SD Cherokees - Why the downward slide?

[tfm]

A once promising season may have slipped away. The Cherokees have lost 7 of their last 9 games after starting the season 15 - 4. What happened?

 

Schedule - the schedule has gotten tougher. However, early season victories over Bearden, Farragut and Karns were solid wins.

 

Fatigue - SD usually only plays 7 players a game. 3 - 4 guys play the entire game, every game. SD plays alot of full court and half court trapping defense. After 28 games you have some tired legs. Jump shots are short. Loose balls are going the other way. Board play is weaker...more reaching and fouling on defense.

 

Selfish Play - 3 guys do most of the scoring. That is fine - as long as it comes within the flow of the offense. Each will get plenty of touches within the offense - they should actually get better looks! When guys force shots (I stopped counting at 15 forced last game) and go 1 on 5 everything breaks down. The rebounders are out of place. Nobody is back on defense - giving up easy baskets on the other end.

 

Hopefully Coach Smith and staff can right the ship quickly - team ball, execution and hustle brought success early in the season. These same three ingredients can produce success in the post season as well...

 

Good luck in the the tournaments, Cherokees!

[fatjoe8]

depth is definitely an issue

 

maybe some bench players will step up