Wow. I think I'm going to keep this one short, because I can see you all have discussed this plenty already. I agree with what Will Wade said after the game: This was like a one-in-500 comeback/collapse. Maybe more rare. Especially given the level to which Missouri's defense dominated LSU's offense for much of the game. So you all certainly have a right to be upset.
I will say this, though: I don't think you can put all the blame on the officials. They were not good tonight. But they were consistently bad both ways. I know two of the calls against Missouri came in critical situations, and I thought the call against Suggs was incorrect, but I don't buy that Mizzou got totally screwed by the refs. For one thing, Jeremiah Tilmon played 35 minutes. If the refs are looking to screw Mizzou, that would have been the easiest way to do it. For another, this game absolutely never should have gotten close enough for those last two foul calls in regulation to matter. Missouri absolutely folded when LSU turned on the full-court press. There are excuses — Mark Smith and Xavier Pinson weren't available — but this is clearly a recurring problem that has shown little sign of getting better. Jeremiah Tilmon basically said as much after the game. He said, "I feel like this always happens." The coach and players both deserve blame for that. (Also, as an aside, after what we saw from Missouri in two games this week, why would other teams not just press them every game, even if it's just for a few minutes?)
Bottom line: I'm certainly not saying "Fire Cuonzo." It's worth remembering that his team outplayed a top 25 team for 37 minutes without its second-best player. But he certainly deserves a share of the blame, and as he replaces Kim Anderson's players and the program becomes more his, this is an area where progress needs to be made. In the grand scheme, this doesn't really impact this season, but you all are justified in being upset for an evening, so have at it.
I will say this, though: I don't think you can put all the blame on the officials. They were not good tonight. But they were consistently bad both ways. I know two of the calls against Missouri came in critical situations, and I thought the call against Suggs was incorrect, but I don't buy that Mizzou got totally screwed by the refs. For one thing, Jeremiah Tilmon played 35 minutes. If the refs are looking to screw Mizzou, that would have been the easiest way to do it. For another, this game absolutely never should have gotten close enough for those last two foul calls in regulation to matter. Missouri absolutely folded when LSU turned on the full-court press. There are excuses — Mark Smith and Xavier Pinson weren't available — but this is clearly a recurring problem that has shown little sign of getting better. Jeremiah Tilmon basically said as much after the game. He said, "I feel like this always happens." The coach and players both deserve blame for that. (Also, as an aside, after what we saw from Missouri in two games this week, why would other teams not just press them every game, even if it's just for a few minutes?)
Bottom line: I'm certainly not saying "Fire Cuonzo." It's worth remembering that his team outplayed a top 25 team for 37 minutes without its second-best player. But he certainly deserves a share of the blame, and as he replaces Kim Anderson's players and the program becomes more his, this is an area where progress needs to be made. In the grand scheme, this doesn't really impact this season, but you all are justified in being upset for an evening, so have at it.
