Oklahoma State game thread

[pdxmuskie]

There is always a lot to criticize and I certainly do my fair share. That being said, the team is generally improving. There were fewer bad shots taken but there is still room for improvement. Excellent effort on the defensive end and on the glass.

Hunter is a very good player and can be the difference maker in X making a run. He should however never take a 3 unless the clock is ticking down.

Jones and Johnson are playing amazing. Johnson forced a shot or 2 but he gets a pass for now since he is shooting so well and generally doesn't force the action. Probably better for him to error on forcing a shot or 2 than pass up good opportunities.

Scruggs played well. I've never said that about anyone with 5 TOs before but 2 of those were the result of BS officiating/Teammate not catching a pass. He does suffer from poor decision making too often and needs to get the TOs down to 2 a game. His defense was greatly improved now that he is healthy. He will need to play smart for X to make a run.

Odom generally played well. Miles & Nunge were both solid. Free made some smart decisions. Nunge & Free scare me until TS drives home discipline on shot selection. Both have a tendency to shoot the 3 and neither are particularly good from out there. Both are decent enough to take the shot in the right circumstances, which is generally completely open with time to get a clean shot off. Should never rush the shot or shoot over anyone unless the clock is ticking down. Free is too rusty to be taking even open 3s at this point.

The team IQ is improved from recent years. Shot selection, carelessness & forcing the action are still issues but trending in the right direction.

Good to get out with a win. Closer than it needed to be, but the officials didn't help with that either.

[joeabe]

I attend some NBA games and the trend is for the Bigs to shoot the 3......Our guys watch the pro's!!

[Anti-Homer]

There is always a lot to criticize and I certainly do my fair share. That being said, the team is generally improving. There were fewer bad shots taken but there is still room for improvement. Excellent effort on the defensive end and on the glass.

Hunter is a very good player and can be the difference maker in X making a run. He should however never take a 3 unless the clock is ticking down.

Jones and Johnson are playing amazing. Johnson forced a shot or 2 but he gets a pass for now since he is shooting so well and generally doesn't force the action. Probably better for him to error on forcing a shot or 2 than pass up good opportunities.

Scruggs played well. I've never said that about anyone with 5 TOs before but 2 of those were the result of BS officiating/Teammate not catching a pass. He does suffer from poor decision making too often and needs to get the TOs down to 2 a game. His defense was greatly improved now that he is healthy. He will need to play smart for X to make a run.

Odom generally played well. Miles & Nunge were both solid. Free made some smart decisions. Nunge & Free scare me until TS drives home discipline on shot selection. Both have a tendency to shoot the 3 and neither are particularly good from out there. Both are decent enough to take the shot in the right circumstances, which is generally completely open with time to get a clean shot off. Should never rush the shot or shoot over anyone unless the clock is ticking down. Free is too rusty to be taking even open 3s at this point.

The team IQ is improved from recent years. Shot selection, carelessness & forcing the action are still issues but trending in the right direction.

Good to get out with a win. Closer than it needed to be, but the officials didn't help with that either.

Agree with most of this, but: Hunter is a really good defender and rebounder, but not sure I'd call him a difference maker, unless strategically played. His shot selection and prowess remain woefully lacking, but he is a great hustler, and can guard one to four. Steele has a lot of good pieces. Just hope his chess game continues to improve.

Completely agree on Nunge and Free limiting threes as well. Both have good form, and I believe both can shoot in the low 30s, so should be selective and prudent when taking one. X has several other starters and a bench player who should take the lion's share of treys.

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[skyhops]

I’m not sure I would consider Hunter a difference maker otherwise would not have yanked him for the rest of the game for taking one of the worst shots ever. I also disagree that Freemantle and Nunge should be shooting 3’s let Johnson, Scruggs, and Jones shoot them

[pdxmuskie]

When I said Hunter could be a difference maker, I meant to imply if he stopped shooting 3s. He is capable of playing great defense, rebounding and getting to the rim. He needs to do the little things and make smart decisions on offense. He is capable of these things and if he takes that path X will be much more difficult to beat.

Nunge has great form from deep and is capable of shooting 30+% if he limits his shots to open looks. Free is more questionable from deep as his shot looks like a struggle. Until he proves he can shoot in the 30s, he should probably limit his shots to desperation end of clock situations.

Many NBA biggs do shoot 3s but shooting and missing does not get a player drafted. Or at least I really hope it doesn't. If missing shots gets a player a shot at the NBA, I'd like to test my collegiate eligibility. I'm fairly certain I can force shots all over the court.

[skyhops]

I agree, all good points. When Free shoots a 3 typically no one is under so it typically leads to a fast break.

[Anti-Homer]

When I said Hunter could be a difference maker, I meant to imply if he stopped shooting 3s. He is capable of playing great defense, rebounding and getting to the rim. He needs to do the little things and make smart decisions on offense. He is capable of these things and if he takes that path X will be much more difficult to beat.

Nunge has great form from deep and is capable of shooting 30+% if he limits his shots to open looks. Free is more questionable from deep as his shot looks like a struggle. Until he proves he can shoot in the 30s, he should probably limit his shots to desperation end of clock situations.

Many NBA biggs do shoot 3s but shooting and missing does not get a player drafted. Or at least I really hope it doesn't. If missing shots gets a player a shot at the NBA, I'd like to test my collegiate eligibility. I'm fairly certain I can force shots all over the court.

Free isn't a good three point shooter, but isn't awful either. I don't mind him taking an open three or two per game at the top of the key, but only if he is in a groove, or the clokc is running down. Same goes for everyone else not named Johnson, Jones, Tandy, Kunkel, or SCruggs.