(PRE-GAME) @Indiana, Wed., Nov. 17, 9p, FS-1

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We have a very veteran team which down the road is designed to win games line this. This is early in the season so we haven't gelled yet and I think we lose but definitely wouldnt surprise me to win. Just curious how our guys do against better comp. Even if we dont win if we are close that in itself is going to be real positive but I think we have a legit shot this game
 
mjmaherjr post=442359 said:
We have a very veteran team which down the road is designed to win games line this. This is early in the season so we haven't gelled yet and I think we lose but definitely wouldnt surprise me to win. Just curious how our guys do against better comp. Even if we dont win if we are close that in itself is going to be real positive but I think we have a legit shot this game
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You sound like my good friend Lt. Frank Drebin, who gives us a 50/50 chance of winning this game, but thinks there only a 10% chance of that. 
 
The recipe for success is to keep Soriano out of foul trouble, battle on the boards and have at least two of our outside shooters on fire.
 
Liking the fact two of our guys Wheeler and Mathis have experience playing against IU & Jackson-Davis and can provide insight to rest of team.
 
Section9 post=442372 said:
The recipe for success is to keep Soriano out of foul trouble, battle on the boards and have at least two of our outside shooters on fire.
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IMO this will be key to success for this game and the season….big guys need to know when to “fold ‘em” and just wall up without going for a block
 
It's time we win one of these early season big games, especially on the road. I can see it catapulting us to a really good season. But let's get it started now.
 
This team is greatly improved in key areas including perimeter shooting, inside presence, ball movement and deep bench, not to mention two of the best players in the BE in JC and PA. One other difference maker -- without exception, the players look to buy into Coach Anderson’s scheme. Last year there were players who apparently didn’t, and it’s impossible to gauge their impact in the locker room as well as on the court. Feeling good about the Indiana game.
 
mjmaherjr post=442359 said:
We have a very veteran team which down the road is designed to win games line this. This is early in the season so we haven't gelled yet and I think we lose but definitely wouldnt surprise me to win. Just curious how our guys do against better comp. Even if we dont win if we are close that in itself is going to be real positive but I think we have a legit shot this game
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I agree Mike.   
I'm not sure our defense is where it needs to be to win this game.    That will get better as the season goes along, but that won't help us tomorrow against a quality opponent in their gym.  

Hoping that it all comes together early for a win, but not expecting one.  
 
I would be disappointed if we don’t win this game.  While I understand it takes time for the team to gain chemistry, this is one of only two non conference games that will help us when tournament selections are made.  Out of the two, this is one we need to get.  Although Indiana fans seem to think this is a win for them, I don’t see where that confidence comes from.  They beat two non high major teams and their offensive numbers look pretty bad.  After 2 games they’re shooting  44.9% FG, 70% FT and 25.5% 3ptFG. Normally offensive numbers don’t improve when you start playing high majors.  In contrast our numbers are 60.5% FG, 81% FT and 48.1% 3ptFG.  I understand we haven’t played great competition either and the numbers will go down, but at least we’ve shown that we are a much better shooting team than they are so far.  I think the key to this game is going to be rebounding and turnovers.  They seem to be a poor shooting team that has played good defense against inferior athletes so far.  If shot attempts are fairly even, I believe we should win this game.  Intensity and focus has to be there for 40 minutes.  Road games are hard to win but I believe we have the better team. 
 
Monte post=442324 said:
 
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Agreed WM. Would love to win this game, but more important to me are getting answers to some important questions. Certainly what you mentioned, but more specifically;
-Can Smith and Coburn get good looks and knock down shots against a much higher level of comp?
-Can Soriano hold his own down low against Jackson-Davis?
-Can Wheeler and Stanley be effective around the rim on both ends?
-What can Mathis give us on offense? 
-Who is our back up PG? 


As you say, this will be a real test and give us a better gage of where things stand with this team, win or lose. 
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LMF Predictions:

1.  Yes.
2.  Until he fouls out, which will be sooner rather than later.
3.  Yes.
4.  Layups and dunks, he isn't a shooter.  Basically a poor man's Justin Simon (and I LOVED Justin Simon, if only he could shoot he could have been a lottery pick).
5.  I think that at the moment the answer to this is Wusu, though Coburn and Smith are fine with the ball also.
 
Understood, but a top 5 Kansas team anywhere is tougher and if we want to make the tournament we have to start winning some of these tough games.  Hopefully Wednesday will be a start for us.  Tournament teams are capable of winning these type of games.  Lavin’s first tournament team beat some pretty good teams, including a blowout of Duke.  I just believe this team is very capable of winning this game.
 
Eric2 post=442388 said:
I would be disappointed if we don’t win this game.  While I understand it takes time for the team to gain chemistry, this is one of only two non conference games that will help us when tournament selections are made.  Out of the two, this is one we need to get.  Although Indiana fans seem to think this is a win for them, I don’t see where that confidence comes from.  They beat two non high major teams and their offensive numbers look pretty bad.  After 2 games they’re shooting  44.9% FG, 70% FT and 25.5% 3ptFG. Normally offensive numbers don’t improve when you start playing high majors.  In contrast our numbers are 60.5% FG, 81% FT and 48.1% 3ptFG.  I understand we haven’t played great competition either and the numbers will go down, but at least we’ve shown that we are a much better shooting team than they are so far.  I think the key to this game is going to be rebounding and turnovers.  They seem to be a poor shooting team that has played good defense against inferior athletes so far.  If shot attempts are fairly even, I believe we should win this game.  Intensity and focus has to be there for 40 minutes.  Road games are hard to win but I believe we have the better team. 
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So basically what you're saying is that  all of our concerns will be erased on Wednesday? From your lips....  lol. Yes, back up PG by committee. I actually think Wheeler should and will spend a lot of time defending Jackson-Davis. JD is very quick, probably much too quick for Soriano. 
 
SJUFAN2 post=442387 said:
mjmaherjr post=442359 said:
We have a very veteran team which down the road is designed to win games line this. This is early in the season so we haven't gelled yet and I think we lose but definitely wouldnt surprise me to win. Just curious how our guys do against better comp. Even if we dont win if we are close that in itself is going to be real positive but I think we have a legit shot this game
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I agree Mike.   
I'm not sure our defense is where it needs to be to win this game.    That will get better as the season goes along, but that won't help us tomorrow against a quality opponent in their gym.  

Hoping that it all comes together early for a win, but not expecting one.  
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I agree SJUFAN2. That’s my only issue with CMA. The system he runs defensively takes time to learn, with the changing landscape in college basketball, with the large amount of roster turnover now from year to year, it’s going to be extremely tough fir us to win these early season quality OOC games. It’s going negatively affect our ability to make the tournament. The only way around it is to either have a top 15 strength of schedule that can get us in the tournament even with a lesser record or we better win some Big East Championships. A strong Big East could also negate that is we have enough conference games against ranked teams and grab some wins. But, as it stands now the Big East only has two ranked teams. Not many opportunities there.
 
I'll be at the game along with a fellow SJU alum and my daughter who's a current student at IU (though she'll be wearing SJU gear like us). Anybody else going?

 
 
It's a real problem when there are only 2 chances in the non-conference schedule to get good wins, and one of those is against a legit title contender. If we lose to Kansas and Indiana we probably need 12 wins in conference, which won't be easy. Scheduling Pittsburgh, which might be the worst team in any top 6 conference instead of almost any other high-major, was a bad mistake. 
 
adavis1 post=442400 said:
It's a real problem when there are only 2 chances in the non-conference schedule to get good wins, and one of those is against a legit title contender. If we lose to Kansas and Indiana we probably need 12 wins in conference, which won't be easy. Scheduling Pittsburgh, which might be the worst team in any top 6 conference instead of almost any other high-major, was a bad mistake. 

They scheduled Pitt as a favor to the Champagnie's assuming they would both still be in college.  Schools often schedule games in the home towns of its players or something like Pitt/SJ as a nicety for its players.  Winning games is the road to the tournament.  Would you rather beat Pitt or lose to NC State.  Its not a given you will beat the upper tier schools in other conferences.  The perfect example is Indiana.  They are not ranked but close and this is going to be a tough game.  If they are a tournament worthy team then they will probably get in.  
 
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adavis1 post=442400 said:
It's a real problem when there are only 2 chances in the non-conference schedule to get good wins, and one of those is against a legit title contender. If we lose to Kansas and Indiana we probably need 12 wins in conference, which won't be easy. Scheduling Pittsburgh, which might be the worst team in any top 6 conference instead of almost any other high-major, was a bad mistake. 
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Please take these complaints to the thread where this has all been discussed to the nth degree. Thanks.
 
 
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