I've noted this in a couple threads but wanted to put it out there for discussion on its own. I will start by being COMPLETELY CLEAR that I do not post this as an excuse for the team. I will also go ahead and get it out of the way that I think it's a total failure on Cuonzo's part that there's nobody better to take over with Tilmon out, but we all know his recruiting has been pretty poor. Now, on to my point...
While the direct impact of Tilmon's absence as Mizzou's best player and only impact big man is obvious in statistical and strategic ways, one other aspect is the ripple effect I believe it creates mentally. This team has been good for much of the season thanks to experience and continuity - all the guys playing major minutes have been in the program for years. Like with most teams, they spend a ton of time together and are close to each other, like brothers. I was thinking earlier about some of my closest friends, and they'd be significantly impacted if certain loved ones in my life died. I imagine that likely rings true for teammates to some degree as well.
We know Tilmon and the team found out about his loved one dying before the Ole Miss game. Despite being physically there, it was abundantly clear Tilmon wasn't mentally. And he wasn't the only one. Pinson looked like he'd rather have been anywhere else, and most of the guys not named Dru Smith were just horrible off. Could it have just been an absolutely horrible game by the Tigers and a fantastic game by Ole Miss? Of course. I can't help but think the news Tilmon received took not only him, but others, out of the game mentally as well. Especially Pinson, who is particularly close with Tilmon, and also happens to be one of the team's other top players. We know as Tilmon and Pinson go, so does the team.
I do believe it's the coach's job to get the guys to play through that, so again this is not an excuse and I'm not giving Cuonzo a pass by any means. But Pinson in particular has continued to look like he doesn't even want to be there in the last two losses as well. His game is just completely off without Tilmon, and it's more than just him not having Tilmon's skills inside to help IMO.
Anybody else notice this at all? Maybe I'm just being overly empathetic and sad about Mizzou's downturn lately. I think all of us hope Tilmon comes back ASAP, the team gets back to its winning ways (though flawed and even ugly at times), and finishes the season strong.
While the direct impact of Tilmon's absence as Mizzou's best player and only impact big man is obvious in statistical and strategic ways, one other aspect is the ripple effect I believe it creates mentally. This team has been good for much of the season thanks to experience and continuity - all the guys playing major minutes have been in the program for years. Like with most teams, they spend a ton of time together and are close to each other, like brothers. I was thinking earlier about some of my closest friends, and they'd be significantly impacted if certain loved ones in my life died. I imagine that likely rings true for teammates to some degree as well.
We know Tilmon and the team found out about his loved one dying before the Ole Miss game. Despite being physically there, it was abundantly clear Tilmon wasn't mentally. And he wasn't the only one. Pinson looked like he'd rather have been anywhere else, and most of the guys not named Dru Smith were just horrible off. Could it have just been an absolutely horrible game by the Tigers and a fantastic game by Ole Miss? Of course. I can't help but think the news Tilmon received took not only him, but others, out of the game mentally as well. Especially Pinson, who is particularly close with Tilmon, and also happens to be one of the team's other top players. We know as Tilmon and Pinson go, so does the team.
I do believe it's the coach's job to get the guys to play through that, so again this is not an excuse and I'm not giving Cuonzo a pass by any means. But Pinson in particular has continued to look like he doesn't even want to be there in the last two losses as well. His game is just completely off without Tilmon, and it's more than just him not having Tilmon's skills inside to help IMO.
Anybody else notice this at all? Maybe I'm just being overly empathetic and sad about Mizzou's downturn lately. I think all of us hope Tilmon comes back ASAP, the team gets back to its winning ways (though flawed and even ugly at times), and finishes the season strong.
