Louisiana State University (12/22/10)

CMJ · December 23, 2010

I know the ongoing theme is that we're slow starters under JJ, but really that's not the case. We're usually slow starters in conference. In OOC games, we've tended to get out to decent starts under him (just not as good as this season!).

UNTLifer · December 23, 2010

"I thought they beat us to key rebounds, and we didn't defend at the point of attack. To sit up here and beat an old, dead horse, we played a team three days ago that is a lot more talented, a lot more skilled, has a lot more size and a lot more strength, and you put yourselves in a situation to win, and then, you have the same approach in practice, and you come out and play like that. So my hats off to (North Texas head coach) Johnny (Jones). Johnny is a hell of a man. He's a hell of a coach. He's got a nice team, and his players did a very, very good job. Basically what I told these guys was, 'Hey, I don't know what to tell you other than the fact that we flat got our tails handed to us at home, and you have three days to spend some time with family and friends and try to have a good Christmas and come back here on (December) 26 and get back after it.'"

The above is a post game quote from LSU's coach after the game. Pretty odd statement (in bold) after we handed him his tail.

UNT90 · December 23, 2010

The above is a post game quote from LSU's coach after the game. Pretty odd statement (in bold) after we handed him his tail.

Witchita St. is a nice team, but to say they are head and shoulders above us in talent and strength is kinda ridiculous. The Shockers (hehe) are 10-2, with arguably their best performance being a 4 point loss to UConn in the Maui Classic. Schedule is similiar to ours.

And LSU lost to them by one on a neutral court (if you call Bossier City, LA neutral). I am becoming really impressed with this win.

Could it be that with Knox in the game, it frees up Big George to play the 4, a much more natural position for him? I don't know, but I do know the defense has vastly improved since the debacle at Sam Houston.

I wouldn't miss the Dec. 30 game. UALR may be the second best team in the belt. It should go down to the wire.

Censored by Laurie · December 23, 2010

Witchita St. is a nice team, but to say they are head and shoulders above us in talent and strength is kinda ridiculous. The Shockers (hehe) are 10-2, with arguably their best performance being a 4 point loss to UConn in the Maui Classic. Schedule is similiar to ours.

And LSU lost to them by one on a neutral court (if you call Bossier City, LA neutral). I am becoming really impressed with this win.

Could it be that with Knox in the game, it frees up Big George to play the 4, a much more natural position for him? I don't know, but I do know the defense has vastly improved since the debacle at Sam Houston.

I wouldn't miss the Dec. 30 game. UALR may be the second best team in the belt. It should go down to the wire.

The Sam debacle was the defensive wake up call this team needed...SHST shot 57% from the field...in the 3 subsequent games nobody broke 40% from the floor (JSU - 39%, TSU - 33%, LSU - 36.5%). Josh and TT, both not noted for their defensive prowess, have been especially better these past 3 games.

Knox's addition into the starting line-up has seemingly sparked his play. No where near ready to say he's turned a developmental corner...but in his two games he's played 15 and 21 minutes (18.0mpg) and is averaging 4ppg (on 100% shooting), 3rpg and he's avoiding foul trouble. I'd also agree that freeing up George at the 4 has been a big boost to his game...especially offensively. The biggest plus from Knox's play is that improves our depth with Kedrick going to the bench. Again, not ready to call Knox a success story...but you certainly can't find fault in his past two games and the success the team has enjoyed around it.

And UALR is not the 2nd best team in the conference...I'd contend they're not the second best team in the West.

UNT90 · December 23, 2010

The Sam debacle was the defensive wake up call this team needed...SHST shot 57% from the field...in the 3 subsequent games nobody broke 40% from the floor (JSU - 39%, TSU - 33%, LSU - 36.5%). Josh and TT, both not noted for their defensive prowess, have been especially better these past 3 games.

Knox's addition into the starting line-up has seemingly sparked his play. No where near ready to say he's turned a developmental corner...but in his two games he's played 15 and 21 minutes (18.0mpg) and is averaging 4ppg (on 100% shooting), 3rpg and he's avoiding foul trouble. I'd also agree that freeing up George at the 4 has been a big boost to his game...especially offensively. The biggest plus from Knox's play is that improves our depth with Kedrick going to the bench. Again, not ready to call Knox a success story...but you certainly can't find fault in his past two games and the success the team has enjoyed around it.

And UALR is not the 2nd best team in the conference...I'd contend they're not the second best team in the West.

Who would you consider better in the West? I know a lot of people are high on FAU in the East, but I'm just not that impressed. If this team plays the way it is capable of playing, it really shouldn't matter, anyway. I would love to see only 3 losses in conference, giving us only 5 on the year, but that is really wishful thinking.

I do think the LSU blowout will help with the easing the blow our national perception took with the 33 pooint loss at Kansas. Maybe with only 5 losses on the season, we could work our way into a 13 or 12 seed?

TheTastyGreek · December 23, 2010

And UALR is not the 2nd best team in the conference...I'd contend they're not the second best team in the West.

BOLD!

This merits further discussion.

TheTastyGreek · December 23, 2010

Who would you consider better in the West? I know a lot of people are high on FAU in the East, but I'm just not that impressed. If this team plays the way it is capable of playing, it really shouldn't matter, anyway. I would love to see only 3 losses in conference, giving us only 5 on the year, but that is really wishful thinking.

I do think the LSU blowout will help with the easing the blow our national perception took with the 33 pooint loss at Kansas. Maybe with only 5 losses on the season, we could work our way into a 13 or 12 seed?

I think he's still giving the talent edge to ASU, and I know he's been hinting that the 2nd place team in the west will be from Louisiana this year.

As for FAU... Believe the hype. They're for real. Very scary, dangerous team.

CMJ · December 23, 2010

I do expect WKU to right the ship, but FAU is currently the team to beat in the East. I do think UALR will be very tough in the West...I still have them above ULL. But the Cajuns seem to be slowly turning it around, they'll be tough come February.

UNTFan23 · December 23, 2010

I think he's still giving the talent edge to ASU, and I know he's been hinting that the 2nd place team in the west will be from Louisiana this year.

As for FAU... Believe the hype. They're for real. Very scary, dangerous team.

The one time we do play FAU will be in the Super Pit (Thursday Feb 3rd). We'll need a nice rowdy crowd for the game to make it all the more difficult for the Owls. At this point, the Owls are a road hardy team. I don't think this will be an easy game by any means.

Censored by Laurie · December 23, 2010

I think he's still giving the talent edge to ASU, and I know he's been hinting that the 2nd place team in the west will be from Louisiana this year.

As for FAU... Believe the hype. They're for real. Very scary, dangerous team.

I think ASU is done...at least in terms of title contention...maybe a .500 conference team.

UL-Lafayette is figuring it out...shame it took this long...only 4 guys have played in all 11 games for them so far, so injuries and what-not have probably impacted the learning curve. That New Year's day game is gonna be a struggle.

Just quickly, off the top of my head if I were to rank the SBC teams 1-12...

1. UNT

2. FAU

3. WKU

4. USA

5. ULL

6. UALR

7. FIU

8. ASU

9. MTSU

10. ULM

11. UD

12. Troy

TheTastyGreek · December 23, 2010

I think ASU is done...at least in terms of title contention...maybe a .500 conference team.

UL-Lafayette is figuring it out...shame it took this long...only 4 guys have played in all 11 games for them so far, so injuries and what-not have probably impacted the learning curve. That New Year's day game is gonna be a struggle.

Just quickly, off the top of my head if I were to rank the SBC teams 1-12...
1. UNT
2. FAU
3. WKU
4. USA
5. ULL
6. UALR
7. FIU
8. ASU
9. MTSU
10. ULM
11. UD
12. Troy

I'll do you one better and put them in tiers, Bill Simmons style.

The conference favorites:

1. UNT

2. FAU

3. WKU

The underperformers who could still wake up and challenge for a title:

4. USA

The team that's playing over their heads and could be a spoiler on any given night:

5. UALR

The team that ought to be up near the top, but probably won't be able to pull out of their death spiral:

6. ASU

The team with great coaching, but not enough talent:

7. ULL

The teams with talent, but not enough coaching:

8. FIU

9. MTSU

The UNO division:

10. ULM

11. UD

12. Troy

CMJ · December 23, 2010

I'll do you one better and put them in tiers, Bill Simmons style.

The conference favorites:
1. UNT
2. FAU
3. WKU

The underperformers who could still wake up and challenge for a title:
4. USA

The team that's playing over their heads and could be a spoiler on any given night:
5. UALR

The team that ought to be up near the top, but probably won't be able to pull out of their death spiral:
6. ASU

The team with great coaching, but not enough talent:
7. ULL

The teams with talent, but not enough coaching:
8. FIU
9. MTSU

The UNO division:
10. ULM
11. UD
12. Troy

Now you just need to discuss calling your dad during the games and throw in some TV show references (like The Wire). And maybe a reader mail feature.

Just kidding, I really like Simmons.