After watching most of the games this year, I stand by what I said at the beginning of the season. Trent Brown would have been better served by red shirting. With Cook going down, it wasn't really feasible but, while I think he will be a very good shooter when it's all said and done, he just doesn't look ready physically at this point.
Positive takeaways, Domask and Jones just keep getting better. Benson played well although he couldn't stop French but few can. Wondered why Dembele didn't play too.
69 is right, and it is straight out of the 2000s "uglyball" playbook, adapted for an inexperienced and generally outmatched team: as long as we have the ball, they can't score.
Ugly, yes, but probably more effective than getting in a running battle with a more experienced team.
Taking a shot with 4 or 5 seconds left on the clock is a running game?
Easier said than done.
There were "only" five shot clock violations; it's not as though there was a desperation shot lifted every time down the floor.
It is frustrating, and I'm sure there were times when BM was pulling his hair out too: "NOOOO! Don't take it THAT literally!" But in the end, limiting the other team's opportunities to score isn't a bad plan, even though it sometimes will result in, as you say, a de facto turnover. Unfortunately, it's where we are now.
(Inflammatory political snark)
I should have said "isn't a bad plan with the team we have right now."
(Inflammatory political snark)
Mullins out-coached Ford. I love Mullins going past half-court to coach up the defense.
Have patience people. The future is bright.
I have enough patience to wait until next season to see some significant improvements. Again though, this team needs bigger and stronger players. The spring signing period will tell me a LOT about what to expect for next season. If they're playing 4/5 guards at a time next year with another middle man who is not a strong rebounder, you'll see a lot of the same issues next season. Rebuilding or not, it is beyond painful to watch teams get offensive rebound after offensive rebound.
Scrappy effort against probably the best team we will play this year on their home court. Out-manned, outgunned and outweighed, but no quit.
Mullins out-coached Ford. I love Mullins going past half-court to coach up the defense.
Have patience people. The future is bright.
I have enough patience to wait until next season to see some significant improvements. Again though, this team needs bigger and stronger players. The spring signing period will tell me a LOT about what to expect for next season. If they're playing 4/5 guards at a time next year with another middle man who is not a strong rebounder, you'll see a lot of the same issues next season. Rebuilding or not, it is beyond painful to watch teams get offensive rebound after offensive rebound.
Agree another productive spring period will be key to supplement the young talent already aboard, with an emphasis on adding some size and brawn. Still bummed/confused about the Clemson transfer bouncing this summer.
Mullins out-coached Ford. I love Mullins going past half-court to coach up the defense.
Have patience people. The future is bright.
Absolutely.
The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.
James Madison
For me, the takeaway is so ridiculously positive despite the loss that I scarcely know where to begin, but I'll try.
1. The two best players on the floor for us--Domask and Jones--were two true freshmen. Wow, does that ever bode well for the future!
2. There was no quit in these guys. I was particularly happy when SLU had an 11-0 run in the first half, but we hung in there and wound up with the lead at the half.
3. We already look better than we did two weeks ago, even without Cook.
Other stuff:
Jones looks great, truly impressive. I have not seen a freshman guard like this since BM himself. The only difference is that Jones still has a freshman motor: he looked tired in occasion, both physically and mentally. That will change soon enough. Much as I choke on these words, good job Hinson staff for bringing him in. Even better job, Mullins staff, for keeping him.
Domask--wow. In terms of impact, he is Rick Shipley and Matt Shaw on steroids. It took Herrin and Weber a couple of years to land guys like that; BM did it with his first recruiting class.
As for the rest of this year, who knows? But Benson looks good scoring-wise. I think we all knew he wasn't a rebounder.
I think we're just going to have to enjoy whatever looks good for the future. On that front, I am beyond satisfied, even this early.
But yeah: I would really like to add a serious big. Then again, do you take a mediocre player just because he's big, or do you opt for a smaller guy who's a better player? Tough call.
OK, I'll stop blathering, but not before pointing this out: Whenever I was on this site during the game, the board stats consistently showed something like the following: 8 members online, 12 guests. Last year, this place was a ghost town for the most part. Maybe that's the best thing to come out of all this.
(Inflammatory political snark)
For me, the takeaway is so ridiculously positive despite the loss that I scarcely know where to begin, but I'll try.
1. The two best players on the floor for us--Domask and Jones--were two true freshmen. Wow, does that ever bode well for the future!
2. There was no quit in these guys. I was particularly happy when SLU had an 11-0 run in the first half, but we hung in there and wound up with the lead at the half.
3. We already look better than we did two weeks ago, even without Cook.
Other stuff:
Jones looks great, truly impressive. I have not seen a freshman guard like this since BM himself. The only difference is that Jones still has a freshman motor: he looked tired in occasion, both physically and mentally. That will change soon enough. Much as I choke on these words, good job Hinson staff for bringing him in. Even better job, Mullins staff, for keeping him.
Domask--wow. In terms of impact, he is Rick Shipley and Matt Shaw on steroids. It took Herrin and Weber a couple of years to land guys like that; BM did it with his first recruiting class.
As for the rest of this year, who knows? But Benson looks good scoring-wise. I think we all knew he wasn't a rebounder.
I think we're just going to have to enjoy whatever looks good for the future. On that front, I am beyond satisfied, even this early.
But yeah: I would really like to add a serious big. Then again, do you take a mediocre player just because he's big, or do you opt for a smaller guy who's a better player? Tough call.
OK, I'll stop blathering, but not before pointing this out: Whenever I was on this site during the game, the board stats consistently showed something like the following: 8 members online, 12 guests. Last year, this place was a ghost town for the most part. Maybe that's the best thing to come out of all this.
Blathering is perfectly acceptable, it’s a forum, Go Dawgs!
The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.
James Madison
For me, the takeaway is so ridiculously positive despite the loss that I scarcely know where to begin, but I'll try.
1. The two best players on the floor for us--Domask and Jones--were two true freshmen. Wow, does that ever bode well for the future!
2. There was no quit in these guys. I was particularly happy when SLU had an 11-0 run in the first half, but we hung in there and wound up with the lead at the half.
3. We already look better than we did two weeks ago, even without Cook.
Other stuff:
Jones looks great, truly impressive. I have not seen a freshman guard like this since BM himself. The only difference is that Jones still has a freshman motor: he looked tired in occasion, both physically and mentally. That will change soon enough. Much as I choke on these words, good job Hinson staff for bringing him in. Even better job, Mullins staff, for keeping him.
Domask--wow. In terms of impact, he is Rick Shipley and Matt Shaw on steroids. It took Herrin and Weber a couple of years to land guys like that; BM did it with his first recruiting class.
As for the rest of this year, who knows? But Benson looks good scoring-wise. I think we all knew he wasn't a rebounder.
I think we're just going to have to enjoy whatever looks good for the future. On that front, I am beyond satisfied, even this early.
But yeah: I would really like to add a serious big. Then again, do you take a mediocre player just because he's big, or do you opt for a smaller guy who's a better player? Tough call.
OK, I'll stop blathering, but not before pointing this out: Whenever I was on this site during the game, the board stats consistently showed something like the following: 8 members online, 12 guests. Last year, this place was a ghost town for the most part. Maybe that's the best thing to come out of all this.
20? Is that all?
“The hardest thing to explain is the glaringly evident which everybody has decided not to see.”
― Ayn Rand
We were very well prepared for this game, just couldn’t physically match up with them. Freshmen play continues to improve and the players are getting to know each other better. Exactly what I hoped to see this season. Get healthy young men.
Heh-heh! I guess?
But about double (quadruple?) of last year. And I was here for most games.
Come to think of it, this is the first time I've seen you around in-game for quite some time! 😛
(Inflammatory political snark)
Mullins should consider playing two low post players at the same time. SIU is getting crushed on the boards and playing the combo of 1 big and 4 wings/guards isn't getting it done. Doesn't hurt to experiment at this point.
