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Pat Dye Field => Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum => Topic started by: Snakebite on December 29, 2022, 05:35:29 AM

Title: Where we currently sit
Post by: Snakebite on December 29, 2022, 05:35:29 AM
Last night’s victory over Florida was exciting. I truly enjoyed watching Broome making Castleton’s night an absolute living hell, as last year in both games, Castleton made Kessler look soft.

That said, I think we are an average team with a good bit of losses to come this season. I know the talent is there, but we lack star power. We lack consistent threats from the 3 point line. We need another Brown/Harper combo, with an Okeke/Okoro/Smith star that is a threat from all over the floor.

Anyways… never cared about basketball until Auburn was good enough to justify caring. Thank you for that gift, Bruce.
Title: Re: Where we currently sit
Post by: Buzz Killington on December 29, 2022, 09:17:18 AM
Last night’s victory over Florida was exciting. I truly enjoyed watching Broome making Castleton’s night an absolute living hell, as last year in both games, Castleton made Kessler look soft.

That said, I think we are an average team with a good bit of losses to come this season. I know the talent is there, but we lack star power. We lack consistent threats from the 3 point line. We need another Brown/Harper combo, with an Okeke/Okoro/Smith star that is a threat from all over the floor.

Anyways… never cared about basketball until Auburn was good enough to justify caring. Thank you for that gift, Bruce.
Yeah, we probably have 7-8 more losses coming, but I am liking what I have seen so far from Broome.  If Traore and Westry can figure out how to play the college game, this team could be dangerous by March, but watching Flanigan and Green's men making easy cuts to the basket or standing on the wing wide open for a 3 makes me think we may see more losses than 7-8.
Chris Moore plays hard with more energy than anybody else on the team.  He should be getting 25+ minutes at the 3 and Flan should be getting .00008 minutes right now.  Green may be the only guy shooting well from the outside, but he is lazy on defense 80% of the time.  KD looked like he was afraid to shoot for most of the night last night and ended up turning the ball over a lot.  Even Cardwell lacked his normal energy.  All these things make me seriously wonder if there is a team chemistry issue going on. 
Title: Re: Where we currently sit
Post by: Snakebite on December 29, 2022, 09:40:35 AM
Yeah, we probably have 7-8 more losses coming, but I am liking what I have seen so far from Broome.  If Traore and Westry can figure out how to play the college game, this team could be dangerous by March, but watching Flanigan and Green's men making easy cuts to the basket or standing on the wing wide open for a 3 makes me think we may see more losses than 7-8.
Chris Moore plays hard with more energy than anybody else on the team.  He should be getting 25+ minutes at the 3 and Flan should be getting .00008 minutes right now.  Green may be the only guy shooting well from the outside, but he is lazy on defense 80% of the time.  KD looked like he was afraid to shoot for most of the night last night and ended up turning the ball over a lot.  Even Cardwell lacked his normal energy.  All these things make me seriously wonder if there is a team chemistry issue going on.

Chemistry and confidence. Flanigan has been a liability for a couple of seasons now, and would be much better suited at a Mercer or somewhere else. I speculate his playing time has to be an issue in the locker room.
Title: Re: Where we currently sit
Post by: Snaggletiger on December 29, 2022, 09:43:15 AM
Somebody needs to get selfish and decide to take over the scoring role.  The way Lord Bruce has them run an "offense" makes that imperative.  There's never really been an offense to speak of.  Other than running that high/low lob to Kessler last year, they're pretty much left to create. And most times, that means our 5'10" guards either launching 3's, or getting penetration.  Mmmm....penetration.

The D is solid.  They had a plan for Casselton (sp?) and held Florida in the 50's.  But offensively, someone has to step up and decide to put this team on their back.  I go back to Chuck Person.  My old ass was up there for his freshman year.  The guy was fearless and never met a shot he didn't like.  He basically shot his way into becoming a great player. Somebody needs to do that IMO, or all those losses Buzz talked about, and more, are coming.
Title: Re: Where we currently sit
Post by: GH2001 on December 29, 2022, 10:30:16 AM
we are average right now but so are 99.9% of the teams out there. Its upset galore in CBB at the moment. We just need to keep building and be "not average" come March. Trust in BRUCCEEEE!!!! All hail thy Lourde Bruce.
Title: Re: Where we currently sit
Post by: wesfau2 on December 29, 2022, 11:47:13 AM
we are average right now but so are 99.9% of the teams out there. Its upset galore in CBB at the moment. We just need to keep building and be "not average" come March. Trust in BRUCCEEEE!!!! All hail thy Lourde Bruce.

All of this right here.
Title: Re: Where we currently sit
Post by: GH2001 on December 29, 2022, 11:48:55 AM
All of this right here.

Say it baby!
Title: Re: Where we currently sit
Post by: Snaggletiger on December 29, 2022, 12:07:24 PM
Say it baby!

Cock of the walk, babe.
Title: Re: Where we currently sit
Post by: CCTAU on December 29, 2022, 12:26:07 PM
I heard the commentator say the offense should run through Jay. He is half right. Jay should be getting the ball in the paint and immediately going to the basket. He has that talent but not the confidence to use it.
He should not be passing or shooting from the three. He should be dominating the paint on offense.
BP did this with Chuma also. Finally by the end of the season, Chuma realized his game was around the basket in the paint. He excelled. Jay will be less than average (so will AU) until he realizes this.
Title: Re: Where we currently sit
Post by: Snaggletiger on December 29, 2022, 12:30:27 PM
I heard the commentator say the offense should run through Jay. He is half right. Jay should be getting the ball in the paint and immediately going to the basket. He has that talent but not the confidence to use it.
He should not be passing or shooting from the three. He should be dominating the paint on offense.
BP did this with Chuma also. Finally by the end of the season, Chuma realized his game was around the basket in the paint. He excelled. Jay will be less than average (so will AU) until he realizes this.

Werd to your mutha.  He's fixated on throwing up 3's.  He can use that as part of his game, but you're right.  The guy needs to be doing work in the paint.
Title: Re: Where we currently sit
Post by: jmar on December 30, 2022, 07:32:30 AM
Tiger's get UGA next and have them home and home same for TAMU and Ole Miss. IMO how we fare against these three could very well be the difference as far as getting in the big dance as it presently looks as if we would do well to play .500 ball against the others on the schedule.

Know we also play Alabama and Tennessee twice so a split against either would be very nice.

Just looking at the year ahead, long season anything can happen over the months ahead.

Hey we are much better that St. Peters at this time last year.
Title: Re: Where we currently sit
Post by: jmar on January 05, 2023, 06:49:27 AM
AGAIN if one cannot score it's very difficult to win.
And if you can't beat the bottom dwellers in this league it's next to impossible to qualify for post season play.
Time to panic?
No but Auburn should beat FUGA in any building.
Title: Re: Where we currently sit
Post by: Kaos on January 05, 2023, 09:06:51 AM
AGAIN if one cannot score it's very difficult to win.
And if you can't beat the bottom dwellers in this league it's next to impossible to qualify for post season play.
Time to panic?
No but Auburn should beat FUGA in any building.

This isn’t your momma’s bulldogs. 

New coach (and they finally have a good one) new energy. 

Winning on the road is a chore in the SEC.  Winning when you go 6-28 from three point range and they shoot 30 free throws to your 13?   Not happening.   

AU was too quick to fire up the three last night.  There were inside opportunities that were open all night.  Should have worked those more. 

No alarm.  They will get better.  Having a hard time getting the right mix at the moment.
Title: Re: Where we currently sit
Post by: CCTAU on January 05, 2023, 11:47:08 AM
No alarm.  They will get better.  Having a hard time getting the right mix at the moment.

I thought this early on. However, the farther we get into the season, we still cannot seem to find a shooter.
Having our current guards just continue to throw stuff up will not automatically make them better.
Either they need to live in the gym practicing threes, or we need to let the young guys play and take our lumps.
Title: Re: Where we currently sit
Post by: Buzz Killington on January 05, 2023, 12:00:46 PM
I thought this early on. However, the farther we get into the season, we still cannot seem to find a shooter.
Having our current guards just continue to throw stuff up will not automatically make them better.
Either they need to live in the gym practicing threes, or we need to let the young guys play and take our lumps.
I really think Bruce threw all his shooting problem eggs in the Chance Westry basket and so far it has bit him in the ass.  Had he not gotten hurt in the offseason, he may have been the answer for this season anyway.  Combine that with whatever has happened to KD and Green getting hurt, and that's a recipe for disaster.  This team resembles the team while waiting for Shariffe Cooper to be eligible a couple years back.  No identity, no playmakers.

Donaldson is turning into a perfectly serviceable point guard, but he is a true freshman.  Green is just too small to drive the lane and make things happen against most guards out there, so they can guard him much closer on the perimeter.  Same for KD.  Neither are hitting their open 3s either like they are capable of.

Maybe the light will come on at some point, but I have to wonder for now just who gave Traore that 4th and 5th star?  Were they drunk?
Title: Re: Where we currently sit
Post by: Snaggletiger on January 05, 2023, 12:28:50 PM
Without someone other than our pint sized guards getting selfish and deciding to put this team on their back, it probably won't get much better. 

Pearl is all about in-your-face defense, and letting guys create on offense. Very little structure, and running a set for a particular shot, or person is almost non-existent.  The high-low lobs they ran to Kessler last season is about as close as you'll see to that. 

It's worked the last few years because obviously, we've had some studs with the ability to change a game by themselves.  Just not there this year.  At least not right now.
Title: Re: Where we currently sit
Post by: GH2001 on January 05, 2023, 02:47:11 PM
Without someone other than our pint sized guards getting selfish and deciding to put this team on their back, it probably won't get much better. 

Pearl is all about in-your-face defense, and letting guys create on offense. Very little structure, and running a set for a particular shot, or person is almost non-existent.  The high-low lobs they ran to Kessler last season is about as close as you'll see to that. 

It's worked the last few years because obviously, we've had some studs with the ability to change a game by themselves.  Just not there this year.  At least not right now.

Having a stud wingman/fwd like Jabari (that could shoot a 3) and a true big like Kessler created a hella more space for our guards on the perimeter. Now that space is tight, and they are undersized and unable to make the tough plays in tight windows. Its the equivalent to making Robbie Ashford beat you with his arm as opposed to Tank/Jarquez (Broome in this case). They are making our guards win the game.
Title: Re: Where we currently sit
Post by: GH2001 on January 05, 2023, 02:48:04 PM
This isn’t your momma’s bulldogs. 

New coach (and they finally have a good one) new energy. 

Winning on the road is a chore in the SEC.  Winning when you go 6-28 from three point range and they shoot 30 free throws to your 13?   Not happening.   

AU was too quick to fire up the three last night.  There were inside opportunities that were open all night.  Should have worked those more. 

No alarm.  They will get better.  Having a hard time getting the right mix at the moment.

Mike White is 100% a great coach. He retooled that whole team and they look better. He also owns Bruce (that hurt to say).
Title: Re: Where we currently sit
Post by: CCTAU on January 05, 2023, 11:27:08 PM
I really think Bruce threw all his shooting problem eggs in the Chance Westry basket and so far it has bit him in the ass.  Had he not gotten hurt in the offseason, he may have been the answer for this season anyway.  Combine that with whatever has happened to KD and Green getting hurt, and that's a recipe for disaster.  This team resembles the team while waiting for Shariffe Cooper to be eligible a couple years back.  No identity, no playmakers.

Donaldson is turning into a perfectly serviceable point guard, but he is a true freshman.  Green is just too small to drive the lane and make things happen against most guards out there, so they can guard him much closer on the perimeter.  Same for KD.  Neither are hitting their open 3s either like they are capable of.

Maybe the light will come on at some point, but I have to wonder for now just who gave Traore that 4th and 5th star?  Were they drunk?

Truthfully, Lior would have a better three point percentage at this point!
Title: Re: Where we currently sit
Post by: Buzz Killington on January 06, 2023, 08:40:00 AM
Truthfully, Lior would have a better three point percentage at this point!
Agreed.  I have heard people saying he's a defensive liability, but I don't see how he could be worse right now on D than either Wendell or KD.
Title: Re: Where we currently sit
Post by: GH2001 on January 06, 2023, 11:57:59 AM
Truthfully, Lior would have a better three point percentage at this point!

I say lets roll the honky out there and see what happens.
Title: Re: Where we currently sit
Post by: jmar on January 07, 2023, 06:24:47 AM
I say lets roll the honky out there and see what happens.
Know you say that tongue in cheek but cracker boy can't do any worse plus he might pick a few pockets along the way because Arky won't be giving him any RESPECT.

Title: Re: Where we currently sit
Post by: Kaos on January 08, 2023, 08:27:57 AM
Feel better now?

Title: Re: Where we currently sit
Post by: GH2001 on January 08, 2023, 12:07:03 PM
Feel better now?

Bruce made some great adjustments. Can’t quite get a bead on what exactly but whatever the alignment, the perimeter was a lot more wide open. Looked more like last year. Not sure if broome becoming a huge threat down low caused it but Wendell and crew had plenty of room to work and they made the most of it. Credit where due. Have never doubted Bruce can get it fixed. I still don’t think we’re built to go too too deep this year. Taller guards may still eat our lunch come tourney time.
Title: Re: Where we currently sit
Post by: CCTAU on January 08, 2023, 03:26:01 PM
Feel better now?

We barely met the requirement for winning. Our D can’t shut down every team. And Arky shot terrible also. Very happy for the win, however I’m not sure we can play above the norm every game.
We need a consistent shooter and need a couple of guys to step up their game. Jay really needs  to live in the paint on offense. He has talent going to the basket and can shoot free throws well.
Title: Re: Where we currently sit
Post by: jmar on January 08, 2023, 03:40:54 PM
Feel better now?
I do and you were absolutely correct in an earlier post about winning on the road in this league however I'm with Buzz also with regards to a go-to shooter. I'm pleased with any win but these slow starts at 2:1 are maddening.
Title: Re: Where we currently sit
Post by: jmar on January 08, 2023, 03:51:45 PM
We barely met the requirement for winning. Our D can’t shut down every team. And Arky shot terrible also. Very happy for the win, however I’m not sure we can play above the norm every game.
We need a consistent shooter and need a couple of guys to step up their game. Jay really needs  to live in the paint on offense. He has talent going to the basket and can shoot free throws well.
All of this.
Title: Re: Where we currently sit
Post by: chinook on January 08, 2023, 09:23:00 PM
apparently none of you got the memo we’re a football school.  #firepearl
Title: Re: Where we currently sit
Post by: GH2001 on January 09, 2023, 09:16:53 AM
apparently none of you got the memo we’re a football school.  #firepearl

Change your password nook.....Snaggle has hacked your account.
Title: Re: Where we currently sit
Post by: Snaggletiger on January 09, 2023, 09:41:30 AM
apparently none of you got the memo we’re a football school. #firepearl

^^^This right here^^^
Title: Re: Where we currently sit
Post by: Kaos on January 09, 2023, 01:14:38 PM
I didn't say there aren't things that need to be fixed.  I didn't say there was the possibility this would be a "down" year Pearl-wise.  I didn't say this was a team that was going to win the SEC or anything else.  Is

Panic, though?  As long as Pearl is steering the ship I won't be doing that.  This team will lose some WTF games.  It will  probably struggle on the road.   It might miss the NCAA Tourney, but I wouldn't bank on that.  Even if it does, it will be in contention to the last weekend most likely. 

Isn't that all we ever wanted?  Not to be out of the running in December? To never ever take the court knowing it was over before it started? 

This team has flaws.  None of them are beyond fixing.  It might not be a soaring thing of beauty with banners, draft picks and trophies. It might be rough and raw and ugly at times.  But.... BUT.... it's still better than anything almost any of us have seen before. 

So be happy.
Title: Re: Where we currently sit
Post by: Snaggletiger on January 09, 2023, 04:07:20 PM
Through 15 games, the Fighting Pearls sit at 12-3 (2-1).

In checking out the stats, it’s obvious this team is somewhat scoringly impaired.  Auburn sits at 8th in the conference in scoring at 72 a game.  Missouri and Bama lead everyone, both with averages in the 80’s.

On top of that, we are 10th in FG% and 11th in FT%, so they’re leaving a lot of points on the table.  However, with the exception of Broome, who is horrible at the stripe, guys like J. Williams, Wendell Green, Allen Flanigan and KD Johnson, are all 72% and above, with Green over 80% from the line.   

Defensively, Auburn is in the top 5 in rebounds, blocks (#1) and steals. No surprise there. 

As you might think, nobody is exactly tearing it up.  John Eye Broome leads the team with 13 ppg and 9 rpg.  He’s also shooting right at 50% from the floor, which pretty much equals his percentage from the stripe.

Broome, Green, Williams, Johnson and Flanigan all get 23-25 minutes per night.  Tre Donaldson averages 11.5 minutes, while Chance Westry averages 9.3.  Tough to get in a rhythm, and why they’re both under 3 ppg.

BTW, I watched Bama and Kentucky, and I don’t want none of Bama right now.  They’ll probably cool off, but that freshman, Miller, is a sho nuff bad ass.
Title: Re: Where we currently sit
Post by: GH2001 on January 09, 2023, 04:28:50 PM
I didn't say there aren't things that need to be fixed.  I didn't say there was the possibility this would be a "down" year Pearl-wise.  I didn't say this was a team that was going to win the SEC or anything else.  Is

Panic, though?  As long as Pearl is steering the ship I won't be doing that.  This team will lose some WTF games.  It will  probably struggle on the road.   It might miss the NCAA Tourney, but I wouldn't bank on that.  Even if it does, it will be in contention to the last weekend most likely. 

Isn't that all we ever wanted?  Not to be out of the running in December? To never ever take the court knowing it was over before it started? 

This team has flaws.  None of them are beyond fixing.  It might not be a soaring thing of beauty with banners, draft picks and trophies. It might be rough and raw and ugly at times.  But.... BUT.... it's still better than anything almost any of us have seen before. 

So be happy.

I keep having to tell myself how bad we've had it in the past other than a few Chuck/Chuck and Ellis/Porter years. I am very much thankful for Lord Bruce of Israel. We have guard issues but it can be creatively minimized at times. I think we saw that Saturday. No doubt we will have some games where we get smacked around again. Gotta keep getting better.
Title: Re: Where we currently sit
Post by: GH2001 on January 09, 2023, 04:30:28 PM
Through 15 games, the Fighting Pearls sit at 12-3 (2-1).

In checking out the stats, it’s obvious this team is somewhat scoringly impaired.  Auburn sits at 8th in the conference in scoring at 72 a game.  Missouri and Bama lead everyone, both with averages in the 80’s.

On top of that, we are 10th in FG% and 11th in FT%, so they’re leaving a lot of points on the table.  However, with the exception of Broome, who is horrible at the stripe, guys like J. Williams, Wendell Green, Allen Flanigan and KD Johnson, are all 72% and above, with Green over 80% from the line.   

Defensively, Auburn is in the top 5 in rebounds, blocks (#1) and steals. No surprise there. 

As you might think, nobody is exactly tearing it up.  John Eye Broome leads the team with 13 ppg and 9 rpg.  He’s also shooting right at 50% from the floor, which pretty much equals his percentage from the stripe.

Broome, Green, Williams, Johnson and Flanigan all get 23-25 minutes per night.  Tre Donaldson averages 11.5 minutes, while Chance Westry averages 9.3.  Tough to get in a rhythm, and why they’re both under 3 ppg.

BTW, I watched Bama and Kentucky, and I don’t want none of Bama right now.  They’ll probably cool off, but that freshman, Miller, is a sho nuff bad ass.

Miller will go high like Jabari - one and done. And Oats may get poached by another school. Theyre built THIS YEAR to have a good run.
Title: Re: Where we currently sit
Post by: wesfau2 on January 09, 2023, 04:43:23 PM
Miller will go high like Jabari - one and done. And Oats may get poached by another school. Theyre built THIS YEAR to have a good run.

TX gonna be a bona fide suitor.
Title: Re: Where we currently sit
Post by: Snaggletiger on January 09, 2023, 05:38:05 PM
One factor, besides money, in getting Oats out of there, is they're in desperate need of a new arena.  They sunk a bunch of renovation money into it probably 10 plus years ago, but I hear it's still a dump.  And word is, they have no plans to build a new one.  But, if they do make a deep run, plans could change.
Title: Re: Where we currently sit
Post by: Snakebite on January 09, 2023, 08:51:04 PM
I didn't say there aren't things that need to be fixed.  I didn't say there was the possibility this would be a "down" year Pearl-wise.  I didn't say this was a team that was going to win the SEC or anything else.  Is

Panic, though?  As long as Pearl is steering the ship I won't be doing that.  This team will lose some WTF games.  It will  probably struggle on the road.   It might miss the NCAA Tourney, but I wouldn't bank on that.  Even if it does, it will be in contention to the last weekend most likely. 

Isn't that all we ever wanted?  Not to be out of the running in December? To never ever take the court knowing it was over before it started? 

This team has flaws.  None of them are beyond fixing.  It might not be a soaring thing of beauty with banners, draft picks and trophies. It might be rough and raw and ugly at times.  But.... BUT.... it's still better than anything almost any of us have seen before. 

So be happy.

Beautifully stated. We now have expectations because a present/future Auburn legendary coach has spoiled us & raised the bar of expectations. We are a blessed bunch to always have a fighting chance, and all because of what he’s brought.

I hope the statue has already been commissioned.
Title: Re: Where we currently sit
Post by: CCTAU on January 09, 2023, 09:12:56 PM
Our fate each game rests on Green and Flan overachieving. It’s gonna be a tough row for the hoe!
Title: Re: Where we currently sit
Post by: chinook on January 09, 2023, 11:02:02 PM
defenses win championships.
Title: Re: Where we currently sit
Post by: wesfau2 on January 13, 2023, 10:58:28 AM
Projected as a 7 seed as of now.

https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/page/bracketology/ncaa-bracketology-2023-march-madness-men-field-predictions
Title: Re: Where we currently sit
Post by: Kaos on January 22, 2023, 12:58:09 PM
Solid road win.  SC isn’t going to beat the world but they did punk KY in Rupp. 

Wire to wire, never really challenged. 

Still unlikely to win the SEC. Looking more and more like the NCAA is close to being a thing.   Little hope to get much past the Sweet 16, but I still remember when just being considered was a reason to roll the corner. 

So love it.  It’s required.
Title: Re: Where we currently sit
Post by: Snakebite on January 22, 2023, 02:10:17 PM
Solid road win.  SC isn’t going to beat the world but they did punk KY in Rupp. 

Wire to wire, never really challenged. 

Still unlikely to win the SEC. Looking more and more like the NCAA is close to being a thing.   Little hope to get much past the Sweet 16, but I still remember when just being considered was a reason to roll the corner. 

So love it.  It’s required.

Not world beaters by any means, but are slowly getting better each game and are learning to play as a unit. Jaylin Williams could be a star if he continues on the track he’s on. Flan is finally finding rhythm instead of being a liability. If we could get a single consistent 3 point threat, we could make a deep run with an already existing elite defense.