Why take out Dean to start 2nd half

I applaud the effort too, but coach still has a lot to learn. I like that he finally added a wrinkle to the defense, that’s the positive.
The negative, lineup and roster awareness, I agree with ya, gotta ride the hot hand.
I also disagree with most people that we lack talent. The core of this team is really not bad at all. They are on par with most teams in the SEC and have more than enough to make the tournament.
The problem I see with our roster is lack of a leader. There is no Skylar mays per se to rally the team when things are going bad or making a run. Weight is good but not a leader, we were hoping cook could be that guy but that kinda blew up. Closest we had was Hannible. I think Williams has that potential, he’s not our best player but he has that fire and intensity. I know a lot of people are fired up about the two recruits next year but if one of them doesn’t bring a leadership quality to this team then we will be in the same boat as we are this year. I applaud the effort this team and Coach Mac played with, and I’m pulling for him because I love LSU basketball. But next year there has to be a jump, not just in leadership but Identity and fundamental play.

Pmac, the thread is about effort dumbass, and I’m not a Coach Mac guy, in fact I’m one who thinks Wade is a top tier coach in basketball. It’s one thing if you wanna throw shade at the Macmen, I get it, I just don’t partake In that childish banter. I’m not making excuses for him or claiming some kind of moral victory. Bottom line is winning. You wanna talk X’s and O’s and compare coaches then that’s fine. But read the subject of this post

They just need ball handlers. They play hard and are bought in, but they lead the league in turnovers. They have some of the dumbest, most ridiculous 3 stooges type turnovers you’ve ever seen. Like I’m talking 5th grade intramural shite where the ball hits somebody in the head that’s not expecting a pass

quote:

---

but when turnovers occur over and over and over again, shouldnt the coach change something up?

---

Yes, but also, I’m not sure we have 5 players to put on the floor who weren’t turning the ball over today.

quote:

---

Dean was giving MSU fits, so he gets the sit the bench for the first third of the 2nd half. Just completely mind boggling.

---

Dean controlled the inside by himself. With LSU jumping the ball screen for Hubbard and MSU shooting poorly from the outside they could get nothing going. LSU was even outrebounding State in the first half with Dean in.

I hated that he put Baker back out to start the 2nd half, but we knew he would. However, to leave the guy who EVERYONE, fans, announcers, opposing team, could see was the biggest difference maker in the first half for (nearly) 8:00 and giving up the lead is inexcusable. It makes you want to ask "Are you watching a different game? How are you not seeing what everyone else is seeing?"

We controlled the first half arse hat with a 7 pt lead at the break. Coach just made a mistake with holding Dean out.

quote:

---

Dean had a nice game. 3/4 from the field and 4/6 from the FT line for a total of ten points. He brought down 6 rebounds . He played 23:46 minutes which is pretty good for a big man. Baker only played 16:14 and got 6 points.

---

This doesn’t tell the whole story.

Dean was a force and playing terrific ball. Really a catalyst for the team. Then CoachMc sits him just prior to the under 8 timeout in the first half. This is a good move. Means he gets extra rest sitting prior to the mandatory timeout and then the timeout itself. So he goes back in afterwards, right? Nope.

Then to open the 2nd half, he sits for almost the first 8 minutes. Seriously, just head scratching. I both goof and applaud on CoachMc at times, but I want to win first and foremost. I absolutely hated what he did today. Right when I thought, that’s a smart move, he completely ignores the smart part.

quote:

---

Often it’s not about who starts, but who finishes. You could argue a fresh Dean down the stretch was better than letting him start the second half.

But who knows? Dean wasn’t going to play the whole game.

---

It still doesn't answer to rotation question.

You're right, no one knows for sure the outcome, but getting him extra rest for the under 8 in 1st and halftime rest and not playing the first almost 8 minutes of the 2nd easily questions my opinion of whether CoachMc understands game flow. Outside of some in-game posters, no one was expecting Dean to play 40 minutes.

But be honest here.

quote:

---

Means he gets extra rest sitting prior to the mandatory timeout and then the timeout itself. So he goes back in afterwards, right? Nope.

---

That's why I wasn't a fan of it- I agreed that your spin on it was smart, but I didn't trust MM to actually put him back in.

In regards to whether or not he should have started the second half, in my personal opinion with the flow of the game he should have started the second half to keep the foot on the gas, sub him out at the under 12, bring him back for the under 8.. but that doesn't happen.. Then McMahon subs him out with I think 3 or 2 minutes left then puts him back in with a minute to go when the game is out of reach???

I'm honestly so tired of these rotations man. I really think he's either stubborn, clueless, or playing favorites.

quote:

---

Outside of some in-game posters, no one was expecting Dean to play 40 minutes.

---

Didn't expect him to play 40, but it's march- and we're fighting for the post season. Sometimes players have to play 30-35 minutes in a game. It is what is, especially when we're down 1/3 of our roster.



Another questionable rotation decision- why was Mike/Mwani not playing more? I get that Jordan has been our best player, our leader, and was playing well all season- but NONE of that matters in this game. Anyone with a modicum of basketball knowledge could tell you he was stinking up the offensive flow and preventing us from playing to our best.

Look at Mwani, plays 5 minutes, makes a 3, gets a nice block- but then proceeds to ride the pine??? But you give Jordan 30 minutes and 15 fricking shot attempts? What the frick? Anyone who watches MBB could tell you he was playing better this game and deserved to play. What any player did before is IRRELEVANT. It is March. We play on a game to game basis.

It's almost like coach just doesn't trust players who are hot in each individual game to let them play. He doesn't want to give keys to the guys who don't work the hardest in practice or something. I don't know. It's just incredibly frustrating. More so because McMahon is a really cool dude and I want more than anything to like him and for him to succeed. But he's making it hard.