A Night In The Hassee' With My Dookies

[AUJarhead]

The product on the floor is just an extension of the last 14 years and me going rah-rah on a message board won't change any of that. 

Sorry, I disagree with this years product being an extension of the last 14 years.  I turn on a game now, and Auburn is competitive.  That's changed from the last 14 years (where even if you could find Auburn on, they were getting their shit pushed in).  It's enjoyable to watch an Auburn game, or listen on the radio.  The arena is packed and it actually looks like a great place to see a game. 

Are we record wise, no better than last year?  If you just look at wins/losses, then yes.  But if you really, honestly, believe that we are no better off than last year, you haven't watched an Auburn game. 

[Snaggletiger]

Sorry, I disagree with this years product being an extension of the last 14 years.  I turn on a game now, and Auburn is competitive.  That's changed from the last 14 years (where even if you could find Auburn on, they were getting their shit pushed in).  It's enjoyable to watch an Auburn game, or listen on the radio.  The arena is packed and it actually looks like a great place to see a game. 

Are we record wise, no better than last year?  If you just look at wins/losses, then yes.  But if you really, honestly, believe that we are no better off than last year, you haven't watched an Auburn game.

Can't disagree with any of that.  Especially the part about not watching games.  I thought you guys were talking about women's basketball until a couple of hours ago.

[Kaos]

bananas even

I like bananas about as much as I like tomatoes. They're sneaky yellow fuckers. 

[Snaggletiger]

Tonight was typical of what so many have said.  Played their collective asses off but the bottom line was they were never going to beat Arky.  Had no chance from any standpoint. Scored 87 points.  Gave up 101.  Game wasn't close from the 10 minute mark of the first half.  Always a 9 to 12 point lead.  Then it ballooned to 16-18 in the second. You see where this team is just a player or two away.  But back to the original point when I started this thread.  If Duke and FSU trade point guards, FSU wins that game hands down.  If AU has a solid big man that contributes 13-15 points and 7-8 rebounds...different game.  We have Bowers who does some good things.  Then 4-5 guys who try to get a shot or create.  Just not enough players. Yet. 

[jmar]

Tonight was typical of what so many have said.  Played their collective asses off but the bottom line was they were never going to beat Arky.  Had no chance from any standpoint. Scored 87 points.  Gave up 101.  Game wasn't close from the 10 minute mark of the first half.  Always a 9 to 12 point lead.  Then it ballooned to 16-18 in the second. You see where this team is just a player or two away.  But back to the original point when I started this thread.  If Duke and FSU trade point guards, FSU wins that game hands down.  If AU has a solid big man that contributes 13-15 points and 7-8 rebounds...different game.  We have Bowers who does some good things.  Then 4-5 guys who try to get a shot or create.  Just not enough players. Yet.

Bowers has no compliment inside like a Spencer or Purifoy, both due next season. Ole Miss, in spite of our fight were never in danger of collapsing being that they are a veteran group that feast around the basket and shoot upper 80 % from the line. And like Arkansas they have played together for some time so in some ways we are just a stiff challenge or brutal practice game preparing one or both for what might be.

The junkies that cover this know what Pearl brings.
So we hang with some good teams this season, add some elements and keep building.

[Snaggletiger]

At season's end, we lose:

KT Harrell
Malcolm Canada
KC Ross Miller
Antoine Mason

That's a lot of production gone.  Basically leaving Bowers as the only real contributor returning.  If Shim Sham Shaheen is healthy, he's a decent little point guard.  After that, it's kind of Slim Pickens.  Jordon Granger is a warm body at best.  6'8" and didn't scratch last night.  Alex Thompson is 6'8" and took one shot last night.  Trayvon Reed is 7'1" and his only contribution was 3 rebounds.  TJ Lang got a little playing time and did okay but damn son, eat a ham sandwich...and a large fries...and a protein shake.

Hopefully Attewe comes back from injury so he can help Bowers inside next year.  But it looks to me that Pearl is really going to have to hope these incoming freshmen are ready to play at this level.  Quick check of Rivals shows the new guys will be:

Bryce Brown  6'2" G  3*
TJ Dunans  6'5" G  3*
New Williams  6'2" G  3*
Daniel Purifoy  6'6"  F  4*
Horace Spencer  6'8"  F  4*

All but Horace Spencer are signed but he's pretty much a lock.  From what I've read, it looks like Spencer is the key.  He's 225 and physical, which is an immediate need.  Pearl came in and did what he could to sign some guys and make us competitive this year.  #1 JUCO, Mason and Ross Miller have done just that. But it's going to pretty much be a house cleaning for next season. The bios on these guys are great so hopefully they're ready to step in.  It'll be fun to watch Pearl work his magic with his own guys from the start of their careers. 

[jmar]

At season's end, we lose:

KT Harrell
Malcolm Canada
KC Ross Miller
Antoine Mason

That's a lot of production gone.  Basically leaving Bowers as the only real contributor returning.  If Shim Sham Shaheen is healthy, he's a decent little point guard.  After that, it's kind of Slim Pickens.  Jordon Granger is a warm body at best.  6'8" and didn't scratch last night.  Alex Thompson is 6'8" and took one shot last night.  Trayvon Reed is 7'1" and his only contribution was 3 rebounds.  TJ Lang got a little playing time and did okay but damn son, eat a ham sandwich...and a large fries...and a protein shake.

Hopefully Attewe comes back from injury so he can help Bowers inside next year.  But it looks to me that Pearl is really going to have to hope these incoming freshmen are ready to play at this level.  Quick check of Rivals shows the new guys will be:

Bryce Brown  6'2" G  3*
TJ Dunans  6'5" G  3*
New Williams  6'2" G  3*
Daniel Purifoy  6'6"  F  4*
Horace Spencer  6'8"  F  4*

All but Horace Spencer are signed but he's pretty much a lock.  From what I've read, it looks like Spencer is the key.  He's 225 and physical, which is an immediate need.  Pearl came in and did what he could to sign some guys and make us competitive this year.  #1 JUCO, Mason and Ross Miller have done just that. But it's going to pretty much be a house cleaning for next season. The bios on these guys are great so hopefully they're ready to step in.  It'll be fun to watch Pearl work his magic with his own guys from the start of their careers.

Yup,  program was lingering. No quick fix.
If our Yankee coach can cobble up a legit contender from what he inherited it might be worthy of a statue.

[WiregrassTiger]

I like bananas about as much as I like tomatoes. They're sneaky yellow fuckers.

I would've thought that you liked bananas if for nothing more than the phallic imagery. Seeing how much you support gay marriage and all.

[WiregrassTiger]

Yup,  program was lingering. No quick fix.
If our Yankee coach can cobble up a legit contender from what he inherited it might be worthy of a statue.

The more I watch, I think I see that the one thing we could use as much as another pure shooter, is an exceptional ball handler. If we had a guy that was lights out at driving the lane and kicking it out, we could be dangerous. Canada looks like a forward dribbling, as do most of our guys. KT isn't exceptional.

I dunno. We are definitely missing a few pieces but I like the scrappiness. That's refreshing. Fighting hard will maybe win us a couple that we shouldn't win. Regardless, it's helping to change the culture.

[Godfather]

Yup,  program was lingering. No quick fix.
If our Yankee coach can cobble up a legit contender from what he inherited it might be worthy of a statue.

I really don't see how women's panties are germane to this discussion.

[WiregrassTiger]

I really don't see how women's panties are germane to this discussion.

Pearl is Jewish, not German.

[jmar]

Pearl is Jewish, not German.

The Germans would likely craft a very durable panty though wouldn't you think?

[AUTiger1]

I really don't see how women's panties are germane to this discussion.

The god damn Germans got nothin to do with it.

[Buzz Killington]

The god damn Germans got nothin to do with it.

You sounded taller on the radio

[jmar]

The more I watch, I think I see that the one thing we could use as much as another pure shooter, is an exceptional ball handler. If we had a guy that was lights out at driving the lane and kicking it out, we could be dangerous. Canada looks like a forward dribbling, as do most of our guys. KT isn't exceptional.

I dunno. We are definitely missing a few pieces but I like the scrappiness. That's refreshing. Fighting hard will maybe win us a couple that we shouldn't win. Regardless, it's helping to change the culture.

Mason (a gunner) has trimmed his game to work within the team concept. Shamsid-Deen (out) is the hard driving slasher with the Martin Riggs shoulder. Bowers can't just catch and shoot and everybody (watching film) knows he mustdribble. Reed and Atewe (injured) are mostly plug in shot blockers. Canada is a short forward of sorts from the bench but a gamer. Ross-Miller is a perimeter type, not gonna mix it up inside much.

We are a scrappy bunch. Six days/3 games against better, deeper, more experienced teams. Went 1 for 3.

[GH2001]

On a separate but related note, Mason's dad appears to be near death and Mason has left for NY to be at his dad's bedside.

For those who don't know, his pops is former NBA star Anthony Mason - and he apparently had a massive heart attack a few days ago and is in grave condition at the moment, and in Congestive Heart Failure. 48 years old...unreal.

[Saniflush]

I'm just gonna leave this here.  One of my favorite Tucker Max stories.

Duke basketball tickets and a bull horn.

http://tuckermax.com/stories/tucker-goes-to-campout-owns-duke-nerds/

[War Eagle!!!]

I like bananas about as much as I like tomatoes. They're sneaky yellow fuckers.

That's not supposed to be what they are for.

[WiregrassTiger]

On a separate but related note, Mason's dad appears to be near death and Mason has left for NY to be at his dad's bedside.

For those who don't know, his pops is former NBA star Anthony Mason - and he apparently had a massive heart attack a few days ago and is in grave condition at the moment, and in Congestive Heart Failure. 48 years old...unreal.

Wow. Had not heard this. T.V. panned to him not too long ago at one of our games, I believe it was a home game. Horrible news.

[Buzz Killington]

That's not supposed to be what they are for.

Pickle banana surprise!