Said before the game that this would be a barometer of how far we've come since last year under Kim Anderson. My thoughts - not far enough.
Woods - maybe improved from last year. Has no business starting over Nikko.
Geist - grateful we have a backup PG not named Isabelle.
Phillips - a freshman has the excuse of playing horrible (offensively and defensively) after a long game the day before. Those excuses don't work with Sophomores who have started 30+ games in their careers.
Puryear - same as above with Phillips. No excuse for his first half play. Got routinely gashed defensively in the post. Also needs to stop shooting threes.
Walton - really liked how he played today aside from an ill advised three. Much better defensively, rebounding, and attacking the bucket.
Van Leer - nice to see some threes falling. Not so nice to see the perimeter defense.
Hughes - there's just gonna be games like this where he can't hit anything. We knew it. What hurt the most was his poor defense.
Jackson - got abused in the post. Like his potential and he has some serious quick bounce, but needs to learn how to use his quickness defensively and offensively in the post.
Nikko - brightest spot of today. Serviceable this year with the potential to be above average in the future. I think that exceeds most of our expectations for him.
Smith - didn't notice if he played or not. Actually thought he matched up better in the post with Davidson's big stiffs than Jackson.
Overall, can't put lipstick on a pig. Playing Xavier tough and in OT is not an excuse for how Mizzou played the first 8 minutes today, nor is it an excuse for Mizzou not making it closer in the second half. Perimeter defense is a huge problem, and post defense outside of Nikko may be an even bigger problem.
KenPom has Davidson's offensive efficiency ranked 33, but defensively they're 205. Giving up 70 against them (Gibbs is a star) really is not that bad. However, scoring 55 points against that kind of defense and athleticism is pathetic.
And no, beating Tulane by 30 whenever we play next is not going to change my thoughts. We'll win all the ones we're supposed to win. Next test to see if this team does enough to keep Kim around will be Western Kentucky. That is a must win.
Woods - maybe improved from last year. Has no business starting over Nikko.
Geist - grateful we have a backup PG not named Isabelle.
Phillips - a freshman has the excuse of playing horrible (offensively and defensively) after a long game the day before. Those excuses don't work with Sophomores who have started 30+ games in their careers.
Puryear - same as above with Phillips. No excuse for his first half play. Got routinely gashed defensively in the post. Also needs to stop shooting threes.
Walton - really liked how he played today aside from an ill advised three. Much better defensively, rebounding, and attacking the bucket.
Van Leer - nice to see some threes falling. Not so nice to see the perimeter defense.
Hughes - there's just gonna be games like this where he can't hit anything. We knew it. What hurt the most was his poor defense.
Jackson - got abused in the post. Like his potential and he has some serious quick bounce, but needs to learn how to use his quickness defensively and offensively in the post.
Nikko - brightest spot of today. Serviceable this year with the potential to be above average in the future. I think that exceeds most of our expectations for him.
Smith - didn't notice if he played or not. Actually thought he matched up better in the post with Davidson's big stiffs than Jackson.
Overall, can't put lipstick on a pig. Playing Xavier tough and in OT is not an excuse for how Mizzou played the first 8 minutes today, nor is it an excuse for Mizzou not making it closer in the second half. Perimeter defense is a huge problem, and post defense outside of Nikko may be an even bigger problem.
KenPom has Davidson's offensive efficiency ranked 33, but defensively they're 205. Giving up 70 against them (Gibbs is a star) really is not that bad. However, scoring 55 points against that kind of defense and athleticism is pathetic.
And no, beating Tulane by 30 whenever we play next is not going to change my thoughts. We'll win all the ones we're supposed to win. Next test to see if this team does enough to keep Kim around will be Western Kentucky. That is a must win.
