slu72

I think we need some payback on Feb 5 at the Fetz! 

Watched Has on the line. On his misses he pushes the ball with his whole arm. On his makes he cocked his arms like a jumper and flicked it with his wrists, and very little arm movement. The pushes are ugly. 

These were supposed to be the easy games. 

Coach's Show with Rammer, Jan 6
Coach wasn't aware that he won game #400 until after the game and he saw all the signs.
Talked about the OOC schedule.  Originally they were concerned about the schedule with 7 new players. four games away from home. He originally thought the schedule was too tough for the new team.  He would have for sure run with 11-2 easily when he saw the schedule.  "We were shell shocked against Seton Hall."  "We competed but they were a lot better than us that night."
"Jimerson going down is a blow for the team, but we don't have time to feel sorry.  We have to adjust and move forward.  We lost a presence that others had to react to."  "You always have to adjust on the fly."  Weaver has stepped up.
Coach  "If you asked me in July who was going to lead the team in scoring, I would have said Fred Thatch."  He was in the gym with Bess every day. Even the games Thatch has played in, he wasn't himself.  We thought he was going to be a Defender of the Year candidate.  Hoping they are getting closer to getting him back.  "If we get Fred back this year, hopefully he will be an impact player."  Thatch was a core guy coming in...he was going to play a lot. He was asking the other 8 to step up and show the staff why they deserve playing time.  Collins got his opportunity when Thatch couldn't play.  He backed it up and played very well. 
After Duquesne, he told the team they have 2 guys that give the team a chance to win any game.  "We need the others to bring it and compete at the highest level."  Role players didn't compete against Duquesne as they needed.  Examples, going under screens instead of over, blocking out, setting screens the right way because we know how they will defend it.
Coach "We would have liked to win last night by 10 or 15, but it was satisfying that we figured out how to win a close game." 
Talked more about Duquesne game.  Coach:  "We got off to a decent start defensively in the first half.  We couldn't get anything going offensively.  "Free throws really hurt us.  We were down four and missed the front end of a one and one."  "Just a bad performance by everyone, including the coaching staff."  "We were stuck in mud.  All the stats we keep they were the worst all year long.  Dukes having four starters back from last year has helped them a lot."
UMass, Coach again gives the crowd a lot of credit for the win.  With 3 minutes to go in OT, we made all the big plays.  Started with Goodwin guarding Tre Mitchell, and he ripped the ball out, Jacobs converts and one (which he missed).  Collins diving on the ball, if he doesn't get that maybe we don't win.  Told the team, we need that mentality all game long.  When things get tight, some teams play not to lose.  Team went and grabbed the game.  Talked about Collins toughness and competitiveness....taking charges and diving on balls.  French took over in the second half, we need that from French all the time, for 40 minutes.  They broke down every turn over today, and saw that most were self inflicted and not caused by UMass defense.  Maybe two of the TO's were due to UMass D.
Rammer and Earl have discussed "All Decade Billiken Team".  Rammer could not get down to five.  Nine 'for sure locks".  Bess, French and Goodwin;  Evans, Mitchell, Jett, McCall and Loe (I missed the last one, guessing Ellis.)  Talked a lot about Jett's improvement in his four years. 
TJ Hargrove may have the most NBA potential on the team.  Patience is a virtue that he has.  "I knew what was next when he played his first game and got 27 points....why haven't you played him more??"  TJ is very comfortable handling the ball on the perimeter.  He can really knock down three's, but you aren't seeing it with the numbers so far.  The detail work was what was missing earlier. 
Jimmy Bell, he does the little things.  People who don't know basketball wonder why he is in.  Per minutes played, he is up there in most categories.  He is up in the high post because he passes well.  This time last year, Bell wasn't playing much.  He was the third big on his team, playing 7 to 8 minutes per game.  So he went from that to starting in the A10.
Text:  1-3-1 with Hargrove up top got us going.  First time this year it has helped us out.  This team doesn't play the '13' very well.  But last night it was a difference maker.  Hargrove is perfect up top.
Rammer asked and Coach said it is easier to teach defense over offense. There is a lot of feel and effort in D.  Wants a highly skilled O player and teach them D.
Again on Thatch:  Coach, there are still things we don't know about.  He is practicing 15 to 20 minutes per game.  He is feeling good right now.  That's about it.
Text:  Hankton - more than any other player he has been riddled with injury.  He is healthy now.  Was playing well early, but he got behind when he got injured this year.  His time will come this year. 
Said Dayton is a step above every one else in the league.  VCU is close.  8 or 9 teams can say they are one of the top teams in the league. Richmond could win the league.  On paper, possibly, could be the best team.  They have everyone back from last year and have a high level transfer, Francis. 
GW; new coach, new players, Toro had 14/16 against us a few years ago.  They run a lot of action offense.  They are #2 in nation in defending 3 point FG made.  They are still trying to figure it out.
Opposing coaches are focused on French.  Will GW change from a perimeter D to clogging the lane?  UMass backed way off of our shooters.  Coach is planning on reacting to that, looking at GW.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Someone must have been making shots. We put up 83 points. I'm more concerned that we gave up 80 to a young team. Where'd our vaunted D go? 

Time for Jacobs to play like this every game. If he'd done his shrinking violet act to night, we're toast. Keep it up, Demarius. 
My concerns about tonight are: too many turnovers and where did our hard nose hard hat D go? I've given up on FT's, since that's a given every night. But still good to see them not lose focus or get down and pull out a tough win. UMass does have some players and will give other teams fits going forward. Congrats to Coach F on win # 400. Stay at SLU for another 20 years and average 25 Ws a year, that's 900 Ws. Rarified air. 

Has and JGood have to add more to their games. Has is way too one dimensional. He's a warrior, no doubt, but the bull rush to the hoop doesn't work against a packed D. He is going to suffer the most from Gibby's absence. As will JGood because the lane will resemble Grand Central at rush hour. Both have to come up with a mid range jumper to keep D's honest. Probably too late this season but it's why they have off seasons. 
This is also why Jacobs has to step up instead of just filling a uniform. 

Yep, they are not a good team. This is a bad loss. 

This is where we're really going to miss Gibby. You could see in the games he played in after he established he was a legit 3 pt threat that teams had done their homework and the inside became more open for French and JGood to do their damage. We are going to need Jacobs, Weaver, and Perkins to really step up and provide some outside shots to keep things honest. Otherwise, we're going to see teams putting 4 guys down in the trenches in what will resemble a WWE match. 

How 'bout Jimmy Bell! 

He said it's the tape tightness. Would imagine that slows the blood flow to his hands and causes the numbness. Yurimania playing thru it like a real trooper. Just imagine how good he'll be when he gets full feeling in his hands. 

You're correct, Dr C was probably the most important part the program's resurgence. Should of mentioned him.  

You're correct, Dr C was probably the most important part the program's resurgence. Should of mentioned him.  

While I love Yurimania, that would be a hell of a name to stick on a child. 

Looks like Rachel has a Christmas baby. A beautiful daughter Perry Clare.. Always good to get 'em while they're young. Again, Congrats Rachel and hubby. And Merry Christmas to you all. 

Looks like Rachel has a Christmas baby. A beautiful daughter Perry Clare.. Always good to get 'em while they're young. Again, Congrats Rachel and hubby. And Merry Christmas to you all. 

Looks like Rachel has a Christmas baby. A beautiful daughter Perry Clare.. Always good to get 'em while they're young. Again, Congrats Rachel and hubby. And Merry Christmas to you all. 

11,000 fans loudly cheering against us. The first time kids like Yurimania, Hargrove, Perkins, Weaver, Bell, and Jacobs have ever experienced anything like that. They keep their cool and go on to a W. And u say no big deal? It was a big deal to them and all Bills fans. 

Okay, I will say it. Maybe, Travis Ford outcoached Bruce Weber?   Maybe Ford’s game plan was better.?  Maybe French struggled abit more due to injury, not practicing all week and not having Jimerson in the lineup. Maybe we won by “only” 3 bc we were missing our 3rd leading scorer (GJ) as well as our Big Three guy/defensive specialist (Thatch) and French was nicked up and out of  sync. 
The great Final Four Coach and Power 5 coach Bruce Weber?  The great upstart young Coach Lowrey who kept the SIUC machine going previously run by Weber?
Weber and Lowrey started their K State rebuild prior to Ford.  They benefit with the draw of the Big 12 v A10. They had four year starter in Sneed.  This was their year. Almost home game in KC.  Instead, their starters held at or below season averages as our our freshmen and new faces stepped up. Yep, Coach Ford is due credit. And yes, a win is a win. 

Get a healthy Fred, and I only see Dayton as being the one team on the next tier above us. We can hang with VCU, RI, Richmond, Davidson, Duquesne, and Mason. 

Last night KState played French and JGood like most teams will; clog the inside with 3 big bodies. This is why the loss of Jimerson hurts. However, Perkins, Weaver, Jacobs, and even Hargrove can make life a little easier for our 2 leaders by hitting those outside jumpers. French should also start to think about kicking the ball out on his drives to the hoop. This will open him up more as well if a man leaves him to defend the shooter. 

I wish French would look to throw that outlet pass when he finds himself trapped down low. He'll do it at times but should look for it more. 

Last night KState played French and JGood like most teams will; clog the inside with 3 big bodies. This is why the loss of Jimerson hurts. However, Perkins, Weaver, Jacobs, and even Hargrove can make life a little easier for our 2 leaders by hitting those outside jumpers. French should also start to think about kicking the ball out on his drives to the hoop. This will open him up more as well if a man leaves him to defend the shooter. 

Last night KState played French and JGood like most teams will; clog the inside with 3 big bodies. This is why the loss of Jimerson hurts. However, Perkins, Weaver, Jacobs, and even Hargrove can make life a little easier for our 2 leaders by hitting those outside jumpers. French should also start to think about kicking the ball out on his drives to the hoop. This will open him up more as well if a man leaves him to defend the shooter. 

Yuri really took over the last couple of minutes. Gave us another glimpse of what the future holds with him . Played it like a Sr pg not a frosh. He even hit Jacobs for a wide open 3 he missed on our last possession by driving and kicking. He had driven and scored or shot enough down the stretch they had to help defensively leaving our shooter open