Obviously we all knew it would be a rebuilding year. But after Philander (which I'm no longer counting as an automatic "W"), we will likely be underdogs in our next 8 games. I'm hopeful we can win a couple of them, but I can't pick out a win at the moment.

I guess on the bright side, we played a decent SMU team even for 40 minutes. They are probably better than LaTech (but we have to go to Ruston) and comparable to ORU. Those are the two teams, out of the next 8, I think we could conceivably beat if we play well.

There are some areas of our game that must be improved, or we are toast. Right now we don't have a point guard.

I have to respectfully disagree with you on this one. Dre is one of the best we've had since I've been around. There are point guards who do nothing but play defense and distribute the ball and hardly ever score. Then there are scoring point guards. If it wasn't for Dre, we'd score no points. In order to get assists, you must get the ball to others who can score. Unfortunately we don't have a lot of scorers right now. WN is doing his job, but we're not getting enough points from other players. Dre's strength on offense, is penetrating into the lane and making short jump shots, which he did on several occasions yesterday. He's not a real good three point shooter, but he penetrates well and is a good 15 foot shooter. The two guard is where we're not getting enough points. We need a really good shooter, ala Matt or Solo, at the two, and I think Dillard will be the man there in time, and I see Taggart helping us out scoring from the three spot, but they're true freshmen and just now starting to get more playing time. If the lineup that Steve put out there last night continues, we'll be pretty well prepared by the time we hit the conference. These young kids are getting Baptism under fire, and they'll be ready to contribute mightily by conference time.

(12-05-2011 10:12 AM)outsideualr Wrote:  I have to respectfully disagree with you on this one. Dre is one of the best we've had since I've been around.

That was my opinion going into the season, but his numbers thus far certainly don't back that up.

I agree that the turnovers to assists aren't good, but I think, being a Senior, Steve is wanting him to pick up the scoring until some of the other young players catch up to the speed of the game. Jeff Slatton told us last night that Dillard was our best shooter on the team. Now if he's better than Will, that's saying something. So if that's the case, then we need to start developing ways to get him open for perimeter shots. I've said for years that you're better shooting the ball from three point range if you have a decent shooter, because even if you miss you have a chance for a putback. Last night Dillard missed a three, but Courtney was right there to put it back. So we had a chance for a three pointer, but even though we didn't get it, we still got two. Pretty good odds IMO.

(12-05-2011 10:42 AM)outsideualr Wrote:  I agree that the turnovers to assists aren't good, but I think, being a Senior, Steve is wanting him to pick up the scoring until some of the other young players catch up to the speed of the game. Jeff Slatton told us last night that Dillard was our best shooter on the team. Now if he's better than Will, that's saying something. So if that's the case, then we need to start developing ways to get him open for perimeter shots. I've said for years that you're better shooting the ball from three point range if you have a decent shooter, because even if you miss you have a chance for a putback. Last night Dillard missed a three, but Courtney was right there to put it back. So we had a chance for a three pointer, but even though we didn't get it, we still got two. Pretty good odds IMO.

I agree with Pappy that your point guard should be the "quarterback" of the team whose main job is distributing the ball and getting others involved. Any scoring is just gravy. I think DeAndre is trying to do too much. Maybe its because he's on the court with a bunch of freshman/newcomers.

(12-05-2011 12:57 PM)mjs Wrote:  I think DeAndre is trying to do too much.

I think he and Chuck both have had that problem.

I have no problem with who scores the points. Many great teams around the country have point guards who are great scorers. That just adds another dimension.
It's like having a quarterback who is a good passer, but he is also a running threat. It just adds an additional problem for the defense. We just need more folks show up who can and are willing to shoot the ball when they receive a pass and have an opening. I think we have some, but Steve is going to have to loosen the reins and allow them use their abilities. Too much dribbling and standing around, and not enough passing. I have seen WN make some great passes back out to shooters, but they don't always take the shots when they have them. They hesitate, and a shooter can't hesitate. He has to let it fly as soon as he gets the ball when he has an opening.

I have no problem with who scores the points. Many great teams around the country have point guards who are great scorers.

But I am guessing they are shooting better than ours.


Too much dribbling and standing around, and not enough passing.

I absolutely hate watching a team stand around on offense. Looks like the NBA.

I would say 21 points from our point guard is pretty good shooting. He just needs to take his shots within fifteen feet of the basket. He's good at driving to the basket, or driving into the lane and taking that little fifteen foot jumper. He made several of those yesterday. Just try and allow Dillard and WN take most of the threes, along with Taggart as a third option.