Junior PG Jerrell Thompson scored a career-high 30 points vs. Quinnipiac in a 90-87 road loss on Saturday.
The Sacred Heart Pioneers are losing.
Now, that probably doesn’t mean much to most of the college world, but when the starting SG and C live across the hall from you, you can’t help but keep tabs on your favorite team’s performance.
After a strong non-conference season (7-4) which included wins over in-state rivals Hartford and Yale, the Pioneers began to struggle with consistency. How bad has it been, you ask? Here’s a stat for ya: 1-5 on the road vs. conference opponents… and the one win was at 0-24 Bryant.
SHU began conference play with a 5-3 record, decent by Sacred Heart standards (12-6, 13-5, 12-6 previous 3 years), but has since dropped 4 games in a row, falling to 5-7 in Northeast Conference play and 12-11 overall. The problem has been defense; the average score of the 4 games has been 78-71.
I asked Senior SG Corey Hassan (20.6 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 41% 3pt) and Senior C Liam Potter (9.7 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2.0 bpg), both of whom are having breakout seasons statistically, for their take on the losing streak and the season thus far.
Corey gave the answer I expected: “I think we could improve defensively. We are starting to compete better recently, but hopefully we can play like the team we know we are capable of being [...] one of the toughest teams to stop. We just have to play more consistently and with more confidence.”
Liam agreed, saying: “I think we all need to improve defensively. Last game against QU we showed some fight and effort, but we still gave up too many points. We can score at will, but we will not win if we cannot slow down our opponents. We have not had any problems with [offense]; however, defense wins games/championships, not offense.”
Liam added, “We have 6 games left to show what we are made of; hopefully we can bring it together as a team and get over this hump.”
The Pioneers are 2nd in the NCAA in 3pt FG% and 8th in the nation in 3pt makes, Corey is 2nd in 3pt makes for individual players, and backcourt mate Ryan Litke is tied for 7th.
However, the team is currently tied for 9th place in the NEC and in danger of missing the Conference Tournament.
‘Defensive intensity’ will be undoubtedly be a buzz word in Head Coach Dave Bike’s pregame talks leading up to tonight’s home game vs. Long Island University (9-14, 7-5 NEC). SHU will need strong perimeter defense as well as vigilant help on the backside if they are to successfully contain dynamic G’s Jaytornah Wisseh and the LIU attack.
LIU is 3-5 over its last 8, losing, on average, 64-57. Given these recent results, along with the Pioneers’ recent results, and also Liam’s 5-inch height advantage over Long Island’s starting forwards (Liam’s 7-0, 255 lbs.), I predict a 73-61 Sacred Heart victory.
I look for the Pioneers to use a victory tonight as a stepping stone, building momentum for the pivotal upcoming games vs. conference opponents St. Francis (NY) (7-5), Fairleigh Dickinson (7-5), Robert Morris (11-1), St. Francis (PA) (5-7), and Monmouth (6-6).
The Sacred Heart Pioneers will make the NEC Tournament. And then it’s a whole new ballgame. Go Big Red.
Great Post. I about died laughing when I read your bio. I love the stats. I will keep looking for great coverage on the SHU Pioneers.
*Typo*: “Dynamic G’s” was going to be Jaytornah Wisseh and *Kyle Johnson*, hence the plural tense, but I didn’t know if Johnson’s 11.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 35.4% 3pt can really be called “dynamic”, so I left him out.
But LIU has 3 guards averaging a combined 56.7% of their ppg (39.0), 39.6% rpg (15.3), and 70.7% apg (8.0), so their guard play is definitely going to be the key factor for them offensively.
Great story. It was fun reading about a school that doesnt get covered on a regular basis.
Thanks guys. Too bad SHU lost again though. Wisseh had 15-8-6, and apparently my article inspired Kyle Johnson; he went for 26 pts, 10 rebs…
Liam had 17 rebs; I had class, but my roommate was there and said, “Liam was a beast tonight. Apparently he had his tea and crumpets this morning.” <- (Liam's British)
Corey had a rough night (4-16 fg, 11 pts, 6 rebs in 39 min), but he'll bounce back. And the silver lining is that the 3rd place and 11th place are still only separated by 3 games.
I have seen every home game for the last 4 years and the majority of the road games. It is clear to me that the point they are not playing as a team. It is kind of sad to see a team that looks miserable playing together. I have seen possibly 3 or 4 box outs all season. The ball goes up and everyone stares at the ball, rather than trying to find a body.
It is way past time to go four guards and Liam and try and push the tempo. This would create more open shots for their shooter’s (Chauncey, Corey, Ryan). In the half court the offense takes to long to set up. To much dribbling and standing. Its sad that each of their big man gets called for a moving screen every game. Your in college, set your feet. If your going to get called for a moving screen atleast put a guy on his ass for once.
The lack of emotion or urgency at any point in the game is sad. I could go way more in depth, but I will leave it at that.
I wish them the best of luck, but it seems like they are going to be on the outisde looking in this year.
You nailed it, D. It seems as though, in the 3 years that I’ve been at SHU, the Pioneers have failed to box out opponents, haven’t communicated well on defense, and haven’t moved without the ball on offense. It pains me to say that the only consistency across the board has been the dissonance between the team’s individual talent and potential and its actual performance.
As we all know, it can be tough to objectively critique your favorite team; but there’s really no denying that failure in critical areas has badly stifled this team’s potential. Fundamentals have been the problem. SHU could have J.J. Redick and Stephen Curry on the wings, for all it matters, but the ultimate factors for any team that hopes to compete at a high level are teamwork and execution.
C’mon, SHU! You’re talented! Execute!
have seen every home game for the last 4 years and the majority of the road games. It is clear to me that the point they are not playing as a team. It is kind of sad to see a team that looks miserable playing together. I have seen possibly 3 or 4 box outs all season. The ball goes up and everyone stares at the ball, rather than trying to find a body.
It is way past time to go four guards and Liam and try and push the tempo. This would create more open shots for their shooter’s (Chauncey, Corey, Ryan). In the half court the offense takes to long to set up. To much dribbling and standing. Its sad that each of their big man gets called for a moving screen every game. Your in college, set your feet. If your going to get called for a moving screen atleast put a guy on his a$$ for once.
The lack of emotion or urgency at any point in the game is sad. I could go way more in depth, but I will leave it at that.
I wish them the best of luck, but it seems like they are going to be on the outisde looking in this year.
One troubling thing is the players on the team havent really developed since they have came in. You think after being at SHU for 5 years in Liam’s case he would have figured out how to keep his hands up on defense, establish position on the offensive end, come out from below the basket when a guard is driving to challenge a shot. Big part of it is coaching. The rest of it is the player. How good do they want to be? The interview at halftime of the QU game had Liam talking about playing professionaly. The scary thing is that he probably will over sea’s because he is 7′. He is semi athletic for a big guy. Moves well up an down the court. Just his positioning is terrbible and game IQ is very low. In the right situation with the right coaching he could tough to deal with.
Interested to see how they come out thursday at RMU. Could be a blow out.
I agree. Many of SHU’s players haven’t improved much since their freshman years. But that comes with the territory; players deemed to have great potential don’t choose to play in the NEC. The NEC gets 3-star recruits with C+ potentially, essentially. Dave Bike has been pretty successful in his 20+ years at SHU, but I’ve never considered him the type of elite NCAA coach that can win games despite poor officiating and can breed talent very effectively. If you look at the Pioneers’ roster, you see that individual year-to-year improvements in assist-to-turnover ratio are marginal. This is a pretty reliable indication that even though there has been growth in other statistical categories (often as a result of more minutes), the player hasn’t really improved all that much.
With the exception of a 77-53 loss @ Pitt, Robert Morris has won every game in the last month by a margin of 9 (lowest) to 18 (highest). So I’ll say (let’s hope I’m closer with this one than the LIU one) 79-68, RMU. Prove me wrong, SHU.
The mismanagement of games, by the coaching staff this season has cost them 2-4 games in conference easy. They go 4 guards the have a better shot. They stick with what they are doing they dont have a shot.
As far as players. You put chauncey is the right system he could be a hell of a player. You have a big man that can pass out of the post and Corey and Ryan would be able to get off much easier shots.
Just the wrong system to be in the for personel that they have.
Hate to say I told you so, but its in the process of getting worse….Bike sitting Litke is killing Corey. Allowing the D to focus on Corey considering there isnt another scorer on the floor. They can win out and make the tourney, but wont last long if they do at this rate.
Why you would ever sit a senior 2nd on your team in scoring and 41.5% from downtown for 27 minutes in a game against the best team in the conference is beyond me [unless there's a factor that we don't know, like an injury]. As long as RMU and QU are dominating this conference, I don’t think it matters who makes the conference tourney; the NEC Championship will most likely come down to those two no matter how the bracket breaks down on the way there. I guess it’s just time to get excited to see what Shane can do next year coming off a non-medical red-shirt.
I know him pretty well and I know there is no injury. Coach’s just doesnt have a clue. When I heard Shane was red-shirting the first thing that came to mind was trasnfering to a better school. With the supporting cast he is gonna have I am suprised he is still there.
I think Coach Bike decided to redshirt Shane because he foresaw that the rest of the team’s scoring leaders would be gone after this year. Without Corey, Liam, Litke, and Chauncey, my projected starting 5 at this moment would be:
G Thompson
G Zazuri
G Gibson
F Sahan
F Greenbacker
As you said, not much scoring there. I think Dave Bike has enough wisdom after 32 years at SHU (2nd-longest tenure in the country, behind only Krzyzewski, for any readers who are wondering) to recognize that Shane will get more playing time in his 5th year than he would have gotten this year, and that the team will need its best returning scorer for as long as possible (2013). It will be interesting to see how the starting 5 shakes out with a couple fairly highly-rated incoming freshmen, SF Chris Evans and SG Steve Glowiak, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Shane is forced to shoulder the load with 15-18 ppg next year.
Glowiak? Wont be much better than his brother at UHart. Shane is pretty damn good. Stan could be a good player with his athleticism if he had any coaching. Figured Shane would be outa there by now. 32 years is a hell of a run. Sometimes things must come to and end. I don’t think any of the assistants they currently have would be a good fit for the job though. None of them seem to develop or work the players to much. Sahan, already wasted to much time typing his name. He brings nothing to any games. Not tough, doesnt box out, poor positioning offense and defense, cant read a defense, doesnt shoot well, slow feet. Best thing is his free throw shooting, but cant get to the line.
I like Zazuri. Been pushing for him to get more time all year. Just needs to pick up some sort of a jumper this off season. Teams drop off him and play the passing lanes. Wasn’t a big fan of Thompson, although I think he has made some good strides. Needs to take what the D gives him and make decisions quicker. Long range shot has improved just hasnt taken enough. Has had some open looks where he passes to a big man and nothing happens.
Ahh well good luck to the Sr’s. Hope they enjoy their last moment at home. Good luck after school.
To what could have been with better coaching.
Slow down offense, worst idea for a up tempo team. Another awful coaching job. Stick a fork in that staff.
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