Cal State Northridge, Mon. Dec. 5, 6:30pm, FS1/970

Crazy to say about a 6pt victory over CS Northridge, but this felt like a good win. Any crazy, wishful fantasy we had about this team shocking the basketball world are long gone. We know we're a team with two good, young freshman guards and tons of room for improvement everywhere else. LoVett not playing and Ponds getting able to officially step into the go-to guy roll was my biggest takeaway. I feel like we just saw him take a step forward in his development tonight. He's going to be a real good one for us.
 
Why are Tariq and Ali handling the ball on the perimeter/ why is Ali even in the game?
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Exactly.
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I realize he's a good kid and good teammate and I hate to slam him, but if I ever see him on the floor again it'll be too soon.

He has zero court awareness and basketball IQ, is a turnover machine, a terrible shooter, an even worse passer, an awful defender, a foul-giving machine, and doesn't seem to grasp that you can't move when setting a pick. I just cringe when I see him on the floor. Thank God that Owens has been a surprise contributor to the forecourt. Otherwise we'd really be in really big trouble.
 
Crazy to say about a 6pt victory over CS Northridge, but this felt like a good win. Any crazy, wishful fantasy we had about this team shocking the basketball world are long gone. We know we're a team with two good, young freshman guards and tons of room for improvement everywhere else. LoVett not playing and Ponds getting able to officially step into the go-to guy roll was my biggest takeaway. I feel like we just saw him take a step forward in his development tonight. He's going to be a real good one for us.
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Without Lovett, I would have been very happy to have gotten out of Dodge with even a one point win.

As frustrating as Owens and Amar can be at times, I thought those two sparked us on D the last 6 or 7 minutes. I also think Ellison played much better in the second half, and thank you God for Mussini's first half hot streak.
 
Why are Tariq and Ali handling the ball on the perimeter/ why is Ali even in the game?
Click to expand...

Exactly.
Click to expand...

A realize he's a good kid and good teammate and I hate to slam him, but if I ever see him on the floor again it'll be too soon.

He has zero court awareness and basketball IQ, is a turnover machine, a terrible shooter, an even worse passer, an awful defender, a foul-giving machine, and doesn't seem to grasp that you can't move when setting a pick. I just cringe when I see him on the floor. Thank God that Owens has been a surprise contributor to the forecourt. Otherwise we'd really be in really big trouble.
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Think we are in big trouble already!
 
Ralph knock out that screaming bitch during the ft's !!!
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She seemed to inspire our crowd a little bit late in the game.

Honestly, she didn't have much of an effect. We shot a little below our normal percentage, but without Lovett, that needs to be graded on a curve.
 
Ralph knock out that screaming bitch during the ft's !!!
Click to expand...

She seemed to inspire our crowd a little bit late in the game.

Honestly, she didn't have much of an effect. We shot a little below our normal percentage, but without Lovett, that needs to be graded on a curve.
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Haaa. I actually thought it was a guy with a high pitched voice
 
The team broke their cherry in close games tonight. Good win for a few reasons. The team will get more out of the Delaware state loss and this hard fought win than they would from their blowout wins. Obviously upgrades are required at several positions for this 2 be a NCAA worthy squad.
 
Ralph knock out that screaming bitch during the ft's !!!
Click to expand...

She seemed to inspire our crowd a little bit late in the game.

Honestly, she didn't have much of an effect. We shot a little below our normal percentage, but without Lovett, that needs to be graded on a curve.
Click to expand...
Haaa. I actually thought it was a guy with a high pitched voice
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No, it was a lady. You've been listening to too many Frankie Valli records, MJ. :lol:
 
Funny,... I noticed when Ellison was at the line he seemed to almost purposefully start-stop when she screamed, and then follow through before she could regroup.
 
Funny,... I noticed when Ellison was at the line he seemed to almost purposefully start-stop when she screamed, and then follow through before she could regroup.
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He got a nice cheer from the crowd for doing that, too.
 
Ponds is special. He covers as much ground as players 3-4 inches taller than him. He gets to the rim from the 3 point arc in 2 steps. Scorer, passer and great to see him so comfortable finishing around the rim.
 
As long as we're on an "annoying" subject, was anyone else annoyed by the new CA announcer. He was too freakin' loud, and at times seemed like he was doing play-by-play. We're in the building chief, we don't need to be told it was travelling, or whatever. He was very annoying.

Ralph knock out that screaming bitch during the ft's !!!
Click to expand...

She seemed to inspire our crowd a little bit late in the game.

Honestly, she didn't have much of an effect. We shot a little below our normal percentage, but without Lovett, that needs to be graded on a curve.
Click to expand...
Haaa. I actually thought it was a guy with a high pitched voice
Click to expand...

No, it was a lady. You've been listening to too many Frankie Valli records, MJ. :lol:
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Where did CSun score their points tonight? Anyone remember them hitting many outside shots? If Sima and Yakwe don't improve their low post defense we will be annihilated by Big East centers. Is their any worse hands in college basketball then Sima and Yakwe? Thank God for Owens, the one guy who fights for position. Excellent game for the big guy.
Where the hell was Mussini in the second half? Did one of the coaches wake up Mullin to have him inserted at the 1:33 mark. Hello, anyone home? Breaking news Mullin he can shoot foul shots.
Ponds is certainly the real deal. Only a freshmen, really.
 
This was a good win that could have just as easily been a loss at home were it not for gifted freshman Shamorie Ponds who displayed all the skills I saw last year as a high school senior but who has only scratched the surface of how good he can be once his defense catches up to his offense. The Stat line shows 25 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds but without him on the floor this was a double digit loss. Except for Marcus Lovett everyone else on this team can't carry Slick's jock strap.
Had CS Northridge not been so pitiful from the 3 point line even Ponds would not have saved St. John's from another loss to a lesser opponent.
Mullin is now 2-0 against former NBA greats now coaching in the college ranks this season but he doesn't look happy. No coach would when your 6'11 center plays as soft as the Pillsbury Dough Boy and the Kassoum Yakwe [strike]David Russell[/strike] is playing more like Alpha Bangura every game. Both their stats were too meaningless to mention.
Again, if Tariq Owens were 20 pounds heavier he would be taking most of the minutes now going to Yakwe. Tonight he took both Sima's and Yakwe's minutes.
Richard Freudenberg got some burn and did not score but he moved the ball well.
Which leads us to the erratic play of Bashir Ahmed who has been a turnover machine who played like a bull in a china shop tonight. Mullin tried his best to settle him down but the kid looks like a player on roid rage at times. Settle down and play within the offense!

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Ponds deserves the accolades fur stepping up in LoVett's absence but Mussini and Owens chipped in nicely as well.

It's time to shorten the bench, too many guys coming in that add very little.

What's the word on Marcus?
 
Crazy to say about a 6pt victory over CS Northridge, but this felt like a good win. Any crazy, wishful fantasy we had about this team shocking the basketball world are long gone. We know we're a team with two good, young freshman guards and tons of room for improvement everywhere else. LoVett not playing and Ponds getting able to officially step into the go-to guy roll was my biggest takeaway. I feel like we just saw him take a step forward in his development tonight. He's going to be a real good one for us.
Click to expand...

Without Lovett, I would have been very happy to have gotten out of Dodge with even a one point win.

As frustrating as Owens and Amar can be at times, I thought those two sparked us on D the last 6 or 7 minutes. I also think Ellison played much better in the second half, and thank you God for Mussini's first half hot streak.
Click to expand...

I've been very hard on Ellison but I've gotta give credit when it's due. Much better tonight. I wish he'd hit his FT's down the stretch (and don't understand why staff seems to like him crunch time) but he looked more composed and that drive he finished with like 4 minutes left felt like a big bucket. Hopefully he keeps it up.

Okay now I'm going to unload on Ahmed though...I like that he gets to the line and is one of the few guys who have a nose for rebounds but I'm not a fan. I know we're not very deep and he's one of our better scoring options at this point but I wonder if a player like him is even good for this team. Sure all want to win as many games as possible but I question if his style of play is hurting the development of our young guys when we're trying to build a culture. He's out of control and I'd call his play selfish. He misses so many open guys, picks up terrible fouls and turns the ball over way too much. I'd take a couple more L's in a building year if the guys are playing better team ball. Or maybe I'm being too harsh...
 
Why are Tariq and Ali handling the ball on the perimeter/ why is Ali even in the game?
Click to expand...

Exactly.
Click to expand...

A realize he's a good kid and good teammate and I hate to slam him, but if I ever see him on the floor again it'll be too soon.

He has zero court awareness and basketball IQ, is a turnover machine, a terrible shooter, an even worse passer, an awful defender, a foul-giving machine, and doesn't seem to grasp that you can't move when setting a pick. I just cringe when I see him on the floor. Thank God that Owens has been a surprise contributor to the forecourt. Otherwise we'd really be in really big trouble.
Click to expand...

Think we are in big trouble already!
Click to expand...

Deleted that very thought before posting. Didn't want to sound too negative.
 
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