Louisiana vs. Georgia game thread...

[VObserver]

Completely agree. This was an even game outside of the first few minutes when we couldn't throw it in the ocean. A neutral court and neutral officials would have helped too.

I think our lack of size in the front court was the difference, something that has concerned me since the preseason. We will struggle with teams that have good bigs.

I loved the effort the team showed in getting back in the game, cutting the lead to 2, but you could see that the energy had been pretty much used up to get to that point and Georgia immediately went on a 7-0 run and that was that.

Our starting bigs had 25 points and 22 rebounds. Their bigs had 27 points and 28 rebounds. Our bigs didn't lose it for us. Our guards did. Bartley crashed the boards [11] but aside from those three guys, the rest of the team got 5 rebounds. That and continuing to force to the rim instead of taking 8' jump shots or kicking the ball out is what killed us.

[Boomer]

Our starting bigs had 25 points and 22 rebounds. Their bigs had 27 points and 28 rebounds. Our bigs didn't lose it for us. Our guards did. Bartley crashed the boards [11] but aside from those three guys, the rest of the team got 5 rebounds. That and continuing to force to the rim instead of taking 8' jump shots or kicking the ball out is what killed us.

---VOB--when Skye went to Loyola , I told her if she drove and had a big with her or got a rebound with a Big in front---kick the damn thing outside---best she could get was a foul that probably would never be called with the height differential and there were many bad things that could happen---so many times she kicked it out to our great outside shooter for 3 who had excellent looks!! As I watched last night, I could almost tell the driving results or rebounds in a crowd!!! Also intimidation causes the easiest shots to be misses!!!

[sportsfanatic21]

Our starting bigs had 25 points and 22 rebounds. Their bigs had 27 points and 28 rebounds. Our bigs didn't lose it for us. Our guards did. Bartley crashed the boards [11] but aside from those three guys, the rest of the team got 5 rebounds. That and continuing to force to the rim instead of taking 8' jump shots or kicking the ball out is what killed us.

Yes the stats for the bigs of both teams were similar. The difference was their guys blocking shots and altering others on the inside. I should have been more clear in my first statement. Our guys rebounded well against them, but we don't have anything close to the shot blocking, inside intimidation factor that their bigs had.

That said, I like this team and their chances to have a really good year. We won't be playing P5 front courts much.

[zephyr]

Exactly Georgia was better, not simply because they were bigger and more athletic, they were just better..as we saw against tech...bigger and more athletic doesn't make you better. Our freshman kept it from being a blowout, very encouraging.

For you to suggest that I was stating that they were better because they were bigger and more athletic shows you don't pay attention very well. I never mentioned that, however, I did suggest much earlier that we were going to struggle with bigger more athletic teams due to our lack of front court depth and size. Open your eyes.

[zephyr]

Stalcup is NOT a quality D1 player.....nope, no way.

I've sat down and watched him exclusively to see what our staff might've saw in him. When he signed two years ago, they said he'd make an immediate impact on the boards and defensively. He looks lost out there. He almost reminds me of Bambi, not really agile on his feet, tends to overthink, which ultimately puts him out of position. He has a C+ baby hook, but his overall offensive game is an F. Sorry but we whiffed on this one.

They saw 6"11. We are void of really any size and this guy probably did well wherever he was and you can't teach that size that is tough to get for a school on our level. I think he can contribute. He won't be a cornerstone of our success but I think he can contribute with rebounding and defense. Sometimes it just takes getting a guy some time where he can develop some confidence. That can make all the difference you need to get a guy going.

[zephyr]

Yes the stats for the bigs of both teams were similar. The difference was their guys blocking shots and altering others on the inside. I should have been more clear in my first statement. Our guys rebounded well against them, but we don't have anything close to the shot blocking, inside intimidation factor that their bigs had.

That said, I like this team and their chances to have a really good year. We won't be playing P5 front courts much.

And giving up 13 offensive rebounds to create easy scoring opportunities to a team that wasn't shooting really any better than we were.

[scotto_25]

What we lack is "above the rim" players. That was the difference Wednesday night, not our woeful shooting or erratic guard-play. We made a comeback and got w/in 2 points but we just couldn't keep them off the boards and they made us attempt Globetrotter-type shots to avoid blocks instead of creating body contact and going to the line.

[scotto_25]

They saw 6"11. We are void of really any size and this guy probably did well wherever he was and you can't teach that size that is tough to get for a school on our level. I think he can contribute. He won't be a cornerstone of our success but I think he can contribute with rebounding and defense. Sometimes it just takes getting a guy some time where he can develop some confidence. That can make all the difference you need to get a guy going.

The days of "needing" a 6'11" center are just about gone....Find an athletic 6'7" and you've done better than an offense lacking, timid lurch.

[scotto_25]

Also....observation only (not being mean)

Stalcup isn't much taller than Washington. He just has a sizable head that gives him about 4 more inches....am I wrong or did anyone not notice?

[zephyr]

The days of "needing" a 6'11" center are just about gone....Find an athletic 6'7" and you've done better than an offense lacking, timid lurch.

We don't "Need" a 6"11 guy. However, getting one who can make a difference is lagniappe and always can give you an advantage over your opponent. I'm not quite as concerned about size as Hark Mudspeth thinks but rather, the energy the players bring. My concern from the beginning was yes a lack of height but mainly what you said about being below the rim players in the front court. If I'm given a wish list of front court guys, I'd think of someone like a Draymond Green type player who doesn't have to be the biggest guy but plays with a lot of energy and hits the offensive boards just as hard as he does on the defensive end. Guys who crash the boards and play with energy are the difference makers. Bryce Johnson has gotten better and is more athletic now than when he got here and I suspect Miller will follow suit.

[VObserver]

And giving up 13 offensive rebounds to create easy scoring opportunities to a team that wasn't shooting really any better than we were.

Georgia also gave up 13 offensive rebounds to our short, inadequate players. Well 10 to our players and 3 'team', but still 13 offensive rebounds.

You need to find a different tree to bark up; especially since one of our unathletic, overmatched frontcourt guys leads the nation in double doubles; including an 18 rebound performance against Georgia [7 offensive, 2 more than any Georgia player].

[CajunNation]

Georgia also gave up 13 offensive rebounds to our short, inadequate bigs. Well 10 to our bigs and 3 'team', but still 13 offensive rebounds.

You need to find a different tree to bark up; especially since one of our unathletic, overmatched frontcourt guys leads the nation in double doubles; including an 18 rebound performance against Georgia.

Come March, this team should be just about hitting 88 mph....