2024-2025 Fighting Pearls

[wesfau2]

We didn't play our best game on a hostile floor with some home-friendly officiating against a very talented opponent...and still were in the game until the final minute.

Can't be mad at any part of that when you consider the timing on the schedule.  Good test, humbling loss and, while a W would be swell, the selection committee will absolutely respect that come March.

[Snaggletiger]

We didn't play our best game on a hostile floor with some home-friendly officiating against a very talented opponent...and still were in the game until the final minute.

Can't be mad at any part of that when you consider the timing on the schedule.  Good test, humbling loss and, while a W would be swell, the selection committee will absolutely respect that come March.

And with as good as the SEC appears to be at this point, i imagine there's going to be some 19-13 conference teams getting bids.

[Snaggletiger]

Just an observation here, because I don't have an appointment coming in for another hour, and I'm bored.

Lord Bruce is Almighty.  1000% satisfied with what he's done, and continues to do with a program that, outside of a couple of brief periods of relevancy under Sonny Smith and Cliff Ellis, has been one of the most irrelevant programs in the country...for decades. Look at us now!

But, I still have one tiny gripe, if you will, about his style of play. Last night was a great example of a contrast in styles.  When Duke (I'm not pumping up Duke here, just talking offensive approach) was in a half court set, they were never still.  Never not running motion, setting picks, making cuts etc. The Evans kid, who hit all those 3's, shot every one of them in rhythm.  Don't recall if he ever took a dribble.  It was catch and shoot, with the pass made specifically for that reason.

Auburn, on the other hand, shoots the majority of their 3's off the dribble.  A lot of individual play, creating their own opening to get the shot off. We have a bad tendency of getting out of any semblance of an offense, and a lot of standing around while some one does they thang.  I recall one timeout after we got down a bit, and they came out with a purpose, with motion, picks and cuts.  We got an easy open shot and quick bucket. Bruce recognized it, and fixed it.

Fortunately, we have a bunch of guys who can knock them down, but that's been the M.O. of Bruce's offense since he got here.  Guys are free to create and take any shot they feel comfortable with.   

[wesfau2]

I think you're correct in assessing Bruce's tolerance for disorganized offense (but he is Gus-like in that he has a simple concept, in BP's case the flex-cut, and beats the other side over the head with it), but he couples it with a demand for defense and unselfishness on the offensive end.

Shoot your shot, if you're contributing and dishing.  If you're just ball-hogging and not helping your teammates succeed, you're on the bench.

I think that's ultimately what makes it work: the kids are rooting for each other because the rising tide is raising all ships.  They can shoot away as long as they're helping their boys do the same.

[Snaggletiger]

I think you're correct in assessing Bruce's tolerance for disorganized offense (but he is Gus-like in that he has a simple concept, in BP's case the flex-cut, and beats the other side over the head with it), but he couples it with a demand for defense and unselfishness on the offensive end.

Shoot your shot, if you're contributing and dishing.  If you're just ball-hogging and not helping your teammates succeed, you're on the bench.

I think that's ultimately what makes it work: the kids are rooting for each other because the rising tide is raising all ships.  They can shoot away as long as they're helping their boys do the same.

I need a cigarette after humping your post.

[CCTAU]

That was some sketchy officiating during that game. Yes, we had our chances…
I’ll take AU on a neutral floor to wipe the floor with Duke any day.

[GH2001]

That was some sketchy officiating during that game. Yes, we had our chances…
I’ll take AU on a neutral floor to wipe the floor with Duke any day.

Just don't breathe too hard on Cooper "38% from the Floor" Flagg.

[Snaggletiger]

Just don't breathe too hard on Cooper "38% from the Floor" Flagg.

Normally, I don't get caught up in the whole, "This announcer is such a gawt damn homer, I can't lissen" dealio.  A lot of people are so sensitive, that if you say something good about the other team, or say something negative about yours, they've got to be taking Saban's tiny dick up their ass.  Danielson is the prime example.  Ask a fan of ANY team.  "He hates us!!!"

Whatev...

However, I forget who the play by play guy was Wednesday, but I have no idea how he called the game with Cooper Flagg's cock in his mouth. It wasn't Bilas.  Jay gets really opinionated about stuff, but he usually calls it down the middle and tells it like it is.  But the play by play guy....holy shipth...every time the Flagg touched the ball, his voice went up 17 octaves.

Evans takes it, top of the arc. Lobs it into Brown in the paint.  He throws it out to COOPER FLAGG!!!!

BOY, IS COOPER FLAGG EVER SPECIAL.  COOPER FLAGG!

HE'S A BAD MOTHER....shutcho' mouf....I'm just talkin' bout COOPER FLAGG

[Snakebite]

Cooper is a good name, though.  I'll give him that.

[jmar]

Cardwell played 11 minutes, had 2 defensive rebounds and 1 assist.

We needed him in the second half after that barrage of threes waned because Duke then had mismatches around the basket. Denver and Pettiford are good defenders on the perimeter but not so much with a 4 or 5 inch height deficit.
That challenges Broome to be the sole rim defender. He's terrific but he needed help.

[wesfau2]

Normally, I don't get caught up in the whole, "This announcer is such a gawt damn homer, I can't lissen" dealio.  A lot of people are so sensitive, that if you say something good about the other team, or say something negative about yours, they've got to be taking Saban's tiny dick up their ass.  Danielson is the prime example.  Ask a fan of ANY team.  "He hates us!!!"

Whatev...

However, I forget who the play by play guy was Wednesday, but I have no idea how he called the game with Cooper Flagg's cock in his mouth. It wasn't Bilas.  Jay gets really opinionated about stuff, but he usually calls it down the middle and tells it like it is.  But the play by play guy....holy shipth...every time the Flagg touched the ball, his voice went up 17 octaves.

Evans takes it, top of the arc. Lobs it into Brown in the paint.  He throws it out to COOPER FLAGG!!!!

BOY, IS COOPER FLAGG EVER SPECIAL.  COOPER FLAGG!

HE'S A BAD MOTHER....shutcho' mouf....I'm just talkin' bout COOPER FLAGG

Bilas was, as diplomatically as possible...since he needs to keep his job, calling their asses out on each call.

[Snaggletiger]

Bilas was, as diplomatically as possible...since he needs to keep his job, calling their asses out on each call.

Yeah, I think he calls it down like he sees it, for the most part.  Bilas has been at this for a while, and may be pretty much the face of college basketball.  He gets a little opinionated and cranky for my taste, but he knows his shit.

[jmar]

Bilas is the most knowledgeable guy in the college game and a fair minded arbiter if it comes to standing up for young athlete such as CBM whom I think was treated unfairly by the media.

https://www.nationofblue.com/jay-bilas-walks-a-quarter-mile-with-auburn-players/

[GH2001]

Bilas was, as diplomatically as possible...since he needs to keep his job, calling their asses out on each call.

Yeah, I got no beef with Bilas. Its the others Snags mentioned that griped me. It was noticeable. It's fodder, ratings, fluff whatever. Never seen a kid this hyped that has such poor shooting %'s most games. Not saying the kid isn't a talent - he is. You see flashes. But it's laughable to me ESPN has anointed him the Number 1 NBA lotto pick this next draft. He gets his numbers but it's at the expense of low % and getting a TON of calls go his way.

[The Six]

This league is stacked. The MBB is what the FB likes to act like it is but rarely achieves. Everybody is a good, tough to beat at home, has players that give you night sweats, and coaches who can scheme and motivate. Would not be shocked to see 10-11 NCAA bids when it's said and done. Bring on the meat grinder!

[jmar]

This league is stacked. The MBB is what the FB likes to act like it is but rarely achieves. Everybody is a good, tough to beat at home, has players that give you night sweats, and coaches who can scheme and motivate. Would not be shocked to see 10-11 NCAA bids when it's said and done. Bring on the meat grinder!

Yeah you show up without your A game, have a leading player out or get two or three guys in foul trouble and you might get your ass handed to you this season.

[wesfau2]

This league is stacked. The MBB is what the FB likes to act like it is but rarely achieves. Everybody is a good, tough to beat at home, has players that give you night sweats, and coaches who can scheme and motivate. Would not be shocked to see 10-11 NCAA bids when it's said and done. Bring on the meat grinder!

Nuts how many of our conference games are going to be Q1 W/L.

[The Six]

Nuts how many of our conference games are going to be Q1 W/L.

Yeah when most of the Q1 teams are in your conference, that's how 8-10 teams make the tourney because they can rip through the WAC, Big East, and other conferences lacking that level of depth.

[GH2001]

This league is stacked. The MBB is what the FB likes to act like it is but rarely achieves. Everybody is a good, tough to beat at home, has players that give you night sweats, and coaches who can scheme and motivate. Would not be shocked to see 10-11 NCAA bids when it's said and done. Bring on the meat grinder!

Some of the experts saying 12 is possible.

[wesfau2]

Lawd. The defense was smothering and the three pointers were falling.

A satisfying thrashing.