cgeldmacher

Old Guy, I would assume that the final score is correct and that the stats are wrong.

I'm not saying that this won't be a tough game, but I think we may match up with them well. They thrive on shooting the three. We defend the three very well. They have a guy that we need to shut down to have a better chance. We have one of the best in the country at shutting someone down, and a second guy that can give the first guy a break. I'm not sure that they will have an answer for French and Gordon down low. Our biggest concern has to be getting into foul trouble. If we are guarding the three point line like we need to, our bigs will be on an island as far as defending inside. If they get early fouls, that throws our matchup advantage out the window.

That's right now, when the lower conference teams actually get a chance to play to power conference teams. I'm guessing that the problem with the NET is that it will overvalue mediocre power conference teams playing against other mediocre power conference teams during the entire second half of the season.

Now this I agree with. Often, those that criticize simply are complaining about having a computer system being involved in the process without realizing the implications that not having a computer system would have. Now, if we want to pick apart how the computer system uses the data it is given, I have no problem with that.

Whenever anyone criticizes the RPI or the NET or whatever new systems comes into place for computer ranking of teams, I always understand their complaints and feel that they have valid points. However, remember that a computer based system like the one they us in any particular year is typically the only thing standing between the committee and its desire to use the "eye test" to put in all power conference teams. Fans of teams like SLU should be very careful with their criticism of the computers.

After making the tournament this year, SLU should buy billboards all over the state advertising us as "Missouri's Basketball Team."

These three guys have the potential to be a very, very fun grouping of guys to watch play together.

I was at the game. My observation was that Troy's defensive plan was to take away our inside game in the first half, then transition to zone in the second half hoping that would adjust to our adjustment. The first half plan worked, but our three point shooting negated their second half plan and got us the win. I have been very impressed with Gordon so far. Many on this board thought he was a one and done type, but I figured that he had to learn a lot first. He has been playing very disciplined basketball and is learning to play defense better on every possession. Once he settles in, his post moves will mean that either he or French will be against the other team's second best big defender. That will be a good situation for us. Isabell played a much better all around game against Troy. Free throw shooting and 3 point shooting wasn't great, but he played more disciplined at both ends of the floor. Goodwin is getting stats, but is not on top of his game right now. I agree that he needs to slow down. A lot of teams are losing games against lesser opponents. We're 2-0. Let's appreciate that.

I disagree that Bess cannot create for himself. He had several baskets where he made one quick move and then pulled up for a jumper that went in. It's just hard to do that when Isabell gets the ball, decides to drive, and throws the ball up. If the ball doesn't end up in Bess's hands, he can't shoot it. Often, when the ball did end up in his hands, he was loyal to the play that Ford was running and dished it off accordingly. So far, that's not happening with Isabell. I just think that when there's 10 seconds on the shot clock, Ford should give instructions that Bess gets the ball. Goodwin can definitely get you points, but his jump shot is not there right now. I want Goodwin to stick to his game, slashing to the basket to score and getting rebounds that he puts back in, until the shot comes around.

Javon Bess is our best option to get a basket when we need it. Despite this, Isabell seems to think he's the star of the team and our go to guy. They both got 18 points despite the fact that it seemed like the ball was in Isabell's hands four times as much as it was in Bess's. I think that Ford needs to correct this. The numbers don't even tell the complete story, but Bess was more efficient from the field, better from three (33% from three rather than 0-fer), 4-6 from the free throw line compared to Isabell's 6-11, and Bess had more assists (3) than Isabell (1) despite the fact that Isabell was somewhat in a PG role. Bess had one turnover compared to 4 from Isabell. Bess had more rebounds. Defensive results aren't even close. I know these stats come from only one game, but they also match up with the eye test from the first two games this year. Bess needs the ball more!!! When the team was able to pry the ball out of Isabell's hands and get it to Bess, he made several smooth jumpers where he got his own shot. I feel like he could do this more if he got the ball more. I would suggest that Ford instruct Goodwin to get the ball to Bess more often. I would also love to see the coaches work with Bess and French on developing a good two man isolation situation where the other three guys are on the other side of the court. This will open both French and Bess up to more opportunities. I don't want to get too down on Isabell. He's a good talent. However, he needs to settle into our offensive game plan more and get much better defensively before he asserts himself so much.

Was that Lisch on the other team?

8-5 Non-con 14-4 Conference 2-1 A-10 Tourney 24-10 total and we get screwed by the committee on the argument that we don't have any signature wins.

Here are my thoughts regarding last night's game: * Walked away very scared. If that effort is what we get, we will be a .500 team again. This is considering the fact that UMSL played very poorly. There were at least six times they just threw passes straight out of bounds. * The Billikens were playing way too fast. The only calming forces were Bess and French. Everyone else was playing like their hair was on fire, at least on the offensive end. The coaches have to get these guys to be more calculated. French - He stood out, not just because of his scoring total. He was a force on offense and defense. He will take almost anyone one on one, and I think Ford trusts him to distribute the ball from near the basket if he gets double teamed. At one point in the second half, it seemed like Ford wanted to sit Hasahn for the rest of the game to see what the other guys could do without him. Then Ford had to throw him back in because he was so frustrated with the other guys. Hasahn is ready for the season. Bess - I think he may have been under instructions to not assert himself so much and to get other guys involved. This may account for his stats. I also think that he wasn't flying around on offense without a clue like most of our other players, and, as a consequence, did not get the ball in his hands as much. I think he'll be fine. Goodwin - Not his best game, and bad ending for him. Still, he put up stats. Had a few put backs or near put backs. Got his rebounds. He'll be fine. I hope Ford keeps him at the point and he continues his development of learning how to distribute the ball. I think we're our best team if he finishes his learning curve at point guard. Foreman - Not much of a factor. Didn't display that killer slash to the basket that we saw last year at times. He also was tiptoeing around like a baby deer like he did often last year. Don't know if that's just how he walks or if it is his old injury back again. Gordon - I was pleasantly surprised by his composure and willingness to play a simple big man game. He showed some flashes of brilliance in transition a few times, and should probably assert himself more when other guys try to break out. However, he also showed his inexperience on both ends at times. If he gets significant minutes, he will probably always be in foul trouble until he starts to understand the college game more. Isabelle - Clearly a pure scorer. Great shot. However, he is a one man show on the court. He likes to get his own assists if you know what I mean. Also, he's quite a liability on defense. Tremaine will drive Ford crazy. He'll probably score a little bit more than his poor defense gives up. Wiley - About as bad of a game as I've ever seen. Missed shot after missed shot. Turnover after turnover. He's got to be better than what he showed. Thatch - Didn't show me much. At times, played defense properly, and at times got lost. Didn't do much on the offensive end. Sorry, I know posters get upset when anyone has anything but praise for certain guys, but that's what I saw. Hankton - Missed his threes. Was hobbling almost everytime he was out there. I like that he was staying in despite being clearly injured, but worried about the injury and if that is affecting his play and his development. Gudmundsson - Didn't play much. When he was in, his missed his threes. Was okay defensively, but not exactly quick on his feet when defending. I know its just an exhibition with UMSL, but I am concerned. This is what Ford meant when he said "we're not close to where we were last year." Let's hope for a better effort next game.

How is it that we seem to look so good every year against ranked opponents in the non-conference schedule and then finish in the middle (this year 6th) in the A-10?

I want this guy, especially if Ford wants him, and then we'll let the strength and conditioning staff mold him, the coaching staff coach him up, and let him learn as much as possible by practicing with French. Even though he's only a sophomore, French seems to carry himself and conduct his business like a senior. Any new bigs that we get should be required to be near him a much as possible. Once he left the UCF visit without committing, I figured we have a good shot. Now Ford can work whatever magic he works and try to get him to commit this weekend.

I wonder if it's trolling SLU fans or actually fishing for clicks from Mizzou fans. I bet someone in the Post's sports department told the writers to put at least one reference to Mizzou in any article they can fit it into. The idea being that it will get the Mizzou fans to click on the article when they run a search for articles about Mizzou.

Poach Martin must be working furiously to flip before that happens. If it doesn't happen, then I'm sure they weren't really interested in him anyway.

We need to all agree to shame every blue hair that refuses to put the free t-shirts on. I'm tired of blue out and white out games where only upper bowl and ends looks like they are participating.

This stuff is gold. We should do a thread a month like this. Pick a famous movie and a Billiken topic and just go meme crazy.

I have mixed feelings about this. I like that it is a start. However, I am worried that this is a fake fix to satisfy opponents of the one and done rule. If a high school kid is worth a two million dollar signing bonus, because he's that good, why would he take $125,000 to go to the G League. I still see kids choosing free luxury accommodations and free meals at Duke, Kansas, or Kentucky over $125,000 to be staying in crappy hotels for a year in the G League.

To be clear, and I think I wasn't at first, when I said that it was very telling that ESPN wasn't covering this, I did not mean that to sound like I thought this wasn't a story. I meant that it was very telling about ESPN and the culture of covering this stuff up. Sports news agencies like ESPN and other are just as much a part of the problem as the schools and the coaches.

Very telling that this is not being reported anywhere by ESPN.

I agree that Europe's relegation systems helps with keeping the product competitive, but it only works with teams and a system that has been around for a very, very long time. Teams and cities buying into the MLS are not going to be okay with being relegated to the minor leagues if they have paid big expansion fees and invested a lot of money into stadiums. I just don't think it works with a new league.

The best comparable to St. Louis is Cincinnati. Major metro area with only two professional sports teams. The college basketball teams, Xavier and Cincinnati, thrive with two other only two major professional sports teams in town, but no NBA. Also, I think that Gonzaga's rise to prominence occurred right after the Supersonics left. Seems like we're in that same place now. Let's not ruin that with an NBA team. I'll just have to keep making trips to Indy to watch the Pacers when I want my NBA fix. Finally, everyone who says the NBA is no fun to watch because its all traveling, dunks, and no defense hasn't watched it in a while. The NBA game is certainly slower paced now than the college game. This is because of the amazing skill of the guys playing it. Nearly every shot is either contested, or if its not contested, that's because some unbelievable passing occurred to get a play an open shot. I went through my phase of declaring the NBA boring. That's not the case anymore.

I really think that most of the board is sleeping on Bess. I think that he will be the leading scorer and best all around player this year when adding in his defense and rebounding. I think the three leaders in playing time will be Bess, French, and Goodwin. If Thatch and CAG prove their worth early and Wellmer and Foreman come back strong from their injuries, it wouldn't surprise me if Isabelle and Wiley don't get as much playing time as many expect.