I'm really trying to stay composed as I type this... you all know me, the eternal LSU hoops optimist. Today, frankly, I was yelling at the TV in the second half constantly. Perhaps it's because I see that there actually is some talent on the court this year, and I hate to see it squandered. Then, I have to hold myself a little bit in check and ask--is this what we should be seeing only 3 games into the season? Many predicted NU to win, so should I be surprised? On the other hand, this was certainly a winnable game. You're right, there are some positives for sure--I like all of the freshman, honestly. You could tell even with Jay Williams commentating that he liked Hickey, and O'Bryant is the real deal. Even Isaac showed me something--a spark and a hustle--I would have played him more, and where did Warren go in the second half--I would have liked to see him more. I was a little bit disappointed of all people, in Ralston Turner. There were just a few too many lazy passes, lack of defensive intensity, that we seemed to see a lot of last year. I can't quite put my finger on it, but it seems that to some degree the team takes on the persona of a very laid back coaching staff. Maybe the kids are too nice--we need some killer instinct--and it's tough that we're looking to kids like Hickey and O'Bryant to bring it. I don't want to overreact, but I actually do want to see more intensity from this team and from CTJ. He's going to have to "have that sense of urgency" sooner this year. Can this team be good this year? Yes, I think so. But, they better believe they can win and act like it soon.
Sorry, ill take a one and done kid EVERY year if it means having a basketball program like Kentucky that competes for National Championships every year. Not wanting that sounds crazy to me..dunno However, we all know we will never be that program. FWIW, I believe an age limit is about to hit the NBA so those one and done kids may turn into at least two and done kids very soon.
Couldn't agree more...I was pissed watching this game... We should be 3-0 right now...I know CC is a decent mid major but we have a better team...there is no reason we should have been out rebounded(32-51 is a joke when your leading rebounder is 6-8 215)... I know NW is a decent team that had a run in the NIT last year but from what I saw we have a better team...Why do we shoot so many three's (6-21) when we have 3 guys who have pretty decent post games...Some of the 3's they took, there guys were wide open, why did they get so many open looks! We out rebounded them but there were several time that a shot came off the rim and you could see all 5 of our players head watching the ball and reacting after the ball hit the ground(we shoulda out rebounded them 32-51)! Maybe I'm overreacting but I think there is no excuse...We have solid players. Every team we've played lost big parts to their teams and also added to their teams and have the same amount of time to gel as we have... These last two games have to be a wake up call!
A culture of losing can take hold of a team and a program every bit as much as a culture of winning. There's no doubt what we've had the last 2 years, and that can be a deep mental hole to climb out of.
Really impressed by our front court so far. Hamilton is a lot more skilled than I expected, and JOB gives supreme hustle at all times. I really think our guard play (shot selection especially) and coaching hurt us today, but we have two solid building blocks up front. Need Turner to make a leap, Stringer and Hickey to make better decisions and for the team to make on the fly adjustments better as a whole before we can reach our full potential. Once Northwestern switched to zone, we had no idea how to attack it. Really frustrating loss but I did see some glimmers of positivity.
I agree with this. Much like Saban had to "instill a winning culture" with our football team, that's often the hardest thing to do with a team that may have talent but hasn't found it's way. I think one aspect of this rebuilding exercise is obviously the talent. You look at this team and you see some real changes--a solid young point, in Hickey. You've got Stringer who actually today, showed me that he's maturing--took good open shots, and was heady at times. You've got a talented big man in Johnny O'Bryant who has the ability to create low post offense. Isaac is going to be very solid. Now, looking ahead, when you add Malik Morgan (who will prove to be a very solid SG) and think about a Ricardo Gathers along side O'Bryant, and MAN you can just taste it. There is reason for optimism. BUT, we need consistent solid and improving play from guys who are program guys, like Turner, Hamilton, Warren and White. We need our seniors and upper classmen to take charge. There is clearly a talent upgrade going on in the program--we need the mental and maturity upgrade too.
I was sort of thinking the same thing. But, here's the thing and kind of why I came down a little bit on Turner. We had guys standing around the 1-3-1 but we also had some personnel mismatches. Hamilton and O'Bryant in our "big" line-up aren't going to be too active in the zone. You've got smaller guards trying to toss over the point of the zone. Where were the cutters flashing in an out? You're relying at this point on your wing/3s. Turner and Ludwig. Ludwig doesn't scare you with his speed (and frankly, I think he was a little out of sorts trying to guard Shurna), and Turner, well, for whatever reason I found him a little lethargic today. And, you see why Trent is desparately recruiting a versatile and more athletic 3 to put in that spot. Turner has got to step up his game, and I hope we're not seeing a "sophomore slump" out of him. Could a Ricardo Gathers be that guy? Certainly you'd like to think so. But, we need a 6'7-6-8" athletic ball handler who isn't afraid to take it hard to the glass and "impose his will" on the defense.
For some reason that nice cushion at halftime didn't sit well with me, probably because of how young the team is. I think this team is too talented to blow a 3rd straight game today. if the Tigers win do they play another team tomorrow?
Ok, slept off this close loss, and feel better about myself and the team today. Let's keep some LSU optimism going and GEAUX Tigers today. They play WKU at noon today, and I think whether they win or lose, they play again on Sunday. Each team plays 3 games, I believe. If we focus on the positives, we look for continued good growth and maturity from the young guys like Hickey and O'Bryant during this stretch. Trent has got to light the fire under this team, but stay positive, which is what I think he's trying to do. I want to see more assertiveness from Ralston Turner today on the defensive end, and more aggression from guys like Hamilton and Ludwig. Warren, needs to play smart and stay out of foul trouble. Time for the Tigers to amp it up and take a step forward in their development.
Based purely off talent this team is good enough to make a run for the tourney. I was a little taken aback at just how fast/athletic they looked yesterday. Obviously they're not fundamentally good enough at this time but that can always change during the course of the season.
