Thoughts from the game?

[popcornhog]

What are the things that stick out to you the most?

I was impressed with our improvement on the defensive glass at the Break.

I thought we shot free throws well (although Jacorey ouch!)

Our interior D really impressed me.

I think we jacked up to many jumpers early in the shot clock in the half court game.

The poise down the stretch ON THE ROAD not to give up the lead was awesome.

Bobby Portis is a machine. He seemed to get more aggressive on the glass in the second half.

Jacorey is a very good defender.

These are the things that jumped out at me the most.

[Danny J]

Mental toughness #1

Swagger

Depth

Quality depth

And finally....we have all the right pieces to be a legit top 20 team. This team is the most complete a team I can remember since 1995. We have quick guards, big guards, versatile swing men who can play many positions, long arms in the zone, low post defense and scoring, etc.....

Just have to stay mentally tough. That is the key.

[Speedracer]

Personally, I felt we were far the superior team and could have blown them out had a few plays not occurred.  Beard is learning but I think he has the potential to be a great player.  Addition of him and Durham have made a vast difference.  I think this team may have something...we'll know after Iowa St

[Letsroll1200]

Last season Ky Madden believed he was the best player on the team. I was impressed that team as a whole recognized what they have in Bobby! They gave him the ball when they needed buckets at critical times. That shows maturity!

[Piglet Dispersion Syndrome]

A few things I noticed.

Jacorey Williams deserves the minutes over Harris with the first group. He's erractic like Harris, but doesn't take the really bad shots that Harris does. I like him with the first group.

We are freaking deep. Good minutes from 12 guys.

I was impressed that MA stuck with the second unit mid way in the second half when SMU made a big run. Didn't panic, those guys made plays after that.

Defensive intensity is definitely there, best I've seen with MA.

Watkins leads the team in steals and is a good FT shooter, nice to have him.

Offense at times was as patient as I've seen it. Working to get Portis the ball.

Portis has really improved his back to the basket game.

It's gonna be a fun year!

[-Blu]

Last season Ky Madden believed he was the best player on the team. I was impressed that team as a whole recognized what they have in Bobby! They gave him the ball when they needed buckets at critical times. That shows maturity!

Yep, this is what I liked the most.

Key things for me.

1. Maturity on the road, never panicked when they made a run.
2. Our bench guys continue to come in and give a spark and play good basketball.
3. Our defense was just nasty, minus the last 5 minute foul feast.  But, defense definitely won us the game.

[Atlhogfan1]

Portis - looked like an NBA player

Perimeter defense

Mike's switching of defenses

The Hogs length on defense

Qualls - One of my least favorite Hogs ever.  But outside of the T and not getting back on defense because he felt the need to trash talk again after a made 3, he played a nice overall offensive game. 

Williams outplaying Harris

[JonClaudeVanHam]

First half when Qualls got the tech, it was awesome to see Madden step up and pull the team together and do his best to calm Qualls and recover. Mature move by him.

[Rawker]

Couple quick negatives and then positives.
1) We still had the dreaded 2nd half drought that killed them in close road games the last two years, and it was the same group on the floor (outside of Clark) that couldn't buy a bucket for 8-10 minutes in the second half of road losses last year.  But that's college basketball....a decent team is going to throw a bunch of punches back at some point.
2) I realize it was the "energy platoon" that let SMU chomp away that 19 point lead and score those 8 points in like 30 seconds (without that run it would not have been a game), but I would still like to see more of Watkins, Beard, and Kingsley on the floor late in future games, as opposed to Harris, who did not have a game worthy of him being on the floor late.
3) I'm not seeing enough mention of Anthlon in post-game comments; his steal and layup and his late 3 were abso-frickin-lutely HUGE, and those points were among the only FGs we had down the stretch.  Nice to see him step up HUGE on D and O when the team needed him most.
4) I take back what I've said about J-Dub.  He was still scaring the **** out of me handling the ball in the last minutes, but he made some huge hustle plays.  Hit those FTs and you're completely off my bench, J-Dub!
5) I think the missing pieces from last year - for example, Beard and JD assuming the role of real point guards at times and Watkins being the Beck/Shephard/JT Tiller - make the Hogs a tougher road team over the course of the whole game, but I hope they can be integrated and counted on more when things get tight at the end.

[Hog Sammich]

Portis - looked like an NBA player

Perimeter defense

Mike's switching of defenses

The Hogs length on defense

Qualls - One of my least favorite Hogs ever.  But outside of the T and not getting back on defense because he felt the need to trash talk again after a made 3, he played a nice overall offensive game. 

Williams outplaying Harris

Why is Qualls your least favorite Hog ever?  I love his intensity and hard-nosed attitude!

[010HogFan]

Qualls - One of my least favorite Hogs ever. 

wow.

[BentonvilleJeff]

Looked like our guys expected to win instead of hoping to. Then they went out and did it. We are getting the swagger back like the teams of the past.

That's what stands out to me.

[incHOGnito]

Maturity and resilience. Enough said.

[BorderPatrol]

Portis - looked like an NBA player

Perimeter defense

Mike's switching of defenses

The Hogs length on defense

Qualls - One of my least favorite Hogs ever.  But outside of the T and not getting back on defense because he felt the need to trash talk again after a made 3, he played a nice overall offensive game. 

Williams outplaying Harris

Wow on your Qualls comment.

Breems is right.....you seem a little depressed.

bp

[Who is our Coach?]

First half when Qualls got the tech, it was awesome to see Madden step up and pull the team together and do his best to calm Qualls and recover. Mature move by him.

Great point.  This example is why Portis is the go to guy, but this is Madden's team.  I thought he showed good leadership in the way you mention, but also at times running the offense.  Multiple times when SMU made their run, he would clear everyone off one side to feed Portis in the post.  He also demanded  the ball to get to the line late.

[Rawker]

Why is Qualls your least favorite Hog ever?  I love his intensity and hard-nosed attitude!

Holy crap!  Qualls is already in my Top 5 of all time.  I guess I will simply disagree with that one.  He's responsible for perhaps the 2nd most euphoric moment in Hog history.  I will love him forever for that, but he was already one of my favs BEFORE "The Dunk Back."

[rude1]

Very good win first of all.

Harris at this point just doesn't seem to fit what we are wanting to do. I am sure he will still have his moments this season but tonight he just seemed to be the odd piece that didn't fit the puzzle.

Jacorey like Harris is erratic but I am noticing on offense he is moving the ball instead of catching and looking to get a shot up on each catch as he did last season, if he continues this he might develop into a better option than Harris.

Watkins, what can you say for a guy who wasn't expected to give you much. Not flashy but always seems to be right in the middle of the play when he is in the game. Liking him a lot.

Portis is playing great offensively but his defense is leaving much to be desired at this point, he really isn't protecting the rim much right now, just seems to be a half step slow to respond to dribble penetration.

Liked that we held on to win but still concerned that we are still in the press with under a minute with the lead, over extending our defense and giving up easy baskets or fouls on the defensive end when trying to protect a lead.

[Atlhogfan1]

Wow on your Qualls comment.

Breems is right.....you seem a little depressed.

bp

Just honest.  With all of the praise I have given out tonight, not sure why you would think I was depressed. 

[ErieHog]

I'm not as extreme as Atlhogfan1,  but I do think we tend to vastly, vastly overrate Qualls.

He makes spectacular plays, but flubs the routine;  he provides electrifying moments, but disappears for stretches when you are looking for a sign of aggression.

[Hog Sammich]

Just honest.  With all of the praise I have given out tonight, not sure why you would think I was depressed.

Oh ok, we're being honest?  Well, you're my least favorite Razorback fan of all time.

[40MINSOFHELL]

Jump ball sure is lively tonight

[Atlhogfan1]

My opinion of Qualls has little to do with his game.  He is an exciting player and great athlete who has continued to improve.  Love watching him take a perimeter shot with that lift. 

The T in the first half is just a glimpse.  I'm really concerned of what may happen at some point this season.  Notice Lee talking to him after the T.  If he doesn't get this under control, he will ruin his long term career.   

[wupigsuey]

No 5-10 minute stretches without scoring

[Nosboar Accubond]

Team win. But BP carried them over the finish line

[Cresthog]

Gotta give A. Bell credit for that big steal and finish during the end.

Qualls was pretty frustrating tonight and Williams was unusually slopping with the ball at certain points.

What can you say about BP? Best all around Hog I've seen since Ronnie B.

[010HogFan]

Qualls will be fine. It's called having fire.

[ErieHog]

Gotta give A. Bell credit for that big steal and finish during the end.

Qualls was pretty frustrating tonight and Williams was unusually slopping with the ball at certain points.

What can you say about BP? Best all around Hog I've seen since Ronnie B.

Bell played poorly for 30 minutes, but never let it phase his confidence.  Great finish,  and we wouldn't have won that game without him.

[Atlhogfan1]

Again, I think Mike should get some credit for that Bell steal.  SMU was confused offensively. 

[headbeaver]

1.  I loved Qualls angry demeanor throught the game.  It seemed as if the whole team was ready for a dogfight, which is exactly the attitude we need to win on the road.

2.  The offense finally went through Bobby Portis and he looked like he was in a class of his own out there.

3.  Anton Beard is not afraid and hit some nice runners in traffic.

4.  Jacory is our wild card.  If he keeps this consistent type of play, watch out SEC.

[Cresthog]

Bell played poorly for 30 minutes, but never let it phase his confidence.  Great finish,  and we wouldn't have won that game without him.

Yep, he hit a few big shots down the stretch too. I'm ok with him like that. He'll have some monster games, and games like tonight. Luckily this year we have more support around him.

We haven't had a true catch and shoot threat like him since Sonny Weems.

[JonClaudeVanHam]

Yep, he hit a few big shots down the stretch too. I'm ok with him like that. He'll have some monster games, and games like tonight. Luckily this year we have more support around him.

We haven't had a true catch and shoot threat like him since Sonny Weems.

Does Rotnei count?

[ErieHog]

Does Rotnei count?

I heard he'd knock your socks off.

[Cresthog]

Does Rotnei count?

[HSVhogfan2]

Qualls will be fine. It's called having fire.

LOL. Time and place. You dunk over a 7 footer in the NCAA tourny, stare him down all you want. You post up a 5'10" guard and make a lay up. Run back to the other end and play defense.

[Cracker Jack]

I am very proud and pleased the way we have competed so far, and I think we win a lot of games this year.  And YES, I think Mike has made us a contender once again. But......

One major concern.....does anyone else feel like every team we play has more SET PLAYS to attack a certain defense than we do?  Our offense consists of nothing more than DRIBBLE, DRIBBLE, PASS AROUND THE PERIMETER, PICK AND ROLL AROUND THE PERIMETER, DRIBBLE, DRIBBLE....THEN SHOOT.

I just feel this lack of set plays to attack specific defenses will hurt us when we play top tier teams.

[chiefhawg]

I am very proud and pleased the way we have competed so far, and I think we win a lot of games this year.  And YES, I think Mike has made us a contender once again. But......

One major concern.....does anyone else feel like every team we play has more SET PLAYS to attack a certain defense than we do?  Our offense consists of nothing more than DRIBBLE, DRIBBLE, PASS AROUND THE PERIMETER, PICK AND ROLL AROUND THE PERIMETER, DRIBBLE, DRIBBLE....THEN SHOOT.

I just feel this lack of set plays to attack specific defenses will hurt us when we play top tier teams.

Darn.  This is the same crap that was said about Nolan's teams.

[Cracker Jack]

Darn.  This is the same crap that was said about Nolan's teams.

Crap, or truth?  Just asking....

[Danny J]

I am very proud and pleased the way we have competed so far, and I think we win a lot of games this year.  And YES, I think Mike has made us a contender once again. But......

One major concern.....does anyone else feel like every team we play has more SET PLAYS to attack a certain defense than we do?  Our offense consists of nothing more than DRIBBLE, DRIBBLE, PASS AROUND THE PERIMETER, PICK AND ROLL AROUND THE PERIMETER, DRIBBLE, DRIBBLE....THEN SHOOT.

I just feel this lack of set plays to attack specific defenses will hurt us when we play top tier teams.

We run a motion offense and we are not calling set plays most of the time from the bench like most teams do. Coach likes to keep it simple and let the players make plays with constant motion. We also run set plays especially out of timeouts. We have been pretty impressive thus far doing that out of timeouts.

[rude1]

I am very proud and pleased the way we have competed so far, and I think we win a lot of games this year.  And YES, I think Mike has made us a contender once again. But......

One major concern.....does anyone else feel like every team we play has more SET PLAYS to attack a certain defense than we do?  Our offense consists of nothing more than DRIBBLE, DRIBBLE, PASS AROUND THE PERIMETER, PICK AND ROLL AROUND THE PERIMETER, DRIBBLE, DRIBBLE....THEN SHOOT.

I just feel this lack of set plays to attack specific defenses will hurt us when we play top tier teams.

Funny that you say this after a game when the announcers were repeatedly complimenting CMA for coming out of time outs with plays that seemed to work every time.

[Danny J]

Funny that you say this after a game when the announcers were repeatedly complimenting CMA for coming out of time outs with plays that seemed to work every time.

Yep....we were running beautiful set plays out of timeouts. That 3 by Qualls comes to mind that pushed the lead back out again.

[HSVhogfan2]

I am very proud and pleased the way we have competed so far, and I think we win a lot of games this year.  And YES, I think Mike has made us a contender once again. But......

One major concern.....does anyone else feel like every team we play has more SET PLAYS to attack a certain defense than we do?  Our offense consists of nothing more than DRIBBLE, DRIBBLE, PASS AROUND THE PERIMETER, PICK AND ROLL AROUND THE PERIMETER, DRIBBLE, DRIBBLE....THEN SHOOT.

I just feel this lack of set plays to attack specific defenses will hurt us when we play top tier teams.

Cracker Jack? .............. Never mind

[thebignasty]

We  were pretty good running sets out of time outs, and the Half court offense looks pretty okay when it runs through Portis.

Still can get ugly if Madden or Harris takes more than a dribble or two.

[secfan30]

We won on the road against a quality opponent... Very nice win

[Hogimus Prime]

I thought Babb played some quality minutes.  Like the energy Watkins and Williams bring off the bench.  Durham is solid.  Beard is gonna be scary good as the season and his career goes. 

[sadhogfan]

I'm not as extreme as Atlhogfan1,  but I do think we tend to vastly, vastly overrate Qualls.

He makes spectacular plays, but flubs the routine;  he provides electrifying moments, but disappears for stretches when you are looking for a sign of aggression.

This.

I think he is sooo overrated, and at the same time, am in complete awe of some of the plays he pulls off.

[PonderinHog]

Kingsley did some good things in the first half.

One complaint- When you're up by double digits with 8-9 minutes left, why not take your time and get a good shot or a foul?

[passinghog]

Darn.  This is the same crap that was said about Nolan's teams.

Cracker Jack? .............. Never mind

Funny that you say this after a game when the announcers were repeatedly complimenting CMA for coming out of time outs with plays that seemed to work every time.

Check his post history, especially in Jump Ball. He was saying the BS last spring. To say he has an agenda is a understatement...

[HSVhogfan2]

Check his post history, especially in Jump Ball. He was saying the BS last spring. To say he has an agenda is a understatement...

The name says it all.

[Cracker Jack]

Check his post history, especially in Jump Ball. He was saying the BS last spring. To say he has an agenda is a understatement...

Wow....just wow.  Just ask a question about a concern about OUR TEAM, and you are going to check post history and make a determination that I have an agenda?  Chill out....

[passinghog]

Wow....just wow.  Just ask a question about a concern about OUR TEAM, and you are going to check post history and make a determination that I have an agenda?  Chill out....

Hate to derail a thread...but, yes, it's (your post history) is almost 100% NEGATIVE in regards to basketball. At least wait until we lose before you go on your set-play spiel.