Our basketball team is...

[It_Could_Happen]

One shooter away from being good. And I mean a guy who can consistently hit a 3 and free throws. Sword can't be stopped going to the rim. Ware will get better. We just lack a shooter. Maybe IJ can be that guy.

[Political Hack]

and an inside presence. Guys who can handle the rock coming up the floor. another slasher that doesn't have to take the ball up the floor. to rotate the ball more quickly. to move better without the ball. and to be more under control after making a good defensive play and pressing the ball up the floor.

we so that and we'll be pretty good.

seriously though, I think we're just a few good players away. This team looks well coached, but they just don't quite have the horses to run with the better teams yet.

[It_Could_Happen]

They have a lot of fight and they showed that tonight. It was fun to watch.

[Dawgface]

If they were just a good FT shooting team, they would have been in the game at the end. Maybe that will improve.

[maroonmania]

We have some parts but this team can't shoot from the field, can't shoot free throws, doesn't rebound well and doesn't defend the perimeter well. Other than that we are good to go.

[HailState39110]

I honestly think that Ray better learn to bring in a big name or two in his next class or his career will end in more turmoil than the day he was hired. I'm pulling for Ray to succeed, but if he doesn't , the real question we must all ask is if you trust Stricklin again to make another hire? I personally do not and would prefer a search committee made up of a few basketball alumni such as Damp and Shane power mixed in with a few big time donors

[Raytoraid83]

They have a lot of fight and they showed that tonight. It was fun to watch.

We lost to one of the worst teams in the ncaa without two of there top players at home. I don't know what was fun about watching that.

[Coach34]

We were 3-18 from 3 and 10/20 from the Line.

We need more than 1 shooter. Bad thing is- Borchert and FTF can shoot but they arent helping right now. Borchert cant stay on the floor because of foul trouble, and FTF looks scared to shoot.

We are still young and will get better- but we need a shooter and another big man

[msugolf]

We were 3-18 from 3 and 10/20 from the Line.

We need more than 1 shooter. Bad thing is- Borchert and FTF can shoot but they arent helping right now. Borchert cant stay on the floor because of foul trouble, and FTF looks scared to shoot.

We are still young and will get better- but we need a shooter and another big man

Unfortunately we won't have either a shooter or an impact big man next year. Ray is going to have to start hurting some feelings with scholarships if he wants to stick around. We've already got two commitments for 2015 and they're not exactly "game changer" type players.

[bully99]

College basketball has just about become unwatchable. Nothing but a foul fest. One thing I will say about the blackbears is they play with a lot of energy, which is not always the case with Ray. Need better players and better play.

[state66]

Ray claims everyone is focused on there lack of offense but we lost due to our D. Is it just me or did we lose because of missed shots leading to transition baskets. If he's claiming we need to play better in transition then thats extremely hard to due especially without causing foul trouble. Now I agree there were some moments in half court sets where we didnt play the best D but my assumption from the game was all our missed shots led to alot of easy baskets towards the end. This is going to sound obvious as shit but a better FG% and our offense opens up alot better as well as creates alot more half court sets for our D to get in position to defend. Just my overall thought on the game.

[preachermatt83]

I am really pulling for ray to succeed.. There are times I think he is gonna make it happen but there were times tonight that I honestly think we were worse than we were last year.

[Coach34]

. One thing I will say about the blackbears is they play with a lot of energy, which is not always the case with Ray.

This is why you catch shit- most of your responses are very negative or about OM

[CadaverDawg]

I honestly think that Ray better learn to bring in a big name or two in his next class or his career will end in more turmoil than the day he was hired. I'm pulling for Ray to succeed, but if he doesn't , the real question we must all ask is if you trust Stricklin again to make another hire? I personally do not and would prefer a search committee made up of a few basketball alumni such as Damp and Shane power mixed in with a few big time donors

Let's be honest....he can't do worse can he?

I mean, I'm pulling for Ray but he can't have his team playing with less effort in year 2 than in year 1. And our shooting has actually gotten worse, and I didn't think that was possible. I'm still supporting Ray, but the combination of a turd tonight against a bad team, and no sight of any help in the next year or two in recruiting...leaves me wondering if Ray will simply be a bridge between Stands and our next decent coach.

Ray's teams will HAVE to out hustle their opponent and be fundamentally sound to have any success and for Ray to last more than 3-4 years. The horrible free throw shooting, overall shooting, and regression in defense we've seen this season, has me not feeling too well. I felt great when they were scrapping defensively and showing signs of improvement....tonight was a step back though, along with several other games this season so far. We'll see. I'm pulling for him.

[TheRef]

Let's be honest....he can't do worse can he?

I mean, I'm pulling for Ray but he can't have his team playing with less effort in year 2 than in year 1. And our shooting has actually gotten worse, and I didn't think that was possible. I'm still supporting Ray, but the combination of a turd tonight against a bad team, and no sight of any help in the next year or two in recruiting...leaves me wondering if Ray will simply be a bridge between Stands and our next decent coach.

Ray's teams will HAVE to out hustle their opponent and be fundamentally sound to have any success and for Ray to last more than 3-4 years. The horrible free throw shooting, overall shooting, and regression in defense we've seen this season, has me not feeling too well. I felt great when they were scrapping defensively and showing signs of improvement....tonight was a step back though, along with several other games this season so far. We'll see. I'm pulling for him.

Agreed. I hate to say it but I think Ray may be the basketball version of Croom as far as the discipline side.

[rem101]

Free throws = Devon bell

Three pointers = sobiask or however you spell it

[bully99]

Hell everybody on here is negative. That's what message boards are about. They're bitch fests. If you want sunshine up your ass that's what Swindoll is about. Saying Ole Miss plays with energy is controversial.? Wow.

[thunderclap]

That was fuuuuuugly.

[Bark]

We had that consistent 3 point shooter in Jalen Steele. Hopefully things get better, it's only year 2 after starting over from scratch.

[CJDAWG85]

If Sword would've attacked the basket in the first half like he did in the second half, then we probably win the game. That and FT's and 3's are out worst enemy. But not blaming Sword... he played his ass off...