How refreshing was that interview?!

Bello really looks impressive and is probably the best player on the team, and I thought Jurkin did also. However, I loved seeing AJ back to his old self on defense. He is my favorite player we have had since Mike Smith. If we could get 2-3 players putting as much effort into defense as AJ, we win the conference.

On a side note- someone needs to tell the radio station that we have a head coaching change. The lead in for the post-game show still says welcome to the Murry Bartow postgame show. Also, does anyone know why the scoreboard on the bench side never had the score, player stats, etc.? It was turned on, but was always on an ad instead of the game stats. I know that is picky, but when we don't have a real scoreboard we sure need something to tell us how many fouls we have, etc.

Agree, Deuce looked good. So did GeLawn. Also I love Bennies spin move.

Two words. DEUCE BELLO. That cat is scary.

Some more: not sure how long it will last, but there was no concern about the Bucs perimeter shooting tonight. And I'm not sure TJ Cromer even sank one.

Lastly, defense was the obvious concern, but Tusculum doesn't look like scrubs. The Bucs didn't look gsme ready, but they really got going in spurts both on offense and defense.

For anyone watching, that was me who won the halftime layup tic tac toe game. I don't know if it was fun to watch but it was damn fun playing. My toe is broken. I don't know what I was thinking. :)

Stokes was impressive. He sure didn't look like a true freshman physically. It's going to be hard redshirting him.

That game at halftime was pretty cool- and the singing competition went over well with the crowd. Personally, I couldn't hear anything that they were singing because of the PA system, but perhaps it was just my seat location and others could hear it. I couldn't hear anything that was said all night long.

Defense needs to get better, but overall much improved team and Forbes is many leagues above the coach who shall not be named.

If AJ shoots like that all year he will be player of the year in socon. Guy works his tail off and defense and hits the boards as well.

Hard to tell a whole lot from this game but I thought as a team we shot the ball from the perimeter better than I thought we would.

First half...sloppy, but ok.

First ten minutes of second half, we got precise. And players started having fun. Deadly rebounding and ridiculous speed.

Ike...unreal improvement. Proud of him.
Bennie...HUSTLE award.
AJ...that D!
Peter...soft hands.
Ge-Lawn...SHEEEEEESH.

I loved TJs passion. Our bench was making noise!!

I know this is a broken record, but we are DEEP.

What did I miss that was so different? gave up 77 to Tusculum, Someone had a career night from 3, Hartle 21pts, 5-8 3pters. They hit 12=27 from three.
Our post defense was a bit shaky. We had trouble finishing and missed several layups. I wasn't impressed, some of the players, sure, overall not really.
Someone made the excuse nerves, really? Nervous against this team we might as well not go to Philadelphia or Atlanta.
Flame away, but seriously, take off the Blue and gold glasses and tell me what I missed.

As expected, we looked like a new team tonight. We were sloppy at times with lots of mental errors; we were explosive at times getting by on hustle and superior talent. This team has a long way to go, no doubt about it. Yet, we're doing things in November that weren't doing (and couldn't do) in February of last year. It was only an exhibition and Forbes was clear that he was going to get everyone minutes, but it was so refreshing seeing a steady flow of guys at the scorers table. It was also refreshing to see hard-nosed man defense.

Individually, GeLawn stood out to me the most. It was clear to me why he started at Cincy. He's athletic, tough defensively, and a better-than-advertised shooter. More importantly, he was a leader on the floor and while sitting on the bench. Similarly, Deuce surpassed my expectations. We all know that he's an NBA-level athlete, but his first step was incredible and he's showed great touch from beyond the arc.

Here are some other quick thoughts:

• A.J. was...A.J. Hustled, shot it well, was everywhere
• Bennie's going to be a swiss army knife - he rebounds well, can put it on the floor, and plays smart and hard. He's physical and strong, too
• Ike's improvement is remarkable. Doesn't seem like the same player. I think he and Bennie have complimentary strengths/weaknesses.
• Cromer struggled - I think he was forcing a little. Understandable given that this was his first game.
• Jurkin - moves extremely well. Great touch. Favorite play of the game was when he swatted a shot off the backboard after the whistle blew and a TC player shot the ball.
• Shemar & Toriano - POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL. Both have tremeondous upside
• Holley - Very smart and solid. Won't wow you. Won't make many mistakes either. Knows how to play.
• Petey - He's going to play backup PG this year, but it was the same old solid Petey.
• Lester - I have no idea what his role will be.
  

(11-05-2015 10:20 PM)RodShaw2 Wrote:  What did I miss that was so different? gave up 77 to Tusculum, Someone had a career night from 3, Hartle 21pts, 5-8 3pters. They hit 12=27 from three.
Our post defense was a bit shaky. We had trouble finishing and missed several layups. I wasn't impressed, some of the players, sure, overall not really.
Someone made the excuse nerves, really? Nervous against this team we might as well not go to Philadelphia or Atlanta.
Flame away, but seriously, take off the Blue and gold glasses and tell me what I missed.

I think you make some good points. But did you see DEUCE? His first step is NASTY fast.

(11-05-2015 09:28 PM)shampoo Wrote:  For anyone watching, that was me who won the halftime layup tic tac toe game. I don't know if it was fun to watch but it was damn fun playing. My toe is broken. I don't know what I was thinking. :)

Congratulations on your win, but I wouldn't say you won as much as I would say the other guy lost. Since you were pretty busy, you may not of noticed that instead of placing his "X" in the winning square, your opponent inexplicably laid the winning piece ON TOP OF an already played "X."

I'd like to hear what he was thinking!

I like that he took credit for the poor perimeter defense. This team has a ton of potential, and it's Forbes' job to set the best strategy. The recruiting certainly looked effective. The defense will come along quickly once the rotation is settled.

http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/Basketba...m&lp=2&p=1

(11-05-2015 10:33 PM)Flippmb Wrote:  

(11-05-2015 09:28 PM)shampoo Wrote:  For anyone watching, that was me who won the halftime layup tic tac toe game. I don't know if it was fun to watch but it was damn fun playing. My toe is broken. I don't know what I was thinking. :)

Congratulations on your win, but I wouldn't say you won as much as I would say the other guy lost. Since you were pretty busy, you may not of noticed that instead of placing his "X" in the winning square, your opponent inexplicably laid the winning piece ON TOP OF an already played "X."

I'd like to hear what he was thinking!

It was very difficult to see where the pieces were on the floor for some reason.

(11-05-2015 10:33 PM)Flippmb Wrote:  

(11-05-2015 09:28 PM)shampoo Wrote:  For anyone watching, that was me who won the halftime layup tic tac toe game. I don't know if it was fun to watch but it was damn fun playing. My toe is broken. I don't know what I was thinking. :)

Congratulations on your win, but I wouldn't say you won as much as I would say the other guy lost. Since you were pretty busy, you may not of noticed that instead of placing his "X" in the winning square, your opponent inexplicably laid the winning piece ON TOP OF an already played "X."

I'd like to hear what he was thinking!

I talked to him. The first X was navy blue. Placed exactly on top of the blue ETSU floor logo. He couldn't see the first X.

LOVED the screw up.

I agree with rod. Plenty of positives, but I'm not as high on our post defense, especially Peter. Thought Mounce advised him down low. The ball got down low way too easily. Thought bello, aj, guyn, lufile played great.

All thoughts/reactions are tentative at this point in time. We are a new team with a new coach.