Drake was a behemoth last year and they got the benefit. SIU has only had one fifth year senior whose come through our program entirely. That is my only point. Bryan did not pivot well enough, but the circumstances have not been ideal.
My 2 cents worth...
X played way too many minutes and was gassed at the end.
Rebounding. Where do I begin...
OUTCOACHED... good coaches make adjustments... ours just stays with the same ole plan win or lose.
Why wouldn't you at least try another BIG?
Maybe the success at Loyola wasn't because of Mullins... OU is ranked #11 at 9-0
Maybe? That's Saluki mythology. Moser is a way better coach than he was for the Redturds. His stint as a Majerus ass't certainly helped.
A bigtime jock school like Oklahoma certainly did their homework before hiring him.
After viewing the first few minutes of this contest, something was amiss. Perhaps a bit of a let down after beating OSU, or the 7 day layoff contributed? The team, as a collective group, did not seem to have the focus or determination like other games. Student section, as well as the overall crowd, (4,400) did not seem as enthused for whatever reason. 7 players played for SIU, and 7 players played for AP. Curious if any of the local media asked Coach Mullins why Scottie, McGee, or even Sharp did not find playing time? Is it for discipline reasons, lack of training dedication, attitude, or just not good enough? When, if ever, will Cade play a full game in a Saluki jersey? Such a mystery with a lot of the decision making. However, I am not a part of the coaching staff, and therefore not a part of practices, training sessions, and individual meetings. There has to be some logical reason. At least we all hope. I really dislike the idea that I have very little confidence in a bounce back victory against the WSU Shockers on Saturday. Very much the same feeling when football travels to NDSU. Bad MOJO.
If you listen to the postgame radio interview with Mullins, Watson did ask about Ebube not playing. Mullins implied he has to show more in practice and that he probably could have played him a bit - a pretty vague and not particularly illuminating answer, but glad he was asked.
My interpretation, just an educated stab, is that it's a combination of Ebube not working on his deficiencies in practice as vigorously as the coaches would like, and Mullins' preference for playing smaller lineups, especially when the other team goes small.
Regardless of the rationale, a DNP for a guy with his size and traits a month into his third year on campus is disappointing.
Mullins literally said something like there's probably a minute or a couple of minutes we could have stole with him in the first half. Also said he's got to put the work in and he has to be a piece of this team moving forward for sure...defended his small lineup with D'Amico and Stulic..
As someone mentioned, AP is not without talent. They just outquicked us and out hustled us 2nd half, while actually playing only 7 players the whole game just like us.
Black played 40 minutes. While we seemed fatigued 2nd half, they did not. Had way more energy. Also shot way better than us 2nd half. Their coach made good adjustments at half and had those guys psyched. They will win a lot of games in their conference.
Rupert played 26 minutes and Ebube played 0 minutes. So SIU went small for 14 minutes. Does anyone know the score during those 14 minutes of small ball?
I caution anyone getting excited about Hensley playing. He may be too tall to play here, lol.
Rupert played 26 minutes and Ebube played 0 minutes. So SIU went small for 14 minutes. Does anyone know the score during those 14 minutes of small ball?
I caution anyone getting excited about Hensley playing. He may be too tall to play here, lol.
Mullins, defending the Ebube detention, said we got some separation in the 1st half with the small lineup. He failed to mention they got rid of the separation 2nd half (no matter what the lineup.)
I agree Hensley is too tall. Clarence better get a burr haircut too or his minutes may shrink. Cade NADA! 😉
Well, after this year Mullins won’t have to worry about Scooter Ebube. He’ll be in the transfer portal.
I'm not sayin' -- I'm just sayin'!
The 8 points and 3 rebounds average for Ferguson is very deceiving. He played his last 2 games with an undiagnosed stress/hairline fracture. He scored a total of 2 points in very limited minutes in those games. He averaged 13 points and 4.3 rebounds his 1st 3 games when healthy. He will be the 2nd leading scorer on this team this year if he comes back at 100%. Also, at 6'6", long and super athletic he is a huge missing piece. Davis has played well in Ferguson's absence, but he is no where near the offensive threat at this point Ferguson is. Also, Ferguson plays great defense. We even played Ferguson and Davis together a little in those first five games depending upon the matchup. I don't think you can underestimate how valuable Ferguson is to this team and how big it will be having him back.Sharp is healthy per the broadcast, it’s pretty clear he’s redshirting this year if he doesn’t get in before conference play continues again.
Ebube and McGee are healthy though, so you’re willingly sitting 2 healthy bodies and playing a 7 man rotation. That’s where I don’t buy the injury excuse.
I’m not trying to start an argument here but, if you have watched McGee in his limited minutes, he’s a liability on defense. Guys blow right by him without much resistance. Ferguson is a much better defender (which is what we needed yesterday). You don’t think having him back would make you a better team? Allow you to spell some guys a few minutes here or there. Just because you have a healthy body doesn’t mean they will perform to the level you need. Ferguson was starting before he got injured and played 20+ minutes a game, scored 8 points with 3 rebounds. You are kidding yourself if you think they are the same player.
Ebube is still a bit of a conundrum at this point, maybe Mullins didn’t feel like he could guard their quickness b/c we were switching 1-5 for good portions of the game. I don’t know the rationale there.
In the end, eligibility issues and injuries are absolutely affecting this team. We should have been able to handle this game despite those issues. Just a poor 2nd half on both ends of the floor.
You can’t just dismiss adversity like that because there is a warm body on the bench not playing.
Can we maybe play them both at the Wings and put 6'1" Trent Brown back on the bench? Maybe at least pretend we are a legit D1 sized team? That would be a formidable starting line-up.
