Oklahoma State game thread

[Anti-Homer]

It is a shame that you guys cannot enjoy a win in the first game on the road. Every game comes with its pluses and minus in this game the plus was a W and the minus is how you can't enjoy it. In March the committee will look at this game as a road win which is all X wants. They did what they were supposed to do. Maybe we should call you the pissers and moaners.

Agreed.

Especially this harsh, unwarranted criticism, "Miles need to get deeper in the block." Absolutely no need for this kind of bashing.

that was a hope, not criticism like the guy that said: BTW for an experienced player, Scruggs dribbles the ball into the Bermuda Triangle under pressure (not just this game) a lot. Yeah, Paul only shot 50%from the field and scored 19 points. or maybe the one where someone said "I love Nunge's game, except for his three-point shooting. He took only two but was 2-5 from the field and 4-4 from the line playing well with Zach. then there was "He(miles) also needs to shelve the 18 footer which led to a 4-second conversion on the other end." but go ahead and be critical of one comment. BTW enjoy the W and the good job the coaches did managing the game.

I had no idea that Jay Wright tweets a lot during our games, but thanks for sharing. Regarding his observations:

BTW for an experienced player, Scruggs dribbles the ball into the Bermuda Triangle under pressure (not just this game) a lot. Yeah, Paul only shot 50%from the field and scored 19 points.

What does his shooting, which turned out good after an ugly 2-8 start, have to do with his dribbling into the worst spot when pressured? He will see on film how Jones generally backs up when he sees the trap, dribbles towards or passes to someone in the middle. Coach Hugo Boss was spot on

"I love Nunge's game, except for his three-point shooting. He took only two but was 2-5 from the field and 4-4 from the line playing well with Zach.

I believe what Coach Wright meant is that he'd rather Jack shoot in the paint, where he shoots 60%, rather than from three where he shoots about 20%. I think 1 every 2 games or so with a wide-open 3 is ok but would love a 7-footer generally around the glass.

"He(miles) also needs to shelve the 18 footer which led to a 4-second conversion on the other end."

This, I take a little exception with. Like Hunter with his treys, if X has a 46 or more point lead, I say fire away."


BTW MMan, did you like Hunter's early in the shot clock three, when the goal should have been to bleed the clock?

[ChitownSteve]

Enjoyed the win and the Coaching Staff made the right adjustments 2nd Half. One of the better coached Half’s for Coach Steele and Staff (again, thought the Coaching strategy against Va. Tech, when X was depleted, was superb).

Also, found criticisms warranted. Might a Coach K, Coach Izzo or Coach Few ensure that a fellow shooting 16.7% for the year not jack up a 3, while up 11 and 15 seconds remaining on the shot clock?

Agreed, tonight there were many more positives than negatives. Nate Johnson and Colby Jones are BE players; good to see Paul Scruggs regaining form; Jack Nunge a true addition and non-conference playing time for Zach valuable as he scrapes the rust off.

After the win, dinner tasted even better tonight. That does not lessen the fact that tomorrow we want Coach Steele to replay those sloppy mistakes in the last 4 minutes and advise the Team that they are unacceptable should someone wish to see future court time.

[muskieman]

Agreed.

Especially this harsh, unwarranted criticism, "Miles need to get deeper in the block." Absolutely no need for this kind of bashing.

that was a hope, not criticism like the guy that said: BTW for an experienced player, Scruggs dribbles the ball into the Bermuda Triangle under pressure (not just this game) a lot. Yeah, Paul only shot 50%from the field and scored 19 points. or maybe the one where someone said "I love Nunge's game, except for his three-point shooting. He took only two but was 2-5 from the field and 4-4 from the line playing well with Zach. then there was "He(miles) also needs to shelve the 18 footer which led to a 4-second conversion on the other end." but go ahead and be critical of one comment. BTW enjoy the W and the good job the coaches did managing the game.

I had no idea that Jay Wright tweets a lot during our games, but thanks for sharing. Regarding his observations:

BTW for an experienced player, Scruggs dribbles the ball into the Bermuda Triangle under pressure (not just this game) a lot. Yeah, Paul only shot 50%from the field and scored 19 points.

What does his shooting, which turned out good after an ugly 2-8 start, have to do with his dribbling into the worst spot when pressured? He will see on film how Jones generally backs up when he sees the trap, dribbles towards or passes to someone in the middle. Coach Hugo Boss was spot on

"I love Nunge's game, except for his three-point shooting. He took only two but was 2-5 from the field and 4-4 from the line playing well with Zach.

I believe what Coach Wright meant is that he'd rather Jack shoot in the paint, where he shoots 60%, rather than from three where he shoots about 20%. I think 1 every 2 games or so with a wide-open 3 is ok but would love a 7-footer generally around the glass.

"He(miles) also needs to shelve the 18 footer which led to a 4-second conversion on the other end."

This, I take a little exception with. Like Hunter with his treys, if X has a 46 or more point lead, I say fire away."


BTW MMan, did you like Hunter's early in the shot clock three, when the goal should have been to bleed the clock?

sometimes players take shots that you think are ill-advised and to that, I say thank GOD that you are not the coach

[AirJordan]

Enjoyed the win and the Coaching Staff made the right adjustments 2nd Half. One of the better coached Half’s for Coach Steele and Staff (again, thought the Coaching strategy against Va. Tech, when X was depleted, was superb).

Also, found criticisms warranted. Might a Coach K, Coach Izzo or Coach Few ensure that a fellow shooting 16.7% for the year not jack up a 3, while up 11 and 15 seconds remaining on the shot clock?

Agreed, tonight there were many more positives than negatives. Nate Johnson and Colby Jones are BE players; good to see Paul Scruggs regaining form; Jack Nunge a true addition and non-conference playing time for Zach valuable as he scrapes the rust off.

After the win, dinner tasted even better tonight. That does not lessen the fact that tomorrow we want Coach Steele to replay those sloppy mistakes in the last 4 minutes and advise the Team that they are unacceptable should someone wish to see future court time.

Good perspective. I try not to focus on the negatives but Hunter's shot was so egregiously bad, it took my breath away. But, to your point, there were a bunch of positives. You mentioned a few and here are some more. X outrebounded OSU and went to the offensive glass strongly in first half. We got to the charity stripe more than OSU and we made a bunch. Early in the game, Miles was 3/4 and I was shocked. Seems like we took fewer really crappy shots, Hunter's notwithstanding. Like to see Free get at least 20 minutes against Ball State so he shake off more cobwebs.

[longliveskip]

here's what i saw that was positive from this game:

1. We WON
2. Colby Jones is our most IMPORTANT player. does so much. always under control. his rebounding is so instinctive, especially on the offensive end.
3. We WON.
4. rebounded very well as a team, especially on the offensive glass.
5. shot ft's well, 23-31 for a 74% clip.
6. oh, we WON
7. zone D was GREAT and was most likely the difference in the game as OSU went on one of those "multiple minutes without a FG" drought that Xavier fans love when we do it. all of the sudden it was like 69-55. i think we let them to get it to 7, maybe 6 at one point.
8. the diving play by Hunter to create a second loose ball that ultimately ended in Colby getting fouled may have been my favorite play. just never quit on it and it was a huge play at the time.
9. once again, we WON.

some negatives:
1. we do have some head-scratching turnovers at times. some due to our own laziness and others because OSU is one of those teams that just DOESN'T LET YOU run your stuff - denying wings, denying handoffs, etc. we used our backcuts at times and their aggression was sometimes their achilles heel we went to the line 31 times.
2. i didn't see a TON of bad shots. people on here act like when one dude takes ONE bad shot that the sky is falling. it happens. it wasn't multiple times. it was ONE here or there and not even by the same guy. it happens. it's a mistake. these dudes are still 18-23 years old. they're not perfect.

ROADKILL.

TAKE IT.

MOVE ON.

LET'S GO!

[Xavier2005]

winning was best thing. changing to zone second best thing. worse thing: 7 minute dry spell making zero field goals.

[AirJordan]

the diving play by Hunter to create a second loose ball that ultimately ended in Colby getting fouled may have been my favorite play. just never quit on it and it was a huge play at the time.

Glad you mentioned this. It doesn't show in any box score and shame on me for forgetting about it. It was a huge play late in the game. It did result in Jones hitting a free throw and it was a fantastic hustle play by Hunter.

That reflects well (obviously) on Hunter but also on the team, its desire to win and Steele's coaching.

[muskieman]

Watching the game again I saw where Kunkel's first three came with X down one and it off a rebound when Odem was blocked and Adam caught the ball under pressure from a bigger man. That three-point shot came after Ok St had taken the lead outscoring X 8-2. I too liked how Kunkel went to the rim and even though he missed a couple it was cleaned up by Jones or Paul. The fade shot he has made in the past is not a problem and in that case, he got the rebound on the other end in a scramble for a rebound at the other end. After all, when Jones missed a bunny and turned around and fouled at mid-court and everyone thinks he was the star of the game along with Nate ...which they were. The thing about Jones is his passing and ball-handling are so smooth he makes it look easy

I also watched Free and to the person that posted, "Please sit Free he is liability right now." missed the fact that he came in when Jack got two fouls early and made some nice passes worked well with Miles, later with Jack and got some needed rebounds. I remember the analysis during the game saying Free was showing patience when he kicked the ball out to Scruggs for the two. The little things Free did last night. The most important thing was Zach got minutes and did not appear to have any foot problems. His little side shot will fall and this was another of his tune-up games. Yea, he missed shots but the combo of Zack and Jack and also Jack and Miles will be exciting to see AT Times.

When Nunge and Free are hitting their baseline shots this team can beat anyone on their schedule. I hope Miles will just keep improving and become that big man that can steady the middle with protecting the rim.

The much-maligned Hunter was the starter of the best or most exciting play of the game with the tipped the ball when he dove on the court in the Ok St side of the court and ended at the other foul line because it showed how X battled for every possession. Hunter also has drawn a lot of fouls on his inside shots and has shot it well from the foul line at a .83+ clip. Every team needs a junkyard dog that does the dirty work. While he frustrates some he is playing slightly above his average at plus 5 points and rebounding 6. And his D last night at times was lockdown. He is the guy you want on your side in a fight.

The trapping D of Ok St turned over X and that is expected from a team that was top 10 in defense. They turned X over 17 times 2 above the average.

Good in-game decisions by the coaches.

The best thing is what every team wants and that is to get a roadkill

[X-lucidity]

Nice post MM. Agree with all, especially about Hunter. That play you and others have referenced when he 1st dove and then from a prone position on the floor managed to reach up and deflect the pass resulting in Colby's free throws, came at a key juncture when we were making our mid 2nd half run to pull away. Yes, as others have noted, Jerome's 3-ball attempt late with 15seconds still on the shot clock was an atrocious decision, but I believe that was his only poor shot of the game so some improvement there. You want a dude like that in your foxhole.. Finally, couldn't agree more with you on Freemantle's minutes - Priceless.

[muskieman]

Nice post MM. Agree with all, especially about Hunter. That play you and others have referenced when he 1st dove and then from a prone position on the floor managed to reach up and deflect the pass resulting in Colby's free throws, came at a key juncture when we were making our mid 2nd half run to pull away. Yes, as others have noted, Jerome's 3-ball attempt late with 15seconds still on the shot clock was an atrocious decision, but I believe that was his only poor shot of the game so some improvement there. You want a dude like that in your foxhole.. Finally, couldn't agree more with you on Freemantle's minutes - Priceless.

I always thought that at times Zach may have been pressing because he was the main focus and now with so many possible game makers he can relax and we may see even more production. Last night he passed up a jumper to get the ball to a teammate that had a better shot. I'd like to see a couple of guys dedicate themselves to being rebounding stars as Jones has made himself. You need to want the ball and being like Jones gives opportunities to make shots in put-backs, rebound, and start transitions. Nothing is perfect but the better all of them get the more success the team will have.

The one thing I noticed and felt sad for the Cowboys was the fans. that was a shotgun crowd last night and there was little emotion it seemed for the team. At times you could hear the coaches yelling which was like a practice. It was helpful when they(Ok St) tried to put the wrong player on the line and X coaches made certain that it was the wrong player.