The big news of the day is obviously Justin Martin?s concussion, but here are a few other notes from today?s pre-Kent State press conference.
ENERGIZER: Dee Davis, asked today to assess his last two games, said he?s been a little passive and needs to get the ball to players in the right places for XU to succeed. But coach Chris Mack believes his defense will be what jump-starts him on both ends of the floor.
?Dee hasn?t played to his capability level (in the last two games), and I think he?d be the first to tell you. He needs to be an energizer on the defensive end. His presence, his energy, is infectious. You either inspire your teammates or you deflate your teammates as a defender. When you?re out on the other team?s point guard and he crosses over half court, what does your body language say? Are you in a stance, no matter what?s happened on the offensive end? We may not have scored five times in a row. Are you in a stance? Are you inspiring your teammates or are you deflating their energy? I think that?s where it has to start with Dee,? Mack said.
?On offense he?s got to make better decisions. He?s a young point guard and hopefully as he makes bad decisions, he learns from them and gets better.?
Against Vanderbilt, defensive pressure got to Davis at times and he threw the ball away or lost it out of bounds. He tied Semaj Christon with a team-high three turnovers in the game.
ON YOUR TOES: Kent State forces nearly 16 turnovers per game and scores an average of 18.7 points off them. Watch out for junior forward Melvin Tabb, who leads the Golden Flashes with four drawn charges this season.
ENERGIZER: Dee Davis, asked today to assess his last two games, said he?s been a little passive and needs to get the ball to players in the right places for XU to succeed. But coach Chris Mack believes his defense will be what jump-starts him on both ends of the floor.
?Dee hasn?t played to his capability level (in the last two games), and I think he?d be the first to tell you. He needs to be an energizer on the defensive end. His presence, his energy, is infectious. You either inspire your teammates or you deflate your teammates as a defender. When you?re out on the other team?s point guard and he crosses over half court, what does your body language say? Are you in a stance, no matter what?s happened on the offensive end? We may not have scored five times in a row. Are you in a stance? Are you inspiring your teammates or are you deflating their energy? I think that?s where it has to start with Dee,? Mack said.
?On offense he?s got to make better decisions. He?s a young point guard and hopefully as he makes bad decisions, he learns from them and gets better.?
Against Vanderbilt, defensive pressure got to Davis at times and he threw the ball away or lost it out of bounds. He tied Semaj Christon with a team-high three turnovers in the game.
ON YOUR TOES: Kent State forces nearly 16 turnovers per game and scores an average of 18.7 points off them. Watch out for junior forward Melvin Tabb, who leads the Golden Flashes with four drawn charges this season.
