Way better than expected.
This, along with the close game against #20 James Madison, makes that shyte the other night even more aggravating and puzzling.
Hoping that we've learned some things from decent opponents.
Hoping Mullins has learned that Ebube is valuable.
Ugh. Don't get me started . . .
Finals last week. Maybe the guys were thinking about hitting the books in that miserable 2nd half. 😉
We should pound the stuffing out of NDSU Tuesday night.
(NDSU football lost in OT to Montana tonight - great game)
If this team rebounds the basketball there’s a different outcome. Love Ebube’s presence in the floor and his ability to rebound. He needs to get more minutes.
Getting AJ Ferguson, his length and scoring ability back will be huge for this team. Arguably, SIU wins tonight and against Austin Peay with AJ. I don't think his value when healthy can be understated. With Hensley and AJ I really like our mix of players and we have more ways to score. With a healthy AJ I like our chances come MVC play. Let's hope he's back healthy soon!
@resaluki-88 I also like our mix of players with a returning Ferguson and Hensley. I think we need to make three adjustments: 1) Play the 3 bigs more and run the offense through Johnson and the bigs. Make these stretch 4,5's in the MVC guard them. Make them match up to us. 2)Use the 2 remaining non-conference games to develop someone to backup Johnson. 3) Reduce Brown's playing time by a LOT! People shoot the ball in his face, take him to the rim, and rebound through him. He is small but cannot guard quick players. He had 0 assists and 2 turnovers tonight. He played 34 minutes while Ebube played 8-that is coaching malpractice! Of course, my odds are better for winning the lottery than any of these things happening!
@resaluki-88 I also like our mix of players with a returning Ferguson and Hensley. I think we need to make three adjustments: 1) Play the 3 bigs more and run the offense through Johnson and the bigs. Make these stretch 4,5's in the MVC guard them. Make them match up to us. 2)Use the 2 remaining non-conference games to develop someone to backup Johnson. 3) Reduce Brown's playing time by a LOT! People shoot the ball in his face, take him to the rim, and rebound through him. He is small but cannot guard quick players. He had 0 assists and 2 turnovers tonight. He played 34 minutes while Ebube played 8-that is coaching malpractice! Of course, my odds are better for winning the lottery than any of these things happening!
Finally....somebody else noticed!
Ebube and Hensley earned more PT tonight. Try it, Bryan. What have you got to lose? Other than maybe not getting out-rebounded for a change. Or not giving up a million second chance shots.
No complaints on tonight's effort, other than the horrible start. Nice comeback the second half and one blocked layup from coming out of Wichita with a W. Tough loss.
@resaluki-88 I also like our mix of players with a returning Ferguson and Hensley. I think we need to make three adjustments: 1) Play the 3 bigs more and run the offense through Johnson and the bigs. Make these stretch 4,5's in the MVC guard them. Make them match up to us. 2)Use the 2 remaining non-conference games to develop someone to backup Johnson. 3) Reduce Brown's playing time by a LOT! People shoot the ball in his face, take him to the rim, and rebound through him. He is small but cannot guard quick players. He had 0 assists and 2 turnovers tonight. He played 34 minutes while Ebube played 8-that is coaching malpractice! Of course, my odds are better for winning the lottery than any of these things happening!
Whew! DirtyDale has logged off so now we can bitch in peace.
Agree - Brown can hit some threes and he plays really hard, but his D is questionable with quick opponents. Mullins likes the kid and his great attitude, so he's probably getting more minutes than is good for the team.
With Hensley now available and hopefully AJ soon, we have better options.
You forgot to add -- work with Ebube especially and Rupert on FTs. SE is flirting with JD territory on FTs, although he is does not match JD's graceful spasticity ...but then who does?
CR was really good 2nd half and I thought SE did some really good things. If he was a 72% FT shooter, I'd have him playing 20-30 minutes and feed him the ball inside. Opponent will almost certainly foul the big man a lot.
Maybe give Troy more minutes. He is the only reason we have a shot. I like his early shot clock 3's, so clutch. He should probably start every game.
People were complaining earlier that Mullins sometimes doesn't have his team prepared therefore the team gets off to a slow start well I have a different take I believe Mullins has them prepared and ready but I believe the the team is jacked to play and aren't relaxed in other words they try to hard early instead of just being natural
Trey Miller getting a DNP is not something you want to see out of what was considered a big portal get (same with RJ McGee all year). This staff is gonna have to navigate the portal better if this program wants to have any chance of winning the Valley, especially with X/Trent leaving and having no current high school commits.
Plenty of opportunities to grab Offensive Rebounds but as I have observed in the past this some how is not a focus on the floor. One and done. Grab 1 tonight and you have a W.If this team rebounds the basketball there’s a different outcome. Love Ebube’s presence in the floor and his ability to rebound. He needs to get more minutes.
What is a good source for game and season stats?
Tough first 10 minutes obviously. We struggled to score, but not because we didn’t get good looks. CR missed a bunch of bunnies and we missed some wide open threes. Honestly struggled from outside most of the game. They responded well after that though. Tough to get stops down the stretch with Rogers although the defense wasn’t necessarily bad…outside of fouling him, he had a hand in his face on pretending much every three. Normally he doesn’t knock all those down (he was 5-6), but you have to give him credit yesterday he was good.
Hensley had a really nice game, he looks like he will be able to contribute these next two years, Spike’s take aside. Ebube had a nice game as well. He looked particularly active on defense which was good to see. Now it’s time to go on a winning streak and get on a roll heading into conference.
@spike is there something to that? He can play
I don't care if he came out hot this game.
He is a senior who struggled to see the court on bad to mediocre Cincinnati teams and has averaged 1.2 ppg and 1 rpg for his career.
This is just silliness.
To get an idea of just how bad this take is, look no further than Chris Payton; hardly saw the court at Pitt, nearly came here, and now is basically averaging a double-double for a good Kent St team.
Hensley is a long, quick, athletic forward with range and the ability to beat guys off the bounce. He's exactly what we need and will help us a lot. Its a shame the NCAA held him hostage until now.
--Insert something witty here--
