Surprised this hasn’t been mentioned?

[incHOGnito]

And I apologize if I missed it, but Barford wasn't just off against MSU, he appeared to have absolutely nothing in the tank.

About ten minutes into the game I thought he looked completely gassed.  I think that was primarily a result of the OT game against Tennessee where he played 40+ minutes, which I think took its toll on Tennessee and was a primary reason they got run out of their own gym against Auburn, bu I have concerns about his minutes stacking up towards the end of the season and him not being fresh.

With an extra day we might have seen a different Barford and he may have his energy back on Saturday, but he clearly was effected by the Tennessee win.

[FineAsSwine]

I thought he seemed a little flat against MSU as well but so did Anton, which would be understandable considering the minutes they played against Tenn.

[hogsanity]

wont be the last time if he and Macon keep having to play 35+min every game.

[Little Lady Back]

wont be the last time if he and Macon keep having to play 35+min every game.

Exactly. We have got to get more production from the bench.

[popcornhog]

wont be the last time if he and Macon keep having to play 35+min every game.

I don't have the numbers, so maybe I'm wrong, but it seems like Mike's done a decent job of keeping their minutes under control. With an OT game there is nothing you can do.

[The_Iceman]

I believe I have mentioned his 11 points and 0-6 from 3pt many times as a main reason we lost the game.

[popcornhog]

Exactly. We have got to get more production from the bench.

The bench has had two bad games in the scoring department. I believe they'll snap out of it.

[hogsanity]

I don't have the numbers, so maybe I'm wrong, but it seems like Mike's done a decent job of keeping their minutes under control. With an OT game there is nothing you can do.

Barford played more minutes against MSU than he did Tn ( 38msu 35 Tn )  Macon played 37 ,su and 41 tn. Both are averaging 30.5min per game, which seems pretty high for anyone on a MA team.

[HogFaninMemphis]

Barford played more minutes against MSU than he did Tn ( 38msu 35 Tn )  Macon played 37 ,su and 41 tn. Both are averaging 30.5min per game, which seems pretty high for anyone on a MA team.

right. It's almost inevitable when you have two great guards and not a ton of experience backing them up that they will be asked to pull more than their share, but it does still seem odd. As the year goes on, the younger backups should gain confidence and experience, though.

[hogsanity]

right. It's almost inevitable when you have two great guards and not a ton of experience backing them up that they will be asked to pull more than their share, but it does still seem odd. As the year goes on, the younger backups should gain confidence and experience, though.

It almost seems the exact opposite right now. Even as they have more games played Barford and Macon are having to play MORE. Now some of that is just better competition, but I can't remember the last time the Hogs had players averaging that many minutes. They are averaging that even though in many of the easy games they were playing well under 30 mins.

[Little Lady Back]

The bench has had two bad games in the scoring department. I believe they'll snap out of it.

True. Hopefully they will get it going Saturday!

[Hogs run wild]

i don't buy that. these guys are young. the games were 3 days apart. macon played more mins and did fine. can't be tapping it on game day, if lack of energy is indeed the issue.

[pigture perfect]

Sometimes you just have off games. It could have been fatigue, but it really shouldn't be what a couple of good night sleeps couldn't cure. Especially at their age.

[Hawg Red]

I thought he seemed a little flat against MSU as well but so did Anton, which would be understandable considering the minutes they played against Tenn.

Anton was actually one of the better players for us until the final minutes. I thought he was playing exceptionally well until late. Barford just didn't have it. Played the same game he always does but shoot 4/15 from the floor and 0/6 from 3. In the end, that's pretty much what cost us the game along with poor FT shooting. But I thought Beard looked pretty sharp until the last couple minutes (which is a big deal, I know).

[SSFrazorback]

I believe I have mentioned his 11 points and 0-6 from 3pt many times as a main reason we lost the game.

I feel like spacing was an issue during that game. Barford likes to take his man off the dribble, when he sees a crowd behind his man he opts for the outside shot.

[incHOGnito]

i don't buy that. these guys are young. the games were 3 days apart. macon played more mins and did fine. can't be tapping it on game day, if lack of energy is indeed the issue.

Barford's style is much more physically demanding than Macon's.

[hawg66]

I thought much of Barford's struggles were related to Q Weatherspoon. Barford is way too physical for most guards.  Weatherspoon was allowed to get physical with him and was athletic enough to stay with him. Barford got frustrated offensively but he had a solid game in the rest of the areas. I'm not sure AU has anyone who can guard Barford and I expect he'll be looking to make a statement.

[Razorod]

I thought much of Barford's struggles were related to Q Weatherspoon. Barford is way too physical for most guards.  Weatherspoon was allowed to get physical with him and was athletic enough to stay with him. Barford got frustrated offensively but he had a solid game in the rest of the areas. I'm not sure AU has anyone who can guard Barford and I expect he'll be looking to make a statement.

Agreed. I think Barford and the rest of the Hogs come out smoking tomorrow and don't let up.

[niels_boar]

We have seemed tight to me coming out of the gate in both SEC games.   We just don't seem to be flying around on D. I thought the energy was different against, say, Minnesota.  We came out locked in and playing free for that game.  It would help if the starters could get an early cushion.  That might help the second unit play with more confidence, which would feedback into keeping the starters more fresh.

[BroyledNutts]

Hope the flu bug isn't trying to visit the team ... it's rampant right now in NWA ...

[Nickle-Pig]

It also concerns me what playing so many minutes with key players will do towards the end of the season. I don't see how we can be the fastest anything very long without a bench. I hope this is temp.

[hawginbigd1]

And I apologize if I missed it, but Barford wasn't just off against MSU, he appeared to have absolutely nothing in the tank.

About ten minutes into the game I thought he looked completely gassed.  I think that was primarily a result of the OT game against Tennessee where he played 40+ minutes, which I think took its toll on Tennessee and was a primary reason they got run out of their own gym against Auburn, bu I have concerns about his minutes stacking up towards the end of the season and him not being fresh.

With an extra day we might have seen a different Barford and he may have his energy back on Saturday, but he clearly was effected by the Tennessee win.

Nailed it! I noticed it Saturday, MA had 0 confidence in the bench, and nothing changed Tuesday, it will be a miserable season unless something changes with the bench.  I have said it a few times, Garland missing is/could be huge for the end result of this season, we are definitely shy one all-around guard.

[Hollywood_HOGan45]

CJ Jones cannot suck. He must snap out of his funk. He was rushing his shots like crazy. Even going back to the CSU game.