Humble Pie

[CharlieFU]

We just had a big ‘ol piece of HUMBLE PIE with this So Fla game. Stated differently, we got a little big for our britches. The carelessness and seeming lack of focus suggests that is the case.

Our early season confidence, even swagger, may have contributed to this performance. The team has to understand that there is a small margin for error, that they have to bring it every game.

Further, this game exposed our weak bench. Bothwell has played well and is an offensive weapon. That’s all there is. Clark will not be a regular contributor on offense. Pugh was to be instant offense off the bench. Hasn’t happened.

Whether we get beat badly by Auburn or not, I hope we play well. I expect we will. If Jordan has an even average shooting night we beat So Fla. Trying not to read too much into one game.

[DungeonRealm]

Right now ill take 10-3 heading into the SoCon, anything short of that and ill be disappointed

[Jasper]

We just had a big ‘ol piece of HUMBLE PIE with this So Fla game. Stated differently, we got a little big for our britches. The carelessness and seeming lack of focus suggests that is the case.

Our early season confidence, even swagger, may have contributed to this performance. The team has to understand that there is a small margin for error, that they have to bring it every game.

Further, this game exposed our weak bench. Bothwell has played well and is an offensive weapon. That’s all there is. Clark will not be a regular contributor on offense. Pugh was to be instant offense off the bench. Hasn’t happened.

Whether we get beat badly by Auburn or not, I hope we play well. I expect we will. If Jordan has an even average shooting night we beat So Fla. Trying not to read too much into one game.

You really think the FU bench was the problem in this game? How is Jaylon Pugh supposed to be "instant offense" if he is not on the court? He has only played in 6 of our 9 games. Last night he played 2 minutes. He is shooting .462 for the season with .500 from the 3 line. (5 of 10). Bothwell is playing great and Clark is a defensive specialist. How do we develop a bench if we don't play them? We are essentially playing with a 7 man rotation.
Last night's game was lost because our starting backcourt shot very poorly. Looks to me like these small guards are having trouble adjusting to the longer 3 point range.

[Monday]

[fufanatic]

We just had a big ‘ol piece of HUMBLE PIE with this So Fla game. Stated differently, we got a little big for our britches. The carelessness and seeming lack of focus suggests that is the case.

Our early season confidence, even swagger, may have contributed to this performance. The team has to understand that there is a small margin for error, that they have to bring it every game.

Further, this game exposed our weak bench. Bothwell has played well and is an offensive weapon. That’s all there is. Clark will not be a regular contributor on offense. Pugh was to be instant offense off the bench. Hasn’t happened.

Whether we get beat badly by Auburn or not, I hope we play well. I expect we will. If Jordan has an even average shooting night we beat So Fla. Trying not to read too much into one game.

You really think the FU bench was the problem in this game? How is Jaylon Pugh supposed to be "instant offense" if he is not on the court? He has only played in 6 of our 9 games. Last night he played 2 minutes. He is shooting .462 for the season with .500 from the 3 line. (5 of 10). Bothwell is playing great and Clark is a defensive specialist. How do we develop a bench if we don't play them? We are essentially playing with a 7 man rotation.
Last night's game was lost because our starting backcourt shot very poorly. Looks to me like these small guards are having trouble adjusting to the longer 3 point range.

I think both of you are right in your own ways. I'm disappointed in last night and the Alabama loss, but I still think this is a good team. After last season we were all worried how they would replace MR, but I at least was encouraged by CBR quotes and also the early-season play of the team. However, I think in big moments - like last night on the road at a bigger opponent - we still miss him greatly. We have guys that can put the ball in the hole, but we don't yet have a guy that you can give the ball in a bad moment and kill some of the opponent's momentum with a quick bucket. I think Lyons, Mounce, Gurley and Bothwell all have the ability to be this guy. I too am concerned about the bench. I just don't see a way to win the SoCon Tournament with 7 guys playing, especially when at least one isn't going to give you much on the offensive end. I'm also concerned about rebounding and about our 3-point shooting. The way they are playing now, I think this is a team that would finish in the top 3 or so in the league, but there is still potential to win the whole thing if some things change. I really think our core skill guys are as good as any in the SoCon.

[furpep]

Live by the 3, and die by the 3. We died last night. I think we did the same against Alabama but I have to go back and look at the game stats.

[CharlieFU]

We just had a big ‘ol piece of HUMBLE PIE with this So Fla game. Stated differently, we got a little big for our britches. The carelessness and seeming lack of focus suggests that is the case.

Our early season confidence, even swagger, may have contributed to this performance. The team has to understand that there is a small margin for error, that they have to bring it every game.

Further, this game exposed our weak bench. Bothwell has played well and is an offensive weapon. That’s all there is. Clark will not be a regular contributor on offense. Pugh was to be instant offense off the bench. Hasn’t happened.

Whether we get beat badly by Auburn or not, I hope we play well. I expect we will. If Jordan has an even average shooting night we beat So Fla. Trying not to read too much into one game.

You really think the FU bench was the problem in this game? How is Jaylon Pugh supposed to be "instant offense" if he is not on the court? He has only played in 6 of our 9 games. Last night he played 2 minutes. He is shooting .462 for the season with .500 from the 3 line. (5 of 10). Bothwell is playing great and Clark is a defensive specialist. How do we develop a bench if we don't play them? We are essentially playing with a 7 man rotation.
Last night's game was lost because our starting backcourt shot very poorly. Looks to me like these small guards are having trouble adjusting to the longer 3 point range.

Having more weapons would have helped perhaps. My comment was directed in part to pre season expectations. What was expected (Pugh contributing) has not happened. that's all. I agree Clark and Bothwell are contributing--i just hoped we had a litte more help coming off bench---and this game, to me, revealed the difficulty when our two guards shoot poorly. (2-13 from 3.) By the way, Mounce was uncharacteristically off, going 1-6 from 3. That aint gonna happen very often.

[purplehorse]

I would have thought the surge in our play and improvement in our record and PR over the last few years would have helped our recruiting. Maybe not. Similar to football. Wish a few more “Ingle Martin’s” would come to Furman and get a great education.

[fufanatic]

I would have thought the surge in our play and improvement in our record and PR over the last few years would have helped our recruiting. Maybe not. Similar to football. Wish a few more “Ingle Martin’s” would come to Furman and get a great education.

At the end of the day, we still haven't made an NCAA Tourney in nearly 40 years. We've taken several giant leaps forward from one of the worst teams in D1 to an average team to a top 20 mid-major team. If we can cross that off our list of program goals, I think the recruiting will continue to be outstanding. Getting our version of a once in a program talent like Steph Curry would help as well ...

[Jasper]

There is no question that this is a good team and that last night was not indicative of their ability. With the exception of Gurley, we shot the ball horribly and didn't light up the boards either. Those who think there is usually a correlation between recruiting and a team's current success are correct. Last year's team had a lot of gaps left from graduation and that gave some true and redshirt freshman the chance to get some significant PT. I refer to Gurley, Slawson and Bothwell. All 3 are now core players. Last year, CBR used a 9 or 10 man rotation. This year he is using a 7 man rotation. How are the freshmen and sophomores on this team going to develop w/o some playing time? Coach obviously does not feel they are ready and he is in the best position to evaluate that. Charlie FU very correctly says that we were expecting Jalon Pugh to provide instant offense. Where did we get that from? Anyone can see that this kid has a sweet stroke but we don't know if that translates into in-game scoring ability as yet. When your starting guards are having a bad off night, why not play Pugh more than 2 minutes? If we cant expand the rotation, we are going to have some very tired players by season's end.

[CharlieFU]

I would have thought the surge in our play and improvement in our record and PR over the last few years would have helped our recruiting. Maybe not. Similar to football. Wish a few more “Ingle Martin’s” would come to Furman and get a great education.
[/quote

I think we will find the recruiting has been good. To be able to redshirt 2 players this year is HUGE for our future.

[gman]

Live by the 3, and die by the 3. We died last night. I think we did the same against Alabama but I have to go back and look at the game stats.

Our 3 point shooting was bad, but more disappointing was missing at least 5 easy layups. On at least 4 of those, USF rebounded, move the ball quickly downcourt, and hit three's. Everyone of those were killers for any momentum that we had.

[Paul C]

I would have thought the surge in our play and improvement in our record and PR over the last few years would have helped our recruiting. Maybe not. Similar to football. Wish a few more “Ingle Martin’s” would come to Furman and get a great education.

Hmmmm

Our top 9 players (by min played)

Sr - Lyons
Jr - Mounce, Hunter, Clark
So - Gurley, Slawson, Bothwell, Pugh
Fr - Beeker (with Lawrence and Foster red-shirting)

[CharlieFU]

Live by the 3, and die by the 3. We died last night. I think we did the same against Alabama but I have to go back and look at the game stats.

I do grow weary of people describing our team this way—“live by the 3, die by the 3.” Mostly living! Won 7 games with our current style of play. If people don’t like it, they need to find a different coach!

If you are thinking we need a big guy in the post, to push people around and get rebounds, then you will be sorely disappointed. That’s not what we do. The big guys we do recruit, Beeker and the red shirt kid, have to be able to shoot, pass and run the floor.

I agree we need to take good shots. Some of our 3’s are not the best. Then again we also missed half a dozen lay ups in So Fla game. Mounce had two straight wide open 3’s and missed both. Absolutely great shots and ones the coach wants him to take.

We are at our best when we can go inside out. To Gurley who now often gets double teamed, who kicks it out to ANY of the other 4 players, who can then step into the 3 point shot. That’s our game. And it’s darn fun to watch!

Keep shooting Dins!

[Paul C]

Last year's team had a lot of gaps left from graduation and that gave some true and redshirt freshman the chance to get some significant PT. I refer to Gurley, Slawson and Bothwell. All 3 are now core players.

We lose 1 player this year, Lyons. Bothwell slides into that spot.

no issues with depth as Lawrence adds depth at stretch 4 and Marcus Foster at the wing.

And Joe Anderson (the incoming PG) could earn significant minutes as a true Fr backing up Alex and keeping him fresh.

FWIW, next year is THE year, kids....