An Absolute Must-Win: UA vs LSU Game Thread

[Sus-Scrofa]

Who would have thought Big Z would become this good at the beginning of the season? He gets beaten off the dribble a lot, but follows to the rim for the block. And is starting to rebound pretty well.

it's also interesting seeing him do a lot of coaching out there.  I wonder if the other players listen or are just annoyed by it.

[buff2.0]

Glad Davis's head was there to break his fall

[buff2.0]

If LSU could make these open shots we're giving them they'd have a lot more points.

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[Borenutz]

Glad Davis's head was there to break his fall

He reminds me of Devo a bit for some reason. Very streaky.

He's made some clutch jumpers tonight from around the key/elbow. Missed some layups and 3's.

[Doc Hogaday]

Thiero's fat little girlfriend must have broken up w/ him right before the game. He doesn't have it tonight.

But we're still going to win.

[Borenutz]

Thiero's fat little girlfriend must have broken up w/ him right before the game. He doesn't have it tonight.

But we're still going to win.

Well, looks like we'll be needing you again on Saturday, Doc.

[Son of Spam]

Good work Doc! 3-0 when you start the thread. Get ready for Saturday.

[Show-Me Hog]

This one will go down in the record books.

As a win.

Good thing, because otherwise two years from now none of us will remember that this basketball game took place.

[jdcatty]

Thiero's fat little girlfriend must have broken up w/ him right before the game. He doesn't have it tonight.

But we're still going to win.

He made a couple of big plays in the second half, but we need more out of him.

[Gambler]

Arkansas basketball players over the last 20 years are legendary at dribble driving and blown bunny layups. They've made it into an art...most of the time it's either too much seeking contact and too little worrying about making a shot and other times it's too much avoiding contact or getting too cute when just an old fashion be a bucket would have done just fine.

Davis had at least 4.

[Hognrock]

Aidoo is frustrating. He's shown flashes so he has the talent. I'm not sure why it's not consistent but if we could get him going that would be optimal. Good had-to-have win while not getting much out of Thiero and not playing our best.

[DirkPiggler]

After doing a little research last night (aka asking HogStats.com on X), it seems like this game might have been the first time in our SEC history where we didn't put the other team into the one-and-one in either half.  HogStats suggested a 2007 win over LSU where we only had nine fouls for the game, but upon further review seven of those came in the second half of that one. 

[animal]

Aidoo is frustrating. He's shown flashes so he has the talent. I'm not sure why it's not consistent but if we could get him going that would be optimal. Good had-to-have win while not getting much out of Thiero and not playing our best.

Not sure what his stat line was last night but he seemed to grab some rebounds and make a few defensive things happen. Offensively he's just lost as a goose. Not sure if it's a system thing or what. He just looks like the "I"m new I'm new I don't know what to do" guy. The injury had him out of shape from the summer on into camp. I'm also going to guess whatever Rick Barnes was doing with this guy we aren't doing it or he had the right mix of guys around him to showcase what he does well.

Where we seem to struggle the most is on 2nd chance for us and 2nd chance giving ups to them otherwise known as offensive and defensive rebounding. This was an area of concern coming into the season and that concern hasn't went away.

I'd offer Richmond is blossoming into one of those kids that could fill up a stat sheet. Long and wiry enough to get boards, steals, and buckets...handles enough to make some nice assists. Wearing that #24 and taking point on some possessions sure does bring back some ques of Joe Johnson. I think Muss would have had that kid doing a lot of ISO stuff already.

[Hognrock]

I love Richmond and wish he would get more minutes. He seems like the prototypical 6th man and just a ball of energy.

[DirkPiggler]

Not sure what his stat line was last night but he seemed to grab some rebounds and make a few defensive things happen. Offensively he's just lost as a goose. Not sure if it's a system thing or what. He just looks like the "I"m new I'm new I don't know what to do" guy. The injury had him out of shape from the summer on into camp. I'm also going to guess whatever Rick Barnes was doing with this guy we aren't doing it or he had the right mix of guys around him to showcase what he does well.

Where we seem to struggle the most is on 2nd chance for us and 2nd chance giving ups to them otherwise known as offensive and defensive rebounding. This was an area of concern coming into the season and that concern hasn't went away.

I'd offer Richmond is blossoming into one of those kids that could fill up a stat sheet. Long and wiry enough to get boards, steals, and buckets...handles enough to make some nice assists. Wearing that #24 and taking point on some possessions sure does bring back some ques of Joe Johnson. I think Muss would have had that kid doing a lot of ISO stuff already.

Last night was Aidoo's best performance in a long time.  Miller for LSU was abusing Z on the block.  Aidoo put a stop to that when he was in the game.  I liked how in the last few minutes Cal subbed him in for defense whenever there was a play stoppage and LSU was about to get the ball. 

[Show-Me Hog]

Last night was Aidoo's best performance in a long time.  Miller for LSU was abusing Z on the block.  Aidoo put a stop to that when he was in the game.  I liked how in the last few minutes Cal subbed him in for defense whenever there was a play stoppage and LSU was about to get the ball. 

On defense, Aidoo seems fine enough.  On offense....?


I hate, hate hate hate, putting him at the high point. It seems to happen 50% of the possessions he is in there. What's he going to do from there? Not shoot. Not handle. Not make a nice pass. It completely bogs down and wastes time in the possession.  He should keep his ass on either block or in the lane.

As opposed to our other center, Z, who of course is going to shoot 3s as much as anyone.

[BleedinRed]

Z plays some really good help side defense.  His positioning on picks is really top notch.

[BASS]

Richmond is our best on ball defender. And he didn't do bad running point. He needs to be a little more selfish and shoot more.

[DirkPiggler]

On defense, Aidoo seems fine enough.  On offense....?


I hate, hate hate hate, putting him at the high point. It seems to happen 50% of the possessions he is in there. What's he going to do from there? Not shoot. Not handle. Not make a nice pass. It completely bogs down and wastes time in the possession.  He should keep his ass on either block or in the lane.

As opposed to our other center, Z, who of course is going to shoot 3s as much as anyone.

With you on Aidoo starting at the top of the key. 

The idea is to run the pick and roll, but Aidoo either rarely rolls, or doesn't catch the ball when he gets a pass thrown to him. 

When he's in the game he needs to be playing a traditional post spot while we're on offense.  Clear him out and let him crash the boards if the situation calls for it, but don't run plays for him facing the basket.

[BleedinRed]

What was Aidoo's injury?  If back and legs, I can see why he is struggling.  I was telling my workout buddy this morning that it amazes me how much my lifting and basketball ability is effected by my lower back and knee pains.  Aidoo may still be suffereing from the injury.