Just in from the basketball game... many of you I see were worried.

[drt7891]

Let me tell you a little bit about this team. Both teams came out shooting 3s... for the first 5 minutes or so. LMU was hotter than us, yes. We gave them an 8 point lead, yes. I will be honest and say not once was I worried. Why? They did nothing but shoot jump shots. I was more worried about our ability to score against the zone than I was them beating us shooting a **** ton of jump shots. They eventually cooled off and we ran away with it when we started running the floor with them. With 1 minute in the first half, they had 7 team fouls and we had 0 because all they did was shoot jumpers.<div>
</div><div>I won't give a full-out synopsis because it is useless. I don't think we had a stereotypical "hangover game" from an effort perspective. We hustled and made some great plays. We moved the ball pretty well, even against the zone. Needless to say, we played a little better than I expected us to considering we were 2 starters out and just got done winning a big tournament. Good, solid win for us. Certainly not a team we would normally get up for, but we took care of business and didn't put ourselves in a position to lose, and for that, I am grateful. </div><div>
</div><div>This stretch between now and the West Virginia game will be tougher than it appears on paper simply because we can't afford to lose. If we can win the games against UT Martin, North Texas, Troy, Northwestern State, and Detroit Mercy, and win a few of the big games with West 17ing Virginia, Baylor, and Utah State, we should be in great shape going into conference play. We just can't afford to lose any games in that first group. </div>

 

[99jc]

an idiot. We came on strong yes but with the past BB history there was reason for concern...AKA Akron.

 

[drunkernhelldawg]

Very good summary. I appreciate it.

 

[Big Sheep81]

then you wouldn't be an idiot.

 

[drt7891]

Here are a few stats to show you my points. Although they shot the ball well, we shot 9 free throws in the first half, ULM shot 0. They shot 7 in the second half. Points in the paint... the biggest stat of the night... MSU 24 with a 4 guard line-up, ULM had only 8... the entire night. They shot nothing but jump shots. We outrebounded them by at least 6 or 7, if not more. We won the physical battle. If I'm a coach and the other team is doing nothing but throwing up jump shots outside the paint, more power to them. My team will more than likely win if we are taking the ball at them, and eventually, that's what we started doing. I wasn't worried once in this game about us not being able to control the game. We played hard, we weren't lazy, we weren't hung over from an effort perspective, and we took care of business. <div>
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[gravedigger]

in them and Akron was certainly shot selection and defense. Akron worked hard on the boards, and took high percentage shots.

ULM moved the ball well early, but essentially make an high percentage of +18 ft shots. They also played zone and we were a bit cold. All of that, and the best player on the team on the bench in Moultrie and they still really never could get out of reach.

Basketball just isnt like football.Many perceived weak teams can play and stay with everyone but Duke and Kentucky for much of the game.

HoodandMoultrie will get us to big places one day.

Ouroffenseagainst the zone is just pitiful. If Hood doesntpull us out, better teams will kick our *** this year.