Exactly, Patrick. Just because the shots aren’t falling doesn’t mean you are playing poorly, The looks have been there early in the games. The defense and rebounding have been constants
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I watched the first half of that game then had to go to bed. Nevada is legit team. Not only do they play really hard on defense, but they are long and athletic too. That team may very well run the table and cause lots of problems in the tourney.
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Yep plus their big guys can step back and knock down threes…that makes them tough for any defense.
It was really a nasty drive from West Columbia last night but I don’t regret making the trip at all. It was raining pretty hard when we got to the stadium and decided to risk taking our umbrellas in, especially after several folks told us we couldn’t lol…well, that worked out and we had a blast with a bunch of our favorite Cougars…
After another slow start I thought the fans hung tough just like the Coog defenders…and when the shots finally starting dropping it was like being at the Hof in the early '70s, loud and exciting…
I loved the way young Hinton played…each game he gains confidence and the ability to buy into coach Sampson’s culture…the young man is going to be very special here…
Corey and Robinson absolutely lead this team by example…I am not sure we have had a pair of guards who hustle this hard and lay it on the line every game. It reminded me so much before the Big E days when coach Lewis had tough, aggressive players like that.
Armoni started out not shooting well, but still finished with 10 rebounds. I like the way he would step up and take two point shots. He is developing into a nice all around player.
Jarreau is about as exciting as it gets…but he still plays out of control at times and tries to make things happen when it ain’t there. But as he matures I can see a lot of open court dunks in the future.
Alley did not play that well last night, but I still like his game…and so does coach. He brings hustle on defense and one day those shots will start falling. I believe Alley will be a team captain one day…
Coach has so many weapons to use, including Fabian White, who has a beautiful touch inside 20 feet. He is getting better on defense but still has to learn to quit those silly reach in fouls. I still think he develops into a special player.
Overall, great experience last night despite the weather. This team is going to hit some bumpy roads. Temple on the road will not be easy, nor will teams like Cincy, Memphis, SMU, et. all.
But I am gaining more and more confidence that this team has come no where close to where it can be. But last night convinced me that our young guys are improving…and that is a good sign for things to come…Go Coogs…
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They were legit last year and had everyone coming back. Hence the strong ranking at beginning of the year.
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Download the free ESPN Watch App. Between a ridiculous cold that has had me down and the weather last night i’ve missed the last 3. Had no problem watching from far West Houston on ESPN Watch App.
Great analysis, Butch. This team does play a great deal like the 69/70 and 70/71 teams. Nate is so confident without being arrogant. IMO, we are a better offensive team with Deeky at the point but no way do you not go with Galen.
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Great win, but let’s not pretend we can outcoach a legend in CKS.
I also watched Temple v UCF, both of those teams look tough and
better than Tulsa. If we can hold teams to under 60 pts/game we will
stay undefeated. However Cincinnati, SMU and Memphis all hit 80-90
pts/game.
I agree with what you said about Galen. After the first half I looked at the stats & he already had 4 assists! He does so much to make the others better. It will be interesting to see how Jarreau can adjust his offensive game when he is in the lineup at the same time with Galen running point!
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I really like the way Jarreau comes off the bench. He can create a spark or give a different look when the other team has adjusted to the other guys. When we rotate our players its like constantly throwing a different quality pitch. It makes you unhittable.
In this case it makes it very hard to constantly defend because there is always a different style of threat to score.
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They won’t against our defense.
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Also, at one time last night our most effective lineup featured 3 guys (Jarreau, Hinton, Gresham) who weren’t on the roster last year.
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And we have all three of those guys for two more years after this one.
tulsa has the best win among all those teams (temple, ucf)
also have you actually watched Cincinnati, SMU and Memphis…they don’t have good offenses…
cincy- made 1 layup in the last 12 game minutes of their miss state game (only type of fg scored)…their offense is their defense, easy points off turnovers and demoralizing teams…their actual offense by itself isn’t good at all as shown by their games vs good teams
smu- hasnt played a team with a heartbeat not named tcu (only scored 59 that game)
memphis- its possessions, the shoot the ball 7 seconds into the shot clock almost every play…they are efficient at all but have high possession games…they might actually get to the 70s with us…but we’ll likely score more as their defense is bad
i get your point but more for the tourney …the offense HAS to improve by tourney time…but we arent facing any elite offenses in the aac
They’ve been on the court together several times in the last couple of games. Opponents have tended to back off some because neither really looks to take the 3-pointer
I’ve watched enough basketball this season to know that we can play with anyone in the country. One more outside threat would make us pretty near unbeatable. In some ways we miss Wes as much as Rob. Assuming he would have bought into our culture, Antoine Davis would have been huge
I’m still trying to figure Jarreau out. There is no doubt that it is more exciting when he is in the game and he can get to the basket on anyone. He also has a great ability to pick out an open man; i.e., he sees the court very well.
As to out of control, sometimes (with his incredible long arms and legs), I think he just looks out of control.
That scoop bucket he made toward the end of the game was insane.
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I think it hurt him with the refs a couple times last night. He had that one charge early where the guy absolutely flopped, but the ref assumed Jarreau had gotten out of control and barreled him over.
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Jarreau is keeping minutes off of Robinson. That is going to pay dividends down the stretch of games and the season. That’s in addition to the offensive spark he supplies. I generally like a more under control / workmanlike PG than Jarreau, but the results are certainly there so far. Sampson is using him in spots where he can play free and not have to be too careful.
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The grey section doesn’t give it any justice
However the handful of glances of the crowd during replays and highlights make the stadium looked like a packed house
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The thing about Jarreau, for a young man that is 6’4" or 6’5", he can get airborne, bend his body, and change angles like he is made of rubber. It is amazing how he can get to the basket…around defenders and changing the angle of his shot in midair. The scoop last night was something to see. I agree with many of this message board, he needs to get under control, but I don’t want him to lose his fearless will to drive to the basket. If he can learn to balance some control with his athleticism, then he will be the next, bigger, Rob Gray, i.e., take the ball to the rim and finish strong whenever he wants or whenever the team needs a score. The big scoring threat to develop is Hinton. He is a player. If he develops a consistent shooting touch ala Armoni Brooks combined with his ability to create or score around the rim, he will be a dangerous player. A big time player.
Go Coogs. Peace.
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