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Ames is a ball dominant player. He needs to learn how to use his ability to get into the paint to find open players on occasion.

He is like Wilkinson was a year ago. When he gets headed downhill he is looking only for his shot. But he has made a lot of good plays for the team this year.

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Almost all the stars were pretty glaring

Another thing I noticed with the way the last two defenders played Ames… I'm a huge advocate of shifty players who use tons of change of speed/direction hesitation moves.

BUT he's been scouted and coaches instructed their long defenders to not bite on his Hesi. When you use a hesi you are trying to get the defender to jump/lift off the ground to block a shot, or relax so you can catch them off guard or throw their momentum off. That's what makes the hesi so effective (you can't move if you are in the air)

But a long defender doesn't need to jump to make it a tough shot for Ames, and if they stay grounded and not going after the block they remain a more athletic defender on his drives.

Basically defenders aren't falling for his fakes which is basically what a hesi is

Not sure if I'm explaining this well or even if people care about such things

It worked for the entire season except the last two games. No one watched film?

oskidunker said:

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It worked for the entire season except the last two games. No one watched film?

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Coaches absolutely scout the team, but perhaps not all teams have a long athletic defender they can put on a guard

…but just my observation of how they defended him differently last two games

Bottom line both were long defenders and both didn't bite on his hesi fakes

I don't see him doing anything different than he's done all season