🏀 No. 6/7 Alabama Falls on the Road at No. 20/20 Arkansas, 81-66

[mando]

Unfortunately last night the engine had a miss in it and the officiating had them chained and they just couldn’t overcome it

The engine has had a miss for a few games now. It has only cost them twice so far. Jones has fouled out of several games lately and the 3 point shooting has struggled. Interesting that Oats take was they made enough 3 pointers to win but turnovers and Defense were the difference. You could tell he wanted to criticize the officiating but he didn't.

Ok so this leads me to Oats, something I have been observing, he certainly does not buy into the prepare for each opponent the same. He made a point to emphasize the importance of this game. Went as far as to say it is the toughest game remaining on the schedule. Might be a little bit of motivation material for the next two opponents.

Lastly I hope Oats has enough multiple schemes and mismatches offensively in his arsenal to adapt as teams figure out how to defend his teams.

 

[Destiny's Child]

I agree with everything you're saying, but what was the Missouri and Oklahoma games then? We are way better than both of these teams, but our consistency is so up and down that we aren't winning when we fall behind. That's the main reason I say we can be a #1 seed one game and a #15 the next. We have beat a lot of teams that aren't as talented and allowed us to sort of mask that trouble with our consistency. I'm with you that teams are learning to defend us certain ways, hence why Reese took five open threes in the matter of about three minutes in seemed last night. We just get sloppy and it concerns me this late in the season that we haven't stepped up and beaten the ranked teams when we needed. Those are the teams we'll see in the tournament, not many LSU and Auburn's that are Team Me, but more Missouri, Oklahoma, and Arkansas that play a team game.

All this being said, I am elated that we are sitting at six losses and a given to make the tournament this year, hopefully as a 1-5 seed. That makes me so much happier than holding my breath as Sexton drives up court in the SEC tournament to hopefully get us in on a buzzer beater. We have the talent the make an Elite 8, no joke. We just gotta keep Herbert and Shackelford out of foul trouble and hitting their f'ing layups when they get to the rim. Saw Herbert miss on his left last night, rarely happens. Just need those two to step it up so Petty, Bruner, Primo, and Gary can get some open looks.

I think this style of play is going to lend itself to some severe runs of good and sometimes bad. His idea is to get good shooters and finishers, get good 3 point shots and and get more posessions per game. His theory is that the math will work out in our favor more times than not. This year we have picked it up on D quite a bit which is why not only are we getting more possessions but we are getting more consistent stops even though our opponent is getting more possesions too. He also wants to force the other team into tough twos while we are taking open three's or getting to the rim.
I love it and it will work but there will be times where you cant throw it in the ocean and if the opponent is hitting it can get bad for a minute. Normally the percentages will still work out in our favor and have. If you look at the Oklahoma and Missouri games we lost.. we got behind and came roaring back and questionable calls (happens) ended both of those comebacks.
Saying all this I think we are probably a high 3 seed in my opinion which would be a better path than a low 2 seed any day.. first world problems..right! This ending to our schedule is very tough and I wouldnt be suprised if we drop at least one more.. All on the road against dangerous teams.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

I know +/- isn't the end-all, be-all, but I think it is usually a good indicator of how valuable a player is on large sample sizes more often than not. Bama lost by 15 last night, and I know Herb didn't have his best game even before fouling out... but he was +2 in his 24 playing minutes. Caption Obvious here, but it is extremely important that he stay on the court and out of foul trouble.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

Schedule update...