They All Stepped Up..



  • @bskeet Thanks, I took it for what it was…helpful hint.



  • I’m watching the replay on ESPN3 and just noticed we played small for the first time this game due to foul trouble to Ellis and Black. We had Traylor, Wiggins, Greene, Selden and Tharpe. That was interesting, and they did alright. Traylor scored, Greene missed a three, then the team forced a travel call on Smart. While they were together on the floor OSU didn’t score for several possessions. It was encouraging to see.



  • You folks are making good points about Black tomorrow…I don’t know who he is going to guard.



  • @bskeet tell us what you think when you’re done! Please.



  • @Crimsonorblue22 Hah! I don’t think I could add much to the amazing insights that everyone here has had! It’s great reading everyone’s observations… makes me more excited to watch!



  • @Hawk8086 If Black starts he’ll guard Niang. Niang is a bit taller than Ejim, and he’s also much slower, less athletic, and a slightly worse 3 point shooter. Niang is capable of hitting some 3’s, but has only shot it at about a 31% clip this season. Perry will be on Ejim. If Niang and Ejim get hot from outside maybe KU will go small but I expect they’ll play who they play and match up the best they can. KU’s going to have a bigger lineup, they should control the glass. Look for Wiggins to grab a lot of rebounds.



  • My final thoughts on the game: Oh the drama at the end! OSU was playing in a soap opera and we were playing in a basketball game. The flops and limping and holding sides and heads… What a downtrodden bunch! What horseshlt.

    The next steps for OSU: They get to go back to Stillwater early and work on their rehearsals for the big stage.



  • @bskeet I loved how Fraschilla pointed out that having talked to officials, they’re really onto Smart’s game (flopping), and how that may be hurting him more than helping as he is now “the boy who cried wolf”, wherein when he is actually fouled he isn’t getting the benefit of the doubt anymore. Say what you will about officials, but they don’t like getting made to look foolish, and Smart has spent the better part of this year selling his bullshit. And now, during the most important time of year, it has finally backfired and blown up in his face.



  • I have to give props to osu. They didn’t go thug on KU. I also want to give the sportsmanship award to Markel Brown. He went over and helped Tharpe up after that late hard foul. Overall great game and thought it was officiated fairly well. Props all around.

    Loved the flop count crew too. ISU was in on the flop issue last night as well and held Smart accountable, as did the refs. Smart took on a third role last night. He was part player, coach, and official. The guy is ridiculous.

    Rock Chalk and beat ISU.



  • @icthawkfan316 How many times did Franny and Mussy tell us that Brown and Forte were hurt? The entire game? It almost sounded exusatory. Is that even a word? Excusatory?



  • I left work at 3:30 and listened to Bob Davis and Greg Gurley on my ride home on a Sirius radio station I luckily found. Their calling seems to make it to where you can almost see exactly what transpired. I was screaming, praying & pumping fists as I was driving home (43 mile commute). Had a couple looks from other commuters at intersections but what the hey. It was 70 degrees so had the windows down. Loved all the post game analysis, post game interviews and wrap up by Bob and Greg. Once I saw the highlights called by Muffberger & Fran, I was so glad I heard it called by Bob! 🙂



  • @KirkIsMyHinrich Niang and Black? Maybe Ellis? I’d put Black on someone else. Niang is pretty mobile for a guy his size. Wigs and Selden will be assigned to Kane. There’s really no other isu player for Black to guard except Niang. I just don’t think Black can stay away from fouls guarding Niang. It has to be someone more mobile in and out of the lane. Selden will probably get Kane most of the night. Hogue is about the only other sizeable option. We’ll definitely go small most of the night to match.

    Ok, Mr Ellis, this is your team. You always shine and now is the time to break this funk. Ellis matches really well with isu.



  • @RockChalkinTexas haha the Embiid change…nice touch



  • @icthawkfan316 A good coach would step in and tell Smart enough already. It’s getting old. But…we all know that Ford isn’t really the coach. It’s HCMS. This is Smart’s team, program, and staff. He is the team, program and staff. Ford looks incompetent and the writing on the wall is beginning to look pretty clear. But many osu sports fans don’t think osu will lift a finger to fire him. Oh well, dumb for osu, but even more tragic for B12 coaching staffs. Ford has now become the bottom of the coaching list. Ford, Drew, and Barnes were all competing for it and well all know what Barnes has done this year, “COY.” Drew isn’t much better but he does have his team playing right now at this point and time. Ford is just lost all coaching influence. He’s heading down the same path as some of the other coaches with less noticeable reps…kinda sad.



  • @truehawk93 I bet Smart got paid more this year than Ford did too.

    Lets see last year projected top 5 pick top 10 for sure, and he stays.

    Wonder how big of check T. Boone wrote for him to stay one more year??



  • @truehawk93 I’m laughing about your sportsmanship award, he fouled the crap out of him and then he’s nice about helping him up? Just giving you a hard time!



  • @truehawk93

    I wonder if Coach Self will try Wesley on Niang. Justin is an athletic big that could give Niang problems.



  • @JayHawkFanToo Whenever I see Wesley’s name I have ask anyone who bring him up “Are you serious?”

    Not quite in a John McEnroe tone, but close.



  • @HighEliteMajor I am starting to feel that way about Lucas lately.



  • @JayHawkFanToo Yeah, Wesley is a great athlete, but against Niang? No, that wouldn’t be good either. I think Ellis is your best option, but Traylor may give him some fits too. Correct me if I’m wrong but I think JTray and Niang played on the Mean Streets AAU?



  • @JRyman Lucas’ body language spoke so loud to me. He had one good block, but that’s about it. He’s a real young kid that needs time. My question was answered as to why “the Load” wasn’t playing. He looked out of his element.



  • @bskeet and… Take their whiney-a$$ announcers w/them!!!



  • @truehawk93 couldn’t have said it any better!!



  • @JRyman I was a huge fan of Lucas getting more time, maybe he’s a step slow?



  • @Crimsonorblue22

    I think Lucas just needs more PT to match pace with everyone else.

    Thing is… he has the best fundamentals of all our big men. He may not be the most athletic, but he is athletic enough to make an impact.

    Lucas is usually good on the boards… a symptom of fundamental play.



  • Black Death and Bam Bam.

    Poetry.

    PHOF.


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