MBB v Dayton

[chef dixon]

Up 21-18 with 7 to go in the 1st. Molinar playing well.

[chef dixon]

And DJ showing a variety of offensive skills so far

[msu15]

If we just had more offensive skill and iQ this would be a blow out. We are absolutely beating them up inside.

[chef dixon]

We are leaving a lot of buckets out there but still up 30-25, almost half. Struggling at the line 5/11.

[chef dixon]

Whoever was bitching about Post shooting so much, there ya go buddy.

[chef dixon]

33-25 at the half. DJ with 11, Molinar with 6, Post with 2 triples off the bench. Our size is giving them some problems for sure.

[msstate7]

Good half. Clean it up at the foul line now

[msstate7]

Whoever was bitching about Post shooting so much, there ya go buddy.

I bitched about 1 3-pointer be shot in game 3, but it was an awful shot. I would've complained if Reggie Miller took that one.

[SmokeyDawg]

I enjoy watching this team more than the last few. Still young at spots but we seem to have better chemistry in the sense that it's less about individuals. I could be wrong but it seems those long developing plays are working out more often. Molinar, DJ and Tolu look good

[Lord McBuckethead]

Tulu needs to get his feet under him and explode to the layup. Too much just throwing it up.

[msstate7]

Way to start the 2nd half guys

[HoopsDawg]

We are a slow, grind it out offense, and Grant's teams are always a gritty defensive team. Result=ugly game. But we are still up 35-34 with 15 min left.

[BeardoMSU]

Officiating almost makes this sport unwatchable.

[chef dixon]

DJ is our best player I believe. He's so fluid. Up 42-38. Nice response by our guys. Fouls are going to be an issue for us the rest of the way.

[HoopsDawg]

Officiating almost makes this sport unwatchable.

came on here to post the same thing. this crew led by Doug Shows is atrocious. Molinar having his first bad game. DJ carrying us. Up 4 at the under 12.

[HoopsDawg]

DJ is our best player I believe. He's so fluid. Up 42-38. Nice response by our guys. Fouls are going to be an issue for us the rest of the way.

That 7'2 wingspan makes him so tough in the mid-range.

[chef dixon]

Cam matthews has been gritty today

[ZedFedder]

Even if they lose, I’m really proud of their effort.

[ZedFedder]

Javian Davis’s lack of FT shooting is a killer.

[BeardoMSU]

We must practice missing layups and FT's, because we're really good at it.

[HoopsDawg]

Cam matthews has been gritty today

He's just so limited offensively.

[HoopsDawg]

He's just so limited offensively.

Right on cue, Matthews misses a wide open 3 by at least 4 feet. MSU down 52-51 with 5 minutes left.

[HoopsDawg]

DJ with 24 of our 53 points, lol.

[chef dixon]

Right on cue, Matthews misses a wide open 3 by at least 4 feet. MSU down 52-51 with 5 minutes left.

I mean he did get a lay up right before so you gotta give him credit there.

I don't like D Smith in the game here.

[HoopsDawg]

Huge foul call on Ado. The official bought the flop. Awful.

[HoopsDawg]

I mean he did get a lay up right before so you gotta give him credit there.

I don't like D Smith in the game here.

He got away with a travel and made an ugly layup for his only 2 points of the game, but ok.

[chef dixon]

That was the most predictable outcome ive ever seen with Ado

[parabrave]

Dam just tuned in/ I guess DJ is the only one who showed up

[chef dixon]

He got away with a travel and made an ugly layup for his only 2 points of the game, but ok.

Damn man that's some extra effort to hate. He has 4 by the way

[HoopsDawg]

Jalen Johnson has got to be wondering WTF.

[HoopsDawg]

Critical turnover from the freshman Devion and critical foul on a 3 pointer by the other freshman Matthews and that might do it.

[HoopsDawg]

Down 3 with 1:40 left. Boy this is hard to watch.

[msstate7]

Down 3 with 1:40 left. Boy this is hard to watch.

Feels insurmountable... offense is hard to come by on our campus

[Lord McBuckethead]

90 sec left. Down 3.

[parabrave]

DJ ties it up. 62-62

[RocketDawg]

Terrible finish with the stolen ball, then a foul.

[HoopsDawg]

DJ gets fouled, they don't call it. Then Matthews with a horrible foul. Tie game but Dayton shooting 2 with 5 seconds left. What was that.

[BeardoMSU]

That possession was something, lol.

[Offshore Dawg]

5 seconds left, how dumb and careless can they get.

[parabrave]

Any update?

[msstate7]

DJ gets fouled, they don't call it. Then Matthews with a horrible foul. Tie game but Dayton shooting 2 with 5 seconds left. What was that.

Matthews brought his A game down the stretch. Do we have an open seat for him?

[BeardoMSU]

Wow. Going to OT. Wow.

[RocketDawg]

made both foul shots. Then we tied it at the buzzer. Going to OT.

[parabrave]

No radio for the game. Just football Pre game

[Offshore Dawg]

That was blind ass luck. !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[chef dixon]

Should have been an and1

[BeardoMSU]

We've got foul trouble though.

[RocketDawg]

Looked like Molinar got fouled going in for the layup. He should have gotten a shot to end the game.

[LC Dawg]

These ****ing refs are horrible. Molinar was knocked to the floor but still made the shot.

[HoopsDawg]

Matthews brought his A game down the stretch. Do we have an open seat for him?

ha, we've tried to replace him several times this game with Devion, but Devion has been just as bad. Not sure why Howland hasn't gone with Johnson. Johnson is a 5th year senior and was a 15 ppg scorer last year.

[parabrave]

Big shot DJ 67=64. Matthews fouls out after missing a layup.

[HoopsDawg]

Matthews fouls out after missing a layup. Devion in for Matthews for some reason.

[msstate7]

Matthews fouls out after missing a layup. Devion in for Matthews for some reason.

There will be better days ahead for him, but damn, these last few

[HoopsDawg]

Big shot DJ 67=64. Matthews fouls out after missing a layup.

30 for DJ. Wow. Scary that we had DJ, Woodard, Perry, and Nick last year and didn't look better.

[RocketDawg]

Matthews fouls out after missing a layup. Devion in for Matthews for some reason.

We're going to get a couple of technical foul shots (hook and hold against Matthews). Matthews misses first shot.

[parabrave]

Dam at least he made one. Well the refs say Matthews got fouled and a flagrant one.

[RocketDawg]

Matthews could stand a little free throw practice ....

[Offshore Dawg]

"BUTTERFINGERS"

[HoopsDawg]

the annoucer just took the words out of my mouth, we are 3 vs 5 on offense b/c of Matthews and Ado. Matthews has missed 2 front ends in OT. Killer.

[parabrave]

Need to make these Matthews. Nope.

[starkvegasdawg]

Can't make a FT or a layup. How do you shoot those this badly at this level?

[msstate7]

Matthews has missed 4 FTs in OT. He needs a break

[BayouDawg]

If we could make layups and free throws we might would be a pretty good team.

[RocketDawg]

Matthews has missed 4 FTs in OT. He needs a break

Didn't the announcer say he'd not made a FT all year (but then made one after he said that)?

[parabrave]

Big score by ADO

[BayouDawg]

Nice adu!

[LC Dawg]

Nice job by Ado.

[BayouDawg]

Gotta make free throws down the stretch

[RocketDawg]

Double OT.

[HoopsDawg]

DJ sagged on defense and they buried the 3. Double OT here we go.

[Bdawg]

Wow. Anything but a three

[BayouDawg]

This team has potential to be good but they just do the dumbest stuff

[HoopsDawg]

The ball screen with Ado is pretty bad b/c he's no threat to pick and pop. Having said that, Molinar got a good look, just couldn't make it. Free throws by Matthews, Davis, and Tolu have killed us.

[msstate7]

It was really difficult to not win in OT, but we and mainly Matthews found a way

[Bdawg]

Had a pretty good look at the free throw line at the end but off of course

[ShotgunDawg]

Seems like for what we pay Ben, we could get a little better free throw shooting.

I'm so sick of defensive coaches in football & baseball. You need offense, shooting, ball movement.

[HoopsDawg]

Wow. Anything but a three

I wanted us to foul.

[parabrave]

Well going to 2 now.

[ShotgunDawg]

This is mal-practice from the coaching staff. Year after year they can't shoot. This program isn't going anywhere until we can shoot

https://twitter.com/robbiefaulk247/status/1337885123996479494?s=20

[HoopsDawg]

It was really difficult to not win in OT, but we and mainly Matthews found a way

phew and Matthews just gets beat off the dribble. Where the hell is Jalen Johnson.

[parabrave]

Well Ado gone

[BayouDawg]

This is mal-practice from the coaching staff. Year after year they can't shoot. This program isn't going anywhere until we can shoot

https://twitter.com/robbiefaulk247/status/1337885123996479494?s=20

Its either not practicing or inability to focus

[parabrave]

78-75 us 3 mins to go

[BayouDawg]

Is it too much to ask to have a team with a basketball IQ above plant life?

[msstate7]

This is mal-practice from the coaching staff. Year after year they can't shoot. This program isn't going anywhere until we can shoot

https://twitter.com/robbiefaulk247/status/1337885123996479494?s=20
We were 4th in sec in FTs last year

[HoopsDawg]

Its either not practicing or inability to focus

It's the skill level of the players we sign.

[ShotgunDawg]

We were 4th in sec in FTs last year

broken clocks are right twice a day. Ben's team can't ever shoot.

[parabrave]

We still can't defend a 3.

[ShotgunDawg]

We're a 3 yards and a cloud of dust basketball program. That doesn't win in today's sports. Football, basketball, soccer, etc. It doesn't win

[BayouDawg]

It's the skill level of the players we sign.

I feel like anyone who practices should be able to make free throws though. It doesnt take much athleticism

[msstate7]

broken clocks are right twice a day. Ben's team can't ever shoot.

6th in 2018

[SteelCurtain74]

What exactly does Matthews bring to the floor? I don't see why he's getting the playing time he's getting right now. The free throw issue alone would be enough for me not to play him. He doesn't seem to be any type of offensive threat and his defense seems spotty at best.

[RocketDawg]

Don't think I've ever seen a floor with so many advertisements on it.

[ShotgunDawg]

6th in 2018

I said twice a day

[BayouDawg]

In between Davis and Matthews its a miracle we are in this game

[HoopsDawg]

What exactly does Matthews bring to the floor? I don't see why he's getting the playing time he's getting right now. The free throw issue alone would be enough for me not to play him. He doesn't seem to be any type of offensive threat and his defense seems spotty at best.

His play doesn't warrant the minutes. Howland needs to play Jalen Johnson or it was a really bad recruiting miss.

[msstate7]

Disappointing loss

[HoopsDawg]

Howland desperately needed to sign a guy around 6'4 to 6'6 that could knock down 3's and play defense. And there are a good many players like that out there.

[Leeshouldveflanked]

Two poorly coached teams...

[HoopsDawg]

Rough, rough loss. It's going to be a long year.

[ShotgunDawg]

Open 3 pointer and we miss the entire goal

I just can't support this style of basketball. I'm out

[BayouDawg]

Team has a chance to be somewhat decent. But they have got to get their heads out of their collective asses

[HoopsDawg]

Two poorly coached teams...

Dayton was pretty good after Anthony Grant timeouts. Us..not so much.

[ShotgunDawg]

Rough, rough loss. It's going to be a long year.

You just can't continue to recruit kids that can't shoot. It happens year after year after year

[msstate7]

I really hope playing Matthews pays off later.

[ShotgunDawg]

Team has a chance to be somewhat decent. But they have got to get their heads out of their collective asses

No... they can't shoot. They haven't been able to shoot for years. Can't win this way.

[99jc]

when does our real BB team play next....womens!

[parabrave]

Well FTs beat us. 2nd time this year.

[msstate7]

Open 3 pointer and we miss the entire goal

I just can't support this style of basketball. I'm out

Stewart scored 32 tonight. Shut up

[BayouDawg]

No... they can't shoot. They haven't been able to shoot for years. Can't win this way.

Hence why I said somewhat decent. They can?t be good with their level of basketball IQ

[Irondawg]

We recruit athletes, not basketball player and you just can’t build a team that way with ignoring outside shooting

[HoopsDawg]

I really hope playing Matthews pays off later.

I don't think he's going to magically start knocking down shots. He's a very good role player, but we need another scorer on the floor. The knock on Devion was his shooting and that looks to still be the case. So basically, we have Molinar, Stewart and Tolu that can score. That's not going to get it done.

[msstate7]

No... they can't shoot. They haven't been able to shoot for years. Can't win this way.

Sec fg% ranks in sec last 3 years...
2017 - 4th
2018 - 3rd
2019 - 2nd

[BayouDawg]

I don't think he's going to magically start knocking down shots. He's a very good role player, but we need another scorer on the floor. The knock on Devion was his shooting and that looks to still be the case. So basically, we have Molinar, Stewart and Tolu that can score. That's not going to get it done.

I mean the kid cant even make layups.

[Dawgcap]

Damn it?s a game. Early in the season. Lots to build off of. Free throws are demise but we look better than last year. The SEC Is wide open. Chill

[Irondawg]

We also need to point it inside where we have an advantage but none of those guys can shoot FT very well

[msu15]

What the hell are you guys smoking that think we are going to be such a good team next year? Howland had 3 guys that got drafted in the nba and didn't win a damn thing with them.

[msstate7]

I mean the kid cant even make layups.

Woodard was pretty raw offensively his freshman year too. I'm hopeful Matthews can take a similar route. I'm really just looking to next season

[HoopsDawg]

Damn it?s a game. Early in the season. Lots to build off of. Free throws are demise but we look better than last year. The SEC Is wide open. Chill

look better than last year? What are you smoking.

[LC Dawg]

It really really sucks to lose that one. Wasted a 32 point game from Stewart.

[msstate7]

Damn it?s a game. Early in the season. Lots to build off of. Free throws are demise but we look better than last year. The SEC Is wide open. Chill

We don't look better than last year, but I do think we have some potential. I'm thinking next year though

[Dawgcap]

We looked like shit at times last year. You all melted early in conference. Pick and choose but we hit free throws y?all are bragging about today

[chef dixon]

It's true we underachieved last year and looked lousy at times. We had no non conference quality wins. This team is actually supposed to be bad, but they are decent. Not a tournament team clearly but the core of sophomores and a couple freshman set us up to make a run next year.

[Dawgcap]

Thank you. The melt is ridiculous. We hit a few free throws in regulation and these same guys say we might have a chance being decent. Guess what guys. This is a mid pack SEC team after what we lost. But we have guys not being suspended or pouting like last year. I like what I?ve seen minus the charity stripe. But I understand we aren?t championship quality. Some should pay attention

[jdelta02]

Team competed, hung in there...2 overtime loss to Dayton.

DJ Stewart representing. the Greenville MS area...with the huge scoring game. Iverson Molinar came on strong as the game moved along. Tolu Smith made plays. Others contributed. Keep practicing, making adjustments, getting better....individually (including coaching staff), and as a team.

[maroonmania]

This team has some potential for NEXT season. We won't even sniff the NIT this year because we will rack up way too many losses before possibly getting things going. In general though, Howland is just a really poor in game coach. I can't remember the last time we have played 2 solid halves. Today, taking an 8 point lead into halftime, all we needed was a pretty decent second half to win and, of course, came out and played miserably right out of the gate and quickly lost the lead. Howland's teams will never get results above the team's talent level because of this. We win very few games under Howland because of strategy or in game coaching decisions. Also, our current free throw shooting will also keep us from winning close games against quality teams. Another game below 50% from the FT line. That is just unacceptable from a D1 basketball team.

[BayouDawg]

Woodard was pretty raw offensively his freshman year too. I'm hopeful Matthews can take a similar route. I'm really just looking to next season

Woodard wasnt this raw. This is next level. Although I will agree Woodard did make some of these dumb plays down the stretch as a freshman. So maybe matthews can at least get the mental part cleaned up

[Dawgcap]

Agreed but at some point players have to make free throws. We hit them and your thoughts on Holland are different. It?s a team game from staff to players. Our players missed to put this game away.

[Irondawg]

You can hit 40% and win but when you watch our guys shoot them we are not a team that is going to hit 70% very often. It’s going to be a consistent weakness I fear.

We do play hard and I like that but we just don’t have enough guys skilled at scoring

[maroonmania]

Agreed but at some point players have to make free throws. We hit them and your thoughts on Holland are different. It?s a team game from staff to players. Our players missed to put this game away.

You have to be significantly better than your opponent to leave as many points on the floor as we do consistently from the free throw line and still win. If we can't get something corrected in this area its basically like spotting your opponents an extra 6 to 8 points before you ever tipoff and will cost us game after game. Already cost us 2 games and we've only played 6 I believe.

[maroonmania]

You can hit 40% and win but when you watch our guys shoot them we are not a team that is going to hit 70% very often. It’s going to be a consistent weakness I fear.

We do play hard and I like that but we just don’t have enough guys skilled at scoring

And teams will start scouting this and put us on the free throw line on purpose. Forcing us to shoot free throws right now is almost equivalent to forcing us into a turnover.

[Dawgcap]

You have to be significantly better than your opponent to leave as many points on the floor as we do consistently from the free throw line and still win. If we can't get something corrected in this area its basically like spotting your opponents an extra 6 to 8 points before you ever tipoff and will cost us game after game. Already cost us 2 games and we've only played 6 I believe.
I agree but being better means executing. We did. The players shot poorly. I?m not defending Holland but today and 1 other game were directly decided by players inability to execute a free throw. Blame the coach but the players struggled. The game plan and effort was there today. We didn?t execute. We gave multiple free gifts back by our misses at the line and the several front ends we missed.

[maroonmania]

I agree but being better means executing. We did. The players shot poorly. I?m not defending Holland but today and 1 other game were directly decided by players inability to execute a free throw. Blame the coach but the players struggled. The game plan and effort was there today. We didn?t execute. We gave multiple free gifts back by our misses at the line and the several front ends we missed.

In the end its all on Howland and his staff. Free throw shooting is just another aspect that has to be evaluated when recruiting players. If you don't want a team that can't hit free throws then don't recruit a roster full of guys that can't hit free throws. I seriously doubt that all these players' FT percentage have dropped 20 points since arriving at MSU.

[Dawgcap]

In the end its all on Howland and his staff. Free throw shooting is just another aspect that has to be evaluated when recruiting players. If you don't want a team that can't hit free throws then don't recruit a roster full of guys that can't hit free throws. I seriously doubt that all these players' FT percentage have dropped 20 points since arriving at MSU.
After reading this I realize that I?m totally wrong. Our coaches recruit and teach players to fail. I apologize and admire you setting the record straight. Thanks

[Joebob]

It's total apathy for me regarding the men's BB team, and has been for a few years. Wake me when Howland is gone.

By the way, regarding those of you that still care, I don't know whether to commend you or shake my head.

[msstate7]

It's total apathy for me regarding the men's BB team, and has been for a few years. Wake me when Howland is gone.

By the way, regarding those of you that still care, I don't know whether to commend you or shake my head.

We were the following the last 3 years...

2017 - NIT finalists
2018 - 5-seed in ncaa
2019 - finished 4th in sec (no postseason for anyone)

Are you a real person?

[maroonmania]

After reading this I realize that I?m totally wrong. Our coaches recruit and teach players to fail. I apologize and admire you setting the record straight. Thanks

I said none of that. I said our coaches recruited and signed a lot of players that are poor free throw shooters so now we have a team that struggles mightily to make a free throw and its costing us games. Simple as that.

[BeardoMSU]

We were the following the last 3 years...

2017 - NIT finalists
2018 - 5-seed in ncaa
2019 - finished 4th in sec (no postseason for anyone)

Are you a real person?

These people should have this post tattooed on their foreheads. Total delusional and bizarre revisionism when it comes to MSU basketball.

[HoopsDawg]

I said none of that. I said our coaches recruited and signed a lot of players that are poor free throw shooters so now we have a team that struggles mightily to make a free throw and its costing us games. Simple as that.

surely you know to NEVER reply to Dawgcap.

[Dawgcap]

surely you know to NEVER reply to Dawgcap.
Sorry why? No disrespect. But am I not available to say that sometimes a loss isn?t on coaching? I apologize if I?ve offended you. I just think it?s bad when some want to shit on a mid tier program rebuilding. But you do you. I?ll try and keep my opinions to myself.

[Joebob]

We were the following the last 3 years...

2017 - NIT finalists
2018 - 5-seed in ncaa
2019 - finished 4th in sec (no postseason for anyone)

Are you a real person?

And we won how many NCAA tourney games? Or even thought we had a chance to win how many tourney games? Oh, that's right, we won as many as Rick Ray won!

And as for the NIT games we won a couple years ago, as so many people pointed out at the time, we won because we got hot, not because we actually played that well. So yes, I am a real person that looks below the surface, and one that see's what's really there, not what I'd like to see or that which gives me false hope.

And one final note, what would you like to bet that if Howland coaches five more years, I'll be able to cut and paste this same post at that time and it'll still be just as true?

[msstate7]

And we won how many NCAA tourney games? Or even thought we had a chance to win how many tourney games? Oh, that's right, we won as many as Rick Ray won!

And as for the NIT games we won a couple years ago, as so many people pointed out at the time, we won because we got hot, not because we actually played that well. So yes, I am a real person that looks below the surface, and one that see's what's really there, not what I'd like to see or that which gives me false hope.

And one final note, what would you like to bet that if Howland coaches five more years, I'll be able to cut and paste this same post at that time and it'll still be just as true?

We have such an illustrious basketball tradition that making NIT runs, making the ncaa, and doing well in conference isn't good enough. We made a final 4 twenty four years ago, so we are a powerhouse. Nothing less is good enough.

[msstate7]

We have made the NCAA tourney 11 times total. In those 11 appearances, we won game 1 6 times (6-5). Since integration, we have won the sec twice. We are not a basketball power by any stretch or the imagination. Howland probably has underperformed here with his talent, but he's done well compared to our program's history. And don't pretend like just anyone would have gotten talent to underperform with. Oh, and he has zero f'n support from us. Zero!!!!

ETA... for reference, no one thinks OM basketball is anything. They've made 10 ncaa tournaments. They've made the sweet 16 more recently than us. Since sec basketball integration, state and OM are tied with 10 ncaa appearances.