Tonka

Great win by the young Billikens! Totally agree on the comment about the coaches not making rush judgments. The coaches must see stuff with JM and TL to give them time and starts. When we play our easier opponents, I think they will still see if they can step it up and play. I like the big rotation as well, for now. However, Ash is the best player on the team overall. Why not play him 30 minutes a game or more. The goal is to win. He is only averaging 22.5 minutes in the first two games. Crawford is averaging more. I said it once and I will say it again. One of the biggest crimes will be Ash not getting to play with FBJT! Ash is THAT good, my friends! How about this stat that will baffle teams when scouting the Billikens. Bench points: ISU – 8, SLU – 46!!! Ash missed at least 4 shots when driving to the basket that he couldn’t get to fall. Those will fall and I love how he can get to the rim. I predict McBroom will be like this all year – very streaky! One game 20+ points and the next game 3-5 points. The good news is that it looks like our other guards can fill that gap. I noticed others noticed the wingspan on MY in this game. There were times I thought he was Mr. Fantastic. We out rebounded the other team in two straight games In terms of total production (40 mins), here are some great stats: - Ash is averaging 24 points and 12.4 rebounds - MY is averaging 18.6 points and 14.3 rebounds - RA is averaging 12.7 boards - MR takes care of the ball the best and has the best A/TO ratio BTW, this is the 99th season of Billiken Basketball! I hope they have some great things planned next year for 100 seasons of Billiken basketball!!!!

ISU - 7 blocks in that half to our 0

Reggie needs to play more. Hanging in games like this shows what this team will be like in the future, short term and long term. We have some damn good players on this team and once they get used to playing with each other, get more experience, and Crews finds his rotations, this team will win some games.

I'll take it!

Manning needs to take off the oven mitts

Whoever is responsible for producing this stream should be fired. Misspelled name, instant replays when the game is going on, keeping the ISU graphic while game has already started, etc.

These replays are being shown during the game play???? WTH!

Congrats! If we win, you can keep starting them!

Yes, he got cut / scratched early in the game.

We do need to get better at rebounding in general. However, we did out rebound SIU 30-28 and we had more defensive rebounds than SIU 23-16. The were better on the offensive boards 12-7.

Agree on Ash, I too think he was the best player on the floor. He will be an all conference player this year. Beane was a stud as well. However, McBroom was right there as well if you look at total production. It's hard to believe McBroom is getting any negative comments at all. Whenever you play so many players and players get limited minutes because of it, it's good to see how productive a player was when he was in there. Per 40 minutes played: - SIUC's Bean had 29.5 points, 0 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0 steals, 0 turnovers Notable Billikens per 40 minutes played: - Ash had 20.9 points, 12.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.7 blocks - AM had 27.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.1 steals - AG had 14.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.4 steals - DR had 8 points, 6 assists, 2 steals - MY had 6.7 points, 16.7 rebounds Well, after one game I think we know a little more, but certainly nowhere near enough. Again looking at per 40 minutes played, some of the stats were somewhat surprising: - McBroom led in points - Yarbrough led in rebounds - Roby led in assists - Jolly led in blocks - Gillmann led in steals - Gillmann led in turnovers The team shot .533% from 3pt which puts us 13th in the country after one game.

I can see that happening as well. It's almost become the norm in college basketball these days.

Opening night with a good attendance, Ash won't be denied, on our home court, our freshman will be better than their freshman, Crews much better coach, we're a winning program now, etc. Billikens win.

This just tells me that either Crews doesn't have a full grasp at what he have yet or that he sees good potential in everybody on the roster. I'd be shocked if all 13 players were near ready to go. If we have a roster that could go 13 deep and then settle on a 9-10 man rotation, I think they says even more than we'll pretty competitive this year.

I couldn't agree more. I think he's going to be special player. I wish FBJT was going to get to play with Ash, but at least he'll get to play with MY.

Forgive me if it's been on here, but when is the closed door Memphis scrimmage? Is it at SLU?

Fun! Fun! Fun! This off-season seemed longer than most and now we're back and have real things to talk about. We can't fault any posters on this board who post crazy things this early on, as that has always been the history of this board. We also can't fault them because they only have a tiny sample size to make observations and assessments. I guess nobody can say anything, but what's the fun in that? We're finally playing ball and I love reading all the comments both good and bad because the season is on us! FWIW, I had a couple conversations with those in the know (ones who are close to the program, speak with the coaches, and have been at multiple practices). These guys are not MBM's like me. They said what we all already know - Ash will flat out be a player and will make all conference THIS year. From the small sample size I have, I would agree. Just an exhibition game against a weak opponent but 16 points, 78 FG%, 5 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 assists and only 1 turnover in 21 minutes. He will be a stat stuffer like Jett because he is a versatile player. Look for him to lead the team in minutes played. These guys also said that MY will be a stud and they wouldn't be surprised if he was the second best player on the team next year. He's still a freshman and like many freshman will need time. I must say, something didn't seem right about those comments about MY after watching him last night but it's way early. McBroom should not be a concern. Will he be Kwamain, Jett, or McCall - nope. But, he will be a serviceable player for us and will surprise people and be more than capable. Glaze still motors and gives it all. As we read in the article, Glaze has committed to his role and that will benefit this team. I know a couple of you said Bartley looked good, but I must have not been seeing what you were seeing. I thought he really struggled and that is okay, way early and plenty of time to grow. People were excited after the open house about Jolly and he is more than capable, but did you feel that way last night? I think he will be fine and in the rotation, but last night I expected more against the competition we played. He had 0 points, 2 rebounds, 3 fouls, 2 assists, 0 steals and 3 turnovers in 14 minutes of play. Compare that to Lancona and Agbeko and Jolly struggled. Brett will be fine, but we only know what we know now. I know 19 turnovers is a lot, but it doesn't phase me in this type of game. We had a 30 second shot clock and we played 13 guys 10 minutes or more. There was so many shifting players and lineups, it was hard to get in a clean flow. Once guys get used to playing with each other, that will clean up. I think Crews will play a 9-10 man rotation and it will be interesting to see who those players will be, because there are a number of players who are capable.

I also like the box better than the envelope.

I concur, they did a great job.

Okay, now that's funny.

I can't wait till our first game

Can you find one post or one thing said about me wanting firehoses or removal by force? My only issue is them protesting in the middle of private property. I have no issues with peaceful protests. I don't necessarily agree with all protests, but people have the right to do them peacefully. I just always thought they had to be on public property.

And what exactly are "SLU's Jesuit principles"? Honest question. BTW, I am not in full disagreement with how things were handled by SLU.

Wow