Rouen loses fifth game in seven

Rouen Métropole Basket lost its fifth match in seven games on Friday, October 30, falling to Hyères-Toulon at home with a score of 90-105. The team, which now sits 18th out of 20 teams in the ELITE 2 league with only two wins, has raised concerns among its coach, Jean-Denys Choulet.

Coach criticizes defensive performance

In a press conference, Choulet expressed frustration over the team's lack of defensive effort, calling it "incomprehensible" that the players did not show the will to defend, especially at home. He described the loss as a "huge disappointment" and a moment for personal reassessment.

Roberson dominates in key victory

The performance of John Roberson, the point guard for Hyères-Toulon, was a major factor in the team's win. Roberson, a former teammate of Choulet, scored 30 points on 7/11 shots, including 4/7 from three-point range, and contributed 11 assists in 31 minutes. His performance was described as "outstanding" by the opposing coach.

Choulet's defensive strategy fails

Choulet had emphasized neutralizing Roberson as the priority in his game plan, instructing his two point guards to apply maximum defensive pressure on him. However, this strategy was ineffective, as Roberson scored 30 points despite the effort. Choulet acknowledged the failure, noting the clear instructions had not been followed.

Rouen's point guard struggles

The contrast between Roberson and Rouen's starting point guard, Jalen Moore, was stark. Moore scored only 5 points on 2/10 shots, despite 8 assists, and had a rating of 1 in nearly 25 minutes. Roberson, meanwhile, had a +24 differential when he was on the court, highlighting the defensive breakdown.

Rouen's defensive struggles evident

Hyères-Toulon shot 55% from three-point range and 72.2% from two-point range, indicating the defensive challenges faced by Rouen. The visitors also dominated the rebound count (33 to 23) and led for 38 minutes and 52 seconds, building a 20-point lead at one point.

Coach criticizes team's attitude

Choulet expressed frustration with the lack of defensive effort, stating he had "more voices to tell them to defend" but still saw players failing to apply full-court pressure. He also criticized some players for being more focused on their appearance than on winning games.

Some Rouen players shine offensively

Despite the defensive struggles, a few Rouen players had strong performances. Marchelus Avery and Akram Naji each scored 17 points, while Igor Mintogo added 15 points and Jared Ambrose contributed 14 points and 7 rebounds before being fouled out.

Hyères-Toulon's balanced attack

Hyères-Toulon's offense was well-rounded, with five players scoring at least 10 points. Moses Greenwood led the way with 22 points, and Franklin Mitchell and Walter Whyte each added 17 points. This balanced attack helped the team finish with a collective rating of 126, compared to 100 for Rouen.

Rouen's poor start to the season

Rouen has lost five of its first seven games, with only two victories at home against Blois and La Rochelle. The team has allowed an average of 88.4 points per game, with three games where they conceded at least 97 points. Choulet emphasized the need for a change in attitude to improve the team's performance.

Choulet warns of necessary changes

Choulet stated that the team's reaction must start with a change in desire and attitude. He warned that the situation was "unacceptable" and that he would take "the necessary decisions" to improve the team's performance. He emphasized the importance of fighting at home and is now awaiting a response from his players.