Rhode Island Game Thread

[lloyddobbler]

Given that I have been going to games for about 30 years, have had season tickets for about 20 and support the program financially at a significant level, I think you are pretty much of a moron to suggest that I am a fair weather fan, but, hey, what do I know.

Alright, alright, not a fairweather fan. I just don't see the point of commenting on the game and saying you're glad you were at home, or that you've given away tickets for the next few games or whatever. These kids are out there working hard under unfortunate circumstances and we've seen a lot of growth, not just on the season, but in the last few games. JJ sat the first 10 minutes a few games ago and has been solid since. Hit his shots tonight, had some great drives (loved the reverse where he hung in the air) and only had one turnover. Unfortunately, it was a big one. Cody continues to improve. Corey has a whole new energy with Asst. Coach Kwamain on the bench and Willie "sticks" Reed banging the drums. Dwayne continues to impress. Christian was a 100% shooter tonight.

Things are definitely looking up. Yes, it will continue to be rough the rest of the year. But these kids are working hard and improving and definitely not giving up. (hopefully) this will lead to good things next year. These baby billikens weren't members of the student conduct board (not that we know of), so if you can, get out and let them know you appreciate their efforts.

[JettFlight5]

Gould nailed it at the end...Who's the go-to-guy in clutch situations? That's going to be a tough question for this year. Salesich played very well tonite on the floor...I liked the way he didn't back down from the press URI threw at him. Loe and Ellis really struggled with their shots tonite.

The talent is there, but that lack of a guy that we know can get us a key bucket is a killer.

[drkelsey55]

This came was on RM and his failure to come up with a defensive answer coupled with the officials failing to call the game the same way o both ends of the court. Officials didn't make that many bad calls just failed to call it te same on both ends RI only had 6 fouls in the second half. They were just as physical as we were but no calls. Sad!

[moytoy12]

Whats the alternative, CS? JJ havin a nice offensive night. You may sacrifice what little scoring we are getting.

DE or CR. JJ was just too short. Love the kid's defense, but there was no way he was stopping James. DE also gives you something on the offensive end and not to mention his ball-hawking ability.

[thetorch]

Jett had a helluva game. He auditioned for the closers role and almost took it home tonight. That 15 footer rolls in and we have a Billiken win.

The game came down to the Isos with James. We didn't look prepared to defend it. You have to guard him close out to the half court line, if you give him space he'll run right over you and he's already in the lane. It took us 5 times to defend this correctly. Too bad we didn't have the right player to defend it on the floor, Evans. If you can't do this you have to pull a double team on him, let Richmond beat you rather than James. Big mistake by the coaching staff.

Evans was very good. Played James straight up to a near draw. Befuddled James in the post.

Cassity had a solid game, 5 assists, 1 TO. As a whole the team really took care of the ball.

Conklin, Ellis, Loe went 1-16 from the field. Ellis and Loe are making strides inside but they can't shoot at all. They ahd open looks all game.

Remuken continues to play hard one possession and take the next one off. We had a chance to take a 6 point lead, RI got a TO then Outerbridge dunked on a watching Remuken who wasn't ready to play defense. Turning point of the game. Never had a chance to extend the lead the rest of the game.

Refs were confusing. Didn't call anything for 35 minutes then called a tight game down the stretch.

Always love to hear Guy Phillips make fun of 7 year olds at halftime. Should be a great childhood memory for those kids.

[senior58]

I agree. I thought overall it was a pretty well played game. Make a few 3's and we win. I'd be pissed if this season actually meant something, but I'm well passed that point. Bad turnovers by JJ and Cassity at the end, but SLU did a good job of taking care of the ball most of the game.

Great to see Willie on his feet cheering basically the entire game.

you can't blame this loss on 2 turnovers at the end of the game...mm had a critical turnover as well...the three point shot is really hurting this team and that's all there is to that. I'd rather have a few turnovers than 21 missed 3 pt shots a few of which were taken at the end of the game when it really seemed unnecessary since 3 pt shots were obviously not keeping us in the game. The turnover game is really getting old.

[billiken_roy]

if there was ever a game that begged for multiple defenses and maybe the famed rickma box and one or triangle and two, this was it. to try to defend james one on one all night was flat out stupid. he is the best player we have faced this season. that was the game. we didnt stop james.

that said, is it too much to ask that our foreign 3 point specialists make one three pointer?

[slu72]

that said, is it too much to ask that our foreign 3 point specialists make one three pointer?

We haven't had a go to 3pt shooter since KL departed. KM is the closest thing, since he can penetrate and create his own shot. But he's no deadeye like a JJ Reddick from beyond the arc, which is what's needed. JB? Hope so. CE could be, but he better put in the hours this summer. His Soph Jinx year is frustrating. RL? He's a frosh. Let's wait and see. CS? Very doubtful but read CE comment. KC? Should be but isn't. Why? MM and JJ? Were they ever expected to be deadeyes? I don't think so. The droughts are maddening. It's like we've got 5 Dwayne Polks playing at times.

[Billboy1]

Maybe it's time for RM to make RL actually play the post and develop him. Most of the time on offense last night he was outside. When he would toss up a three there was no rebounding in the paint. Maybe next year with a full compliment he will be more comfortable taking 3s because there wil be a little less pressure on him. But he has proven he cannot consisitently hit that 3 and the Bills need help underneath both offensively and defensively.

[ACE]

Triangle will add too this thread instead of starting a new one. Rams player(s) spreading the floor and getting one on one baskets swooping intoo the lane and the hoop. No ZONE defense too stop that crap, it is just perplexing. 2 things are effecting this team from winning - poor shooting and poor coaching in adapting too in game situations and matchup situations, both have been going on for awhile.

so it goes.

Yes, poor coaching. I wish SLU had hired Triangle and Too coaching favorite, Jay John... the guy responsible for the worst season in history by a team from a BCS. You don't have a cloo, joey fluegel. Go away troll.

[SShoe]

Yes, poor coaching. I wish SLU had hired Triangle and Too coaching favorite, Jay John... the guy responsible for the worst season in history by a team from a BCS. You don't have a cloo, joey fluegel. Go away troll.

Imo, Rick made a mistake keeping Evans out of the game down the stretch. He was the only one able to stay with James at all.

[Westy03]

Imo, Rick made a mistake keeping Evans out of the game down the stretch. He was the only one able to stay with James at all.

I agree. Taking Evans out at the 4:30 mark was the game set and match. The next 3 trips down James scored, and to top it off they were on offensive rebounds. Rhode Island had 19 second chance points and when you only score in the 50's thats not going to win you games. It didnt help that Ellis, Loe, and Conklin were a combined 1-16.

[Scoop]

I agree. Taking Evans out at the 4:30 mark was the game set and match. The next 3 trips down James scored, and to top it off they were on offensive rebounds. Rhode Island had 19 second chance points and when you only score in the 50's thats not going to win you games. It didnt help that Ellis, Loe, and Conklin were a combined 1-16.

Why can't Rob and Cody shoot? I mean one would think they could get lucky and make one. RM lost this game. Throw a box and one on James and let someone beat you from 3. Hard to watch.

[Westy03]

Why can't Rob and Cody shoot? I mean one would think they could get lucky and make one. RM lost this game. Throw a box and one on James and let someone beat you from 3. Hard to watch.

Sad thing is Moser is the postgame show said that the past 4 days of practice is the best he has seen Ellis and Loe shoot since coming to SLU. Too bad it didnt translate.

[billiken_roy]

for those of you not keyed into the band at the games, willie played cowbell last night with the band for a song.

willie's appearances at the games is truly refreshing. he is there having fun and rooting his guts out.

also, watch mitchell at timeouts. every single timeout he is in either mccall or jett's ear.

[Billboy1]

Practice is not the same. IMO RL has killed us this year with the missed 3s. He has potential but if your not hitting your shot know to pass. At this point we can't just keep hoping the shot will magically fall. Again his being away from the basket really hurts.

[ACE]

Imo, Rick made a mistake keeping Evans out of the game down the stretch. He was the only one able to stay with James at all.

I don't disagree, just pointing out that joey fluegel is a TERRIBLE judge of recognizing coaching excellence.

BTW, I thought the decision to have Jett guard James was interesting. I don't think he did a bad job. He stopped his dribble penetration and forced him to hit some very tough fade-aways.

[billiken_roy]

loe's shot doesnt even look good anymore. he is getting no lift from his leg's. twice on shots right in front of me, his rotation was more 5-11 than 6-12.

at least cody's shot looks good. they just arent falling. also, cody has found jesus on rebounding and defense imo. he is playing harder now than he has at anytime he has been at slu i think.

[SShoe]

I don't disagree, just pointing out that joey fluegel is a TERRIBLE judge of recognizing coaching excellence.

BTW, I thought the decision to have Jett guard James was interesting. I don't think he did a bad job. He stopped his dribble penetration and forced him to hit some very tough fade-aways.

Sorry Ace, I only replied to your quote because it was the last post in the thread. Agreed on JF.

I thought Jett on James was interesting, though James was just able to shoot over him given the size difference. For most players on the floor, it was pick your poison. He went right around BC, Cody, and Cory, but was able to post up and shoot over the smaller defenders. DE was the only one who seemed to have any success guarding him. Perhaps I'm wrong though. Evans' +/- was -9 according to TT's game review.

[bonwich]

-Guy Phillips announced a URI player's name as 'Milosevic', otherwise known for genocide in the Yugoslavian wars. Player's name is Malesevic and I am sure it is pronounced differently. But, it is Guy's world and we all just live in it.

Damn. No wonder he didn't get pissed when I kept yelling "War criminal!" at him.

PS Did anyone notice that RI had a kid who went to "The Hun" for high school?

[MusicCityBilliken]

PS Did anyone notice that RI had a kid who went to "The Hun" for high school?

Its kind of the prep school for Princeton. Has a rather impressive alumni list.

[jbizzle09]

Jett had a helluva game. He auditioned for the closers role and almost took it home tonight. That 15 footer rolls in and we have a Billiken win.

The game came down to the Isos with James. We didn't look prepared to defend it. You have to guard him close out to the half court line, if you give him space he'll run right over you and he's already in the lane. It took us 5 times to defend this correctly. Too bad we didn't have the right player to defend it on the floor, Evans. If you can't do this you have to pull a double team on him, let Richmond beat you rather than James. Big mistake by the coaching staff.

Evans was very good. Played James straight up to a near draw. Befuddled James in the post.

Cassity had a solid game, 5 assists, 1 TO. As a whole the team really took care of the ball.

Conklin, Ellis, Loe went 1-16 from the field. Ellis and Loe are making strides inside but they can't shoot at all. They ahd open looks all game.

Remuken continues to play hard one possession and take the next one off. We had a chance to take a 6 point lead, RI got a TO then Outerbridge dunked on a watching Remuken who wasn't ready to play defense. Turning point of the game. Never had a chance to extend the lead the rest of the game.

Refs were confusing. Didn't call anything for 35 minutes then called a tight game down the stretch.

Always love to hear Guy Phillips make fun of 7 year olds at halftime. Should be a great childhood memory for those kids.

This was really bad, IMO. I remember sitting there last night at halftime thinking how much of a d-bag Guy was being to those little kids. At least, more of a d-bag than Guy normally is.

[courtside]

We haven't had a go to 3pt shooter since KL departed. KM is the closest thing, since he can penetrate and create his own shot. But he's no deadeye like a JJ Reddick from beyond the arc, which is what's needed. JB? Hope so. CE could be, but he better put in the hours this summer. His Soph Jinx year is frustrating. RL? He's a frosh. Let's wait and see. CS? Very doubtful but read CE comment. KC? Should be but isn't. Why? MM and JJ? Were they ever expected to be deadeyes? I don't think so. The droughts are maddening. It's like we've got 5 Dwayne Polks playing at times.

Mike McCall is a better 3 point shooter than Kwamain Mitchell.

[courtside]

loe's shot doesnt even look good anymore. he is getting no lift from his leg's. twice on shots right in front of me, his rotation was more 5-11 than 6-12.

at least cody's shot looks good. they just arent falling. also, cody has found jesus on rebounding and defense imo. he is playing harder now than he has at anytime he has been at slu i think.

Loe will eventually be a solid, serviceable 3 point shooter. The game will eventually slow down for him. He'll be able to contribute this has Junior and Senior imo. But I'm not expecting much of it until then.

We'll see about Ellis. Next year...no joining the team for second semester from another country, no mono, etc...full off-season...I would expect his shooting and game to improve a lot next year, including knocking down 3's. But we'll see.

For the current team, it's difficult to justify any 3 taken not by McCall or Cassity. That will change next year with addition of Barnett, Mitchell...plus other things that can open up opps for others.

[billiken_roy]

Mike McCall is a better 3 point shooter than Kwamain Mitchell.

i agree with courtside. mccall is a very good shooter imo. we just dont have the offense to get him many open opportunities.

it seems to me our offense from a 3 point standpoint is really geared more to the "bigs" getting the 3 point looks as they roll off screens they set. if the across the seas boys would be making mccall like percentages, things would obviously be much different right now.

then again, our opponents might be saying, "hey guard cassity and mccall behind the line, but let those big guys shoot all they want and we will just crash the boards for misses."

if they started making shots, i am sure they would adjust.