Pirates SOTG

[Goose]

Vander

He guards all over the court, seldom makes dumb fouls, except for #2 against Purdue, and has great vision and anticipation. He is an elite defender, imo.

[Herman Cain]

Oso Igohodaro
Honorable Mention
Stevie Mitchell
David Joplin

[We R Final Four]

Ben. Gold.

[mileskishnish72]

I gotta go with Stevie. 13 pts., 6 boards, 5 steals, 0 turnovers, and he shut Dawes down.

[1SE]

Oso for sure, but as someone who has been really down on Ben I think this was the best game he played all year. Made some (still ugly) shots but was disruptive on D, hustled his a$$ off, and grabbed some boards. If we get that Ben the rest of the season I will be very happy.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Oso was dominant. 

Hats off to Jop, Stevie, Ben, and even Kolek for his 11 assists.

[Goose]

1SE

Not trying to be argumentative, but curious on why Gold's shots were ugly? I watched the game with a former MU player, and very knowledgeable basketball guy, and he cannot say enough about Gold's form and shot. I have watched 4-5 games with him this season and he constantly in saying Gold has to shot more and that he is a very big weapon for the team.

I really am curious on your thoughts.

[brewcity77]

It was Oso. The way he's played of late, he's a damn cheat code.

[ATL MU Warrior]

1SE

Not trying to be argumentative, but curious on why Gold's shots were ugly? I watched the game with a former MU player, and very knowledgeable basketball guy, and he cannot say enough about Gold's form and shot. I have 4-5 games with him this season and he constantly in saying Gold has to shot more anc that he is a very big weapon for the team.

I really am curious on your thoughts.

Yeah, there is a lot of bashing Ben's shooting form. His form is fine. Nice high release, good back spin, sometimes flat.   I think sometimes his footwork is poor and he's maybe not square to the basket, and sometimes he rushes. If he is in rhythm and takes his time the shot looks pure.

[1SE]

Yeah, there is a lot of bashing Ben's shooting form. His form is fine. Nice high release, good back spin, sometimes flat.   I think sometimes his footwork is poor and he's maybe not square to the basket, and sometimes he rushes. If he is in rhythm and takes his time the shot looks pure.

Yes, I think it's mainly air under the ball - just a lot less room for error when your shot reaches its zenith at 12ft. I had kids bouncing around so didn't see all his shots today, but the ones I saw (some which went in) were still very flat.

Bit I was super impressed by his hustle and activity on D and the boards today. If he can hit enough from outside to keep Ds honest and continue to have that kind of motor in the other end we could have a very nice March.

[MU82]

Mitchell

13 points, 6 rebounds, 5 steals.

With Richmond out, key was to not let Dawes go off. Mitchell held him to 8 points, 2 of which were last minute free throws.  He did his job in all aspects today.

I really like this choice. We don't give D enough weight for SoG, and Stevie certainly was a defensive stud to go with his offensive and rebounding contributions. Also, Jop played his best defensive game ever IMHO, along with scoring 20.

But Oso was great (as usual) defensively as well, and his stat line was superior. That, despite having a "bad" shooting game of only 53%. So it's Oso for me, but I'd have no problem with either of the others.

[HutchwasClutch]

I think co-SOTG-  Jop and Oso.  They were both terrific.  Oso left a few shots out there.  He should have had 30.

[tower912]

Yes, he could have.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

I love legit SOTG debate when TKO and Kam aren't even in the conversation.

[Daniel]

I am voting Stevie.   13 points, great D

[WarriorHal]

Iggy once again SOTG. He was both the finisher and the passer.

Joplin, Stevie, Gold and TK with all of the assists get HM

[Its DJOver]

I really want to say Stevie, his defense was that good, but it's Oso.

[HutchwasClutch]

I am voting Stevie.   13 points, great D

He is great at so many little things. Very valuable player.  If he could just pick up his shooting and become more reliable to kick out to.

[21Jumpstreet]

Jop

[Jockey]

To me, Oso's biggest strength defensively is when he switches out on guards or wings.  Very rarely are they able to take him off the dribble and that versatility completely disrupts the offense.

It's one of the reasons he will have a long NBA career.

[Dr. Blackheart]

I am voting Stevie.   13 points, great D

Stevie had maybe the best five minute stretch of defensive intensity in that 2nd half have seen in two decades by a MU player.

Add in his rebounding in the first half to keep it close, scoring and five steals. Oso was great but those three turns is the tie breaker.

[Tyler COLEk]

Oso has an above average defensive profile? That might be understating possibly the most complete part of his game. He plays excellent defense, and extremely smart defense.

Above average for the NBA level.

[tower912]

What got Omax to the league was defense.  Oso being able to guard 5 positions is his ticket.   I used this example last summer.  Oso guarding Bam and switches on to Jimmy.   Or guarding Jokic and switching on to Murray.  Particularly come playoff time, agile, versatile defenders are valuable as NBA run screen and rolls to create mismatches.

[Goose]

tower

I agree. His ticket is punched because of defensive flexibility and the offense is a bonus, imo. I believe he will have a very, very long and prosperous NBA career.

[withoutbias]

Oso