Shockers vs. Alabama Game thread

[WuDrWu]

I don't know how the kids pulled that one out. Evan isn't the only one that's going to be feeling it tomorrow.

It was a well called game. They let 'em play, but they let 'em play both ways.

I thought Alabama played to their strengths and played great. Coach Grant and those kids probably deserved a better fate than they got, BUT nobody has taught our kids how to lose. That was pure will the last 5 minutes combined with a Tide team that played not to lose. Given the ease with which they were getting quality shots, that was a poor decision by them, about the only poor decision they made all game.

Kelly's a man. Someone else mentioned it, but I thought all the freshmen (Kelly, Holland especially but even Morris, Henderson and Nurger did good things) grew up tonight. We need them to even more, obviously.

I'm beat....more in the morning.

[Play Angry]

Have we ever had guards in better physical condition than FVV, Ron and Tekele? I think not and I'd bet it's not even close.

Those guys just flat destroy opponents legs to the point that they must yearn for the sweet release of seppuku in the last 5 minutes.

[Cdizzle]

Have we ever had guards in better physical condition than FVV, Ron and Tekele? I think not and I'd bet it's not even close.

Those guys just flat destroy opponents legs to the point that they must yearn for the sweet release of seppuku in the last 5 minutes.

Your point is well taken, but I would certainly include Toure' Murry in with that group.

[Play Angry]

Your point is well taken, but I would certainly include Toure' Murry in with that group.

Yep that's fair, he is definitely right there. Rags as a senior was also close.

As a unit though I think these guys are pure hell on everyone else's lungs.

[The Mad Hatter]

I definitely want to see Kelly playing more. I don't think there's any reason to assume that Wessel can't go when he literally came back into this game, but whether he can or not ... I want to see a lot more Kelly.

Wessel also immediately came right back out because it was clear that he was too gimpy to be effective. He may well be ready, but there is a reason he didn't play the rest of the half.

[shoxlax]

I don't know how the kids pulled that one out. Evan isn't the only one that's going to be feeling it tomorrow.

It was a well called game. They let 'em play, but they let 'em play both ways.

I thought Alabama played to their strengths and played great. Coach Grant and those kids probably deserved a better fate than they got, BUT nobody has taught our kids how to lose. That was pure will the last 5 minutes combined with a Tide team that played not to lose. Given the ease with which they were getting quality shots, that was a poor decision by them, about the only poor decision they made all game.

Kelly's a man. Someone else mentioned it, but I thought all the freshmen (Kelly, Holland especially but even Morris, Henderson and Nurger did good things) grew up tonight. We need them to even more, obviously.

I'm beat....more in the morning.

Dammit I forgot to get my book from you, Doc. Wonder what distracted me?
Sorry.

[ShockerFever]

If you offered me a 1 point win right now, I'd take it and be absolutely thrilled. This is gonna be a grind.

Prophetic, sir!

[shoxlax]

Your point is well taken, but I would certainly include Toure' Murry in with that group.

What about JR Simon? The dude hasn't even broken a sweat by games end.

[pinstripers]

All through the first half, we had chances to extend our lead, time and time again, and fugged it up.

[pinstripers]

Time for coach to begin to worry about free throws, I think.

[shocker3]

Shockers are on the SC side bar. Highlights should be on soon.

[Rosewood]

@JonRothstein: That's a HUGE missed opportunity for the SEC. A win by Alabama at Wichita State would have changed national perception of conference.

I just want to soak in that for a day or two. He isn't wrong. But the fact that he is right is amazing.

[ShockerFever]

I was actually very pleased in how the bench players fought tonight. Didn't back down....didn't make shots....but they didn't back down.

They made two pretty big shots with less than 2 minutes left.

[HockeyShock]

Observations from Sec 120:

- Why the hell didn't we start driving it sooner, like ... immediately. Alabama had a good plan to not give the guards any breathing room, so that dictates (if I remember my strategy correctly) getting it inside to force them to start hedging in.
- We had a lot of open looks from outside. There weren't many bad shots taken, but we're in a general slump as a team.
- I would have posted this sooner, but I had to go outside when I got home and shoot 200 free throws. Every little bit helps.
- There were a couple of times near the end where the noise was reaching FSU/NIT levels. I'm sure it sounded great on TV.
- Rauno needs a steady diet of sirloin steak and weightlifting, but he's not horrible.
- Evan Wessel is Wolverine.
- Darius Carter may be making The Leap.
- Rashard Kelly is going to be the secret weapon come tournament time.
- Remember, we're dealing not only with losing Cle, but two extremely reliable big bodies at the 4/5. It's going to take some time to figure out who is going to step up. I predict we'll shore up our inside game by midway through the MVC schedule.
- Believe it or not, the turnaround really started with the Corey Henderson Jr drive. Whether he was that brave or that foolish, he proved that you could get to the rim on these guys.
- Six days is a fine break to heal up and watch game film.
- Yes, there are shortcomings, but the team does not panic. That mental toughness is invaluable.
- A.C. needs to come to every home game.

[Dave Stalwart]

Observations from Sec 120:

- Why the hell didn't we start driving it sooner, like ... immediately. Alabama had a good plan to not give the guards any breathing room, so that dictates (if I remember my strategy correctly) getting it inside to force them to start hedging in.
- We had a lot of open looks from outside. There weren't many bad shots taken, but we're in a general slump as a team.
- I would have posted this sooner, but I had to go outside when I got home and shoot 200 free throws. Every little bit helps.
- There were a couple of times near the end where the noise was reaching FSU/NIT levels. I'm sure it sounded great on TV.
- Rauno needs a steady diet of sirloin steak and weightlifting, but he's not horrible.
- Evan Wessel is Wolverine.
- Darius Carter may be making The Leap.
- Rashard Kelly is going to be the secret weapon come tournament time.
- Remember, we're dealing not only with losing Cle, but two extremely reliable big bodies at the 4/5. It's going to take some time to figure out who is going to step up. I predict we'll shore up our inside game by midway through the MVC schedule.
- Believe it or not, the turnaround really started with the Corey Henderson Jr drive. Whether he was that brave or that foolish, he proved that you could get to the rim on these guys.
- Six days is a fine break to heal up and watch game film.
- Yes, there are shortcomings, but the team does not panic. That mental toughness is invaluable.
- A.C. needs to come to every home game.

The driving didn't work as well when their big man was guarding the paint. We did a lot better once he was gone. He had a few swats and I think he was the reason we didn't drive effectively most of the game.

When the Big Dog says stand up, you better stand up :)