[LUDad]

That was really crappy at the end throwing it down when everyone had called off the dogs.

[Liberty22]

Got to wonder will we ever get over the hump and actually win these games. I know we beat Miss St in the tourney, but so far that’s been an aberration. We always struggle against legit competition. I’ll take what we have now over the layer years for sure but it sure would be nice to be an actual powerhouse, flirting with top 25 in basketball someday.

[LU Grad 11]

No moral victory in my opinion. Sure, we looked good at points but we can't keep letting pressure destroy us.

We ended up losing by 16, when we looked better than the opponent most of the night. It's a recurring problem we need to fix.

Agreed. We're at the point in our program where losing by 16 shouldn't bring any moral victories. Liked when Freeze quipped "no moral victories" after the Ole Miss loss.

[ATrain]

A ton of turnovers tonight. LSU won it with their press defense.

[jmclaughlin]

Pump the breaks folks
We have a lot to be pumped about for where we are and where we should be. We are way ahead of the talent curve and just saw 2 true freshman have takeover moments against a top 4 SEC team. Vanzant on D and Peeples on O. That 3 minute stretch at the end of the half, Vanzant had 3 strait Defensive interruptions that changed the entire flow. The 3 triples by Peebles in the corner were huge too. Confidence builders

[ballcoach15]

We had 22 turnovers, ball game.

[stokesjokes]

We need Abii to come along. Still wondering what happened to him after the first few games last year.

The future looks bright with this team, though. Our younger guys are better athletes with higher ceilings. We’re really building a good program.

[LUOrange]

Lack of a floor leader, turnovers (obviously), and poor free throw shooting (for 2 games in a row now) were the biggest issues tonight. We, also can't take too much away from LSU either, cause they're LSU. Fortunately, McKay, time, and experience will get most of this fixed up. I'm sure we'd have done a little better had this been game 4 or 5 when McKay has a better idea on his rotation vs games 2. We still looked good considering, even though the loss was disappointing as it felt like the Ole Miss football loss. One we should've/could've had.

[Kricket]

Pump the breaks folks
We have a lot to be pumped about for where we are and where we should be. We are way ahead of the talent curve and just saw 2 true freshman have takeover moments against a top 4 SEC team. Vanzant on D and Peeples on O. That 3 minute stretch at the end of the half, Vanzant had 3 strait Defensive interruptions that changed the entire flow. The 3 triples by Peebles in the corner where huge too. Confidence builders

McKay is talking about playing for championships (and not just A-Sun championships). We shouldn't be happy losing by 16 to SEC teams and I know McKay isn't.

Of course it's a good learning experience for the young guys. There were some good things like any game. The team looked really good for an A-Sun team. McGhee and the freshmen played well.

I guess I'm starting to view games like this as closer to 50 50 games. I know others don't, but even Vegas had us as a 7.5 point dog. They thought we were better than that implosion at the end. Our fans, players, and coaches should all expect better and I believe they do (outside of maybe a few fans).

[JK37]

Dobbs was a killer. But he didn’t cause the L. LU overcame the bad start he causes to the second half. And it was already getting out of hand when he returned late.

That said, he was brutally bad. Film will be rough for that kid!

Peebles/Venzant vs. Dobbs is moot to me. I would not want to see them all on the floor together - too much youth - but they play different spots. So the comments about more Peebles/Venzant and less Dobbs is apples and oranges. The decision whether to play Peebles/Venzant more has nothing to do with Dobbs. Except it shouldn’t be all of them at once.

Peebles had some flashes, then showed us he is a freshman. Tried to make some dribble moves when he was feeling himself that humbled him (I hope) quickly.

Pressure and length bothered LU. Became glaring midway through second that only McGhee was cool handling vs. LSU pressure. I know why McKay uses Dobbs. But he was woefully overmatched tonight.

Days is legit. We had no answer for his pop. Take solace: there is no player in the ASUN like that kid.

Will Wade seems like a punk. Don’t know him, just comes across ill watching how he works officials and manages staff on sideline. Maybe I’m wrong.

Efton would’ve looked really nice in red tonight.

[stokesjokes]

Notice that Rode was our press-break ball-handler. We need Peebles or eventually DJ Moore to be confident ball-handlers.

[olldflame]

Pump the breaks folks
We have a lot to be pumped about for where we are and where we should be. We are way ahead of the talent curve and just saw 2 true freshman have takeover moments against a top 4 SEC team. Vanzant on D and Peeples on O. That 3 minute stretch at the end of the half, Vanzant had 3 strait Defensive interruptions that changed the entire flow. The 3 triples by Peebles in the corner where huge too. Confidence builders

McKay is talking about playing for championships (and not just A-Sun championships). We shouldn't be happy losing by 16 to SEC teams and I know McKay isn't.

Of course it's a good learning experience for the young guys. There were some good things like any game. The team looked really good for an A-Sun team. McGhee and the freshmen played well.

I guess I'm starting to view games like this as closer to 50 50 games. I know others don't, but even Vegas had us as a 7.5 point dog. They thought we were better than that implosion at the end. Our fans, players, and coaches should all expect better and I believe they do (outside of maybe a few fans).

Trying to find any reference in this thread to being "happy" with this outcome and coming up empty. Personally..........

Not happy with 21 turnovers
Not happy with the semi-collapse at the end. While we struggled offensively all night, we were really holding our own defensively til then. Mckay's teams almost always play the full 40.
Not happy with 31% from 3 (including 2-11 by Darius), but on the road, you should not depend on shooting.

Someone else used the term "moral victory". Again, I see no indication that anyone on this board thinks this game was that.

There is a difference between trying to maintain a positive outlook and pointing out some of the bright spots in the game and being "happy" with it. Make no mistake, this was a disappointing outcome.

[Cider Jim]

Got to wonder will we ever get over the hump and actually win these games.

We have UCLA on line 1, and Bill Walton on line 2.

[paradox]

You learn a lot when you go up against the higher competition.....especially when the game is play at their place.

McGhee was getting barraged, especially early on, but it became necessary for him to force shots, because guys couldn't finish in the paint. Too many missed lay-ins and blocks close to the basket. When you go against bigger, stronger, faster competition, you have to use more deception in your game....jabs, pump fakes, jump stop, etc. It's up to each individual to commit to getting better by challenging themselves against better competition in order to improve their skills. Otherwise, you look overmatched and nervous. And we saw some of that last night.

There was one big positive that came as advertised IMO. And another that showed signs and appears to be promising. Both look solid going forward.

[stokesjokes]

Peebles definitely looked crafty around the rim. He just needs confidence and to adjust to college-level bigs. He and McGhee will give us dribble penetration. There are times when Preston shows soft touch around the rim, he should also be able to muscle through bigs from mid and low-majors. Abii can score in the paint, I think if Robinson doesn’t break out of his slump, we’re going to see more and more of Abii. 2 games is a small sample and we’ve seen what Robinson can bring when he’s playing well, but he has not looked good so far. He and Dobbs are my way-too-early weak links.

[Kricket]

Pump the breaks folks
We have a lot to be pumped about for where we are and where we should be. We are way ahead of the talent curve and just saw 2 true freshman have takeover moments against a top 4 SEC team. Vanzant on D and Peeples on O. That 3 minute stretch at the end of the half, Vanzant had 3 strait Defensive interruptions that changed the entire flow. The 3 triples by Peebles in the corner where huge too. Confidence builders

McKay is talking about playing for championships (and not just A-Sun championships). We shouldn't be happy losing by 16 to SEC teams and I know McKay isn't.

Of course it's a good learning experience for the young guys. There were some good things like any game. The team looked really good for an A-Sun team. McGhee and the freshmen played well.

I guess I'm starting to view games like this as closer to 50 50 games. I know others don't, but even Vegas had us as a 7.5 point dog. They thought we were better than that implosion at the end. Our fans, players, and coaches should all expect better and I believe they do (outside of maybe a few fans).

Trying to find any reference in this thread to being "happy" with this outcome and coming up empty. Personally..........

Not happy with 21 turnovers
Not happy with the semi-collapse at the end. While we struggled offensively all night, we were really holding our own defensively til then. Mckay's teams almost always play the full 40.
Not happy with 31% from 3 (including 2-11 by Darius), but on the road, you should not depend on shooting.

Someone else used the term "moral victory". Again, I see no indication that anyone on this board thinks this game was that.

There is a difference between trying to maintain a positive outlook and pointing out some of the bright spots in the game and being "happy" with it. Make no mistake, this was a disappointing outcome.

Initially it was a general comment from me, and not really a response to anyone. But I would say the statement that we have "a lot to be pumped about" and "we are where we should be" indicates a general happiness with how the game went. If it doesn't it doesn't. Not sure it's really a big deal, but I didn't leave that game thinking we are where we should be.

[paradox]

We still had a lead with just under 5 minutes to go. LSU caught fire with their press, particularly on-ball pressure. This created chaos and enabled them to run on us. And they combined that with a bunch of late threes. That keep them in rhythm on both sides. Nice run in the final 4 minutes to finish the game for LSU.

[Cider Jim]

I feel like the +/- for Dobbs isn't very good tonight.

Maybe the box score doesn't tell the full story, but I don't understand the lack of love for Dobbs. He only had 2 turnovers against an SEC team. Rode (5), McDowell (3), Robinson (3), and McGhee (3) all had more turnovers than Dobbs.

[JK37]

If the box has Dobbs with 2 TO’s, then you are correct, the box score does not tell the whole story on Dobbs.

[stokesjokes]

I feel like the +/- for Dobbs isn't very good tonight.

Maybe the box score doesn't tell the full story, but I don't understand the lack of love for Dobbs. He only had 2 turnovers against an SEC team. Rode (5), McDowell (3), Robinson (3), and McGhee (3) all had more turnovers than Dobbs.

Rode, McDowell, Robinson, and McGhee all played 30+ minutes. Dobbs played 11. Made bad plays and got yanked.

[paradox]

....Venzant had 3 strait Defensive interruptions that changed the entire flow....the 3 triples by Peebles in the corner were huge too......confidence builders

This game was well within reach until the final 3 minutes. It's essentially our first real game. Fatigue may have or may have not been a factor? Who knows? There are both positive and negative takeaways. JVZ was disruptive on D and played with great energy and intensity.

Peebles is a another positive. He's money from three. Creates for himself and others. Two nice drive and dish plays to Robinson for 2 and a great feed off a drive to McDowell for 3. That drive and finish from the top was outstanding. Drives left, spins to his right, transitions left, splits two defenders, euro-step and finishes on the right. Impressive first game.

[Liberty22]

Got to wonder will we ever get over the hump and actually win these games.

We have UCLA on line 1, and Bill Walton on line 2.

As I stated in my original post, those seem to be an aberration. Should I post the win-loss record in P5 games? As I said before I love where our program is headed but I wonder if we’ll actually get over this hump or only continue to have one off wins against these opponents. I hope and think we will continue to get better. Looks like Peebles and Venzant are going to be studs. Hope the guys around them will be too! We shall see.

[jmclaughlin]

McKay is talking about playing for championships (and not just A-Sun championships). We shouldn't be happy losing by 16 to SEC teams and I know McKay isn't.

Of course it's a good learning experience for the young guys. There were some good things like any game. The team looked really good for an A-Sun team. McGhee and the freshmen played well.

I guess I'm starting to view games like this as closer to 50 50 games. I know others don't, but even Vegas had us as a 7.5 point dog. They thought we were better than that implosion at the end. Our fans, players, and coaches should all expect better and I believe they do (outside of maybe a few fans).

Trying to find any reference in this thread to being "happy" with this outcome and coming up empty. Personally..........

Not happy with 21 turnovers
Not happy with the semi-collapse at the end. While we struggled offensively all night, we were really holding our own defensively til then. Mckay's teams almost always play the full 40.
Not happy with 31% from 3 (including 2-11 by Darius), but on the road, you should not depend on shooting.

Someone else used the term "moral victory". Again, I see no indication that anyone on this board thinks this game was that.

There is a difference between trying to maintain a positive outlook and pointing out some of the bright spots in the game and being "happy" with it. Make no mistake, this was a disappointing outcome.

Initially it was a general comment from me, and not really a response to anyone. But I would say the statement that we have "a lot to be pumped about" and "we are where we should be" indicates a general happiness with how the game went. If it doesn't it doesn't. Not sure it's really a big deal, but I didn't leave that game thinking we are where we should be.

My Perspective is we lost Cuffee (winningest player in the history of the program) and a seasoned point guard. Both players were greatly missed. We replaced them with a 2nd year point guard and 2 true freshman. The trajectory of this team can’t be gauged in the first road game out of the gate. If you watched the game, the final score is not a reflection. We are building depth and culture. Others around the country (coaches) are seeing it and we shouldn’t lose perspective of the path we are on.

[Ill flame]

I think joining c-usa and having close to half the conference as top 150 teams instead of almost exclusively playing teams ranked in the 300s will go a long way towards a) recruiting better athletes and b) prepare us to play higher caliber teams in the postseason. Until that move happens we will continue to be the best low major team but never get over that hump.