UT-Martin, who's ready?

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I like our bigs.
You can tell the team is rough, but as they get used to playing together, you have to think their potential is pretty damn high. Blocking, rebounding, running the break nicely.
 
Nomadic1 said:
I like our bigs.
You can tell the team is rough, but as they get used to playing together, you have to think their potential is pretty damn high. Blocking, rebounding, running the break nicely.
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I don't care what anybody says but I like our combo of bigs better than gates! I know it's one game but the effort and no jugging almost brought a tear to my eye
 
CPAW29 said:
I don't care what anybody says but I like our combo of bigs better than gates! I know it's one game but the effort and no jugging almost brought a tear to my eye
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Mbody & Nyarsuk combined for 14 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 blocks. Clearly today was inferior competition but numbers remotely like this during the season and the Cat's are in good shape.

Rubbles looks like a steal. He's much smoother on the court than I realized.
 
Well, the score was not indicative of how in control the Bearcats really were. They went up 31-6 in the first half and it was over from then on. They got the lead up by 35 in the second half, and I think Cronin called off the dogs because Tenn-Martin's coach is a friend of his.

I know Tenn-Martin has issues, but I saw a team that kept playing hard and actually made some shots in the second half. I didn't find them to be completely inept.

Mbodj, Nyarsek and Jackson are going to give opponents fits down low. It's gonna be hard to score inside against us. And I know this was a weak opponent, but you can just tell Mbodj is better. Jackson is jumpin jack. And whoever equated Nyarsek with Biggie was wrong. Definitely has more touch and ability than Biggie did.

Our guards played their usual good game.

The things that stood out were:
1. Sanders didn't play much and didn't do much.
2. Thomas didn't enter until late in the game and didn't do much either.
3. JDIII and Guyn played good minutes.
4. Rubles will be the first guy off the bench typically. He makes an impact.
5. I don't think Gaines played at all.

Cash had it going long range today. Good to see. We really attack the basket well. And hitting from long range opens up the lanes to drive because they have to defend you on the perimeter.

Good start. Some rust. But the intensity and defensive effort is smothering. And the size inside and shut down ability down low is impressive too.

They have alot to work with and will continue to get better, even with today's good start.
 
Our defense looks even better than last year's team. Mbodj is a beast blocking shots and seemed to rebound much better today. Nyarsuk made some good plays. Will be interesting to see how their play will be once conference play starts. Nyarsuk needs to get stronger for one. Liked what I saw out of Rubles. Guyn plays a little too overaggressive on defense, but Big East officials allow that some times. Killa looks to be much more under control, JJ made some nice passes and had a few good offensive moves. Interesting to see Davis get off the bench before Sanders. Part of that could be Cash and Guyn had five fouls in the first half, but he earned his minutes today. One negative thing I saw was the fact we got outscored 40-37 in the second half. Not good. I don't care if the game is in hand and the back-ups played a lot of minutes.
 
david aka the TYZ said:
Our defense looks even better than last year's team. Mbodj is a beast blocking shots and seemed to rebound much better today. Nyarsuk made some good plays. Will be interesting to see how their play will be once conference play starts. Nyarsuk needs to get stronger for one. Liked what I saw out of Rubles. Guyn plays a little too overaggressive on defense, but Big East officials allow that some times. Killa looks to be much more under control, JJ made some nice passes and had a few good offensive moves. Interesting to see Davis get off the bench before Sanders. Part of that could be Cash and Guyn had five fouls in the first half, but he earned his minutes today. One negative thing I saw was the fact we got outscored 40-37 in the second half. Not good. I don't care if the game is in hand and the back-ups played a lot of minutes.
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That was the heart of Cronin's postgame comments (on TV) with Terry Nelson. He said our 2nd team needs to get up to snuff with the first team (hence the letdown). As I said in my comments, the first team clearly had things under control. Probably should have won by 40 to 45 if it wouldn't have gotten so messy with the second team.

I know it's a cupcake, but Nyarsuk/Mbodj combined for 40 mins, 14 pts., 12 rebounds, 6 blocks.

UC's team had 49 rebounds to TM's 29 rebounds.
 
I know Nyarsuk was looked at with a lot of low expectations, but in spite of the lack of lower body/leg strength, I liked the effort and he made a lot happen. Defensively blocking and altering shots, offensively, beautiful hook and best of all, he rebounds. He looks ready to play. Mbodj has improved a lot. He keeps going to the line, even if he goes 50%, he'll be a contributer. I am impressed at his improved speed and blocking. Enjoyable to watch.

I think Thomas will come along, he just needs playing time. The one good thing about the first squad being so good, the other kids will be tested and experienced by the time Big East play rolls around.
Jackson tried to do a little too much to get his points up and made some horrible passes but I do like that he seems to have his intensity at the start of this season. Hopefully, his ball control and decision making improve. He missed the exhibitions so, it's understandable. Both he and Rubles have play making ability.
I like the starting 5, I think Davis and Guyn are both going to be able to spell people. I think Rubles and Nyarsuk offer benefits we don't have without them. So... pretty deep squad. Davis, Guyn, Sanders and Thomas will get a lot of playing time these next 2-3 games. I think Mbodj will get plenty of FT practice.
 
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I thought they looked pretty good today. Obviously there is a huge drop off between the first and second teams but that is to be expected. I just hope Cash can remain healthy because he is the most important player on this team.
 
The 1st team looked ready to play Iowa State/UNLV while the second team struggled. That is to be expected, though, as it is early in the season and most of our 2nd teamers are young/inexperienced guys.
 
The second team will rarely be out there by themselves... Them mixed in with the veterans will be just fine... Mick was clearly mixing and matching lineups and trying to get them all minutes.

Id have to imagine we will never see a lineup with either cash sk or parker on the floor.
 
TheLivingLegend said:
The second team will rarely be out there by themselves... Them mixed in with the veterans will be just fine... Mick was clearly mixing and matching lineups and trying to get them all minutes.

Id have to imagine we will never see a lineup with either cash sk or parker on the floor.
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Agreed, but still interesting to see such a drop off. Makes me really appreciate how good our starters are.....
 
I think 21 turnovers is unacceptable, but Mick will adjust and make them more efficient. I'm really impressed with Titus Rubles and his versatility. He has a contagious toughness about him that I really love. I'm glad Justin Jackson is back and healthy; I only hope he continues to develop offensively. I think it's odd that Kelvin Gaines didn't get any minutes. I still am in the minority and really believe that he'll turn out to be a solid 5. I like his hustle. Regarding the 5, Nyarsuk looked better, but he still needs to add some weight in the legs, or else he'll continue to be pushed around. Cheikh Mbodj looks improved, and I'm glad to see that he's getting off the ground to protect that rim. He's not Gorgui Dieng, but if he can give us 25 solid minutes every game without getting into foul trouble, I feel much more secure about this season's prospects. One question that I have for those in the know: if Jermaine Sanders made such vast improvements in the off-season, why does he still appear to be slower and more confused than anyone else on the court? I hope it clicks soon for him.
 
Very nice outing by the cats. Those who are a little concerned the first game was a little sloppy rest assured it will get better. Trying to play 10 or 11 guys isn't easy. Finding that cohesion is going to be a work in progress. SK,Cash and Parker will play 30 minutes a game. Rubles and Jackson will split minutes with Jackson probably getting a little more than half. Same for David and Modj with Modj getting the most minutes and maybe even Rubes stealing some minutes from the two of them when he and Jackson are on the floor with the 3 guards. Sanders,Thomas JD III will be used strickly to rest the wings. With the majority of those minutes going to the one who steps up the most. The most critical sub will be G-lawn. If he can prove adquate for 10 minutes a game while cash is on the bench it will be a very good year.

Folks, Cash is the key for this team. He is very effective when he is not worn down and well rested. 30 minutes a game for him is about where you would want him. His range on his jumper has improved a lot. The opposition can not lay off him and will be forced to play up which should make his dribble drive that much more effective. That is 15 minutes a half. If he is hitting his jumper and dribble penetrating and hitting SK and Parker for open looks we will be tough to beat. Back up PG play is going to be huge to accomplish this. Really would perfer Parker or Sk not have to handle the Point but can concentrate on spotting up and slashing to the hole. Really saw some good things that will improve as the season goes on. Teams will have to play us honest as evidenced by the fact when Parker SK, and Rubles slash to the hoop Modj and David will follow them to the hoop and fush the dish if the opposition cheats. If a off guard drops down to help they will kick it out to our wings and Parker and SK can both knocck it down.

On D we are fast and long and the bench will be deeper at the end of the year. We have 10 fouls to give at PF and C. This is going to be a fun season especially if Cash stays healthy and rested.
 
Great game to watch, being a very entertaining one besides watching the turnovers. But Cash's behind the back pass to JJ was straight nasty! So was the Sanders pass to Shaq for the slam!

I think we are now just getting a taste on how many possibilities of lineup that can be on the floor besides just the starting 5. I predict it will def. take at least 5 games for players 1-10 to really gel and not see such a drop off when the original starting 5 go out. I think it is important to realize that G'Lawn, Sanders, Davis III are just beginning sophomores and Shaq is just a freshman. I think come February is when these players really adapt and elevate their game. Once they all begin to gel, and the players learn to keep that high level up we will be more tough than what we already are.
 
It really doesn't bother me how the second team plays. The only time the starting 5 will be out together will be during a blowout. I'm more concerned with how individuals in the second 5 play with individuals in the first 5. Between Cash, JP, and SK, two of the three will always be on the court against good teams so I don't really care how Davis, Guyn, Sanders, and Thomas play together because they all won't be playing significant minutes together until at least next year....But I am concerned with how Guyn fills the backup duty while Cash is on the bench and so far he has appeared just average.

I would like to see Guyn get more minutes with SK and JP on the floor rather than the backups. Same with the other guys. Thomas obviously needs more time to adjust but I'd like to see how he does when he is on the court with Cash and SK so he can more easily let the game come to him.
 

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