SShoe

Okay, but when a player goes 1-14 in his last two games, sweat and guts aren't always the best answer.

Drejaj was 1-6 from the field in the first half. Not exactly stellar.

absolutely. I'll never understand Brad's infatuation with Drejaj. I think in the case tonight, Drejaj was doing nothing and DP was doing a good job on Anderson (I think that's his name) and he also had some nice penetration a few times for good assists. The move he made on the break where he missed the shot was beautiful. Just gotta make it.

Fantastic job by our boys bouncing back after the crappy start to the game. Second half we played about as well as we could play. Earl and Rammer didn't have a player of the game, but I think you gotta give it to Tommie. He was the glue that held us together. When nobody else could do anything in the first half he kept us in it. When Ian's head is in the game, he is a force. At the start of the game he was looking to pass too often out of the post instead of bulling through Dunston. The more I see of Kevin, the more I like and now he's starting to show more confidence off the dribble. 18 pts. 6-6 from the line. 2-5 from three. 3-5 from inside the arc. I can't imagine how good he'll be for us the next 3.5 years. Luke has earned his spot. He didn't shoot all that great from beyond the arc tonight, but it's his basketball IQ that is just amazing. He always seems to be around the ball and 9 boards for a 6-5 small forward playing the PF spot is damn good. He also does little things off the ball that goes un-appreciated.

anybody know why the commitment was broken if in fact it was.

Last year's SEMO game. SEMO is awful.

All opponents no matter win or loss.

I'm sacrificing a live chicken right before the game. Actually, I'm just gonna eat a 3-piece from KFC.

That's awesome.

If (big if) we win 20 or 21 games and don't make the tournament I would be shocked and pissed off at the committee. With our non-conference schedule and finishing probably in the top 2 or 3 in the conference, 20 wins should get you in.

>I would love to see Ian used more with the pick and roll with >either Drejaj, Lisch, or Liddell. That pick and roll he and >Liddell used against Xavier during the late stages of the >game had me salivating about the possibilities of that play >for the future. If Ian can consistently knock that shot down >it would free the lane for cutters and take the shot blocker >out of the lane as well. Totally agree. The pick and roll is there and I wouldn't mind seeing some two-man game more often with either Tommie and Ian or Kevin and Ian. If the team doesn't switch, tommie can take it to the hoop. If there is a switch, maybe a mismatch inside or a helpside defender comes and Ian can kick to a cutter or perimeter player. It worked on Sunday a couple of times.

that's right, sorry.

On his show tonight Brad discussed his starting five and said clearly that each night he wanted KL, IV, TL, and AD in the starting lineup. The fifth spot would go to whomever they feel is the best matchup in that game. Against X, it made sense for Luke because he felt Luke matched up with Doelman the best. It'll change from game to game, but the 4 will remain constant. I don't mind that.

I know we've had discussions about the pros and cons of the message board. I came across this from looking at the Dayton board. It's a post from a player's father at Ohio State, Sylvester is the last name. We're pretty tame, but when we do get critical I wonder sometimes who's looking. http://forums.the-ozone.net/messages/20925.html

Being fifteen feet away, Luke was fouled. He got hit on both sides causing him to throw it away. And it was off of a Xavier leg. The officiating late in the game was awful.

Unbelievable win by our Bills tonight. We really played a great game. Luke Meyer finally gets a little PT and scores 9 while doing a great job on Doelman. You gotta love that. Tommie, terrible first half, awesome second half. He controlled the game and made big plays when we needed it. He got some big boards late and made big shots. Those dunks by Ian were huge. Xavier fans had some amazed looks on their faces, like who is this guy?!?!? I hate saying it, but Drejaj was great. Handled the ball in pressue situations, made big shots, created when we needed it. Everybody essentialy played well except Dwayne and JJ. Dwayne had some tough traveling calls and I'm really feeling bad for him. All week we've been discussing Brad's yank of players and interestingly enough he was about to yank Dwayne after a mistake and opted out at the last second. Great game. I really was worried down the stretch. The 2nd half we consistently got screwed by some bad calls. I guess I just watch through a biased lens, but man we don't get any benefit of the doubt. Arena was beautiful. I can understand why we wish to model our stadium after theirs. By the way the student section wasn't all that impressive.

Thanks Taj, I already have tickets, I just didn't want to have to pay 25 for a diet pepsi and cocktail shrimp. I'll probably just stop in and see if I can say hello to people.

Xavier 72 - SLU 64

So I'm watching the Duke game and I thought it was interesting that Paulus made a number of freshman mistakes. A series of turnovers, etc. Coach K, arguably one of the best all-time college coaches, was obviously upset, but he didn't overreact and yank one of his best players and put in somebody else. He sticks with him, despite the mistakes. So when watching a number of the best coaches most have a set lineup and roll with their player's mistakes. Brad has trouble with that and so I think some of Nark's criticisms are definately warrented. Brad, consistently will yank a player for mistakes they make. That can have a serious effect on a player's psyche, causing them to not want to make any mistakes. This causes them to lose aggressiveness on the offensive end, and can cause a player to tense up. JJ comes to mind. But also Danny, Kevin, Tommie, Dwayne. Sometimes you just gotta let a player be. While most of us are upset with Brad's recent coaching, I think the majority feel he's got the program in the right direction with the local recruiting and upswing from last year's team. I honestly can't blame him for last year, because of the state of the program he inherited with the MCClain, Edwin, Pulley, Kern, Hollins departures and injuries to Reggie and Tom. But if we don't improve next year, and are still playing .500 ball, then Brad has got to be put on the hot seat.

if I don't go to the alumni thing, around 5 eastern. I'll let you know for certain tomorrow.

Go G-Town. Nothing pleases me more than watching Duke lose.

Taj, do you know if they would be letting walk-ups into the pre-game thing at Cintas? I'd like to go, but don't need to pay 25 for the tickets. If there are those who are not going to the pre-game at Cintas, I will still probably go to Mulligans before the game for a beer, so if anybody wishes to come, I'll be there unless I can walk up to the alumni thing. I'll be the only one in Billiken gear.

I've been thinking a player like this would be a good fit for us. We need a shooter and we need a power forward. Our offense is set up in a way that doesn't favor a 4-man on the block, but rather setting up from 10-15 feet out. JJ has done most of his scoring that way as has VN. So getting a shooter with size and decent rebounding skills could be a big help next year. A guy like Doelman out of Xavier would be great for this team. I haven't seen Stemler play so I can't say he is the answer, but that type of player could be good for us.

Willie had great talent.

Blue Crew does what it can and nobody should blame them for the lack of turnout by the rest of the school. During school, the Blue Crew members are there in solid numbers no matter who they're playing. Every now and again we get a big game and a few hundred more students show up and behave like idiots (ball on court incidents). The blame falls on the school for not producing a better team and on the rest of the student body who would rather study, light candles, watch a different game on ESPN, or play video games than go to games. SLU is not exactly Arizona State. There is stuff to do, but it's not like we're consistently partying.