(01-25-2009 10:11 AM)Dr. J. Wrote: [ -> ]us last night. It was just our inability to handle the ball and hit shots when we needed them. Our kids played hard and never gave up, which is a credit to Steve and the coaching staff, but it was just one of those nights. And Troy is talented. They have some key ingredients for a good team. A dominating big man who can rebound, block and alter shots, and score some points, and a very good point guard. It wouldn't surprise me at all if they won the tournament. But on a given night we can beat them, but last night wasn't that night.
Yep they caught us on an off night and took clear advantage of it. I do think our guys may not have been 100% emotionally ready for this game, no matter what the coaches were preaching about how dangerous Troy was. They may have been unconsciously buying into what the pundits and press were saying--"hey we're on a winning streak, I can relax and have fun tonight". Also, they have been playing hard for several games short-handed and that has to catch up with you at some point. It is no wonder it came against a very competent PG and Center combo. You just
can't overlook any team in the league this year.
I agree, Troy is certainly beatable if there is another meeting this year. Ditto for Western. We have a chance to beat them at least once more at our place. That would be sweet. But I hope it is not done out of frustration after we get spanked on the road
(01-25-2009 10:11 AM)Dr. J. Wrote: [ -> ]us last night. It was just our inability to handle the ball and hit shots when we needed them. Our kids played hard and never gave up, which is a credit to Steve and the coaching staff, but it was just one of those nights. And Troy is talented. They have some key ingredients for a good team. A dominating big man who can rebound, block and alter shots, and score some points, and a very good point guard. It wouldn't surprise me at all if they won the tournament. But on a given night we can beat them, but last night wasn't that night.
IMO: Troy looked very good last night with a lot of help from the Trojans. Look at their schedule up to this point. Not impressive at all. The game exposed our lack of a point guard, and dependable shooters. Also with Smith and Burton out maybe for the season, we are in trouble there. The way this team has to battle for 40 minutes, I agree with a previous poster who said, the Trojans would not be able to win 3 straight games in the Tournament.
(01-25-2009 11:21 AM)DollarBill Wrote: [ -> ] (01-25-2009 10:11 AM)Dr. J. Wrote: [ -> ]us last night. It was just our inability to handle the ball and hit shots when we needed them. Our kids played hard and never gave up, which is a credit to Steve and the coaching staff, but it was just one of those nights. And Troy is talented. They have some key ingredients for a good team. A dominating big man who can rebound, block and alter shots, and score some points, and a very good point guard. It wouldn't surprise me at all if they won the tournament. But on a given night we can beat them, but last night wasn't that night.
IMO: Troy looked very good last night with a lot of help from the Trojans. Look at their schedule up to this point. Not impressive at all. The game exposed our lack of a point guard, and dependable shooters. Also with Smith and Burton out maybe for the season, we are in trouble there. The way this team has to battle for 40 minutes, I agree with a previous poster who said, the Trojans would not be able to win 3 straight games in the Tournament.
Hard to know what difference Big Mike would have made last night. We obviously had no answer for their big center. We had no outside game to speak of until Curtis Jackson came in, and that was too little, to late. Not sure if Mike could have scored on their big guy or not. It sure would have been an interesting match-up. If he could have gotten a couple of fouls on him early, it would have changed things significantly.