College Basketball

[Dawg83]

Don’t think I’ll be expecting State to win on the road this year until I actually see it. Another total no show in a true road game. Pretty inexplicable for this experienced of a group who I thought played pretty well on the road most of last year.

[David44]

Yeah could not have been much worse. 
if not for the true freshman Hubbard they get run out of the gym. I don’t understand 

how you can play very good defense at the Hump but give up 43 on the road 1st half. Makes no sense.

[Dawg83]

36 minutes ago, David44 said:

Yeah could not have been much worse. 
if not for the true freshman Hubbard they get run out of the gym. I don’t understand 

how you can play very good defense at the Hump but give up 43 on the road 1st half. Makes no sense.

I think they played good defense against Vandy because Vandy stinks. Otherwise this team has been flat out bad on D since halftime of the Tennessee game.

 

They are starting a total liability at point guard who has ZERO points in the last two games, an All SEC post guy that sometimes is great and other times can’t make an easy lay up, and then three other seniors that can’t shoot a lick. And yeah, you can’t even point to good defense with this group for most of conference play.

 

They are dangerously close to digging a big hole for themselves to climb out of just like they did last year. But the difference is they had no expectations last year, and this year they do. But they frankly haven’t met expectations so far. If this team ends up only being a bubble team then they underachieved.

 

I’d love for them to rattle off a couple of wins in the next three and be able to say I was wrong to doubt them. But the margin for error is shrinking. You’re starting to put yourself in must-win situations.

[rebmus]

1 hour ago, Dawg83 said:

Don’t think I’ll be expecting State to win on the road this year until I actually see it. 

Same for Ole Miss, I'm not sure they pick up a road SEC win either. At Mizzou is the most likely road win. 

In fairness, all 6 midweek SEC games were won by the home teams this week. Week 1 in SEC play was not the norm, home teams typically win. 

 

 

 

[Dawg83]

49 minutes ago, rebmus said:

Same for Ole Miss, I'm not sure they pick up a road SEC win either. At Mizzou is the most likely road win. 

In fairness, all 6 midweek SEC games were won by the home teams this week. Week 1 in SEC play was not the norm, home teams typically win. 

 

 

 

Problem for State is they’ve already dropped a home game to Bama and still have to host Auburn and Kentucky.

 

I don’t believe State can make the tourney without winning at least a couple of road games. Probably similar deal for OM.

[MSTSatchmo]

1 hour ago, Dawg83 said:

I think they played good defense against Vandy because Vandy stinks. Otherwise this team has been flat out bad on D since halftime of the Tennessee game.

 

They are starting a total liability at point guard who has ZERO points in the last two games, an All SEC post guy that sometimes is great and other times can’t make an easy lay up, and then three other seniors that can’t shoot a lick. And yeah, you can’t even point to good defense with this group for most of conference play.

 

They are dangerously close to digging a big hole for themselves to climb out of just like they did last year. But the difference is they had no expectations last year, and this year they do. But they frankly haven’t met expectations so far. If this team ends up only being a bubble team then they underachieved.

 

I’d love for them to rattle off a couple of wins in the next three and be able to say I was wrong to doubt them. But the margin for error is shrinking. You’re starting to put yourself in must-win situations.

At one point early in the game, State was 1-5 from the FT line and 1-8 from 3.  Their defense isn’t good enough this year to shoot that bad.  

[Dawg83]

52 minutes ago, MSTSatchmo said:

At one point early in the game, State was 1-5 from the FT line and 1-8 from 3.  Their defense isn’t good enough this year to shoot that bad.  

This group is what it is, just not a good offensive basketball team. They’re good enough to beat a good team occasionally but not consistent enough to threaten any kind of deep NCAAT run, in my opinion. Jans will ultimately be defined by what players he brings in the next year or two. Still playing a lot of Howland super seniors at this point.

Edited January 25, 2024 by Dawg83

[Bulldogs4]

It is dumbfounding that we are so bad at shooting the basketball. After last year you would have thought there is no way they won’t be better next year shooting the basketball. 
But we seem to be worse this year. Hubbard is very good but he is just a freshman and there are always growing pains there. 
We will see how it goes going forward. 

[MSTSatchmo]

2 hours ago, Bulldogs4 said:

It is dumbfounding that we are so bad at shooting the basketball. After last year you would have thought there is no way they won’t be better next year shooting the basketball. 
But we seem to be worse this year. Hubbard is very good but he is just a freshman and there are always growing pains there. 
We will see how it goes going forward. 

The ones that didn’t shoot well last year, have had their whole lives to become good shooters, and they just aren’t.  Although Jeffries had a good mid range shot in high school, but he can’t hit from anywhere on the court now.  

The problem is, other than Hubbard, State didn’t bring in any shooters from the portal or high school.   
 

 

[MSTSatchmo]

8 hours ago, Dawg83 said:

This group is what it is, just not a good offensive basketball team. They’re good enough to beat a good team occasionally but not consistent enough to threaten any kind of deep NCAAT run, in my opinion. Jans will ultimately be defined by what players he brings in the next year or two. Still playing a lot of Howland super seniors at this point.

Exactky.  State can get hot and play good enough defense to beat a good team, but they aren’t consistent enough to make any type of tourney run.  SEC, NIT, NCAA or Oktibbeaha County.  

[Dawg83]

25 minutes ago, MSTSatchmo said:

The ones that didn’t shoot well last year, have had their whole lives to become good shooters, and they just aren’t.  Although Jeffries had a good mid range shot in high school, but he can’t hit from anywhere on the court now.  

The problem is, other than Hubbard, State didn’t bring in any shooters from the portal or high school.   
 

 

I think Jans’ strategy was let’s rely on all these returning guys and then boost our depth with guys like Hubbard, Taylor, and Fort. Well considering the regression of several returning guys, the literal absence of Andy Taylor, and the unreliability of Fort, that plan has kinda gone about as poorly as it could have so far. Even with Hubbard impressing.

 

When you look at Deshawn Davis’s SEC numbers, it’s unreal how bad he’s been. Literally has zero points in three of the last four games. And not nearly enough assists as a point guard to justify the lack of scoring. This dude cannot start for you any longer, not until he figures some stuff out.

 

Who on State’s team other than Tolu and Hubbard (who doesn’t even start) are opposing teams afraid of? Answer right now is not a soul. Over half your lineup at any given moment cannot score. It’s essentially 2 on 5 or 1 on 5 when State has the ball.

Edited January 25, 2024 by Dawg83

[Former Coach]

I'm not sure how worried teams actually  are with Tolu. He plays incredibly soft inside to be 6"11. Instead going up and tearing the goal with a dunk he trys to lay it off the glass and misses to much. Also if I'm opposing team I just foul him, he's gonna miss way more than he makes. In fact outside of Hubbard they all miss more than they make. I read 61% as a team, last in the SEC

[Dawg83]

2 minutes ago, Former Coach said:

I'm not sure how worried teams actually  are with Tolu. He plays incredibly soft inside to be 6"11. Instead going up and tearing the goal with a dunk he trys to lay it off the glass and misses to much. Also if I'm opposing team I just foul him, he's gonna miss way more than he makes. In fact outside of Hubbard they all miss more than they make. I read 61% as a team, last in the SEC

If you have a decent defensive big man and you can keep him out of foul trouble, you can give Tolu trouble. It’s a big reason why I don’t love State’s chances in Oxford on Tuesday. I’m gonna have to agree with what Satch said a little while back, I think across the board Ole Miss is a very bad matchup for State.

 

State has very much played itself onto the bubble by losing 3 of 4. Tomorrow against Auburn is huge, State needs that win at home badly,

 

For Ole Miss, I don’t think A&M on the road is necessarily a must win but it would be a very big one if they can get it.

 

Like I’ve been alluding to, Eggsketball Round 1 on Tuesday night is likely going to have some bubble implications for both sides.

[Bulldogs4]

I have zero confidence today in this game because Auburn is very good.

However, Auburn is coming off a very emotional game against Bama that they lost. That can cut two ways. They could bounce back in a big way and play a great game.

OTOH, they could have a hangover from that game that carries over to this game and play flat. 
For us to win, simply put we have to make shots and shoot 75%+ from the FT line. Both of which have done only a few times this year and seemingly very rarely in conference play. 
At this juncture, this is a must win. A 3-4 record is not bad (given the schedule we have played) but a 2-5 conference record really puts you up against the 8 ball. 
 

And I know 83 mentioned our road woes. I fault our coach, AD for that. Playing neutral site games are fine but you need to play 2-3 tough road games in the pre conference schedule. We played one this year (@Ga. Tech) and that is not enough prep for playing in the difficult environments. And that is a scheduling problem that needs to be addressed in the future seasons. 

[rebmus]

Really good win by MSU beating Auburn today. 

These wins over Tennessee and Auburn will go a long way selection Sunday. State is in really good shape for a tourney bid, just don't need to lose games they shouldn't at this point. 

 

 

[Dawg83]

I actually didn’t get to watch the State game, had a family function running simultaneously. Will try to catch the replay in the next day or two. But really important win for the Dogs. This team is frustratingly inconsistent but when they play to their potential and keep to their identity they can hang with anyone.

[Dawg83]

Huge road win for Ole Miss at Texas A&M. Sets up a big game in the Pavilion on Tuesday which should have a great atmosphere.

[Dawg83]

I would guess that today’s wins probably would have both State and Ole Miss as NCAAT teams at the moment. But both the State-OM games this year may be really big for bubble purposes.

[Bulldogs4]

Ole Miss with a big win on the road coming from seven down late to win it. Plus made some clutch FT’s at the end to seal it.

 

And State came up with a must win today, no ifs, ands and buts about it. 

 

Should be a good game in Oxford. Obviously give OM the edge as they are home but I can see this being a battle that could be close at the end. 

[rebmus]

1 minute ago, Dawg83 said:

I would guess that today’s wins probably would have both State and Ole Miss as NCAAT teams at the moment. But both the State-OM games this year may be really big for bubble purposes.

OM/MSU MAY end up battling for a bid, you're correct... those head to head games mean more this year. 

 

IF the season ended today, MSU is definitely in and OM is most likely in. 

 

 

[Dawg83]

6 minutes ago, rebmus said:

OM/MSU MAY end up battling for a bid, you're correct... those head to head games mean more this year. 

 

IF the season ended today, MSU is definitely in and OM is most likely in. 

 

 

Can’t decide who Tuesday is bigger for. I lean toward Ole Miss needs it slightly more just because it hurts more to drop a home game. But I also think OM probably wins (with State likely winning the second game in Starkville). Yet another Q1 opportunity for State (just a Q2 game for Ole Miss at the moment)

[Bulldogs4]

Looking at this game, I see most of the metrics favoring Ole Miss.

1. Being at home.

2. Ole Miss has won a lot of close games.

3. Ole Miss is much the better FT shooting team.

4. State does not handle the press well. 
5. Ole Miss is undefeated at home and State is winless on the road. 
 

On paper it really should be an Ole Miss rout but it is a rivalry game so some of the above can be thrown out the window. As 83 noted, until State wins a road it is hard to see us winning Tuesday night. We will see what happens. Should be a great atmosphere in the Pavilion. 

[rebmus]

8 hours ago, Bulldogs4 said:

Looking at this game, I see most of the metrics favoring Ole Miss.

1. Being at home.

2. Ole Miss has won a lot of close games.

3. Ole Miss is much the better FT shooting team.

4. State does not handle the press well. 
5. Ole Miss is undefeated at home and State is winless on the road. 
 

On paper it really should be an Ole Miss rout but it is a rivalry game so some of the above can be thrown out the window. As 83 noted, until State wins a road it is hard to see us winning Tuesday night. We will see what happens. Should be a great atmosphere in the Pavilion. 

Smart money is don't bet on sports. 

IF you bet, go with a split with Ole Miss winning in Oxford and MSU winning in Starkville. 

 

FWIW, I'd pick MSU on a neutral court... barely. 

 

 

[Dawg83]

The rumors about what have caused Arkansas to collapse so grandly this year are pretty wild. No idea if true or not but the internet certainly has been buzzing on some of that. The rumor is two teammates were in a romantic relationship and have had a falling out that has caused some locker room issues.

Edited January 29, 2024 by Dawg83

[Bulldogs4]

Ugggghhhh is all I can say about that if it is in fact true.