Just going on most pregame and postgame reports I’ve read about Southern Illinois, they’re not exactly an easy game——in any year. They’re usually an NCAA team in March and never an easy out.

That is incorrect. SIU has not been to the NCAA tournament in over a decade. Early to mid 2000s they were really good, but since then they’ve primarily been a lower tier MVC team. They do return a lot and veteran led this year and should be near the top of the MVC.

That is incorrect. SIU has not been to the NCAA tournament in over a decade. Early to mid 2000s they were really good, but since then they’ve primarily been a lower tier MVC team. They do return a lot and veteran led this year and should be near the top of the MVC.

Thanks

I stand corrected.

Tyler Herro was a no show again. He is to good for that.

 

Hard to say he was a no show against Duke. Yes his shots didnt fall but he also led the team with 9 rebounds that day and also led in assists with 5. Now this game not much at all.

 

His shots will eventually fall. He is only taking on average 6 shots a game. Once he starts seeing them fall, he will shoot more and be the scorer we know he can be.

That is incorrect. SIU has not been to the NCAA tournament in over a decade. Early to mid 2000s they were really good, but since then they’ve primarily been a lower tier MVC team. They do return a lot and veteran led this year and should be near the top of the MVC.

 

They were second in their conference last year to Loyola. They return everyone from last year. So I agree they will be fighting with Loyola to see who wins the conference and makes the big dance.

UK has not had anyone who can get the ball to shooters when they are open or feed the post properly. Until someone steps up as a lead guard, offense is going to be a struggle against good competition.

EJ Montgomery looked good, I think, and Nick Richards was very active most of the night.

 

It's hard to believe this is the same team from the Bahamas.

 

I said the same. They looked awesome in those little gyms w/ no pressure and they just went out and played. Big difference when the big stage / bright lights came on. First vs. Duke in a big arena with the national t.v. audience on them, then back to a full house at Rupp in the home opener. I think that maybe the freshmen were a little "amazed / star struck" so to speak. I look for that to go away, at least I hope that's the case.

I saw some signs of improvement in this one. Well, after the first 10-15 min. or whatever it was anyway. I saw leadership in N. Richards (19 reb. !) and 3 blocks plus Q. Greene looked good, he hit a couple of key 3pt.'rs to start a run that put the Cats in the drivers seat. K. Johnson imo played well again. I look for Richards, Green and Johnson to all be leaders for this team. P.J. Washington needs to shoot, assert himself more and Herro has to give the ball up when his shots aren't falling and not take bad shots.

There's still a lot of improvement needed and a loooong way to go but I still believe that all will work out and the Cats will contend for the SEC title and make a good run in March.

I'm not smart enough to know the answer, but I feel like Cal is going to run a different offense than anything we've seen with this group. Need to play out of the post more than his teams usually do, would get guys like Herro much better looks.

I'm not smart enough to know the answer, but I feel like Cal is going to run a different offense than anything we've seen with this group. Need to play out of the post more than his teams usually do, would get guys like Herro much better looks.

 

Just don't believe that is in his playbook.

I'm not smart enough to know the answer, but I feel like Cal is going to run a different offense than anything we've seen with this group. Need to play out of the post more than his teams usually do, would get guys like Herro much better looks.

 

Don't know that he has the bigs to play that style. I don't think Richards is a very good passer, not sure on Montgomery.

Don't know that he has the bigs to play that style. I don't think Richards is a very good passer, not sure on Montgomery.

 

I'd think that PJ & Reid would make a great high low combo. Montgomery in the high post as well.

Playing big time, high level D1 basketball is really hard. When this class was signed, a lot of people were scratching their heads. Hagans and Quickley on the circuit didn't show UK talent consistently as PG's. They both scored well, and Hagans was relentless on defense; but they didn't show PG talent. I don't think either one of those two can play PG this season for UK. Herro is a very nice complimentary player for UK's level. But most people knew that he wasn't athletic enough to get his own shot against good defenses. He's not disappearing because he wants to, it's just really difficult for him to get good shots off at this level at this point. I think most of the freshman class is one year away from being really good.

I'm not smart enough to know the answer, but I feel like Cal is going to run a different offense than anything we've seen with this group. Need to play out of the post more than his teams usually do, would get guys like Herro much better looks.

 

Hasnt that been the style with most of his teams? 2010 if they didnt score off the break. Then it usually went through Cousins down low once in the half court. Same with Terrance Jones and Harrelson in 2011. Davis and Jones 2012. 2013 with Noel. 2014 with Julius Randel. 2015 Towns.

 

I feel like only the last 2 seasons were seasons where they really didnt work through the post, since they haven't really had a player who can play like that.

Playing big time, high level D1 basketball is really hard. When this class was signed, a lot of people were scratching their heads. Hagans and Quickley on the circuit didn't show UK talent consistently as PG's. They both scored well, and Hagans was relentless on defense; but they didn't show PG talent. I don't think either one of those two can play PG this season for UK. Herro is a very nice complimentary player for UK's level. But most people knew that he wasn't athletic enough to get his own shot against good defenses. He's not disappearing because he wants to, it's just really difficult for him to get good shots off at this level at this point. I think most of the freshman class is one year away from being really good.

 

Wasnt Hagans rated the number one PG in his class before he reclassified to this year.

 

I think its been 2 games and people are reading way to much into it. At this point last year no one though Shai Alexander would be what he became.

Wasnt Hagans rated the number one PG in his class before he reclassified to this year.

 

I think its been 2 games and people are reading way to much into it. At this point last year no one though Shai Alexander would be what he became.

 

Absolutely it's too early to write any of them off. It's just an opinion. I've seen Hagans and Quickley enough on the circuit though. They never really were guards that distributed or set up offenses. Hagans bullied his way to the basket and played relentless defense. Quickley more less scored with the 3 ball. Of the two, I do think Quickley could become the true PG faster than Hagans.