This isn't one most will probably have much interest in reading, and frankly, I don't love writing. But we're fortunate in this point in time to get games, so we should talk about them when they happen.
1. Tennessee is good. Really good. We knew it coming in if you were paying attention, we know it now no matter. The Vols reminded me quite a bit of...Tennessee...the last few years we've played them. There's not a guy you look at and say "we can't let that dude beat us." This was not Illinois (who is very good in their own right). Tennessee is a balanced group. By my count they had 9 enter the scoring column. 5 had between 9 and 15 points with that group combining for 22-39 from the floor. That's tremendous balance even in a night when the score wasn't getting up in the 80's or 90's. Their team defense is also impressive. Pre-season, I tabbed them favorites. Two days ago, again, said they were the group that every other team would be measured by in conference. My opinion on them remains unchanged.
2. I think Mizzou is good as well. Tonight they were not. 6 games isn't a large sample, but the competition they faced in those games is representative of what you would see in a non-conference (sans the blood donors). There are going to be people who point to this game and say, "see, Mizzou really isn't that good." And you know what, maybe they're right. There's more evidence that suggests that's inaccurate than there is that suggests its on point thus far, but 18+ games remain that will tell the tale. And make no mistake, this was an absolute beatdown.
3. On to the game. I think the most disappointing result in this game was that Mizzou lost their composure. No, they weren't bitching out officials, taking cheap shots etc. Mizzou didn't "quit." But they lost their heads nonetheless. I think early on at the start, Tennessee executed, Mizzou did not, and the snowball started. First possession of the game was a turnover that led to a transition three. Dru scored quickly to counter. At that point, nothing went right for the next 7-10 minutes. In their next 21 possessions, Mizzou turned it over 3 times and took 13 contested shots, making 2 (and going 2-3 at the line on fouls). Meanwhile, their defense was solid in contesting shots, but not good at preventing shots that Tennessee wanted. Elbow mid range jumpers and three 3's, of which I believe Tennessee missed one. Great defense doesn't allow the opposition to get those shots. To the Tigers credit, they clawed back and but for some untimely free throw misses and inability to secure defensive rebounds, should've been within 2-3 possessions at half. But they weren't.
4. Then, the composure completely dissipated. In the first 15 possessions of the second half, Mizzou turned the ball over 9 times. NINE. Mizzou was actually 3-6 (and 2-2 from the line) on their 6 field goal attempts out of the half. But it mattered not. Offensive fouls, double dribbles, bad passes, things I didn't even see because it happened before the camera panned. It was at that point that Mizzou transitioned from the "no shot" possessions to the "forced shot" possessions. Over the next 10 trips, they cut the turnovers to two, but attempted 1 shot at the rim. It was at that point Martin treated it like it probably should be, an opportunity to get the bench guys minutes.
5. The numbers. 70 possessions were played.
3 Pt
Mizzou: 3-16
Tennessee: 5-7
2 Pt
Mizzou: 13-28
Tennessee: 22-47
FT
Mizzou: 20-30
Tennessee: 14-24
TO
Mizzou: 21
Tennessee: 14
O Reb%
Mizzou: 23.5%
Tennessee: 28.6%
There isn't a category that Mizzou performed well in. They effectively shot the same percentage from 2, attempting 19 less shots. Tennessee shot 10 more shots total (effectively 7 if you weigh the free throws). The turnover numbers for Mizzou are ghastly (including 7 in 9 consecutive possessions in the 2nd half). Mizzou did get to the line pretty well, though making 66% is a disappointment for this group.
6. I'm convinced the officials are paid per whistle. There isn't a soul that needed those whistles at the end. The game was decided, the spread was intact and the total fell short by 8 even WITH the unnecessary calls. Just let Tennessee catch their charter and give us a few extra minutes to mope.
7. Let's do a "reverse MVP." To win an ordinary game, Mizzou needs 2 of the "big 4" to perform. To win against a tough team, you need 3. Let's look at what our primary guys did tonight...
Dru: 6 pts - 3 reb - 2 ast -- 3 stl -- 5 TO
Tilmon: 9 pts - 4 reb - 2 TO
Mark: 6 pts - 1 reb - 3 TO
XP: 11 pts - 0 reb - 0 ast - 0 stl - 2 TO
32 points and 12 turnovers. That's not gonna cut it.
8. Where do we go from here? That's the million dollar question. We've heard how this team has been through the shit (they have) and know how to bounce back when things get tough (the had until tonight). They play an Arkansas team who's going to be hunting for a big win this saturday. If you didn't notice, the Hawgs beat Auburn in Alabama tonight in a game reminiscent of an NBA all-star game. You could make a pretty strong case that 2 of Mizzou's toughest 5 games in league play come straight out of the gate, at least in terms of quality + location. A bounce back win would erase a lot of the doubts from tonight. Another loss? With a trip to Starkville next, where every Mizzou team manages to play like shit? That doubt that may be creeping in will be out in full force.
The body of work thus far has been strong. If their composure goes the same direction it did tonight, that can change in a heart beat.
1. Tennessee is good. Really good. We knew it coming in if you were paying attention, we know it now no matter. The Vols reminded me quite a bit of...Tennessee...the last few years we've played them. There's not a guy you look at and say "we can't let that dude beat us." This was not Illinois (who is very good in their own right). Tennessee is a balanced group. By my count they had 9 enter the scoring column. 5 had between 9 and 15 points with that group combining for 22-39 from the floor. That's tremendous balance even in a night when the score wasn't getting up in the 80's or 90's. Their team defense is also impressive. Pre-season, I tabbed them favorites. Two days ago, again, said they were the group that every other team would be measured by in conference. My opinion on them remains unchanged.
2. I think Mizzou is good as well. Tonight they were not. 6 games isn't a large sample, but the competition they faced in those games is representative of what you would see in a non-conference (sans the blood donors). There are going to be people who point to this game and say, "see, Mizzou really isn't that good." And you know what, maybe they're right. There's more evidence that suggests that's inaccurate than there is that suggests its on point thus far, but 18+ games remain that will tell the tale. And make no mistake, this was an absolute beatdown.
3. On to the game. I think the most disappointing result in this game was that Mizzou lost their composure. No, they weren't bitching out officials, taking cheap shots etc. Mizzou didn't "quit." But they lost their heads nonetheless. I think early on at the start, Tennessee executed, Mizzou did not, and the snowball started. First possession of the game was a turnover that led to a transition three. Dru scored quickly to counter. At that point, nothing went right for the next 7-10 minutes. In their next 21 possessions, Mizzou turned it over 3 times and took 13 contested shots, making 2 (and going 2-3 at the line on fouls). Meanwhile, their defense was solid in contesting shots, but not good at preventing shots that Tennessee wanted. Elbow mid range jumpers and three 3's, of which I believe Tennessee missed one. Great defense doesn't allow the opposition to get those shots. To the Tigers credit, they clawed back and but for some untimely free throw misses and inability to secure defensive rebounds, should've been within 2-3 possessions at half. But they weren't.
4. Then, the composure completely dissipated. In the first 15 possessions of the second half, Mizzou turned the ball over 9 times. NINE. Mizzou was actually 3-6 (and 2-2 from the line) on their 6 field goal attempts out of the half. But it mattered not. Offensive fouls, double dribbles, bad passes, things I didn't even see because it happened before the camera panned. It was at that point that Mizzou transitioned from the "no shot" possessions to the "forced shot" possessions. Over the next 10 trips, they cut the turnovers to two, but attempted 1 shot at the rim. It was at that point Martin treated it like it probably should be, an opportunity to get the bench guys minutes.
5. The numbers. 70 possessions were played.
3 Pt
Mizzou: 3-16
Tennessee: 5-7
2 Pt
Mizzou: 13-28
Tennessee: 22-47
FT
Mizzou: 20-30
Tennessee: 14-24
TO
Mizzou: 21
Tennessee: 14
O Reb%
Mizzou: 23.5%
Tennessee: 28.6%
There isn't a category that Mizzou performed well in. They effectively shot the same percentage from 2, attempting 19 less shots. Tennessee shot 10 more shots total (effectively 7 if you weigh the free throws). The turnover numbers for Mizzou are ghastly (including 7 in 9 consecutive possessions in the 2nd half). Mizzou did get to the line pretty well, though making 66% is a disappointment for this group.
6. I'm convinced the officials are paid per whistle. There isn't a soul that needed those whistles at the end. The game was decided, the spread was intact and the total fell short by 8 even WITH the unnecessary calls. Just let Tennessee catch their charter and give us a few extra minutes to mope.
7. Let's do a "reverse MVP." To win an ordinary game, Mizzou needs 2 of the "big 4" to perform. To win against a tough team, you need 3. Let's look at what our primary guys did tonight...
Dru: 6 pts - 3 reb - 2 ast -- 3 stl -- 5 TO
Tilmon: 9 pts - 4 reb - 2 TO
Mark: 6 pts - 1 reb - 3 TO
XP: 11 pts - 0 reb - 0 ast - 0 stl - 2 TO
32 points and 12 turnovers. That's not gonna cut it.
8. Where do we go from here? That's the million dollar question. We've heard how this team has been through the shit (they have) and know how to bounce back when things get tough (the had until tonight). They play an Arkansas team who's going to be hunting for a big win this saturday. If you didn't notice, the Hawgs beat Auburn in Alabama tonight in a game reminiscent of an NBA all-star game. You could make a pretty strong case that 2 of Mizzou's toughest 5 games in league play come straight out of the gate, at least in terms of quality + location. A bounce back win would erase a lot of the doubts from tonight. Another loss? With a trip to Starkville next, where every Mizzou team manages to play like shit? That doubt that may be creeping in will be out in full force.
The body of work thus far has been strong. If their composure goes the same direction it did tonight, that can change in a heart beat.
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