James has the makings of a grand slam. He played like a freshman last night, but Shaka can hardly sit him. He has no options at PG with Sean out. He will just play through the rough nights. Needs to learn to play more in control. He will get there. Huge upside. The rest, the jury is out.

Quote from: 79Warrior on Today at 10:45:43 AMExactly. Tower is correct in his analysis.

DePaul had 15 offensive rebounds. MU can't rebound. It has been a problem for two years. What was the excuse last year. Our perimeter was pretty good.

Quote from: Jay Bee on Today at 10:41:41 AMEhhh, I think he's saying the defense is so broken that it would be difficult for any 'rim protector' to do a good job.  Things are breaking down so badly far away from the basket that we're f**k at that point.

of course the defense is bad, but there is no one to protect the rim like MU had when McIlvaine was here. MU gave up 15 offensive rebounds which let to how many 2nd chance points? And still only lost by 5. I can't believe people are denying the fact that MU doesn't have a big problem at the 5 spot. One scholarship left as of now and they want a combo guard. Seriously?

Quote from: Jay Bee on Today at 10:41:41 AMEhhh, I think he's saying the defense is so broken that it would be difficult for any 'rim protector' to do a good job.  Things are breaking down so badly far away from the basket that we're f**k at that point.

Exactly. Tower is correct in his analysis.

Great teams have five options to score.
Good teams like the three Amigos and Lazar or three  Amigos  and  Novak have four options.
Average teams have three options.
Bad teams have only two.
When scoring options decrease, much easier to defend the only scorers.

Quote from: Aircraftcarrier on Today at 10:38:39 AMThanks for proving my point.

Ehhh, I think he's saying the defense is so broken that it would be difficult for any 'rim protector' to do a good job.  Things are breaking down so badly far away from the basket that we're f**k at that point.

The stars are descending into the Twin Cities next week. The Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) will have their Indoor National Championships next week at Life Time Fitness in Lakeville, MN. Catch the action on Pickleball TV (included with YTTV!).

I'll be playing Wednesday (men's 4.0-4.5 doubles), Thursday (mixed 4.0-4.5 doubles) and Friday (men's singles, if I can still stand) and am looking forward to the electric atmosphere. Lots of shippers coming in from different states and Canada, so will face some unknown competition. I think it may be rough sledding for me at the PPA, but am confident I can do better than #muMbb.

On tap before then: today, singles open play at Life Time Fitness Crosstown; tomorrow, potential rest day; Monday, early AM practice with my PPA teammates at PITM BP; Tuesday, league at night... then it's off to the PPA for the rest of the week.

Injury updates:
The golfer's elbow is at 95% now - physical therapy helped a ton; some mild soreness, but overall it's waaay better. The latest injury has been severe plantar fasciitis. Have been trying different insoles, which do help a lot.. but the pain in the left foot is extreme at times. We will push through, hobbled or not.

Quote from: tower912 on Today at 10:32:43 AMLike he got destroyed by Ejiofor late last season.  The problem isn't Ben.  Look at the lack of containment on the perimeter.   Royce is no Joplin on the defensive end either.  Ben can't 'do his work early' defending the post because there is yet another guard driving in a straight line to the basket.  Or another blown switch leading to an alley oop.

For me, the team defense is the most puzzling part of this season.  Ben is part of that, but he is a deck chair on the Titanic of the defensive issues.

Thanks for proving my point. MU has no rim protector or rebounding big. The point is if Gold is the best person you have in that capacity you have a big problem against high major teams. I feel bad for Ben that he is put in that situation. It is totally unfair to him. MU is not a good team this year. Has a lot of youth but if this team had a big that could rebound they probably would have 4 more wins.

Quote from: Aircraftcarrier on Today at 10:18:42 AMDid Ben play against Georgetown, Purdue,Oklahoma and Wisconsin? Look it up and look at the opponents big man results. MU got destroyed. Ben should not be guarding a 5 man in the post.He gets punished.against the good teams.

Like he got destroyed by Ejiofor late last season.  The problem isn't Ben.  Look at the lack of containment on the perimeter.   Royce is no Joplin on the defensive end either.  Ben can't 'do his work early' defending the post because there is yet another guard driving in a straight line to the basket.  Or another blown switch leading to an alley oop.

For me, the team defense is the most puzzling part of this season.  Ben is part of that, but he is a deck chair on the Titanic of the defensive issues.

Will suck to be #13 in the conference. #11 doesn't sound nearly as bad. #muMbb