Enjoy the ride

[WuDrWu]

Some encouraging things for me:

- 6 of our 7 rotation players are shooting 43% + from the field (3 over 50%)

- 3 rotation players shooting over 40% from 3 point (Dalen over 50%)

- 3 rotation players averaging 8+ rebs per game

- 5 of the 7 rotation players scoring 10+ pts per game


***disclaimer*** I understand it is a small sample size against weak competition and not likely to be sustained. But it is a pleasant start to the season given the expectations

Yes. Some (most) of those positive numbers, especially good %s are a product of good shot selection. And that's a product of not only good coaching, but good receiving and execution by the players....early in the process. If we're taking good shots now, I like the possibility that if things go very well otherwise, we could be taking great to excellent shots by the end of the season. That's culture. HCPM talks a lot about culture and that's fine...watching the kids put it into motion and grow is better. Much better.

How many teams would LOVE to have Dalen Ridgnal, yet he cannot start for Missouri State??! Now, I don't think he'll finish the season at 61% FG and 55% 3FG but still......(these questions will plague mankind for some time).

[Woodrow]

Yes. Some (most) of those positive numbers, especially good %s are a product of good shot selection. And that's a product of not only good coaching, but good receiving and execution by the players....early in the process. If we're taking good shots now, I like the possibility that if things go very well otherwise, we could be taking great to excellent shots by the end of the season. That's culture. HCPM talks a lot about culture and that's fine...watching the kids put it into motion and grow is better. Much better.

How many teams would LOVE to have Dalen Ridgnal, yet he cannot start for Missouri State??! Now, I don't think he'll finish the season at 61% FG and 55% 3FG but still......(these questions will plague mankind for some time).

Arkansas fans probably said the same thing about RC4 not starting for us.

[Kung Wu]

Arkansas fans probably said the same thing about RC4 not starting for us.

Ouch. And true. But ooouch.

[JVShocker]

So what if we only have three D1 wins against lower level competition.

(I sense a Game of Thrones meme coming)

[newshock1234]

Didnt the Mills ride just start lol

[RoyalShock]

Speaking of Ridgnal and MSU, here is the thread from their board discussing his transfer:

https://247sports.com/college/missouri-state/board/59468/Contents/dalen-ridgnal-in-portal-213329582/?page=1

[1972Shocker]

If Dalen continues to come off that bench and can sustain his current production he has to be in the mix for the AAC 6th Man of the Year Award.

Would love to see that. From Missouri State castoff to AAC 6th Man of the Year. Has a good ring to it.

[Stickboy46]

Speaking of Ridgnal and MSU, here is the thread from their board discussing his transfer:

https://247sports.com/college/missouri-state/board/59468/Contents/dalen-ridgnal-in-portal-213329582/?page=1

" Going to WSU is hardly an upgrade" ... I see they still haven't connected to reality in the MVC.

[ShockTalk]

" Going to WSU is hardly an upgrade" ... I see they still haven't connected to reality in the MVC.

However, here is some others:

"I will also say that I thought Dalen was also the real deal. He knew he was on another level than everybody in the MVC and he demonstrated it. Only Ford's stupid lineups and subbing held him back. Don't give a damn about the technical fouls the team needed a dog."

"He will be missed, played hard and was tough to guard when he was hot."

"For all of the optimism I see on here, I'd note that Mogbo and Ridgnal were our top two players last year in win shares per 40 minutes, and they were two of our top three players in Box Plus/Minus (Chance Moore was #1 in Box Plus/Minus)."

"Lost two of the most physically talented players with size. Do not see this as good."

"Questioning Fords ability to put the best team on the floor even more now."

[ShockBand]

However, here is some others:

"I will also say that I thought Dalen was also the real deal. He knew he was on another level than everybody in the MVC and he demonstrated it. Only Ford's stupid lineups and subbing held him back. Don't give a damn about the technical fouls the team needed a dog."

"He will be missed, played hard and was tough to guard when he was hot."

"For all of the optimism I see on here, I'd note that Mogbo and Ridgnal were our top two players last year in win shares per 40 minutes, and they were two of our top three players in Box Plus/Minus (Chance Moore was #1 in Box Plus/Minus)."

"Lost two of the most physically talented players with size. Do not see this as good."

"Questioning Fords ability to put the best team on the floor even more now."

Is that the Chance Moore we had for a few games like five years ago?

[Atxshoxfan]

" Going to WSU is hardly an upgrade" ... I see they still haven't connected to reality in the MVC.

Based on the last IB years, they were probably right.

[MikeKennedyRulZ]

Is that the Chance Moore we had for a few games like five years ago?

Different Chance Moore. The one at WSU fancied himself a hip hop artist I believe.

[Aargh]

Speaking of Ridgnal and MSU, here is the thread from their board discussing his transfer:

https://247sports.com/college/missouri-state/board/59468/Contents/dalen-ridgnal-in-portal-213329582/?page=1

From one of the osts:

"Going to WSU isn't really an upgrade"

Apparently MSU fans think Ford recruited over him and he wasn't going to get much PT and be #9 or #10 on the depth chart. If that's true let's go get MSU's entire roster out of the portal this spring.

[Stickboy46]

Based on the last IB years, they were probably right.

We could go grab a random horse out of a field and sit him in the head coaching chair and WSU would still be a large upgrade over MSU