I'm nitpicking but......

[MuggsyB]

I think Gold can be so much better.  He needs to develop a nasty streak imo.  I also think he would actually benefit from slowing down at times and concentrating on his footwork.  Plant two feet in the lane and just rise up and score the ball.  Tbe young man has a lot of skills

One other thing that I'd like to see overall with our young players is a bit more patience launching the three.  Just because you can get the triple off, doesn't make it a good shot.  We are much better drilling triples off of ball movement and catch and shoots than the walk-up full court or off the dribble.  These next three games will be a challenge.  Especially Wednesday. However the trifecta is absolutely doable if we play our game.  I like having the best player on the floor. 

[Uncle Rico]

lol

[tower912]

You are correct.  You are nit picking.  Trust the process.

[Newsdreams]

I think Gold can be so much better.  He needs to develop a nasty streak imo.  I also think he would actually benefit from slowing down at times and concentrating on his footwork.  Plant two feet in the lane and just rise up and score the ball.  Tbe young man has a lot of skills

One other thing that I'd like to see overall with our young players is a bit more patience launching the three.  Just because you can get the triple off, doesn't make it a good shot.  We are much better drilling triples off of ball movement and catch and shoots than the walk-up full court or off the dribble.  These next three games will be a challenge.  Especially Wednesday. However the trifecta is absolutely doable if we play our game.  I like having the best player on the floor. 

You need to put your name up for an assistant position.

[MuggsyB]

You are correct.  You are nit picking.  Trust the process.

How do we go from "the process" to natty contenders? 

[Scoop Snoop]

How do we go from "the process" to natty contenders? 

By not being whiny nitpickers.

[MuggsyB]

By not being whiny nitpickers.

That's irrelevant to this discussion.  Nitpicking isn't whining either.  It's about going from a good team to a great team and maximizing the opportunity. 

[Uncle Rico]

That's irrelevant to this discussion.  Nitpicking isn't whining either.  It's about going from a good team to a great team and maximizing the opportunity. 

I doubt the coaches are trying to make this team better, so good points, imo

[tower912]

How do we go from "the process" to natty contenders? 

'We' don't.  The team does by getting better every day.  Having the bench get better and become seamlessly integrated.  Hitting 3s, staying g healthy.   

And, after this start and the starts of others, MU is already in that bleeping conversation.

[MuggsyB]

'We' don't.  The team does by getting better every day.  Having the bench get better and become seamlessly integrated.  Hitting 3s, staying g healthy.   

And, after this start and the starts of others, MU is already in that bleeping conversation.

Okay, Tower.  Ty.  I'll admit I like immediate domination. 

[PGsHeroes32]

Okay, Tower.  Ty.  I'll admit I like immediate domination. 

Ill be honest, never struck you as having a Dom kink

[MU82]

I think Gold can be so much better.  He needs to develop a nasty streak imo.  I also think he would actually benefit from slowing down at times and concentrating on his footwork.  Plant two feet in the lane and just rise up and score the ball.  Tbe young man has a lot of skills

One other thing that I'd like to see overall with our young players is a bit more patience launching the three.  Just because you can get the triple off, doesn't make it a good shot.  We are much better drilling triples off of ball movement and catch and shoots than the walk-up full court or off the dribble.  These next three games will be a challenge.  Especially Wednesday. However the trifecta is absolutely doable if we play our game.  I like having the best player on the floor. 

Gold is a 21-year-old man who has been playing basketball a certain way for a long time. He is who he is. He has become a reliable defensive player and can help swing games when he makes 3s. He's never going to be Maurice Lucas.

I actually agree that there was a couple minute stretch in the second half where the 5 young guys on the court were just firing up 3s, and I was glad they got that out of their system (perhaps after a reminder from Shaka) and started playing basketball again.

[Shooter McGavin]

I doubt the coaches are trying to make this team better, so good points, imo

Ha! I just spit out my bourbon.

[GoldenEagles03]

Gold had 12, 4, and 4. With a block and steal.

I'll take that all day.

I still think he can finish off 2 feet at the rim more instead of chucking up a guard-like prayer at the rim. Get into the paint (which he does well) and finish like a big man (which he doesn't do well).

He's getting there.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Ben had 12, 4, 4, 1, and 1 in 21 minutes today.  Not his best shooting night, but Id gladly sign up for that as his average statline.

Royce is the only young guy i think needs some reigning in. Hasn't learned the difference between an open shot and a great shot. Tends to shoot without getting his feet set. I love the lack of fear though

[ATL MU Warrior]

Gold had 12, 4, and 4. With a block and steal.

I'll take that all day.

I still think he can finish off 2 feet at the rim more instead of chucking up a guard-like prayer at the rim. Get into the paint (which he does well) and finish like a big man (which he doesn't do well).

He's getting there.

Agreed.  I would also say that I'd like Caedin to throw down some two-handed dunks rather than lay the ball in.

But, aside from style points, I'll take what we got out of those two today any time.

[MuggsyB]

Ben had 12, 4, 4, 1, and 1 in 21 minutes today.  Not his best shooting night, but Id gladly sign up for that as his average statline.

Royce is the only young guy i think needs some reigning in. Hasn't learned the difference between an open shot and a great shot. Tends to shoot without getting his feet set. I love the lack of fear though

He can launch a bit.  I still think Ben should get some buckets in the paint and react quicker protecting the rim.

[CountryRoads]

We're just watching the development of Gold in a new role in real time. Shaka has said multiple times he'll be a lot better in January than he is now. I'm not worried about Ben at all and excited to see where he'll be by year's end.

Not worried on the quick threes either from the young guys (mainly Parham). In post game, Shaka laughed kind of laughed it off in a "he'll eventually learn" tone and said he reminds him a bit of Kam his freshman year. Parham should be a stud for us and these reps are invaluable now. As coach Mac says, I say "let it fly." Maybe I'm wrong and he'd rather play for Gard and get scolded and ironed to bench every time he shot.

[MuMark]

Everybody can be better........including all of us scoop posters......

Relax....we're a top 10 team in the country as of now.....we will have ups and downs like every team.

[Scoop Snoop]

Ill be honest, never struck you as having a Dom kink

Why not? He loves Medieval weapons.

[MUJunkie]

1) I'd love to see Ben put the ball on the floor and drive the paint. Especially off a pump fake 3. It's usually wide open for him.

2) I thiught the young guys didn't get enough paint touches with the ball. Not enough movement. Settled for 3s too early in the shot clock. Agreed that most of those were open shots, but not great. Regardless I'd rather have that than timid shooters.

[tower912]

1) I'd love to see Ben put the ball on the floor and drive the paint. Especially off a pump fake 3. It's usually wide open for him.

2) I thiught the young guys didn't get enough paint touches with the ball. Not enough movement. Settled for 3s too early in the shot clock. Agreed that most of those were open shots, but not great. Regardless I'd rather have that than timid shooters.

2. Yes.  To me, the young guys look like the first season under Shaka.  One pass and a three, or a one-on-one move.   In the second half, they actually ran the offense a couple of times.   Give them time.

[willie warrior]

Gold had 12, 4, and 4. With a block and steal.

I'll take that all day.

I still think he can finish off 2 feet at the rim more instead of chucking up a guard-like prayer at the rim. Get into the paint (which he does well) and finish like a big man (which he doesn't do well).

He's getting there.

Absolutely Gold needs to get in the paint more. Would make his overall game much better

[NCMUFan]

Ben is a talented big man.
Maybe the plan is maximizing team play instead of maximizing individual play.
While Ben is a satisfactory 3-pt shooter, maybe having him at the 3-point line opens the offensive options that Shaka likes for the team on a whole.

[The Sultan]

Ben is a talented big man.
Maybe the plan is maximizing team play instead of maximizing individual play.
While Ben is a satisfactory 3-pt shooter, maybe having him at the 3-point line opens the offensive options that Shaka likes for the team on a whole.

Exactly. This offense isn't parking a big man in the post.