🏀 Oregon State thoughts and looking forward...

[TerryP]

I still, and I know it's VERY early, can't get past the notion of needing more than just fouls from our front court. We need some positive production from the 4 and 5.

I do like what I'm starting to see from our backcourt. In time, that should start pulling defenders out and giving those underneath a little more room to maneuver.

Does Pollard fill the void underneath? I've not seen what I'd call an offensive threat in the two games I've seen him play. He's young...so my jury vote is still out.

Their offense ran through Collier. That was one of my match-up points...didn't work out well for us defending him. That said, our backcourt did do well on defense against Starks.

A win is a win...moving on to Nova.

 

[psychojoe]

Too soon to call it a trend, but there are similarities between the So. Dakota St. game and the Oregon St. game. We started the second half well in both games, built nice leads, then saw the other guys come back and had to hit a clutch shot to get the win.

Hooray for the clutch shots, but the guys need to keep the pedal down.

I like what I am seeing from Engstrom so far, but he will never be an offensive threat. Jacobs is really struggling now.

 

[bamaraider]

Who are we playing tonight? And I did miss the game but read up on Tidesports how we had a good 15 point lead (52-73) with 12 minutes to go and we couldn't put it away..Good thing is, Grant was unhappy with it and said they will work on it. It is good though for the team to get experience in these close games and know how to handle them...Pollard is still a work in progress, he will be a completely different player by the time SEC play gets in hand, just like Lacey last year. Good news is its another win, we advance to the championship, and we also signed a 6"9 Center

 

[psychojoe]

We play Villanova tonight. I watched 1st half and they were not impressive, but strange things can happen in November basketball.

I did see Pollard make a fine play defensively last night. They tried a lob into the paint, he saw it coming from the weak side and beat their player to the ball. He had some good looks at the basket last night, but they just would not fall.

 

[TheChief]

PJ, always look forward to talking basketball with you during the season and especially getting your take on things. We came down to the football game last weekend and planned on going to the BB game but we got in too late to make it. Darn, we missed a good one.

About Nova. I really like that freshman guard, Archi? something or other. Good young team.

I really LOVE this year's Bama team. Fun to watch. Lots of spunk and talent. I'm just excited about this bunch this year. They might not win them all or go all the way, but they will fight and scrap. That's for sure.

 

[psychojoe]

Good to hear from you, Chief. I agree, it is going to be a fun year. We are still in the "getting the kinks out" phase, but the improvement in our perimeter play is encouraging. This team should be a lot better in December than it is now, and even in January.

You did miss a good one last Friday. South Dakota State is a good team, and we won't face many PGs in the same class as Wolthers.