I must say that I am disappointed, but also encouraged at the same time. The Dawgs could have easily shut down early after getting into foul trouble, and trailing 16 to the #22 team in the nation. They most certainly did not, but instead showed great character. I believe this game will pay dividends down the road. I observed some of the JMU players showing disrespect to our players. So very happy that Coach Mullins does not feel a need to recruit those types. Tomorrow is another day.
GO DAWGS!!!
Proud of this team, like Rodney Watson said, lots of positives to take from this game. Davis is one hell of an athlete.
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Xavier Johnson is carrying this team on his back. Teams are gonna have to start doubling him and letting other guys beat them.
And not to be a dick. I dont really have an issue with Xavier Johnson and I know this comment will anger people. But if he is your best player and main offensive weapon your team is probably not good.
Yeah, you're being one. Have you watched him this year? Players can improve
He is a graduate student who has spent his prior 4 seasons being mostly a non factor on offense.
He wasn't a scorer, not particularly good shooter, not great as a distributor. He left George Mason because he was recruited over.
I stand by my statement that if the 24 year old graduate student with a career PPG of around 6 or 7 is your biggest offensive weapon your team is not good.
Not a smart hill to die on. He's a stud.
Bryan Mullins postgame with Saluki Radio:
https://siusalukis.com/watch/?Archive=7185&type=Archive
Xavier Johnson postgame with Saluki Radio:
Ferguson played the game with a foot injury. He's been nursing it all week. Hope it's not too serious. Probably explains his lack of production.
My take aways:
X played out of his mind, just like he has all year.
D'Amico and Stulic both played well. Stulic played the 5 quite a bit with Rupert and Ebube out.
Say what you will, but we were a net+ with the small lineup tonight and a net- when Ebube or Rupert were in. I'm not advocating for going with that lineup much, just saying we played well when we went small out of necessity due to foul trouble.
Davis is playing well and with maturity. Can't wait until his scoring catches up to his defense. Too bad Ferguson had to play hurt tonight. A healthy AJ may have made the difference.
Brown had a solid game. Only 1 turnover and had to guard a taller, more athletic player.
Miller looked lost again. Hope he comes around. I think he will.
Refs were atrocious! Bad both ways, but sure seemed they were worse our way, but maybe I'm just being a homer.
Very winnable game. Should have won it, but have to learn what we can and get better as the season progresses. This team is not a 9th place MVC team, they have potential.
Hell of an effort. XJ is a stud. Hated the way this game was reffed. Missing open layups down the stretch hurt. This team appears to be better than most thought (including me). Get a win tomorrow and get home healthy. Big stretch of games coming up.
Fresno State/New Mexico State is going to overtime, SIU gets the loser tomorrow. Fresno State is #121 in KenPom, New Mexico State is #213
So much for balanced scoring this year. 😝
It was hard to try to follow the game while at an airport doing some holiday week travel but I think I caught enough to get that Xavier was sensational, he needed more help and a really bad start was not helpful.
Pretty encouraging overall but need to get the split tomorrow and hoping XJ has enough left in the tank (and gets more help).
Two stats that stick out tonight. Rupert/Ebube had 2 rebounds in 17 minutes of play. Only two players had assists: D’Amico 5 and Johnson 3.
We gave up too many offensive rebound points. The bad start was a killer as were the two to three minutes that Johnson sat out.
As most of you are, I am disappointed with the loss. There were many positives to take from tonight and some things learned about what is needed to work on. I am looking forward to the game with New Mexico State to see how we play.
Gutsy effort after being down 16. I thought Stulic played really well. D'Amico was solid. X was OUTSTANDING. A healthy AJ certainly might have helped. Kennard is going to be a stud and a better shooter than some of us think.
I know Trent has improved, but I just can't get on board with playing him 38-40 minutes. He did hit a big 3, but he also gave up a layup on the next play. He has a hard time getting off a shot and guarding bigger, more athletic guards. That makes him kind of a non-factor, but Mullins seems to love him.
That said, he's more playable than Trey Miller or RJ McGee right now. Stulic has earned more PT and I look forward to more AJ and Kennard. Somebody has to step up. Without Xavier, we don't win 10 games this year.
Clarence and Scottie have to give us more from the 5-spot than they did tonight. James Madison is good, but are they really top 25? IDK.
NO way this team finishes 9th in the MVC. Looking forward to the game today with New Mexico State. This team is coming together nicely. Hats off to Mullins and the staff. And a special tip of the hat to the Saluki fans in attendance at Cancun. We heard you loud and clear!
Due to family obligations I was not able to watch or listen to the game but all of the positive posts after the game are encouraging to read especially after all the sky is falling posts before the rally can't wait for 5 tonight to watch the DAWGS hopefully AJ is healthy enough to go
We'll see how the season shakes out and if JMU can prove out to be a top 25 team, but I think we're seeing signs of this SIU team being way undervalued - this has got to be a top half Valley team at this point, for sure.
X is just out of this world improved, and if we can keep balance going on the offensive end (and keep our bigs in the game) this team can literally play with anyone, period.
Let's get NMSU today and keep this going!
