East Tennessee State game

[EngDawg]

Second game of the year for me. Not a great crowd so far, but what can you expect.

[civildawg]

Church night and school is out= terrible attendance

[msstate7]

Please keep driving like that kegler

[msstate7]

Kegler may be about to explode

[EngDawg]

Kegler may be about to explode

Hope so

[HoopsDawg]

pretty crazy that Carter may be coming off the bench come SEC play if what I hear on Stapelton is true. Then looking to next year, he's got to come off the bench with Nick Spoon joining the team.

[msstate7]

This long delay between games has really hurt our defense. We look pretty bad defensively right now

[msstate7]

SMH... pick up the defense

[HoopsDawg]

SMH... pick up the defense

It's just one guy lighting us up. I don't know why Q isn't on Cromer.

[MarketingBully]

Yeah, the last shot ETSU made was pure luck. You can't defend a prayer shot off the glass.

[msstate7]

Youth = bad shots

Was a great break by ready though

[MarketingBully]

ETSU plays Pearl thug ball.

[msstate7]

I'm all for getting Q shots, but damn, we're forcing it

[Liverpooldawg]

It's starting to look like one of those games. ETSU is playing with a lot more energy and our lack of an inside game is glaring. Q's shot is off, that ain't good.

[HoopsDawg]

2 smart moves by Howland. He put Q on Cromer and he put Peters in for Ready. Ready is getting worked on the defensive end and can't rebound.

I'm impressed by ETSU. They are getting after it and are athletic.

[MarketingBully]

It's because the Refs are letting ETSU play defense that I thought teams weren't supposed to play. They are able to body and reach in and basically play defense like what Pearl did at Tennessee.

[MarketingBully]

Lol, ETSU has been able to get away with what they just called Q for all night.

[Liverpooldawg]

Just getting completely out hustled on both ends.

[msstate7]

Freshmen can be really frustrating

[MarketingBully]

Freshmen can be really frustrating

As many fouls as ETSU has it should be doubled. They should be in foul trouble right now. With that said, we are staying in striking distance. It is pretty obvious the 10 day layoff has effected us in a negative way.

[msstate7]

Herard may be a 4*, but he's a project.

[msstate7]

We are terrible at lay ups

[msstate7]

Peters may lead the sec in steals next season. He is really good at taking the ball away

[MarketingBully]

Why the ten day layoff? I blame that more then anything.

[MarketingBully]

Only down by five and everyone playing terrible. That is an improvement.

[msstate7]

Huge play by ready to close out half. Down 5... I'll take it

[HoopsDawg]

Lucky to be down only 5. Bad half from Q. We were really poor on the offensive end and couldn't get much in transition. It's tough with no low post scoring.

[EngDawg]

Freshmens can be really frustrating

I really don't think this can be overstated

[EngDawg]

We really really really need a better inside game

[msstate7]

We really really really need a better inside game

I really think datcher should get more mins than Herard right now

[MarketingBully]

Lucky to be down only 5. Bad half from Q. We were really poor on the offensive end and couldn't get much in transition. It's tough with no low post scoring.

If we had Holman instead of Herard down there, you are looking at us getting at least 8 more points. It sucks because we have to get Herard experience but he has fumbled and missed at least 3-4 great opportunities to score in the post by our guards getting it to him. Love how Ado gets a 4.0 GPA but he can't play because of the NCAA. What a bunch of schmucks the NCAA is.

[Liverpooldawg]

Why the ten day layoff? I blame that more then anything.

Something called final exams I think.

[Liverpooldawg]

We really really really need a better inside game

Yep

[MarketingBully]

I really think datcher should get more mins than Herard right now

He missed easy point blank shots too. We need to get Holman as many minutes as possible at the five. It sucks but that is where we are.

[Turfdawg67]

Church night and school is out= terrible attendance

Bullcrap! I was in school during our 90s glory years and the place was packed most nights. People will come back when we've proven we're good again. Sucks, cause they should be there all the time, I would if I lived closer.

[MarketingBully]

Something called final exams I think.

Ten day layoffs are killers for young teams who desperately need experience. We should have at least had a Saturday game. Hopefully we can regroup and recover in the second half. We played poorly but are only down by five.

[msstate7]

He missed easy point blank shots too. We need to get Holman as many minutes as possible at the five. It sucks but that is where we are.

Datcher looks more fluid down low though. Herard looks really awkward moving around... like he's thinking about what he's supposed to do or something

[Liverpooldawg]

Bullcrap! I was in school during our 90s glory years and the place was packed most nights. People will come back when we've proven we're good again. Sucks, cause they should be there all the time, I would if I lived closer.
I was a season ticket holder during that time. These December after school is out games against no name opponents were never heavily attended. Not even in the Final Four year.

[Liverpooldawg]

Ten day layoffs are killers for young teams who desperately need experience. We should have at least had a Saturday game. Hopefully we can regroup and recover in the second half. We played poorly but are only down by five.

Yeah, who cares if they fail their finals.*****

[MarketingBully]

Why the hell are we putting our smallest guy out there to inbound the ball. Two easy run outs on lazy passes.

[Liverpooldawg]

We are getting beat by a better team with, at the moment, better players. It sucks but it's the truth.

[msstate7]

Hey howland, ready inbounding isn't working. I'd be a clown of a coach, but even I see this

[MarketingBully]

Yeah, who cares if they fail their finals.*****

This is the longest layoff I can remember us having and it shows terribly. They wouldn't have failed finals if we had a game Saturday. In the meantime, we look like shit because we haven't played in almost two weeks.

[MarketingBully]

We are getting beat by a better team with, at the moment, better players. It sucks but it's the truth.

They aren't better players I can tell you that. That is an idiotic statement.

[maroonmania]

I know we are young but dang, some of these ETSU guys look 30 years old.

[HoopsDawg]

Hey howland, ready inbounding isn't working. I'd be a clown of a coach, but even I see this

Horrible! And it keeps leading to easy buckets on the other end.

[Liverpooldawg]

They aren't better players I can tell you that. That is an idiotic statement.

Tonight it's not, not so far.

[msstate7]

Horrible! And it keeps leading to easy buckets on the other end.
And we keep doing it

[msstate7]

Good grief

[MarketingBully]

Tonight it's not, not so far.

It's an idiotic statement any time you say it.

[Liverpooldawg]

It's an idiotic statement any time you say it.

Scoreboard says otherwise, the view from row 2 says the same.

[msstate7]

This may be the worst I've ever seen Q play. That's the difference in the game

[Liverpooldawg]

This may be the worst I've ever seen Q play. That's the difference in the game

Yep. Give them credit, he isn't getting open looks. The few he has had he has missed. Their energy level is way above ours on both ends.

[Liverpooldawg]

First time the crowd has been into it all night. It's going to have to happen on the defensive end.

[msstate7]

Good little run... keep forcing TOs

[MarketingBully]

Scoreboard says otherwise, the view from row 2 says the same.

Scoreboard is getting tighter there slick....ETSU does not have better players then us.

[bobtail bob]

Defense is getting us back into it. Thats a good sign.

[smootness]

Goodness, guys. Games like this will happen. This isn't a bad ETSU team.

[Liverpooldawg]

Scoreboard is getting tighter there slick....ETSU does not have better players then us.

You know what, "slick", I'll be really happy if you turn out to be right. Doing my part right now.

[Liverpooldawg]

Defense is getting us back into it. Thats a good sign.

Yep, it's been awful all night. They have stepped up the last minute or two.

[MarketingBully]

Goodness, guys. Games like this will happen. This isn't a bad ETSU team.

We have played like crap most of the night and are still in the game. Sure, they will win their little conference and are a good test for us but they do not have better players then us. That was my point with Liverpooldog which you can add basketball as another sport he knows nothing about.

[msstate7]

Kegler is close to having a huge freshman year. He just has to cut out some carelessness and not fall in love with 3s. I think he's about to bust out in a big way

[smootness]

Holman could be a massive stud by this point next year. He is so much better than he was last year.

[msstate7]

I hate college basketball. WTF was that call

[msstate7]

Q has been pretty bad tonight. Hope it isn't injury related

[Liverpooldawg]

Good lord ref.

[MarketingBully]

Q has been pretty bad tonight. Hope it isn't injury related

Should have been a foul and two shots instead they get a 3 at the other end a potential five point play.

[EngDawg]

Horrible officiating down the stretch

[Liverpooldawg]

We have played like crap most of the night and are still in the game. Sure, they will win their little conference and are a good test for us but they do not have better players then us. That was my point with Liverpooldog which you can add basketball as another sport he knows nothing about.

Ok son, whatever you say.

I miss defense as taught by Richard Williams. If you didn't play it, you didn't play.

[DudyDawg]

If Ready can't contribute and facilitate offensively he needs to sit. Howland needs to recognize they keep isolating him for a reason. He can't defend. Been some poor man management from Howland

[bobtail bob]

That was a foul but these dam refs swallow their whistle when our guys drive under the bssket

[msstate7]

Howland is a great coach, but I'm not sure why he's left ready inbounding passes when it was really hurting us. Also not sure why you don't get ready out there with them having ball. Ready is a horrible defender

[Liverpooldawg]

Defense down the stretch here has been weak. You can't let them drive the lane like that.

[Liverpooldawg]

If Ready can't contribute and facilitate offensively he needs to sit. Howland needs to recognize they keep isolating him for a reason. He can't defend. Been some poor man management from Howland

Yes, he doesn't need to be out there much.

[msstate7]

Ready's Defense and howland letting ready continue to play defense down the stretch here has been weak. You can't let them drive the lane like that.

Fify

[Liverpooldawg]

Come on defense!!!

[CarolinaDawgs]

LAMAR "PULL THE TRIGGER" PETERS

[msstate7]

I think it's time... peters for ready. Get carter more time at 2

[Liverpooldawg]

Defense was weak all night. That was bad.

[CarolinaDawgs]

phuck

[MarketingBully]

Terrible way to end the game. Wtf box someone out!

[CarolinaDawgs]

they ran into each other, aint that some state luck

[smootness]

The heck kind of shot was that? There was time to collect and get an open look.

And big yikes on the lack of boxing out on the defensive glass.

[msstate7]

Welp... another year with no postseason

[smootness]

Welp... another year with no postseason

I mean, we already pretty much knew that.

This team was always destined to have more games like this.

[maroonmania]

Dang, give up 3 shots on the last possession to get beat.

[Cloak]

Man that one stings...

[maroonmania]

Welp... another year with no postseason

I continue to believe our basketball program is somehow cursed.

[msstate7]

I mean, we already pretty much knew that.

This team was always destined to have more games like this.

Now we definitely know it.

[smootness]

Holman had a really good game, but he just stood there and allowed himself to get completely manhandled under the basket.

[MarketingBully]

They all just looked around while the other team hit the glass. Worst way to lose a game no effort. Boxing out and rebounding is effort not talent. I'll give us credit that we got back in the game but come on Holman and Kegler you have got to ****ing hit the glass so we can go to OT.

[Bothrops]

I don't see any post season this year either.

[HoopsDawg]

Ready get taken to the rim and gives up 4 points on their 3rd to last and 2nd to last possession. Then on the last possession we have to move Q to Ready's man. Q forces the shot but Holman gets moved out of position and Keglar doesn't slide over. Have to wonder if Datcher should have been in the game for keglar.

Next time we are in the spot, Ready will be on the bench and Stapleton will be in the game so that will really help.

[msstate7]

Peters
Carter
Q
Kegler
Holman

This needs to be our starting 5.

Using baseball terms, ready has an oWAR of 4.0, but his dWAR is -4.1. He's too much of a liability to continue to play 30+ mins.

[MarketingBully]

I think we will be fine because we should be able to win out in the OOC to go into SEC play 9-3. I think we still will have a winning record overall simply because we will move Carter to the bench and not really be giving Wright minutes when Stapleton comes back. Our starting five will be Ready Q X Kegler and Holman. That will be a great starting five with Carter Peters and Herard/Datcher coming off the bench. We will be a much better team come SEC schedule and the OOC games left are easy peezy.

[HoopsDawg]

I think we will be fine because we should be able to win out in the OOC to go into SEC play 9-3. I think we still will have a winning record overall simply because we will move Carter to the bench and not really be giving Wright minutes when Stapleton comes back. Our starting five will be Ready Q X Kegler and Holman. That will be a great starting five with Carter Peters and Herard/Datcher coming off the bench. We will be a much better team come SEC schedule and the OOC games left are easy peezy.

I think we will see Ready and Carter with less minutes once X gets settled in. I like Carter now and love his future, but he's got to put on at least 10 more pounds before he is ready for this level on Defense.

[MarketingBully]

Peters
Carter
Q
Kegler
Holman

This needs to be our starting 5.

Using baseball terms, ready has an oWAR of 4.0, but his dWAR is -4.1. He's too much of a liability to continue to play 30+ mins.

I blame the ten day layoff on this loss. Pretty easy to see that. We didn't turn up the defensive intensity until the final 8-10 minutes of the game so we played like shit and sluggish for 30 minutes of a 40 minute game. Mind you ETSU had something to do with that because they played really physical defense that made us uncomfortable; however if we had played average tonight we win this game by 10+.

[msstate7]

I like Carter now and love his future, but he's got to put on at least 10 more pounds before he is ready for this level on Defense.

The number of mins we continue to play ready shows we aren't too concerned with defense at the moment

[GTHOM]

We should have won that game. People saying ETSU is a tourney team, well we were better than them for the majority of the second half. We looked rusty as hell in the first half 10 days off hurt us. Im going to the game in Jackson on Monday this team is going to be good they deserve more support than they are getting

[MarketingBully]

I think we will see Ready and Carter with less minutes once X gets settled in. I like Carter now and love his future, but he's got to put on at least 10 more pounds before he is ready for this level on Defense.

We can only hope that Ready gets less minutes and we start Peters but I don't know that happens. I do think Carter will get less minutes simply because he needs a little more weight and strength to be effective at this level. Q and X are great players that compliment each other. Now that Ado can practice, I think our post play will improve tremendously. I still think we will be a team no one wants to play at the end of the year.

[HoopsDawg]

The number of mins we continue to play ready shows we aren't too concerned with defense at the moment

Carter struggles on D too. Ready is the only senior and only real veteran on a ridiculously young team. He does a decent job running the offense. That's why he plays. Having said that, I expect his minutes to drop the rest of the season. Peters is showing what he can do and X is a good defender. Peters can rebound too.

[MarketingBully]

We should have won that game. People saying ETSU is a tourney team, well we were better than them for the majority of the second half. We looked rusty as hell in the first half 10 days off hurt us. Im going to the game in Jackson on Monday this team is going to be good they deserve more support than they are getting

Oh yeah, if we play average we win that game by 10. This team will be really good at the end of the year. If we had a full house at tonight's game, it could have made a difference.

[HoopsDawg]

We can only hope that Ready gets less minutes and we start Peters but I don't know that happens. I do think Carter will get less minutes simply because he needs a little more weight and strength to be effective at this level. Q and X are great players that compliment each other. Now that Ado can practice, I think our post play will improve tremendously. I still think we will be a team no one wants to play at the end of the year.

Yeah, I don't know if Howland can bench Ready for Peters, but I want to see his minutes drop from 31 a game to 20 per game. Carter's will probably drop from 30 to 20. Peters minutes need to go up to 25+ from 20 and X will get 25 per. X will play the 3 and 4.

[HSVDawg]

It's because the Refs are letting ETSU play defense that I thought teams weren't supposed to play. They are able to body and reach in and basically play defense like what Pearl did at Tennessee.

Ahh...after your first post of "Pearl thug ball" I thought you were talking about the kind they play on the wrong side of the tracks in Rankin County. Now I know what you meant.

[MarketingBully]

Yeah, I don't know if Howland can bench Ready for Peters, but I want to see his minutes drop from 31 a game to 20 per game. Carter's will probably drop from 30 to 20. Peters minutes need to go up to 25+ from 20 and X will get 25 per. X will play the 3 and 4.

A lot of our issues go away when X comes back because you will then have two elite defenders in Q and X on the perimeter. Ready only looks so bad because we have two guards in Carter (at this point) and Ready who are liabilities on the defensive side of the ball. Both Carter and Ready had a combined 0 rebounds tonight. Can't have two starters have 0 rebounds. We will get this corrected as we move forward. I'm not too too concerned at this point. Our worst loss at this point is Lehigh.

[MarketingBully]

Ahh...after your first post of "Pearl thug ball" I thought you were talking about the kind they play on the wrong side of the tracks in Rankin County. Now I know what you meant.

Oh lol, I meant Bruce Pearl. The ETSU coach was one of Pearl's assistants at Tennessee so it made since he would bring that style with him to ETSU. If you're not called for a zillion fouls, it's a smart way to play when you have less talent then other teams. I think they will win their league and be like a 15 or 14 seed in the tourney but by no means did that team have nearly as much talent as us.

[DudyDawg]

I think we had 7 total assists. Embarrassing

[msstate7]

I think we had 7 total assists. Embarrassing

Little misleading... we blew probably 5-6 point blank shots

[HoopsDawg]

Little misleading... we blew probably 5-6 point blank shots

Boy that missed dunk looms large.

[tcdog70]

We lost because Ready cannot defend. Pretty simple. It has been like that for 4 years. His man has career nights. Sometimes he make up for it by scoring , but tonight He sucked at that. When LAMAR starts and Ready subs then we will be better .

[MarketingBully]

We lost because Ready cannot defend. Pretty simple. It has been like that for 4 years. His man has career nights. Sometimes he make up for it by scoring , but tonight He sucked at that. When LAMAR starts and Ready subs then we will be better .

We missed five point blank shots. You could say that was the game. Add 10 points to our total and we won by a semi comfortable margin.

[MarketingBully]

Boy that missed dunk looms large.

Yep and he also missed 2-3 more shots and Datcher missed a layup as well.

[tcdog70]

We missed five point blank shots. You could say that was the game. Add 10 points to our total and we won by a semi comfortable margin.

With that being said. When the game was on the line they isolated WHO? Ready and he got schooled. He kills us on defense and that is why other teams pick on Him. He cannot stop dribble penatration and that gets our help defenders in foul trouble.

[MarketingBully]

With that being said. When the game was on the line they isolated WHO? Ready and he got schooled. He kills us on defense and that is why other teams pick on Him. He cannot stop dribble penatration and that gets our help defenders in foul trouble.

I'm not disagreeing with you as he has had these issues his whole career here. He really sucked it up last night but my point is if people are thinking we are going to limit his minutes (which I think we should too) don't get your hopes up. He is a senior and I think Howland will continue to play him a lot of minutes. Of course, I think a lot of our problems will go away when X comes back. Ready last night did have his worst game with 0 points but we also had several other players have bad nights.