Censored by Laurie

I'd take all four of those MWC schools 7 of 10 times v. Memphis

I watched the second half of the Tulane v Temple game...just a few observations (aside from we need to be recruiting Rowan Brumbaugh from Tulane) - Jamal Mashburn, Jr is a problem...he dropped a super efficient 32 points...looking at his game log, he's not usually so efficient, but he is gonna find a way to get his - they lack a legit point guard, but have multiple people on the floor at any given time who can handle - a lot of length and athleticism across their guard line - don't really have a legit post. a couple big-bodied rebounders and a 6'10" 190lb stretch 4 if we get good, smart, efficient Sissoko I think he's gonna find a lot of joy inside...though a little worried they'll play a lot of 5 out and he's gonna get isolated and lost defensively. really hoping Dello is 100% so we can run multiple dudes at Mashburn.

I saw the TBA, but was hopeful this was still at least the proper order...seems weird to organize the conference games that way if it's not an implied order, if the dates/times are still TBA. either way, the way our seasons have been it's still usually pretty nice well into November/December these days

another flip side is that you're making a defense really work...it takes energy to press...it takes more to press and then have to defend another 15-20 seconds. I'm cool with not always trying to get a quick hoop once we get it across...I just want to see us get into the offense a little quicker once across. just too many late-clock heaves...initiate with like 12 seconds as opposed to 7.

oh I've been to two UNT/Army games now...it's only about a 5 hour drive from where I live and I do a lot of work in the general area. gorgeous area and a great game experience.

is this the known order of games? an early October weekend on the Hudson sounds like a great idea...

if we go the route of Memphis and raid our conference mates in the transfer portal, I'm pushing hard to bring in Rowan Brumbaugh from Tulane.

fun numbers in conference play: Wright - 17.4ppg, 46% 3-pt%, 100% FT% (4 20+ games and an 0-fer) Lorient - 15.4ppg, 4.2rpg, 58% FG%, 81% FT%, 100% 3-pt% (lol) Sissoko - 10.4ppg, 6.6rpg, 78% FG%, 83% FT% (something seems to have clicked for Sissoko and he's playing a lot more assertively.) our other 5 rotational players have all had at least one double-figure scoring game in conference: Massie - 11 v UAB, 10 v UTSA Dello - 10 v Memphis Floyd - 11 v Memphis Jossell - 20 v UAB Newell - 10 v Rice if those top three can keep up numbers approaching those and we get one "good game" from the rest, we're gonna be tough to beat

ya...we can clearly be pressed. I think having Dello rather than Massie/Lorient in the press-break would've helped yesterday, but it's definitely something I hope we clean up a bit throughout the rest of the season

1/19 Update: UNT - 13-4, 4-1 AAC, 51 NET Evansville - 6-13 overall, 3-5 MVC, 289 NET, Quad 4 Win @Minnesota - 9-9 overall, 1-6 BIG, 121 NET, Quad 2 Win @McNeese - 13-5 overall, 7-0 Southland, 71 NET, Quad 1 Loss (will probably be Q2 by end of season) Oregon State - 14-6 overall, 4-3 WCC, 60 NET, Quad 2 Win **Northern Iowa - 11-8 overall, 5-3 MVC, 105 NET, Quad 3 Win (fluctuating between Q2 & Q3) **#22 Utah St. - 16-2 overall, 6-1 MWC, 41 NET, Quad 1 Loss @High Point - 16-5 overall, 4-2 Big South, 102 NET, Quad 2 Loss Miss Valley - 2-16 overall, 0-5 SWAC, 364 NET, Quad 4 Win App State - 11-7 overall, 5-2 SBC, 122 NET, Quad 3 Win Houston Christian - 7-11 overall, 4-3 Southland, 301 NET, Quad 4 Win _____AAC Conference Play____ UAB - 11-7 overall, 4-1 AAC, 134 NET, Quad 3 Win @#18 Memphis - 13-4 overall, 3-1 AAC, 42 NET, Quad 1 Loss Rice - 11-7 overall, 2-3 AAC, 180 NET, Quad 4 Win @ECU - 10-9 overall, 2-4 AAC, 187 NET, Quad 3 Win @UTSA - 8-9 overall, 2-3 AAC, 230 NET, Quad 3 Win Temple - 11-6 overall, 3-1 AAC, 108 NET, Quad 3 FAU - 9-9 overall, 2-3 AAC, 118 NET, Quad 3 @Wichita State - 11-7 overall, 1-4 AAC, 161 NET, Quad 3 UTSA - 8-9 overall, 2-3 AAC, 230 NET, Quad 4 @UAB - 11-7 overall, 4-1 AAC, 134 NET, Quad 2 (barely...might not be by 2/3) Tulane - 10-8 overall, 4-1 AAC, 165 NET, Quad 4 @Rice - 11-7 overall, 2-3 AAC, 180 NET, Quad 3 Tulsa - 8-10 overall, 2-3 AAC, 295 NET, Quad 4 @ USF - 10-8 overall, 3-2 AAC, 181 NET, Quad 3 @FAU - 9-9 overall, 2-3 AAC, 118 NET, Quad 2 Wichita State - 11-7 overall, 1-4 AAC, 161 NET, Quad 4 (barely...could move back to Q3 by 3/3) Charlotte - 7-11 overall, 0-5 AAC, 270 NET, Quad 4 @Temple - 11-6 overall, 3-1 AAC, 108 NET, Quad 2

really poor second half energy...been watching the definition of playing not to lose. credit to UTSA for upping the tempo and getting us out of sorts, but this is just as much our lack of execution and energy thus far. we've a lot of close game experience, so hopefully we figure it out to end this game

Starting 5: PG. Javion Hamlet SG. Tylor Perry SF. Rubin Jones PF. Thomas Bell C. Zach Simmons Bench G. Umoja Gibson G. Ryan Woolridge G. Kai Huntsberry F. Brennan Lorient F/C. Robert Allen Role Players to round out a 13 man roster G. JJ Murray F. Rondell Walker G. DJ Draper (I assume if he's on the bench that he can't be on the broadcast team for these games) I think I just barely have Lorient above Scott...beyond that I don't think I'm too pained over leaving anyone out.

and there's the typical response from Lifer...assuming I, or anyone, gives half-a-shit about his opinion.

says a man undoubtedly with multiple Patagonia vests and a shitty haircut