BTW, Marcus Domask played a really, really good game last night under tough circumstances (swarmed by UNLV defenders, playing the full 40). He scored it well, passed it well and played great defense. One of his best performances as a Saluki.
Wish he had more help. He deserved to win.
Turnovers were the difference. We had 21 turnovers compared to UNLV's 14. For reference, UNLV turns teams over an average of 25 times a game. #21 Dayton turned the ball over 24 times during their 8 point loss to UNLV. I think UNLV's defense was even better than Oklahoma State's. Those are both top 5 defenses in the country. Positives were both Rupert and Domask had outstanding games. I'm a little surprised Banks didn't play more in the 2nd half. We are an elite defensive team that struggles way too much on offense. Oklahoma State and UNLV are ncaa tourney teams this year. The good news is we will not face a defense anywhere near the level of UNLV or Ok St. for the rest of the year! We will be fine against mid majors and in the MVC regular season. I still expect us to compete for an MVC title. I think even Drake would lose to UNLV and Oklahoma State 7 or 8 times out of 10. Reality is we are probably going to end up a #70-90 rpi/ken pom/net rated team while I predict both UNLV and OK St. will end up in the top 50.
Okay, just watched the game. The team obviously is turning the ball over too many times, but it surprises me that one of the biggest culprits the last couple of games has been Domask. As a leader, he needs to be better. Speaking of leaders, after starting the season 4-9 from 3, Jones has gone 5-26. He is our best shooter and they need him to start hitting. Also, while I appreciate XJ's ability to distribute the ball, you need to at least be a threat offensively. He's hitting a paltry 11% from 3 this year and it's not just the shots he's missing, it's the open ones he doesn't take bc he knows he isn't a good shooter. Also, too many TO's for a PG. But the biggest surprise to me has been Newton. I really thought he would add another scorer off the bench, but he simply hasn't found his game on this team. D'Amico is a talented ball handler for his size with good court vision, however, his best skill sets are being wasted down low, where he is simply not a true post player.
UNLV deserves some credit. Their on the ball defense was reminiscent to the glory days of SIU. We are a very good defensive minded club, but we do not get in the face of the ball handler like they do, most likely bc we do not have the athletes to do so, outside of Jones and Banks.
In my honest opinion, SIU simply lost to a more athletic, and better, team. The problem is, that in both of our losses and even 1 win (OK St) SIU looked like the less athletic, worse team. After an absolutely great start to the season, it certainly has not been pretty since. Severely disappointed.
Also, another quick observation. What SIU is lacking is bigger, super athletic wings that can score. UNLV had 3 players that were able to get their own shot and score consistently on very tough, well defended shots in the last 10 minutes of the game. Players like UNLV's Rodriguez, Harkless and Gilbert are what SIU desperately needs. I am hoping Ferguson and Kenard Davis end up being those type of players for SIU.
This thread reminds me of what Nick Hill and the football team just went through this past season. High expectations but just mediocre performances with a few highs and some unexpected lows. You can blame the recruiting, the coaching, the bad luck with injuries, etc., but somehow this basketball team needs to find that missing piece, that catalyst that will amalgamize the separate pieces into a cohesive unit. I too am puzzled about the lack of playing time for Wonders and, to a lesser extent, Cade. I love the effort on D, love the never give up spirit but thought by now we would be seeing signs of having something special. I have not given up on these guys or Mullins. Heck, it isn't even Thanksgiving yet so the sample size is small. UNLV is a tough team. We had our chances, gave them a good fight. Tomorrow is another chance to get it better. Moving forward with progress is never a bad thing. Go Dawgs!
Also, another quick observation. What SIU is lacking is bigger, super athletic wings that can score. UNLV had 3 players that were able to get their own shot and score consistently on very tough, well defended shots in the last 10 minutes of the game. Players like UNLV's Rodriguez, Harkless and Gilbert are what SIU desperately needs. I am hoping Ferguson and Kenard Davis end up being those type of players for SIU.
Tough to develop someone like Ferguson if he’s only going to play against the Chicago States or Tennessee States of the world. I’m all for SIU doing everything it can to win now but it’s really painful when you’re losing and not developing young players. It’s going to be really painful when Jones and Domask are gone.
Does it surprise everyone that UNLV scored so many second half points inside the paint. It seems a seven foot presence inside would have impacted some of the 10 to 12 foot tear drop and other shots they made in the half.
My annual reiteration: Nepotism is seldom a recipe for success--thus the lack of offensive production via set plays, etc. No strong offensive coaching apparently.
Hard to argue the above posts, and yeah pretty disappointing season so far. I remain somewhat optimistic for the MVC portion and hope BM can figure out productive offence rotations fast.
However, as many said above, "turnovers!" They just killed us and came too often and too carelessly. Absolutely have to fix that. Hope we can see some new faces and win a few before the Valley begins.
Let's get it together Salukis!
March on triumphantly!
We definitely need an offensive guru assistant coach. Rodney Watson comes to mind. However, I don't see Bryan getting rid of his brother.Does it surprise everyone that UNLV scored so many second half points inside the paint. It seems a seven foot presence inside would have impacted some of the 10 to 12 foot tear drop and other shots they made in the half.
My annual reiteration: Nepotism is seldom a recipe for success--thus the lack of offensive production via set plays, etc. No strong offensive coaching apparently.
I've always thought my vocabulary was pretty good, but alas I've never heard of amalganize............
Last night was the first game I missed, and while it was disappointing to wake up to a loss - and seeing only 49 points as well as who did and did not play - I do not think the sky is falling.
Southern still owns the the best win, a true road win against Oklahoma State (KenPom #40), out of anyone in the conference - and that may stand for the entire year. This team, thus far, has proven it can play and even win against tourney-likely, Top-40 teams, so even should our offense remain stagnant, we belong in that conversation.
If we can get some offensive lift from the perimeter and/or establish a consistent, offensive threat down low, then the sky's the limit for this team. However, we are not in at-large territory, but that does not mean we still can't win the conference or win a few in St. Louis.
I will strongly echo the many comments already made though that some rotation adjustments are direly needed; we have got to find ways to figure out the offensive end - yeah the defense will suffer a bit, but there's no other option.
I'm not giving up on the season just yet, either. But something has to change. The team we thought was so deep has been nothing of the sort. Bryan's insistence on playing an undersized, offensively-challenged, thin rotation has certainly been puzzling.
When Ebube returns, I'd really like to see him and Cade utilized at the 5 with Muila available in case of foul trouble or for defense. Rupert is capable of playing the 4 and has looked significantly better than D'Amico. They should split time there.
The 3 and 2 spots would be the home of Domask & Jones. They play great together and need 34-35 minutes, but not 40. Plenty of back-ups at the wings with Newton, Wonders, Ferguson, and Brown. None of these guys have shown much, but there's still time for somebody to step up. My hope is Wonders & Ferguson. They're younger, bigger, have more upside, and the others have had their shot.
Banks & Johnson should be sharing PG with Lance taking over there occasionally. That would be an NCAA-sized line-up.
Agree with Rockin. We have players that can play inside now so please play them.
Does it surprise everyone that UNLV scored so many second half points inside the paint.
My annual reiteration: Nepotism is seldom a recipe for success--thus the lack of offensive production via set plays, etc. No strong offensive coaching apparently.
