I'm not gonna take too much out of this game. UAPB was overmatched and Mizzou did what it should have done, at least for about the first 35 minutes. A 15-2 run late turned a 30-point win into a 22-point win. That's not the type of thing that makes me lose any sleep.
*Jesus Carralero Martin had four assists in ten minutes in the first half and then didn't play at all in the second half. He showed off elite passing ability and he expends maximum energy when he's out there.
*The main reason Jesus sat the second half was the play of Aidan Shaw. Shaw had a career-high nine rebounds. Dennis Gates has hounded him all offseason. "He knows if he don't rebound, he don't play." He did tonight and played with his usual energy.
*Tamar Bates is going to be my favorite player on this team. He made all three of his three-point attempts and he was just very smooth all night. Gates shouted out his dunk and told Bates "That was cold." I think 18 points on nine shots in 23 minutes will play.
*Bates wasn't even the most efficient player on the team. Sean East II had 21 points on seven field goal attempts (he made six) in 21 minutes. He played only 21 minutes because he fouled out. If you want a negative, that was it. WAY too many fouls and free points. A lot of them were earned, but I could have handled a lot less from the refs tonight.
*Gates has said for a year he wants Nick Honor to shoot more. Honor finally listened. He took 14 shots, including 10 threes. That might be too much for some, but Gates said he wants him shooting that much and he did make 40% of his threes, as did the team.
*Anthony Robinson is going to play a lot more than people thought. If East or Honor needs a break, Robinson is going to take a lot of those minutes.
*Trent Pierce will have his nights. This wasn't one of them, but I've heard too many good things to think he won't play a lot of minutes for this team.
*The depth is what stands out. Noah Carter didn't have to try to take over (he made 7 of 12 shots, which you'll take every night). Connor Vanover and John Tonje didn't even play. Gates said he wanted to get Mabor Majak minutes, but couldn't because other guys were playing well. I don't think this is going to regularly be a 12 man rotation, but I think you'll see a lot of nights were 10-12 guys see the floor.
*Last year, Missouri started 9-0, but beat Southern Indiana by 9, Penn by 7 and SEMO by 7. They beat UAPB by 22. That's better. Earlier this morning I put in a prediction for 23 wins and the NCAA Tournament. I didn't see anything to change my mind tonight. Friday will be more educational.
My column
Post-game video
Drew's instant reaction
More to come tonight and tomorrow.
*Jesus Carralero Martin had four assists in ten minutes in the first half and then didn't play at all in the second half. He showed off elite passing ability and he expends maximum energy when he's out there.
*The main reason Jesus sat the second half was the play of Aidan Shaw. Shaw had a career-high nine rebounds. Dennis Gates has hounded him all offseason. "He knows if he don't rebound, he don't play." He did tonight and played with his usual energy.
*Tamar Bates is going to be my favorite player on this team. He made all three of his three-point attempts and he was just very smooth all night. Gates shouted out his dunk and told Bates "That was cold." I think 18 points on nine shots in 23 minutes will play.
*Bates wasn't even the most efficient player on the team. Sean East II had 21 points on seven field goal attempts (he made six) in 21 minutes. He played only 21 minutes because he fouled out. If you want a negative, that was it. WAY too many fouls and free points. A lot of them were earned, but I could have handled a lot less from the refs tonight.
*Gates has said for a year he wants Nick Honor to shoot more. Honor finally listened. He took 14 shots, including 10 threes. That might be too much for some, but Gates said he wants him shooting that much and he did make 40% of his threes, as did the team.
*Anthony Robinson is going to play a lot more than people thought. If East or Honor needs a break, Robinson is going to take a lot of those minutes.
*Trent Pierce will have his nights. This wasn't one of them, but I've heard too many good things to think he won't play a lot of minutes for this team.
*The depth is what stands out. Noah Carter didn't have to try to take over (he made 7 of 12 shots, which you'll take every night). Connor Vanover and John Tonje didn't even play. Gates said he wanted to get Mabor Majak minutes, but couldn't because other guys were playing well. I don't think this is going to regularly be a 12 man rotation, but I think you'll see a lot of nights were 10-12 guys see the floor.
*Last year, Missouri started 9-0, but beat Southern Indiana by 9, Penn by 7 and SEMO by 7. They beat UAPB by 22. That's better. Earlier this morning I put in a prediction for 23 wins and the NCAA Tournament. I didn't see anything to change my mind tonight. Friday will be more educational.
My column
Post-game video
Drew's instant reaction
More to come tonight and tomorrow.
