SMU matchup issues
- Thread starter mcane
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We were pretty effective against Milton in the 2nd game last year. 1st game we got caught crashing low and helping to keep the big guy away from the basket and not having clean looks. I think Milton was like option #4 on last year's team and we simply didn't guard him as the threat he obviously is.
Inside- we are much more capable of defending the lane against them this year without having to bring so much help. When we have the ball, I think we have an advantage offensively with our bigs this year. Igbanu is proving himself to be a pretty tough matchup for most anyone AS A FRESHMAN. Etou will be a matchup nightmare for most teams because of his versatility.
Our depth will be where TU has the biggest advantage. SMU plays 7 guys who contribute, anyone else is a space filler right now.
4 regulars shooting better than 41% from three. One of the best offensive rebounding teams in the country. They only play 7 guys. If we come out in a zone, we're in trouble.
I agree on the zone. We've done pretty well holding our own on the boards. Cincinnati is usually one of those board dominant teams and TU did a great job against them.
We were more physical with them than I've seen from a TU team in a while. TK my goodness. I don't care if he gets a T every night if he plays that mean
TK didn't play that mean. He was just a better leaper than anyone the other team had. He should do every tipoff from now on. And as much as I have whined about Rachel the referee, it's nice that we have three bigs that can pick up fouls.
This is the best SMU team I've ever seen them have in 30 years of following college basketball...including last year's team.
Yes, they have a thin bench...but, the six players that get 99 of the minutes are fantastic defensive players and shooters.
The only way to have a chance to beat them is to (1) get a lead, and (2) get them in foul trouble.
Yes, they have a thin bench...but, the six players that get 99 of the minutes are fantastic defensive players and shooters.
The only way to have a chance to beat them is to (1) get a lead, and (2) get them in foul trouble.
SMU -6.5 (opened at -7.5)
I don't like our goofy defense that allows so many open threes. I'm also worried about Tap. I do like that we can pound it inside. I hope we play 12 guys and press.
I don't like our goofy defense that allows so many open threes. I'm also worried about Tap. I do like that we can pound it inside. I hope we play 12 guys and press.
When we sub three weaker players the first half against their top7, we start losing ground quickly. Doesn't happen every time, but usually. I don't buy the depth wearing them out. There are too many rest stops in today's game to get tired. Magnay is our only player who shows obvious tiredness after a while.
You are the greatest poster in the history of our board. I have to disagree. 40 minutes of hell, or in our case annoyance, will create problems. I also don't think our next four are much worse than our top five. The next three after that just have to run around like assholes and they are good at that.
TK was indeed a man possessed Wednesday. But I still say a flat Cinci effort contributed to our rebounding (and other) success. When they took interest in the game 20% of the time they made rebounding and stripping the ball look easy.
And I think based on average play this season we have a considerable drop off right now after our starters + Wheeler and Henderson. I agree with II that the rest of the bench needs to bring a lot more to not get throttled those minutes. Our top seven vs their top seven? Could be a game. Their top seven vs our top 11-12? Don't like it one bit. Depth be damned.
And right now, maybe even top 6 for us. Tomorrow would be an awesome day for the Birt we know to reappear.
And I think based on average play this season we have a considerable drop off right now after our starters + Wheeler and Henderson. I agree with II that the rest of the bench needs to bring a lot more to not get throttled those minutes. Our top seven vs their top seven? Could be a game. Their top seven vs our top 11-12? Don't like it one bit. Depth be damned.
And right now, maybe even top 6 for us. Tomorrow would be an awesome day for the Birt we know to reappear.
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interesting comments above. I am neutral in this discussion - I saw the 2nd team rescue us in the Tulane game - but that was.... Tulane. I'm looking forward to how Haith plays it out tomorrow evening. Next to ORU, this is my MOST IMPORTANT game of the year. SMU is peeing on our turf and has no tradition outside of the fake Larry Brown period. MUST WIN.
And don't for a second hold your breath that they are going to be in any sort of meaningful foul trouble. You all have seen our first 50 games or so in this league.
Who are these starters you speak of? So far this year they've included wheeler, Henderson, Birt, Taplin, Korita, Etou, Edogi, Igbanu, Magnay, and maybe another or two. Honestly I don't think the drop off hits until Atson and Artison but even Battle has given us solid minutes lately.
Never sure who starts for this team. I suspect it is really difficult for Haith. He has 10-11 players that in any given game can be difference makers. I just am to sure there is much change from our top 5 starter (which changes) and the next 3-5. Have to agree with Gold on this one.
I think a lot of substitution decisions should be made based on who is the opponent. Against USF obviously we can go deeper into the bench longer but against Cincy and SMU our best athletes need to play a lot. I agree that in several situations someone from deep in the bench (Atson, ORU) has really helped, but the same type player against Cincy makes me very concerned. And again I hate the "take em out with 2 fouls 1st half and 3 fouls the second half. " I think the tide is beginning to change nationally regarding this and I am thrilled to see it. Cincy played Washington with 4 fouls while we sat Etou with 3 and he beat our ass.
Wednesday's starters. The crew that jumped out 9-0 and looked like they'd been playing together for years.
Plus Henderson and Wheeler. And Edogi earned more minutes if he can keep it up.
Korita and Magnay are presently a noticeable drop off, IMO. That matters against SMU.
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to beat SMU...
Birt must go off from 3 and Korita and Henderson need to knock down those wide open 3s (esp Korita). The young man needs to get serious now. He's a soph now imo.
Birt must go off from 3 and Korita and Henderson need to knock down those wide open 3s (esp Korita). The young man needs to get serious now. He's a soph now imo.
Birt is playing very good defense. Moves on offense and is being respected by other teams allowing inside more open. He is not consistent but certainly has some upside. I agree not the guy to handle the ball late close games like wednesday
Great point regarding ole Lawson...he's had dozens of WIDE open threes to knock down.
The "Bun" needs to fill it up!!!
The "Bun" needs to fill it up!!!
SMU's first 6 are better than Cincy's.
Tulsa must play lights out from start to finish. Knock down wide open 3s and hit 80% from the FT line (esp those front ends late!) to have a chance.
Tulsa must play lights out from start to finish. Knock down wide open 3s and hit 80% from the FT line (esp those front ends late!) to have a chance.
I think you still have to go with Birt. We have no one who can make 5 threes in a row except him. (I know he can miss 5 in a row too.) We won some games last year that without him were losses.
I hope at SMU Birt, from last season, shows up tonight. He willed the team to a win in that one.
Honestly I don't care who has themselves a game as long as it's a TU player and it ends in a Tulsa W. I hate SMU as much as Gold* hates the Leprechaun of Cincinnati.
11-7 now, neither team seems to be able to hit anything. TU playing hard but they need to get some offense going before SMU does.
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