First off, great game from MU against KSU. Wojo did a great job and these are the kind of wins he/MU needs.
As for St. Johns, looking way ahead, they could be 13-0 when we play them. Even though their schedule is not great they could be in the top 25. This is a potential game against a ranked team that I was not counting on.
As soon as Heron was declared eligible, they had enough talent to win the Big East. The question was how that talent all fits together. So far, they have impressed me in moments but overall I remain unconvinced. They have won all their games but the most impressive one was beating #77 KenPom Georgia Tech (and I think that's a generous ranking for them). They beat them by 3, beat #107 VCU by 1 in overtime, beat #163 Cal by 3, and #197 Bowling Green by 4. Good that they found a way to win all those games, but they didn't look good doing it.
I projected us to lose at St. John's and I still stand by that prediction. They will be unlike any other team that we see this season and I worry that they will catch us off guard. Plus, we've been dreadful in Big East openers under Wojo. I do think we return the favor against them at home.
St. Johns has no height, Clarke is tallest at 6ft 7 and only one decent bench player. If they get into foul trouble and starters have to sit, they will be in trouble.
They are though, extremely athletic and will give defenders fits. Ponds is very talented and like Markus, once he gets it going is hard to stop. Should be a fun game to watch and will see what Wojo's strategy is. Maybe like yesterday's game, where driving to the basket was key, not raining the three ball.
I always assume their ceiling is pretty low becaus of their coach.
The one saving grace could be that we'll likely be the best team they've played at that point. I am not sure KSU was ready for the step up in competition. If we have any advantage, it could be that for the most part, SJU will have played a fairly non-competitive schedule when we see them.
Quote from: TAMU Eagle on December 02, 2018, 09:06:13 AM
As soon as Heron was declared eligible, they had enough talent to win the Big East. The question was how that talent all fits together. So far, they have impressed me in moments but overall I remain unconvinced. They have won all their games but the most impressive one was beating #77 KenPom Georgia Tech (and I think that's a generous ranking for them). They beat them by 3, beat #107 VCU by 1 in overtime, beat #163 Cal by 3, and #197 Bowling Green by 4. Good that they found a way to win all those games, but they didn't look good doing it.
I projected us to lose at St. John's and I still stand by that prediction. They will be unlike any other team that we see this season and I worry that they will catch us off guard. Plus, we've been dreadful in Big East openers under Wojo. I do think we return the favor against them at home.
Agree with all of this. But from a defensive standpoint, we don't just allow dribble drives to the hoop virtually undefended anymore (which is awesome btw). Ponds' effectiveness could be stymied a bit vs. years past, and that would lead to an opportunity to steal one in their gym. Plus with our depth if we get physical and bait them to play in a similar manner, our depth could just wear them down, especially with Elliott back in the mix. Hope they win out and we can take down another undefeated team. Would be a statement to the rest of the league that we aren't to be trifled with
Quote from: Ellenson Family Reunion on December 02, 2018, 12:52:51 PM
Agree with all of this. But from a defensive standpoint, we don't just allow dribble drives to the hoop virtually undefended anymore (which is awesome btw). Ponds' effectiveness could be stymied a bit vs. years past, and that would lead to an opportunity to steal one in their gym. Plus with our depth if we get physical and bait them to play in a similar manner, our depth could just wear them down, especially with Elliott back in the mix. Hope they win out and we can take down another undefeated team. Would be a statement to the rest of the league that we aren't to be trifled with
It really is refreshubg that the layup line defense is a thing of the past.
Standings are interesting to look at now.
To heck with the Johnnies ... break up DePaul!
I watched the end of the St. John's/GT game this morning. Ponds still has God Mode ability for sure, but man are they little. When Clark fouled out it became apparent not only how little size they have but also how little depth. I think the same gameplan of attacking inside is the way to go. They don't have the size or depth to hold up if we can start drawing fouls.
remember last year Ponds scored 44 in our loss in NYC. He has NBA talent and when a player that good is on a run it's tough to overcome. Ask K-State. Rowsey with 34 in the losing effort.
The game here was tight early but the good guys led by more than 20 in the second half, with the final margin of 12. Also remember Howard sat that game out. Ponds was 5/18 from the floor.
I think Gtown is going to tougher than the Johnnies.
Quote from: muwarrior69 on December 03, 2018, 03:01:02 PM
I think Gtown is going to tougher than the Johnnies.
I thought that might be the case before the season, but the combination of SJU adding Heron and just watching both, I don't know. Georgetown hasn't looked all that convincing in any of their wins. Govan is great, but Akinjo and MacClung just make too many freshman mistakes. I could see them going into conference play at 11-2 and then getting a very stiff dose of reality.
I picked at Georgetown as MU's annual headscratching conference loss.