Post game story and video are on the front and photo gallery will be up soon.
As far as this game goes, it was pretty awful. That effort will beat very few--if any--teams the rest of the way. But it's a long season and it's early and this team is missing its best player. You're going to have to win sometimes when you don't play well and it's good Mizzou managed to do that tonight. You don't want to flirt with disaster like this often, but at least they won.
I like Tilmon and Porter playing together. Jeremiah is a force out there (especially against a small team like this) and Jontay plays with so much energy. I questioned his motor watching him this summer. It isn't a concern.
Reed Nikko has given this team much more than I expected. He's a legitimate third big man option. You can't go to him for 25-30 minutes, but you can get 15 out of him and he can help.
Kassius Robertson hasn't shot the ball well, but eventually they'll start going down I think. Not that concerned there. If there's a worry right now, it's Jordan Barnett. He's just been flat out invisible the last two games. He's too athletic and talented for that to happen.
I'd turn point guard over to Blake Harris. Throw him out there and let him learn. Yes, you'll have some bumps, but he's the best point guard on the team. Go with him now in hopes that he's got it figured out in February. My starting five for the next game (barring MPJ being back) would be Harris, Robertson, Puryear, Porter and Tilmon. Bring Barnett off the bench.
Now, as far as Michael Porter Jr., I continue to hear everything I've been hearing from the people I trust the most. This isn't something that is viewed as season threatening. Frankly, I don't think it's something that's viewed as incredibly serious. The family is being super cautious and considering the kid's future you can understand that. You go see a specialist for one reason: To confirm or refute what diagnosis you have been given. So either he was given a bad diagnosis and wants to see if the second guy agrees or he was given a good diagnosis and wants the specialist to confirm it before he thinks he can play. It's my opinion it's the second.
Now the important part to me. We know he got on a plane today. So he can ride on a plane. Given that, I'd expect him to be in Orlando. If he isn't, I'd start to worry. If you can get on a plane to see a doctor, you can get on a plane to be with your team for five days. You don't necessarily have to play, but you do need to be there. Be a member of this team. Go to the Thanksgiving dinner. Support your guys, whether it's with your play or your actions. I wouldn't rule out that Michael could play in Orlando. But he needs to be there regardless. If not, to me, that's a red flag that could turn into a team chemistry issue. I don't think it's a problem yet, but he needs to be present if he's going to be a member of this team. I've been in enough locker rooms to know that at some point there will start to be some resentment if he isn't.
We won't be in Orlando, but obviously we'll be watching the games and will share some thoughts and such here. We will have the starting five preview every morning for you. If we get anything on Porter prior to Thursday, we'll let you know. I really don't know what to expect on that as of now.
As far as this game goes, it was pretty awful. That effort will beat very few--if any--teams the rest of the way. But it's a long season and it's early and this team is missing its best player. You're going to have to win sometimes when you don't play well and it's good Mizzou managed to do that tonight. You don't want to flirt with disaster like this often, but at least they won.
I like Tilmon and Porter playing together. Jeremiah is a force out there (especially against a small team like this) and Jontay plays with so much energy. I questioned his motor watching him this summer. It isn't a concern.
Reed Nikko has given this team much more than I expected. He's a legitimate third big man option. You can't go to him for 25-30 minutes, but you can get 15 out of him and he can help.
Kassius Robertson hasn't shot the ball well, but eventually they'll start going down I think. Not that concerned there. If there's a worry right now, it's Jordan Barnett. He's just been flat out invisible the last two games. He's too athletic and talented for that to happen.
I'd turn point guard over to Blake Harris. Throw him out there and let him learn. Yes, you'll have some bumps, but he's the best point guard on the team. Go with him now in hopes that he's got it figured out in February. My starting five for the next game (barring MPJ being back) would be Harris, Robertson, Puryear, Porter and Tilmon. Bring Barnett off the bench.
Now, as far as Michael Porter Jr., I continue to hear everything I've been hearing from the people I trust the most. This isn't something that is viewed as season threatening. Frankly, I don't think it's something that's viewed as incredibly serious. The family is being super cautious and considering the kid's future you can understand that. You go see a specialist for one reason: To confirm or refute what diagnosis you have been given. So either he was given a bad diagnosis and wants to see if the second guy agrees or he was given a good diagnosis and wants the specialist to confirm it before he thinks he can play. It's my opinion it's the second.
Now the important part to me. We know he got on a plane today. So he can ride on a plane. Given that, I'd expect him to be in Orlando. If he isn't, I'd start to worry. If you can get on a plane to see a doctor, you can get on a plane to be with your team for five days. You don't necessarily have to play, but you do need to be there. Be a member of this team. Go to the Thanksgiving dinner. Support your guys, whether it's with your play or your actions. I wouldn't rule out that Michael could play in Orlando. But he needs to be there regardless. If not, to me, that's a red flag that could turn into a team chemistry issue. I don't think it's a problem yet, but he needs to be present if he's going to be a member of this team. I've been in enough locker rooms to know that at some point there will start to be some resentment if he isn't.
We won't be in Orlando, but obviously we'll be watching the games and will share some thoughts and such here. We will have the starting five preview every morning for you. If we get anything on Porter prior to Thursday, we'll let you know. I really don't know what to expect on that as of now.
