One EXTREMELY bright spot that bodes well for this team

[OhioBrownFan]

Rebounding. When you out-rebound a team 48-35, you're always going to be in the game. I can't recall a game that SMU hasn't out-rebounded the opponent yet. It makes up for the scoring deficiencies on the offensive end. Brown has always had good defensive teams so I expect the trend to continue and whenever a team is playing good defense and boards well, you keep yourselves in games that you shouldn't be in.

I don't like finding a silver-lining in losses because at the end of the day, a loss is a loss is a loss. Close calls don't matter to anyone outside the fans, nor do 20 point losses. Watching that game live, it was apparent who the better team was from the opening tip yet SMU hung around and hung around and quite frankly, had chances to win that game and didn't convert. If they keep winning the rebounding category by that type of margin, they are going to simply outwork more talented teams. My two cents on what I saw yesterday.

I've also already said this, but man Nic Moore is the key to that offense. I'm still in shock at how poor the back-court is in basic fundamentals outside of him. Might as well have had a high school girl bringing the ball up, I've seen better handles than Russell and Manuel and I'm not exaggerating. That was unbelievable how out of sync they were with Moore on the bench with the fouls. SMusic can probably attest to that seeing it live in person.

[smusic 00]

Yes I concur.

[Pony ^]

Agree

[mrydel]

Did not have to be there in person, plus we saw it all season last year. Last year it was against lesser competition or we may have never crossed midcourt.

[ponydawg]

NIc's gash on his eye? When did that happen? I feel like it was there before the tip off. And do we know why he kept holding his head before he was going in the final minutes of the game?

[PonyTime]

NIc's gash on his eye? When did that happen? I feel like it was there before the tip off. And do we know why he kept holding his head before he was going in the final minutes of the game?

I did not see it happen either - but the way he was looking at the 2 min mark of that game as he was about to go back in looked as if he was out of it. Either sick or dazed.

[LA_Mustang]

I have to believe Nic is really banged up right now with the pre game report in the Louisville paper about his ankle injury and the cut under his eye. Also, the announcers were mentioning how he was rubbing his temples and just looked out if it.

As for rebounding, you're right OBF. We attacked the boards yesterday, even without Moreira. Kennedy and Williams in particular. When all else fails, we can fall back on our rebounding and defense.

[The PonyGrad]

The start of the UL game was rough. W/O Moriera and two extremely quick fouls on Williams we seemed out of sinc. We will be much better prepared to play w/o Yanick next time IMO. I was really impressed with how the team responded in the second half.

[StandUp]

Well said OBF! Strong Rebounding and I would probably add a Strong Defensive Field Goal Percentage should keep us in almost every game. Our guys are doing a great job on both fronts!

[GiddyUp]

as some have said, I am glad you didn't watch this team last year. You would have really been frustrated. It was Russell and Manuel at the point the entire game w/ only 1-2 bench guys. Russell can be serviceable on occasion but he is certainly not a true point guard. He can do certain things well but drive you totally crazy with other stuff.

I really don't know our rebounding last year, but you had Cannen and Williams trying to clean glass and I am sure we got outboarded a lot.

[OhioBrownFan]

as some have said, I am glad you didn't watch this team last year. You would have really been frustrated. It was Russell and Manuel at the point the entire game w/ only 1-2 bench guys. Russell can be serviceable on occasion but he is certainly not a true point guard. He can do certain things well but drive you totally crazy with other stuff.

I really don't know our rebounding last year, but you had Cannen and Williams trying to clean glass and I am sure we got outboarded a lot.

I watched some last year just because of Brown, but the team just wasn't very good and hard to watch to enjoy. Sooo much different this year, night and day. Even the games where they shouldn't win, they've had chances. At some point the team will "steal" a few wins. I just hope now that they can play some strong ball at home, take care of business with 8-10 wins straight, especially with Memphis being the only team that is arguably better in that stretch. And SMU gets them at home I believe.

[Rebel10]

I watched some last year just because of Brown, but the team just wasn't very good and hard to watch to enjoy. Sooo much different this year, night and day. Even the games where they shouldn't win, they've had chances. At some point the team will "steal" a few wins. I just hope now that they can play some strong ball at home, take care of business with 8-10 wins straight, especially with Memphis being the only team that is arguably better in that stretch. And SMU gets them at home I believe.

Will you stop with the even semi prediction of 8 to 10 straight wins already. The last time you predicted anything the team you predicted to win lost badly. So please leave your predictions to Ohio State not SMU. Especially since we are just a Nic Moore bad game or fouling out from being a average team that will have a tough time with any of the teams on our schedule. One game at a time is the way we all should look at it imo. Not trying to be tough on you but just saying. Beat USF.

[smusic 00]

Ouch

[StandUp]

OBF, keep your opinions and predictions coming. Your observations and opinions are very much appreciated.

[Rebel10]

OBF, keep your opinions and predictions coming. Your observations and opinions are very much appreciated.

Yours are questionable at best.