-You figured Tolu Smith was going to be a handful for Missouri. And he has been. But where he's hurt them the most is at the free throw line. Not only has he drawn four fouls this game, he's only missed one free throw despite shooting 54.8% from there this season. They haven't let Kobe guard him much, which was probably the smart move.
-MSU's defense has been as-advertised. Pick and rolls alone aren't going to get it done for Mizzou. That's why you're seeing DeAndre Gholston and Isiaih Mosley have good games so far -- both players can create shots one-on-one. It's also why the team is struggling when those two are out.
-As for why Sean East started in place of Mosley today, my best guess is that because Mississippi State generates a bunch of steals, Gates wanted his best two ball-handlers out there. But I think giving up that size hurt them on defense -- East is -7 in six minutes. Both teams have been ok taking care of the ball.
-I don't quite understand how Mizzou goes from being a 48% shooting team from deep to being a 10% shooting team. There has to be a middle ground. If two of their misses were makes (aka shooting 30%), this is a tie game.
-Not sure why Aidan Shaw hasn't played, but I thought Mabor Majak looked solid while he was out there!
-MSU's defense has been as-advertised. Pick and rolls alone aren't going to get it done for Mizzou. That's why you're seeing DeAndre Gholston and Isiaih Mosley have good games so far -- both players can create shots one-on-one. It's also why the team is struggling when those two are out.
-As for why Sean East started in place of Mosley today, my best guess is that because Mississippi State generates a bunch of steals, Gates wanted his best two ball-handlers out there. But I think giving up that size hurt them on defense -- East is -7 in six minutes. Both teams have been ok taking care of the ball.
-I don't quite understand how Mizzou goes from being a 48% shooting team from deep to being a 10% shooting team. There has to be a middle ground. If two of their misses were makes (aka shooting 30%), this is a tie game.
-Not sure why Aidan Shaw hasn't played, but I thought Mabor Majak looked solid while he was out there!
