Just got back from the game...

[drt7891]

This team can seem to play when they want to. We are still making a few stupid mistakes, but overall, we had a much more solid game. Worked the offense more to get better shots (although I still have to question some shots when Ravern and Kodi decide to throw up 3 pointers), but for the most part, we were much more motivated and more fundamentally sound. <div>
</div><div>Stans ran a 2-3 zone most of the night. It helped us get some steals, but we broke down some in the second half and gave up some easy cuts to the basket. </div><div>
</div><div>Bryant played like a beast tonight. Did not show it on the stats sheet, but he showed he is dangerous if given a cut into the lane. I think it is good to see our point guards have this ability. </div><div>
</div><div>Our offense is fairly stagnant with Twanny in. </div><div>
</div><div>Wyndell has only gotten better. Still makes the occasional freshman mistakes getting out of position on defense, but the zone helped him out tremendously tonight (along with Elgin). Both showed signs of playing solid defense, and Elgin is fairly reliable from the free throw line. I think we should get these guys the ball a lot more and let them get some good hard fouls. Both are big bodies who have proven they can play physical in the paint. Elgin saw a few double teams tonight, beat one by shooting over it, and the other, dished it out to Benock who hit a 3. </div><div>
</div><div>I think if the team can play with the attitude we have played with the past 2 games, we should be alright the rest of this OOC part of the season. Our team is still making mistakes and still missing some big opportunities, but something lit into them after East Tennessee. I hope it stays this way. That's my synopsis of the night. </div>

 

[GloryDawg]

Those two loses has killed our RPI. I worry those two loses did us in. We won the West last year and got to the final in the SEC tournament and two loses kept us out. I think not only are we going to have to win the West but win the regular season and get to the final to get to the big dance. I hope once we get our two stars back we can go on the run. I think it is possible to go undefeated in the West and if we can upset Tenn or KY maybe just maybe we can get our RPI up high. We can't do anything about our SOS. That comes down to the teams we play and how good they end up being. Hell I probably don't what I;m talking about.

 

[AshleySchaffer]

Tonight's win is a decent win RPI wise. Nicholls State has a RPI of 41 and have won @ LSU this year.

For us to earn MAJOR Brownie RPI and SOS points we need to make sure we beat Va Tech, Washington State, and St. Marys.
Also we need to beat both Vandy and Florida at the HUMP those both could be HUGE RPI boosters for us.

 

[drt7891]

A win against Va. Tech, Washington State, and Baylor would help our RPI out TREMENDOUSLY. Only one bad loss kept us out of the dance last year, but I think it is important for our team to take it one game at a time and get better. I think everyone knew this stretch was gonna be tough, especially since we are down a starter and a big recruit. We needed guys to step up, and honestly, no one has really done that. I have seen spurts of good plays from Benock, Lewis, Bailey, and Bryant, but all of them make up for it in bad decisions or blown opportunities. No one has taken this team on their shoulders and help push guys to play harder, and thats what is hurting us the most, I think. I'm not trying to defend or throw anyone under the bus, I just want our team to play well night after night. I agree we have a weak SOS, but everyone knows these small teams come into the Hump every night wanting to knock off a struggling team. It happens every year. I hope those losses don't kill us down the road, because they have certainly hurt us.

 

[klong17]

but I do think the committee will (hopefully) let us slide with those 2 games... since it being without 2 of our best. Then again that out of conference schedule has been so pathetic they may not. Who knows. We can't afford to lose any of the next OOC games. We probably won't beat Va. Tech... they're solid

 

[drt7891]

We had a bad loss to Charlotte in 08, but 11 wins in the SEC made up for it and we got to go to Little Rock. That was our only "bad loss" that year (and that one was in OT). As weak as the SEC is this year, we will need at least that, possibly even 12 wins to make the tournament. If not, we will just have to try to win the SEC tournament this year. I just hope we can do it...

 

[AshleySchaffer]

Va Tech is Solid, but they are 5-4 on the season and are a very beatable team.

Is that game on TV this weekend?

 

[prairiedawg]

This team just kinda went through the motions tonight. Riley and Brian were both playing 100%, but that was about it. I thought Riley had one of his better defensive games that I have seen. Ravern was his normal solid performance. Kodi is just a waste just like I have thought since he got here. I guess I am most down on him because he has so much potential. Twany is seeing less and less pt just like he should. He is lost when out there. Elgin had a few bright spots, but his lack of mobility and athleticism makes up for the few play where his big body shows. There just isn't much else to talk about, it was a very uninspiring game.

And to the other dozen or so of you that were there with me, the crowd was the worst part of the night. I've never been to a womens game, but it has to be something like it was tonight. It must suck to play in front of a home crowd like that. Not only was nobody there, but the few there just sat and watched.

Maybe when the 2 guns get back we'll have something to talk about.

 

[Tulsa Dawg]

We still get to play each of those teams, and last I checked, three of those teams are currently ranked.

 

[shsdawg]

you summed it up pretty well. That was the first game I had been able to make. We weren't as bad as I expected given what I had been reading. That being said we are still a long way from being a good team with what we have on the floor at the moment. Going into the year I didn't ecpect much though so maybe why that's why I'm not as upset as some of you are. We basically had NOTHING coming back (without Bost and Renardo) other than two part time players (or maybe I should refer to them as starters who only PLAY part of the time). Smallest crowd I had seen at the Hump in a LONG time. Did they ever announce the attendance?

 

[Hanmudog]

This team just kinda went through the motions tonight. Riley and Brian were both playing 100%, but that was about it. I thought Riley had one of his better defensive games that I have seen. Ravern was his normal solid performance. Kodi is just a waste just like I have thought since he got here. I guess I am most down on him because he has so much potential. Twany is seeing less and less pt just like he should. He is lost when out there. Elgin had a few bright spots, but his lack of mobility and athleticism makes up for the few play where his big body shows. There just isn't much else to talk about, it was a very uninspiring game.

And to the other dozen or so of you that were there with me, the crowd was the worst part of the night. I've never been to a womens game, but it has to be something like it was tonight. It must suck to play in front of a home crowd like that. Not only was nobody there, but the few there just sat and watched.

Maybe when the 2 guns get back we'll have something to talk about.

One million percent DISAGREE. I thought our guys played their butts off tonight. Especially compared to some of our other games. Nichols State is one of those teams that just won't let you blow them out. They slow it down and play good defense to shorten the game. That goofy looking white guy they had just scored 38 on OK State and 32 against LSU. We held him to 17. We outrebounded them and shot 51%.
I do agree that the crowd was terrible. I don't want to hear anymore crap about the "blue hairs" at our games because at least they are there. Looking around the Hump tonight that is nearlyall that was there.

 

[drt7891]

although I imagine it wasn't much more than 1500 or so. Very small crowd. Yea, I pretty much hope this team plays hard. I didn't expect them to play lights out this season, I just hoped they would play hard. So far, they haven't done that very well (it has been much better the last 2 games).

 

[windcrysmary]

to start with sidney and bost coming back... and they lay a big turd like this... I'm still in shock.. here we are taking about how tough it's going to be to get to the dance? gimme a break..

C34 should have a field day everyday here unless something dramatic happens once sidney and bost get back...

...

 

[drt7891]

I just want to see our team do well. I don't care who is coaching or who isn't coaching. Until Stans is gone, I want to see us play our best and our hardest night in and night out. Most everyone on this board and most fans that keep up with basketball knew this would be a tough stretch. And honestly, I was hoping someone would step up. Yea, I would agree there have been some games where we looked like a Sanderson pick-up team, but that's why you play the game. This team could get a fire under their *** like no one ever thought they could. That's why you play the game. A coach is a big part of the equation, but it's not the only thing that makes a team good or suck. I just want to see us play hard. And tonight, we played harder than we have all year. <div>
</div><div>EDITED TO SAY: I know we still have a LONG way to go, but we have to build a team from the ground up this year. </div>

 

[RiverCityDawg]

This team just kinda went through the motions tonight. Riley and Brian were both playing 100%, but that was about it. I thought Riley had one of his better defensive games that I have seen. Ravern was his normal solid performance. Kodi is just a waste just like I have thought since he got here. I guess I am most down on him because he has so much potential. Twany is seeing less and less pt just like he should. He is lost when out there. Elgin had a few bright spots, but his lack of mobility and athleticism makes up for the few play where his big body shows. There just isn't much else to talk about, it was a very uninspiring game.

And to the other dozen or so of you that were there with me, the crowd was the worst part of the night. I've never been to a womens game, but it has to be something like it was tonight. It must suck to play in front of a home crowd like that. Not only was nobody there, but the few there just sat and watched.

Maybe when the 2 guns get back we'll have something to talk about.

Wow, I must have watched a different game. I thought we playedprobably our best game overall (except for Kodi, who continues to bewilderwith his inconsistancy).I thought our movement in the zone defese was outstanding. A lot of times teams that are used to playing man-to-manuse zonedefense for an excuse to just stand around, butI thought werotated well and rebounded well out of it. Brian Bryant stepped up and Elgin, bless his heart, gave us all hehas...which isn't much unfortunately. I definitely thought this was a step in the right direction.