MU vs. Vanderbilt!!!

[Da 'Lanche]

Props to Otule....I ripped him in the first two minutes and he has come back nicely....good for him and my bad for knocking him so early in the game.

Nice run for MU.

[bossmustang]

For the lead!

[nomorebuycks]

another key defensive rebound not gotten...

[JakeBarnes]

Really nice d by e will on that last possession.

[nomorebuycks]

don't give up a 3 to end the half...

[Da 'Lanche]

That's the DJO we know and love.....

The last 6 minutes the spark seems to be back...great sign.

[brewcity77]

Bit of a dumb play for DJO. 2-second difference between game and shot, no reason to push. At least he knocked down one of the free throws, and hopefully the foul will help in the second half.

Looks like we'll have the lead going into halftime...so what's the negative spin you have for that, nomorebuycks?

[nomorebuycks]

all the missed FT's could end up being crucial...

[bossmustang]

Look who's winning.

[mu_hilltopper]

Join us in the chat room:

http://www.muscoop.com/chat/flashchat.php

[Da 'Lanche]

Blue is really really good on man-up defense. Keeps in front, in the grill and aggressive without fouling.  I love watching him play....he will be fun to watch as he matures his game.

[NersEllenson]

Oooh, it's the weird fanboy.

Hello fanboy.

Anyone who resorts to being a troll - or has nothing better to do with their life - is the definition of weird.  And..loser.

[brewcity77]

Rough start, but after being down 16-5, the team did a great job to finish outscoring Vandy 32-18. Two big scoring runs helped that. Buycks has been our best player so far, doing it both on the offensive end and the defensive. His near-steal in the Vandy backcourt was a very heads up play. He saw the PG look back to Stallings for guidance and tried to take advantage. Crowder also playing well, DJO coming on late, and Butler with a couple nice shots from 3.

I still think we are in the underdog position, but this is definitely the best first half we've played against real opposition this season. Now we just need to string another half like that one and we'll have that signature non-con win that could help us come March. The next 20 minutes are huge.

EDIT: And in a shock, I'm agreeing with nomorebuycks!!! Those missed free throws could be huge late in the game. 4/9 in the first half, but there is a positive spin in that Ezeli, Tchiengang, and Odom all have 2 fouls. If I'm Buzz, I'm telling Gardner to be ready for some minutes in the second half. We need him down low to draw fouls. It may force us to slow the pace a bit, but if it depletes their defensive options in the paint we can dominate the last 5 minutes of this game.

[GGGG]

At the beginning, we were just giving up way too many transition baskets because we turned the ball over and took really dumb shots.  Once we settled down and got them into a halfcourt game, we did fine...including rebounding the ball.

[Da 'Lanche]

They do show flashes....and if those can string out a little more consistently, good things are ahead.   I thought the 2nd half of the Duke game was a good half for MU and the last 10 minutes of this half seem about the best MU has played against a quality opponent.  This would be a huge win.

By the way, the BEast looks beastly.  SJU wins at WVU and N.D. beats up Georgetown.  This will be one nasty conference season.

[Danny Noonan]

Great comeback. Sultan nailed it with the TO's leading to east transition buckets. I think were fortunate they were cold from 3 as they had some wide open looks.  Let's keep the Mo going for the 2nd half!

[NersEllenson]

Looking solid after taking Vandy's big punch in Round 1.  Gotta tighten up the 3 defense..Vandy' probably has missed 3 looks from 3 they normally make.  So far i've liked the substitution pattern...giving breathers here and there for the primary players on our team.

Vander looks a little "geeked".  Hopefully he can settle down..thought he made a few bad decisions offensively/rushed a few shots.  That said, we have been VERY aggressive going to the rim..and can't fault that effort.  We are really taking it to Vandy.

The speed and intensity of this game look very, very high to me.  

[Blackhat]

Somebody teach D Gardner to rebound and defend or sit his azz for the rest of the year.  No effort.

[MU B2002]

Djo finally gave it up on the break!

[Da 'Lanche]

Looking solid after taking Vandy's big punch in Round 1.  Gotta tighten up the 3 defense..Vandy' probably has missed 3 looks from 3 they normally make.  So far i've liked the substitution pattern...giving breathers here and there for the primary players on our team.

Vander looks a little "geeked".  Hopefully he can settle down..thought he made a few bad decisions offensively/rushed a few shots.  That said, we have been VERY aggressive going to the rim..and can't fault that effort.  We are really taking it to Vandy.

The speed and intensity of this game look very, very high to me.  

I agree and love the aggressiveness in using speed and quickness to take it to the hoop.  When the outside shots are not falling, use your strength and get to the rim and foul line.

[Da 'Lanche]

Otule!!!!   What has gotten in to him?  Maybe the realization that he will not play if he does not start performing.

[NersEllenson]

Otule!!!!   What has gotten in to him?  Maybe the realization that he will not play if he does not start performing.

Hope he didn't hurt his foot defending that 3 that their big hit..after it...Otule came down gingerly..and they took him out..tho he has 3 fouls..did Ezeli just pick up his 3rd on Butler?

[MUEng92]

WTH are the fans booing about.  It is called defense.

[nomorebuycks]

MU up 7 to trailing in no time...

[reinko]

Otule only has one eye?  Like the guy on Boardwalk Empire?