Observations From The Game

It was a bad game on the road and against a whistle happy crew. Still came down to the last shot (terrible one). We probably lose that game by 15 last year. It sucks but no panic button in sight.

Free throws cost us the game, clearly. Even without the disparity in number of attempts we couldn't buy a free throw.

I don't understand how this team was so good at the charity stripe last season and so poor this year. Macon went 1-3! That's incredible. He hit like 90% last year.

If I were Mike I'd have these boys shooting 500 free throws a day until it got corrected.

I'm going to precede this by saying there aren't many bigger CMA fans than myself. If you're taking into account both coaching ability and fit, I don't think there's a coach in the country I'd take over him.

That said, I don't think he had a great coaching performance last night. In the 2nd half we had stretched the lead out to 8, and he took Gafford out. Right then we needed to be trying to put the game away. Thompson was a liability all night, while Gafford was our second best weapon offensively, and best defensive weapon.

Of course as soon as Gafford came out they cut back into the lead. I understand wanting to keep fresh legs out there, just thought it was really bad timing considering the flow of the game, and that Gafford had stayed out of serious foul trouble.

probably just due to a low number of attempts early on.

He looks more like a 55% free throw shooter that 70%. Some of those misses are ugly. Hopefully it will be something he's told he needs another year to work on if he wants to be a first round pick.

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Jones needs to get involved in the offense more.

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I think he's got deer in the headlights syndrome. That Tennessee game seemed like an eye opener for him and he is still trying to catch up. Maybe if he settles down and focuses on defense the game will come to him?

I really thought FTs and turnovers were the difference. For as good of an offensive team as we are, missing out on easy points like FTs is a killer. We hit 66 percent of those and the ballgame is a little different. 5/12 They also only had 7 turnovers. I thought it was because we didn't really impose the style of play that we normally try to. But we were good offensively, so it didn't matter.

I will say, I thought Beard played better than he did against Tennessee. Was comfortable within the offense, and had better offensive rhythm when he tried to create.

I do think that Gafford needs some help down low. Thomas wasn't very good tonight, and Arlando Cook wasn't either. Bailey was a little small, and while he was a good energy player, we need to make sure we don't give up as many offensive rebounds as we did before, or turn the ball over like we did.

Sad we lost, but I think we'll do well. Even if we lose to Auburn, I won't be pushing the panic button just yet. Auburn impressed me last night.

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Maybe if he settles down and focuses on defense the game will come to him?

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Kid should be an elite defender. He is Athletic enough to absolutely shut people down. I'm not sure if it's effort or technique but something is missing.

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Kid should be an elite defender. He is Athletic enough to absolutely shut people down. I'm not sure if it's effort or technique but something is missing.

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Agree, Jones could be REALLY REALLY good for us.

He's still just a sophomore and didn't play at all last year hardly. Going to take time but I think him on this team.

SEC play is always a huge jump for 75% of players.

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Observations From The Game

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You were at the game?

I made the four hour drive up from Spanish Fort with my son home for college.

My only addition to this conversation is I confirmed in person that I will be glad Thomas and Thompson's eligibility will be gone after this season. They just don't gel with any rotation they play with. And I catch myself holding my breath when they're near the ball.

I also confirmed my preconceived notions of Starkville. Not good.

I know it was January 2, but it was an early SEC game and it felt like a high school game. The atmosphere was nonexistent. I found 2nd row, half court seats on Stub Hub for $75 per two days before the game. The 'coliseum' couldn't have been more than 1/3 full. Odd, but about 12 of us Hog fans all ended up together for a nice cheering section.

Oh. Macon's travel was a legitimate move.