That's why I said "give or take". Three of those games we absolutely should've won. Murray we should've lost. Leave everything else as is and there should be 2 more wins there, and like it or not, poor preparation, coaching, execution led to at least another loss or two when things could've gone either way. No idea how you don't view those as missed opportunities.
I'm not focusing on that though. My point is, those things aside, SIU can compete with and beat any of the other 11 teams in this league if they play as they're capable.
--Insert something witty here--
Every team goes through games and stretches were things don't go well instead of jumping off a cliff I tend to believe in averages and most of the time things balance out if this makes me a bluebird eater so be it I tend to be a person who hopes for the best instead of being someone who is at times negative sometimes when emotions get involved people make a comment that does age wellI love the bipolar people on this board we go from sucking no one can play or do anything then the players and staff can do know wrong and I guess the few of us who continue to be positive finally got rewarded with our faith in this team and coaches. One thing I find extremely positive is when I listen to the post game interviews of the players from game 1 until now is they all repeat the same message as their coach which says to me this team believes in each other the staff and have really bought in to the process for good or bad
And then we have the bluebird eaters on a valium drip who refuse to be realistic.
We certainly have sucked a lot. Blown huge leads, couldn't get the ball inbounds, played so so defense, couldn't throw it in the ocean, stagnant offense, etc. And we weren't very good for most of the 1st half last night, as Avila ate us up.
Last few minutes of the 1st and 2nd half last night was the best ball we have played all year. Played with great desire and great D against an Indiana State team that certainly did not play their best and was missing their leading rebounder and 12.7ppg, starter Jayson Kent. They also shot only 28% from three but average 38% from three for the year. Their leading scorer Swope was 0 - 6 from three and had only 6 points - averages 17.3.
We had 10 steals, 6 blocks, and only 7 TOs and shut Avila down for the most part in the 2nd half. That certainly wasn't much like most of our games this year. Hope it doesn't turn out to be an anomaly.
In case it matters people talk about the trees being short handed last night weren't we short handed when we played them in late December without AJ
I agree. I have certainly not hesitated to express my reservations about BM's coaching. However, I gotta give credit where credit is due. He made adjustments last night that were a long time coming and the results speak for themselves. Hopefully this continues. Gives me hope he can turn this around. And no, that is not being bipolar as one poster suggested. To have one opinion on what was and another opinion about what presently is, is being realistic. 🙂Just rewatched the game. Mullins went with some different line ups that were very effective. Playing AJ at the 2 and KD at the 3. Later he played Troy, Hensley and Ebube at the same time which was again effective. It was nice to see some different line ups that really worked well.
This is one of the biggest adjustments BM has made: going big, finally, and it really paid off.
In case it matters people talk about the trees being short handed last night weren't we short handed when we played them in late December without AJ
Would not have mattered. They didn't have Conwell that first game, who scored 16 last night. Also, Avila only played 23 minutes, didn't take a single 3pt shot, and scored only 9 points. Swope led them with 22. Bledson and Larry combined for 29 pts. Last night they combined for just 13. Last night Swope had 6 and Avila played 37 minutes and had 30.
We shot 30%, 15% from three in Terrible Haute. Can't beat anybody shooting like that. Also, Ebube played only 7 minutes - coaching decision. And Davis played only 20. We were thoroughly out coached and out played.
Last night - different story. Ebube played 17 minutes, Davis 26. AJ only had 9 pts but had 8 rbs and 4 steals. Our D was outstanding after the first 15 minutes.
I'd be very excited to see Ferguson and Davis start at the 2 and 3 next year. Mullins has shown more of a willingness to play them together lately. They are both athletic enough to guard positions 2-4. A starting lineup below would look good in my opinion:
Elite PG transfer
Ferguson
Davis
D'Amico (Hensley off bench)
Rupert (Ebube off bench)
We get the above 6 core players back and 3 good transfer guards and we could be in very good shape next year. Have to get a stud PG transfer and a good SG transfer.
Ferguson and Davis are both going to need to spend the offseason getting better at shooting the three ball if that’s the lineup. Davis has been okay but isn’t shooting a huge volume…Ferguson has been bad and most of his shots have been wide open.
This is college basketball there are going to be ebbs and flows the rest of the season. Just like after the Drake game we more than likely will lay and egg and then the board goes back to needing to step back from the ledge….This will be followed by the game like last night where we are all upbeat and enthusiastic.
The play last night that stands out was the .9 left in the first half. I was sitting there saying “take a timeout” to set up a play.( We still had the use it or lose it timeout left). Unbeknownst to me the team works on that exact play every game day and didn’t need to have it drawn up. Kudos to the coaching staff and team for executing this to perfection.
I agree. I have certainly not hesitated to express my reservations about BM's coaching. However, I gotta give credit where credit is due. He made adjustments last night that were a long time coming and the results speak for themselves. Hopefully this continues. Gives me hope he can turn this around. And no, that is not being bipolar as one poster suggested. To have one opinion on what was and another opinion about what presently is, is being realistic. 🙂Just rewatched the game. Mullins went with some different line ups that were very effective. Playing AJ at the 2 and KD at the 3. Later he played Troy, Hensley and Ebube at the same time which was again effective. It was nice to see some different line ups that really worked well.
This is one of the biggest adjustments BM has made: going big, finally, and it really paid off.
Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner, folks!
(Inflammatory political snark)
not sure why our 5 isn't guarding their 5 - that's a recipe for disaster
it was a terrific game plan, not having our 5 try to cover Avilas pick and pop, which we have shown an inability to do. Allowed us to keep our big much closer to the basket, condense the floor on them. Helped eliminate some of their back cutting and easy scores around the rim. Great adjustment. Helped us win the game.
Um, you do realize Avila dropped 30 on us right? The adjustment did stem the tide of bunnies somewhat, though. So, I agree with you there.
This is college basketball there are going to be ebbs and flows the rest of the season. Just like after the Drake game we more than likely will lay and egg and then the board goes back to needing to step back from the ledge….This will be followed by the game like last night where we are all upbeat and enthusiastic.
The play last night that stands out was the .9 left in the first half. I was sitting there saying “take a timeout” to set up a play.( We still had the use it or lose it timeout left). Unbeknownst to me the team works on that exact play every game day and didn’t need to have it drawn up. Kudos to the coaching staff and team for executing this to perfection.
"Unbeknownst to me" is the key phrase. Like fans everywhere "we" think that "we" know what the coaching staff "should" be doing when Mullins & Co. knows what a given player had for breakfast three days ago. I doubt that any of us tell the airline captain how he needs to fly the plane, or the doctor how to perform an operation on us, we all make a living from one another's ignorance. Go Dawgs.
The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.
James Madison
It took me awhile to get this uploaded (tech difficulties) but here we go…
…The final 38 seconds in real time. One 7 minute video. No stops.
Go Dawgs!
It took me awhile to get this uploaded (tech difficulties) but here we go…
…The final 38 seconds in real time. One 7 minute video. No stops.
Go Dawgs!
underrated part of this video is the members of the Dawg Pound making sure Indiana State got off the floor with no issues and nobody in their way.
It was a true delight to witness in person that victory Saturday evening. Well worth the blizzard my son and I drove through on Friday. Numerous cars, trucks, and Semis in the ditch. A six hour drive normally, turned into an 8 hour drive.
Banterra is such a fun atmosphere! Was certainly hoping for a sell out with a ranked opponent coming in, but the 6,000 there were loud and proud. Witnessed some better rotations, and a beautiful play before the half under our basket! Liked seeing Troy in the middle ( FREE THROW LINE ) on offense. He's a good passer, and better shooter from there. Really liked the play of our true freshmen Davis. Wow! Let's get him some help for next season! Hensley came up big down the stretch. I believe he is beginning to figure things out on the defensive side. Overall a great team effort and win.
Can not afford a emotional let down vs the Racers. They will come in fired up after blowing the big lead vs us a few weeks ago.
GO DAWGS!!!
