@ SLU - 11/11/23 - 7 pm - Ballys Midwest/ESPN+

[DWRedbird]

I was glad to see us fight back and not give up when we got down 20. I think this is a game that was winnable, but we fell short. That said I think that toughness will go a long way for us through the year.

Some other thoughts:

• The foul disparity sucked, but I think at least part of it is caused by us. Much of our offense happens outside of the 3pt line, which makes us both extremely easy to guard and isn't big on drawing fouls. We didn't start to draw fouls on them until we started going inside more, both driving and working it into the post. I said it last year, and I'll say it again this year. Our offense spends way too much time outside of the 3pt line, and we need to be driving or posting so we can open it up.
• Defensively we need to move our feet. I would like to see us cause more turnovers, but if we can just keep guys in front of us, we'd look a lot better.
• Banks and JK are the perfect type of point guards to build teams around. Its nice having that.
• Foster is going to be a load for team in the Valley.
• Pence needs to let the game come to him a little more. He seems like the last two games he's been forcing it a bit.
• DB would have been very helpful yesterday.

 

[BirdGrad2011]

While yesterday was winnable we need to remember while we have an experienced team we do have 7 newcomers. JK and Pence are promising, but just played their 1st road game and 1st D1 opponent. I’m highly encouraged. Let’s hope KLew is alright and DB isn’t out any real time. Lots of winnable games coming up.

 

[Popsto4]

While yesterday was winnable we need to remember while we have an experienced team we do have 7 newcomers. JK and Pence are promising, but just played their 1st road game and 1st D1 opponent. I’m highly encouraged. Let’s hope KLew is alright and DB isn’t out any real time. Lots of winnable games coming up.

Well said. I’m just hoping for better starts going forward.

 

[cubird]

Expect they hold DB out until road trip. Groin injuries can linger and sometimes you compensate and screw something else up.

 

[Baltimore Bird]

I was extremely encouraged by how active and mobile Lieb was last night. That surprised me a bit.
He was unable to finish, but 12 rebounds in 18 minutes is impressive.

I love what JK brings to the floor. As he gains confidence he will shoot more and that will open up Mal for better shots. Mal forced a few last night and I understand why. Our offense spends too much time running around the top of the key.

GO BIRDS!!! This is going to a fun season.

 

[Popsto4]

Expect they hold DB out until road trip. Groin injuries can linger and sometimes you compensate and screw something else up.

Yep

 

[Popsto4]

I was extremely encouraged by how active and mobile Lieb was last night. That surprised me a bit.
He was unable to finish, but 12 rebounds in 18 minutes is impressive.

I love what JK brings to the floor. As he gains confidence he will shoot more and that will open up Mal for better shots. Mal forced a few last night and I understand why. Our offense spends too much time running around the top of the key.

GO BIRDS!!! This is going to a fun season.

I agree on JK. He’s playing well and that will allow better looks for Mal especially early on in games. So far at ILSU he’s taken I believe way more shots in the 2nd half of games. The wing spot need to be more productive as well. All and all take away the first half/slow starts they’re playing well. The Charity Stripe concerns me a bit but yeah this season should be fun

 

[Redbird222]

The rebounding, depth, and physicality look to be much improved from last year.

Ball security appears to still be an issue and needs to be addressed. The addition of 2 point guards is helping but a stronger inside game would help by relieving some pressure off the guards. We also have a few players that are just careless at times.

The disparity in fouls was extremely frustrating from a few standpoints.

1. Through my red coated lens glasses it seemed like there was some inconsistency in the first half by the refs
2. The lack of adjustments from the players was mind boggling
3. The coaching staff's lack of adjustments was even more concerning. With KLew and Foster on the bench Lieb became gassed. If a zone is anywhere in your arsenal, I don't know why they didn't at least try it. You had tired players, foul trouble, and they were in the double bonus for 13 minutes. 18 of SLU's first half points came from FTs. Also did anyone believe that KLew wasn't going to pick up his third foul when he came back in the first half? I know he is a fifth year player but I felt there was a good possibility of him picking up a third foul. Look how the game was being called, he didn't play last game, and he isn't always the most disciplined player.
4. I think another time out in the first half was warranted vs saving them for the second half.

Last year slow starts were an issue. I am hoping this will not be a pattern again this year. I think it's too early to tell given this was the first D1 opponent.

Yesterday's came was very strange. The long minutes for new players should help and if KL and DB are healthy and contributing there is reason to be hopeful. If the Birds start taking care of the ball better, there is even more reason to be optimistic.

 

[Popsto4]

The rebounding, depth, and physicality look to be much improved from last year.

Ball security appears to still be an issue and needs to be addressed. The addition of 2 point guards is helping but a stronger inside game would help by relieving some pressure off the guards. We also have a few players that are just careless at times.

The disparity in fouls was extremely frustrating from a few standpoints.

1. Through my red coated lens glasses it seemed like there was some inconsistency in the first half by the refs
2. The lack of adjustments from the players was mind boggling
3. The coaching staff's lack of adjustments was even more concerning. With KLew and Foster on the bench Lieb became gassed. If a zone is anywhere in your arsenal, I don't know why they didn't at least try it. You had tired players, foul trouble, and they were in the double bonus for 13 minutes. 18 of SLU's first half points came from FTs. Also did anyone believe that KLew wasn't going to pick up his third foul when he came back in the first half? I know he is a fifth year player but I felt there was a good possibility of him picking up a third foul. Look how the game was being called, he didn't play last game, and he isn't always the most disciplined player.
4. I think another time out in the first half was warranted vs saving them for the second half.

Last year slow starts were an issue. I am hoping this will not be a pattern again this year. I think it's too early to tell given this was the first D1 opponent.

Yesterday's came was very strange. The long minutes for new players should help and if KL and DB are healthy and contributing there is reason to be hopeful. If the Birds start taking care of the ball better, there is even more reason to be optimistic.

That’s the thing DB missed a game but did have 5 to’s we’re going to have to live with some of those because of his offensive production. For the most part to’s are coming from other positions other than our main ball handlers/guards

 

[Redbird Alum 2004]

Just watched the game. Holy fouls and refs. I swear Jimerson got every call possible. He would struggle over his two feet and boom foul. He slides two feet and boom foul on us. I thought he was going to cry when they finally called his travel in the second half. The way the game was called changed the game entirely. If you are going to call it tight fine but call it both ways.

I was impressed we didn't quit. I was not impressed with Foster sitting a three. I was impressed with Mal and Banks. I was not impressed with our free throw shooting. Johnny looked good. Pence looked like he had nerves in the first half. Lieb played his ass off but he got tired and should have come out but Lewis was in foul trouble and Foster thought he was a guard for a second.

Hopefully DB gets healthy soon. I think this game will help this team more than hurt it. Onto the next game.

 

[Redbird222]

That’s the thing DB missed a game but did have 5 to’s we’re going to have to live with some of those because of his offensive production. For the most part to’s are coming from other positions other than our main ball handlers/guards

Yep the new PGs have helped and the other players need to improve

Banks - 1
JK - 2
Poindexter -1

Remainder of team - 11.

Last year we averaged 14.6 TO per game and our opponents 11.2 per game. When you are playing games within single digits, a 3.4 possession difference is way too much. It's still early but TOs this year (and two non D1 opponents)

IWU - 14
Lourdes - 15
SLU - 15

I also understand that a play maker like Burford will have more TOs than others, but 5 is too high.

If we average 11 TOs vs 15 and it's probably around 5 to 6 more points a game

 

[redbirds2000]

While yesterday was winnable we need to remember while we have an experienced team we do have 7 newcomers. JK and Pence are promising, but just played their 1st road game and 1st D1 opponent. I’m highly encouraged. Let’s hope KLew is alright and DB isn’t out any real time. Lots of winnable games coming up.

We are going to have 5-7 newcomers every year.

While yesterday was winnable we need to remember while we have an experienced team we do have 7 newcomers. JK and Pence are promising, but just played their 1st road game and 1st D1 opponent. I’m highly encouraged. Let’s hope KLew is alright and DB isn’t out any real time. Lots of winnable games coming up.

 

[DoubleDeuce]

I didn't realize Lieb had 12 rebounds in the first half. Does it make sense to have Lieb and Foster on the court at the same time? That could be scary for opponents.

 

[DWRedbird]

I didn't realize Lieb had 12 rebounds in the first half. Does it make sense to have Lieb and Foster on the court at the same time? That could be scary for opponents.

I don't think there is a problem having them both on the court at the same time, but I think Foster should be the first post sub off the bench if either K Lew or Lieb get into foul trouble. I'd love to see Lieb and Foster run a high low set or some pick and rolls from the top of the key with Lieb at the top and Foster either rolling to the basket or posting up.

 

[BirdGrad2011]

We are going to have 5-7 newcomers every year.

Then we need to be patient the first few weeks every season. The key will be returning starters and prior year production without injuries. Who knows DB could’ve made a difference with his speed Saturday especially on defense.

 

[Birdman85]

Then we need to be patient the first few weeks every season. The key will be returning starters and prior year production without injuries. Who knows DB could’ve made a difference with his speed Saturday especially on defense.

We needed DB when we couldn't score in the first half. DB usually gets a couple around the rim at the right time.

 

[MadBird]

Lots of good comments already, just a couple more thoughts to add.

I've mentioned this in the past, and unfortunately I thought again Saturday it stood out - we don't seem to have any "men" out there, just "boys". Physically. We don't play with power, or strength. You look at that SLU team, they had some guys who just took up a lot of space and moved with power and basically went where they wanted. We counter with some speed and athleticism, whatever you wanna call it, but we just don't bring a lot of muscle to the table. Other than Foster, obviously, this year. And as was mentioned, he seems to like to hang out 15 feet from the rack.

Kinziger looked solid, I was pleasantly surprised. He held his own. I assume he was getting Burford's minutes, so he may not get that much PT in a perfect world, but I was happy to see he can contribute.

And that reffing, how awful was that. I mean, forget about being one way, how do you blow the whistle every damn time down the court? Bad crew - I follow the refs pretty well and I have to admit I didn't recognize any of them. Hope I never see them again.

A few have made comments about standing around outside the arc, and I didn't really feel like that's a problem, but I agree we don't seem to have anybody who, or any plays for people to, drive to the hoop. Banks had a couple nice takes. But we set up a lot of set shots. If they're on, we look good. If not, well, the result is going down by 20 by half time.

Promising tho. Pedon's on the right track, I think.

Edit - Refs appear to be an "ACC crew". Can find them doing other southern and east coast games.

 

[cubird]

Thought the refs adjusted and called the game differently the 2nd half.

 

[TBS_20]

Thought the refs adjusted and called the game differently the 2nd half.

after they were confident their bets were gonna be good

 

[Popsto4]

We are going to have 5-7 newcomers every year.

I can actually see some shaky nerves in Pence. All he have to do is let the game come to him and improvements will come. JK have some dog in him, I believe that can become contagious. I’d also like to see the ball pushed a bit more off of defensive rebounds. Sometimes the best shot is the first shot in a set or not. A secondary fast break would be awesome to see from the small line up from time to time.

I don't think there is a problem having them both on the court at the same time, but I think Foster should be the first post sub off the bench if either K Lew or Lieb get into foul trouble. I'd love to see Lieb and Foster run a high low set or some pick and rolls from the top of the key with Lieb at the top and Foster either rolling to the basket or posting up.

I agree. I’m seeing low post/paint scoring, I’m seeing a huge jump in pg play and protection of the ball, I’m seeing a budding paint protector and rebounding monster. Bigs will continue to improve to make the team better. I only have a few concerns. They are slow starts, Team FT% and a consistent wing on both ends of the court. For the most part you know what you’re getting from Banks, Burford when healthy, Foster and Lieb. I’m pulling for Kasubke or Davis to step up as the wing. Lewis will do pretty much a lil of everything need to play under control a bit more. JK will be very useful and will turn out to be a huge asset. Pence still show some first year jitters. That’s usually expected early on from most first years. All and all it should be a fun year.