cl_1_2008

The first half, we played the same inconsistent basketball we've been playing, so I don't even want to talk about it. Actually I don't even want to talk about most of the 2nd half. All I want to talk about is the 1st 8(EIGHT) minutes. We scored 25 points in that span. That was by far the best stretch of basketball we have had this season. Like I have been saying all season, all we need to do is push the ball up the court. We are simply too athletic to play a half-court game. There is nobody in the entire Sun Belt that could even CONSIDER running with us. Ked being out hurts our depth, but with the depth we have, we should be pressing ALL THE TIME, and not just "when we have to." We have 10 guys(CJ, Al, Jordan, Roger, TM, Norris, Walton, Holmen, Niko, and Alonzo) that play. When you have a 10-man rotation, there is no reason not to press. Nobody in the Sun Belt can even think about touching our athleticism, and it is about time we start taking advantage of that. Also, Johnny needs to tailor the half-court offense more towards the players we have now. We're running the same thing as last year, even though the players we have now have a completely different skill-set. We finally have a PURE POINT GUARD. The offense should run through him at all times when he's on the floor(and it never does). The majority of his assists come on the break, and it's a shame, because if we used him more in the offense, we would be much better, and he'd average more assists.

Well Skiver, offensively, I don't believe I've seen anyone complain about Niko. If Niko could do everything you just stated, not only would he get more minutes, he'd be the best player on the team. He can NOT defend. He is not a top 3 passer on the team, much less the best of them all. And don't get me wrong, Niko is one of my favorite players. He should get more minutes, but there's no way he should start. GMG!

Pro Bowl STARTER. Love it. GMG!

There isn't a good basketball coach in the world that thinks a 2-3 zone shuts down the outside shot. Now you're just making stuff up.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2–3_zone_defense Scroll down to weaknesses of a 2-3 zone. The number one weakness is perimeter shooting. Rebounding is also on the list.

Thus the term "shooting someone out of a zone." You get open looks from 3 when the defense is in a zone.

The 2-3 zone is what you use to shut down the 3? Lol you new to the game of basketball? You run a zone to FORCE teams to shoot, not vice versa. And when you're in a zone, it's harder to block out, because you don't have a designated man.

He could use another year to refine his game. However, I'm not sure he really wants to go to school for another year. Also, in the NBA, your second contract is the one that matters. Unless you're a top 5 pick, rookie contracts aren't worth a ton. Look at Wesley Matthews. He was a second rounder who signed a 1 year deal. He played well that year, and got a $35 million contract that offseason. I'm not sure draft position will play a huge part in whether he leaves. It just depends on whether or not he wants to go to class for another year.

IMO, Tony just looked completely gassed. 3 games in 5 nights will do that if you're not in basketball shape. If you saw him Sunday, and saw him tonight, you could tell he was just exhausted. His rebounding numbers have decreased each game. Fatigue was all it is.

I love Niko but he can't guard anyone. That's why he didn't play.

The zone was successful? I'm not sure we got a rebound the entire time we were in zone, and the big white guy tore the zone up. I was not a fan. We are WAY too athletic to run zone. Also, at least 2 of Tony's fouls came while in the zone.

Instead of the Root Beer float, ask for a black cow. You can thank me later.

Tony brings it Thursday. So does CJ. We win by 13. Bring on the Belt.

The Honey Badger is wearing a Chris Jones jersey.

Holmen was sick apparently. He should be back for LSU. Fortunately, we are deep enough to absorb the loss. If anything, I wish he played guard. We have plenty bigs(Tony, Ked, Roger, Zo, Niko). I guess he should get time at the 3 with Jordan at the 2. Also, am I the only one who thinks we should roll a huge lineup(CJ, Jordan, Tony, Niko, Ked) AND a small lineup (Trey, CJ, Alzee, Jordan, and Tony) for at least a few minutes each game. We are so versatile, and we should take advantage of it.

The first half was pitiful on all counts. They got rollin in the second half though. Thursday, T-Mitch and CJ are gonna get more minutes and we're gonna have to put together 2 good halves. I think we will. When T-Mitch gets in shape, I feel bad for the Sun Belt. Also, we need to get him more touches. He's proven that he's not going to take bad shots, and he always(nearly) makes the right pass. Even his turnovers would be good passes if the recipients were paying attention.

Chris Jones is ballin. 20 points, 4 boards, 5 assists, and 4 steals tonight. This guy absolutely fills it up, and his FG% is rising by the game. Not to mention, his shot is starting to fall. Don't be shocked when he AND Tony end up on 1st-Team All-Sun Belt.

Niko Suave

LSU just upset #10 Marquette. This will make beating them just a little sweeter.

I saw that someone accused him of going half speed. I don't think this was the case. I believe he was just trying to pace himself because he was tired as hell. He's currently not in game shape, which you would expect considering it was his first game(we had several people suffering from cramps in the first few games). This won't last too long, and that's a promise.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and guarantee you that he doesn't spend his entire eligibility here. However, I'm gonna love and cherish every second that he dons a Mean Green jersey.

Sorry I couldn't make it to the tailgate. I had work until 6. But I was at the game, and all I have to say is "WOW." Also, I believe I got ripped for saying the coaches were insane for not putting him first-team All-Sun Belt. He's the best player in the Sun Belt by a country mile. If he doesn't win MVP, I'll be shocked.

Great podcast, Harry. Enjoyed listening to it. I'd love to have Coach Smith on the Mean Green staff one day.

Power disagrees.

They return exactly two of their starting front seven(and they lose another top LB who only played 7 games). One DL and one LB. However, they play A LOT of linebackers. I'm going by the participation report on our website because they don't show participation reports on theirs. I was looking yesterday, and they graduate a ton of their defense. But with Aplin still there, they'll still be good. I would expect a decent drop off from their defense though.