Lumberjacks lose @ Long Beach State 49ers, 83-80
This was a painful debut to lose. We led at the half 49-35 and were heavily favored to win.
From as much as 20 down, the 49ers came back 48-31 to win the game in the second half.
Brian Foley missed the game-tying basket from the top of the arc, adding to his awful shooting of 1/12.
James Houston was in foul trouble all game, I managed to get him 19 minutes but it hurt us in the second when he got his 4th early.
Turnovers and the streaky 49er Logan Candelaria caused the collapse in the second half.
We led in all major statistical categories with the notable exceptions of steals (1 STL to 8).
We led in turnovers (15 TO to 8). Our assist total is also worth highlighting (23 AST to 11).
Shot well in our debut, 41% from deep. Lynn Milner was our leading scorer with 15.
Lumberjacks lose vs Marshall Thunder Herd, 87-77
First game at J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome, first loss at home.
Down 44-39 at the half and things weren't looking good already, the Jacks shooting 16% from 3 in the half, Houston with 3 fouls.
We get beat in the paint 32-20 by a team that shouldn't be doing that to a team that features James Houston.
Unfortunately for Houston, fouls are such a problem that he is having a hard time finding any consistency in his game to start the year.
Milner with the repeat leading scorer for the Jacks with 15 again.
We had 12 blocks in this game! 3 players had 3 blocks; Merill, Mason and Johnston.
We led early in the first but never really established our footing, it was an easy win for the Herd.
So our problem child through two games has been identified. SR SF Brian Foley, in his 46 minutes: .208 FG%, .291 TS% and 39% usage rate. Why on earth he is doing this to us, I might never know, but he's looking awfully benchable right now. So yeah he's benched. Still very early of course but now is the time for me to experiment. FR SG Dave Atchinson is playing well with the starters right now, so he'll get the nod. So we're benching a 4-star SR in favor of a 1.5-star FR. Let everybody early on know times have changed. While we're here, who's the early stud candidate? Brian Mason, Foley's fellow SR SF, is shooting lights out and playing extremely efficiently to start the year with an EFF of 18,5. I grimace every time I have to take Mason out for rest, he seems to be a real glue guy. Houston, in the limited minutes he's been around, has been incredibly dominant in the paint, and Embiid'ing on the arc.
Lumberjacks win vs Central Florida Knights, 72-61
Can't quite describe the feeling of that first victory, and at home as well.
This was a pretty close game overall, but we were able to build a lead off a three-point barrage in the second half by Lynn Milner and co.
Lynn had 18 pts on 4/8 shooting from deep, as well as 5 assists to be named player of the game.
When I first saw him, I thought James Houston was going to dominate offensively. So far he has shown to instead be a stalwart defensive paint presence.
FR SG Atchinson disappointed in his first start despite the win (1/8 FG, 2 TO). Foley off the bench posted a positive +/- for the first time.
A necessary win for us, happy to have achieved.
Lumberjacks win vs Texas-Rio Grande Vaqueros, 83-80
An epic battle, a stressful end game, but a solid victory for the team.
It was a tense and competitive game from the very beginning. We welcomed J.T. Tucker, a 26ppg center for the Vaqueros.
In Houston's first real test, he shined. He held Tucker to 13 on 6-15, blocked him personally 4 times, and fouled him out of the game.
James finished with 14 pts, 9 boards and 4 blocks. And the little man to his big? Lynn Milner.
Lynn scored a season high 21 as well as 5 assists and 5 rebounds to be named player of the game in consecutive outings.
James Houston hit the final dagger from 10 feet. He waved goodbye over to Tucker on the bench.
Lumberjacks lose @ Hartford Hawks, 77-74
Very disappointing loss, we clawed ourselves all the way back, but there just wasn't enough time.
Unfortunately James Houston met his match today in James Thorpe, another 20+ppg center.
Thorpe recorded 24 points on 9/14 shooting, as well as 2 blocks on Mr. Houston. No waving goodbye though thankfully.
Our lead scorer was again Lynn Milner, but this time tying him is Atchinson, both with 14 pts.
Houston had a massive 5 blocks, but was not able to make the difference in the end.
Brian Foley continues to lead the way in inefficiency for us. It feels like he's mucking up the offense, no matter what group I put him with.
I will continue trying with Foley but so far we lose when we play him and we win when we don't, that simple. Shooting 25%, NET -7.7, a mere 7.0 PER so far. Compare that to second string freshman SG Mike Collins, who's shooting 46%, NET +1.5, PER 12.7 with his minutes. The freshmen are impressing overall, I didn't really have high expectations for them to be fair when compared to Foley. James Houston is currently leading the team in advanced statistical categories including a PIE of 16.72. He is also currently #7 in the whole country in BPG with 2.8 after five games. Brian Mason cooled off significantly over the last three games, but he doesn't take many shots and is efficient even when he's off. Lucas Merrill has been the steady presence I expected, currently scoring more than I thought he would and passing less. He is second in PPG behind Milner with 8.8 PPG. Milner himself is averaging 16.6 PPG, 3.8 APG and 3.4 3PM per game. Right now off the bench getting gold stars through five are SO forward Bryan Lowry, SG Dave Atchinson and backup C Owen Johnston. Disappointments there so far feature backup PG Tristan Watkins who sports a negative A/TO ratio, JR forward Troy Heatherly also struggling with turnovers. Our four remaining non-conference games include @ Arizona State, vs North Dakota, @ Long Island and finally vs East Tennessee State. The goal here is to go 5-4, if we can pick up either ASU or Long Island, I think we can take care of North Dakota and East Tenn at home.
