Why the SEC Tournament Success: Discuss why you think the Hogs are winning...

[ErieHog]

...my own take on why they are performing so much better now than they did in the regular season boils down to three things:

Backup guard play--  we've hammered Welsh at times for his poor shot selection, but he's done a much better job at adding to our perimeter attack, and giving us scoring off the bench.   

Bench Play in General--  we're getting a lot out of the bench as a whole, not only from Welsh, but from Charles Thomas.   While our two main offensive weapons among the starters (Bev and Weems) have not lit it up, we've gotten an additional 10-20 points we couldn't count on out of our bench.

Rebounding-- for once, our bigs are playing like bigs.  They're pounding the glass, especially on the offensive end, and are giving us more opportunities.  We're still missing shots that we normally miss, but we're getting more of them, and that's kicking our scoring totals up nicely.

[Tomhog™]

I see a hunger and focus I haven't seen.

Also see players step up (Welsh, Ervin, Thomas) when others falter (Beverley and Weems)

Gary Ervin has played under control.  He is being a floor general. (7 assists, 1 turnover)

[ErieHog]

I see a hunger and focus I haven't seen.

Also see players step up (Welsh, Ervin, Thomas) when others falter (Beverley and Weems)

Gary Ervin has played under control.  He is being a floor general. (7 assists, 1 turnover)

I dunno-- this team has played with fire in stretches-- the problem being they've used it to shoot themselves in the foot, more than put the nail in the coffin of the opponent.

Still, it's a great time to be a Hog fan.

[NateMan]

1) An under control Gary Ervin.  He's not turning the ball over like earlier in the season, and he's running the team like a true point guard.

2) A re-committment to get the ball inside, especially to Townes and Thomas.  We have a size advanatge over most teams, and we seem to be using that better right now.

[Rocktownhog]

Not sure what did it but the team actually seems to want to win now. they seem more focused and determined than ive seen in a long time. Whatever caused this I hope it stays around for a long time

[ErieHog]

I do think that Weem's defense has been outstanding, and very much overlooked during this run;  I wonder who they'll try to match him up with tomorrow.

[Fort Swine]

1.  Pound the ball inside.  The post players are working their butts off to score and get on the boards.

2.  Guards are taking care of the basketball.

3.  The team finally "gets it" on how to play the Pel style of basketball.  A full 40 min. of hustle. 

[hogsailor]

1) An under control Gary Ervin.  He's not turning the ball over like earlier in the season, and he's running the team like a true point guard.

2) A re-committment to get the ball inside, especially to Townes and Thomas.  We have a size advanatge over most teams, and we seem to be using that better right now.

Word!

I think the rest of the team has figured out they can't always depend on Beverly and Weems and they have to step up.
And they have.
Tonight is the best, I believe, they've played together as a TEAM.

Regardless how they play the rest of the season, tonight was a game I believe they came together and I was proud of the way they played.

[trphog]

REBOUNDING.

[Tomhog™]

I dunno-- this team has played with fire in stretches-- the problem being they've used it to shoot themselves in the foot, more than put the nail in the coffin of the opponent.

Still, it's a great time to be a Hog fan.

that's why i also said "focus". 

[Hogs4Ever]

This group of seniors has not won any type of championship.  I think they see a championship is there to be had and they really want it this year.

[Whiskey River]

Townes and Thomas are playing like mad men in the paint. When they get the ball in their hands, they're determined they're gonna score. Thomas is also getting rebounds and put backs that he wasn't earlier in the season. Ervin is playing under control and distributing the ball like a point guard should. Welsh has become an offensive threat, especially from behind the arc. All of these things are why we are winning. If we could just get Weems back on track, we could make a little run in the big tourney, I think.
Go Hogs!!!

[hogsailor]

Townes and Thomas are playing like mad men in the paint. When they get the ball in their hands, they're determined they're gonna score. Thomas is also getting rebounds and put backs that he wasn't earlier in the season. Ervin is playing under control and distributing the ball like a point guard should. Welsh has become an offensive threat, especially from behind the arc. All of these things are why we are winning. If we could just get Weems back on track, we could make a little run in the big tourney, I think.
Go Hogs!!!

The big question, where has Weems gone?

[hview]

1) Maybe a coach that has learned what buttons to push.
2) Pel understands what he can and can't do with this team.
3) This team better understands the style of play required.
4) They respect their coaches.
5) They are beginning to take on some of their coaches energy and personality, though it took long enough.
6) I agree they seem more focused and they are definitely playing as a team.

[94 Hawg]

finally getting the ball to Hill in the Lane.

[ErieHog]

finally getting the ball to Hill in the Lane.

Possibly the quote of the decade for this team, after the buzzer from Hill.

[hogsailor]

He was clutch with that 2 pointer though. If we are winning with him being cold I'm ok.

Just think how we could be if he and Beverly were back in the picture.

We'd be, um, really good...

I wish he'd (Weems) figure out what his problem was and fix it.

[Whiskey River]

Yeah, I left that off my list. The strong low post play of Steven Hill in the clutch. Our new go to guy. Our Tyler Hansbrough. 

[Whiskey River]

Just think how we could be if he and Beverly were back in the picture.

We'd be, um, really good...

I wish he'd (Weems) figure out what his problem was and fix it.

He's had a couple of off games in a row, but he did score today in crutial situations late in the game. I feel like he is due for a good game. Look for him to put up about 20 tomorrow. 

[txkrazorback]

I think they're afraid if they lose one more game Coach Pel will kill them all....

[ErieHog]

Weems has been playing fantastic defense;  it is nice to see his poor shooting hasn't leaked over into the other aspects of his game.

His performance against Foster, particularly, was huge.

[hawgsav1]

...my own take on why they are performing so much better now than they did in the regular season boils down to three things:

Backup guard play--  we've hammered Welsh at times for his poor shot selection, but he's done a much better job at adding to our perimeter attack, and giving us scoring off the bench.   

Bench Play in General--  we're getting a lot out of the bench as a whole, not only from Welsh, but from Charles Thomas.   While our two main offensive weapons among the starters (Bev and Weems) have not lit it up, we've gotten an additional 10-20 points we couldn't count on out of our bench.

Rebounding-- for once, our bigs are playing like bigs.  They're pounding the glass, especially on the offensive end, and are giving us more opportunities.  We're still missing shots that we normally miss, but we're getting more of them, and that's kicking our scoring totals up nicely.

Very good points.  I think Welsh is evolving in his own way to being that Lee Humphrey/Al Dillard kind of guy (not as good, but still).  He has developed the ability to come in a game and hit his open shots over the past few games.  He's also not a bad defender either.  You're right about the bench.  Those guys have always had talent, they just haven't come through in all the games, and its nice to see someone who's season has gone downhill (ala CT) turn it around as quickly as he did today.  I think balanced scoring is helping us very nicely because if we don't get it from Weems or Beverley, we can get it elsewhere too.  Townes is developing into a real low-post threat every time he touches the ball.  I agree with you on the boards.  We're hitting the boards and showing off our size advantage too.  On top of that, I give Ervin a lot of credit.  He's turned his play around the last few games.  He was a bit shaky today at times, but he made some big plays and I give him credit for that.  Unfortunately, the one thing that worries me is that I haven't seen a complete game from all of our guys at one time.  It always seems like at least one person is having an off day, whether it be Beverley, Weems, Welsh, Thomas, or someone.  I think today was probably one of the best games we've put together in a while, and still Weems had a bad game today apart from the end.

[hogsailor]

He's had a couple of off games in a row, but he did score today in crutial situations late in the game. I feel like he is due for a good game. Look for him to put up about 20 tomorrow. 

I love your optimism and I hope your right.

I've been waiting the past few games for him to show up but he hasn't, not like he has in the games before.
He has been keyed on in games before but I don't think he was as much in the past 2 games and he still didn't how up. He made some key plays but he wasn't a factor like he has been.

He and Beverly are two of our best players and neither have been around much in the past couple games.

If they both came back and the rest of the team played like they have...

Look out...

[hogsailor]

Weems has been playing fantastic defense;  it is nice to see his poor shooting hasn't leaked over into the other aspects of his game.

His performance against Foster, particularly, was huge.

Your point is taken.

I guess I look at Weems as being both an offensive threat as well as defensive.
It's just his offensive side has lacked.

Love the avitar! Have one of my son that looks just the same!

[riccoar]

Somebody eluded to Beverly being in a funk after being hit with a paternity suit.  It just seems everyone has put everything behind them and started believing.  And the execution these last couple of games shows that Pel has finally gotten through.

[L.A.]

Simple......PG play.

[riccoar]

Simple......PG play.

True, Ervin has down a complete 180.