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I did a bit of live-tweeting about the WMU-Akron basketball game from this past Tuesday, in which Western got absolutely walloped by the Zips. A buddy of mine - who had no real interest in the game - wasn't satisfied with my 23 WMU-Akron in-game tweets. He wanted more! So I indulged in a fifteen minute tweet session that actually ended up summarizing my feelings about the game as a Western fan. It felt good. Let's talk about 'em!
David Brown needs to improve shooting off the dribble drive. @KurTimber
— Sir Roushington (@broush90) January 7, 2015
Several times over the course of the game we saw Brown make a nice penetrating drive only to miss the close-range shot. He wasn't the only to do this actually, as Connar Tava had this happen as well. Have to improve that side of the offense moving forward.
Drake LaMont needs to develop his offense. We can't have our big man scoring next to nothing. @KurTimber
— Sir Roushington (@broush90) January 7, 2015
The freshman center has done a pretty good job defensively, but we have seen next to nothing on offense. He's a big kid who just has to find some confidence out there. Having a scoring threat down low is going to be critical this year.
Matasovic and Wilder are both proving to be our most competent young guys. Not afraid to put up shots and are pretty athletic.
— Sir Roushington (@broush90) January 7, 2015
I like both these guys, like, a whole bunch. They just seem to have boundless energy on the court. Solid to have role players like this.
It's clear that Tava can't be our only offensive option. We need to see a bit more of the David Brown from last year
— Sir Roushington (@broush90) January 7, 2015
Not to say that Brown is having a bad year, but he does seem to getting a slower start
— Sir Roushington (@broush90) January 7, 2015
Brown is still scoring 13.8 points per game for the team, which is second best. So I'm really not trying to be that hard on him. But he has seemed lost at times and I think it's just his pure talent that allows him to put up those numbers. Maybe not having Shayne Whittington around has thrown him off a bit? He's doing fine, but it was a weird part of that puzzle of a loss on Tuesday.
Akrton's center Forsythe burned us going 6/6 on the night. If we can't have tougher D down low, it's gonna be a long year.
— Sir Roushington (@broush90) January 7, 2015
Maybe losing Whittington down low is going to be worse than I thought...
Not that it was the difference in the game, but 7 for 15 from the charity stripe will not cut it for the Broncos long term
— Sir Roushington (@broush90) January 7, 2015
MAKE YOUR DAMN FREE THROWS, SON.
On a plus side, Tucker Haymond kicked serious butt tonight scoring 21, including 5 3-pointers
— Sir Roushington (@broush90) January 7, 2015
Awesome to see. Yay for the few positives from the game!
And to his credit, Brown was second in scoring with 14 for the Broncos. But everyone else was relatively silent - only 6 pts for Tava
— Sir Roushington (@broush90) January 7, 2015
Like I said, not a Brown hater. The guy IS Bronco basketball and we love him here at Hustlebelt.
Bottom line offensively, we shot 35.3%. We certainly did not play our best. Which means there is definitely plenty of hope this early
— Sir Roushington (@broush90) January 7, 2015
Seriously. Eighteen of fifty-one. UGGGHHHHHHHH.
I forgot to mention McCormick as a solid young guy too, but that's probably because he's contributed a lot offensively previously.
— Sir Roushington (@broush90) January 7, 2015
And another positive! Well not from the this game in particular, but McCormick has been consistent leading up to this one.
Definitely too early to say what this team will do this year. At it's best, we can repeat, but there is a lot to solve yet.
— Sir Roushington (@broush90) January 7, 2015
If we've learned anything so far this year, it's that the MAC is effing going to be effing tough. Make some adjustments, beat Buffalo on Saturday, and set the ship right. Go Broncos, y'all.