FIRST GAME

[section28]

Welp, we did not pull together 18 guys, 11 with zero experience, put in new systems for all 18 and expect it all to gel on the first day... Still don't want to lose to D2.
We did see high flying and rebounding effort and that the talent is there... Basketball is a team game and I feel very good even though this game was painful... I think it good to show the team how an experienced team (Lincoln) stays poised, within themselves, and worked the problem...
That is much better for us than a dunk line on Christian schools... And were were sent A good "Oh Poop" moment for the players... and not going into LSU with any illusions.
I think this is our best plan ever... Coaches are not trying to tweak actions of marginal players, they are coaching talented players and trying to allow them to blossom as a team... that is a much better plan and we all know it. So I am gonna be ready to take my lumps for a while... then see the hope in January, get excited in February, and still keep my expectations up....
We have established the starting line by which to measure.

[roos34]

Disappointing finish to the game, and one that we shouldn’t lose. But Lincoln did play with poise and within themselves to get that win. They had 2-3 pretty good transfer seniors (with D1 experience) that played well. Have to give them credit.

However, we showed much more overall talent and size, and did play with great effort. I am going to assume it’s just going to take time to jell and find our identity. I have no doubt that pieces are in place for success.
I think we need someone on the court to slow us down and be a leader. Not having Kopp available didn’t help, and I am not sure if we have that true point guard that’s ready. Gilyard would have had a blast with this lineup.

One thing I would bank on is that this team won’t fall apart due to the challenges.

[bigroobluefan]

Bad loss! Got out rebounded and had 9 assist to 22 turnovers against a bad D2 school. The young guys are soft and allowed the small guys to take the ball away from them. A long season is ahead if Shemarri is your leading scorer.The young guys better smart being more physical, stop making careless turnovers, and stop making bad fouls. If you gave me 50 points against LSU or Illinois I would not take the Roos after the last 2 games with 45 turnovers against non D1 opponents.

[hankroo]

Embarrassing.

I thought we did OK on defense and showed some promise. We gave up too many easy looks under the basket and too many wide open 3s. We should have done better at rebounding, but it seems to me that a lot of the rebounds we missed were shots that were so bad it would be difficult to set up for them.

My big concern is offense. We rarely had good looks under the basket. When we did the guys weren't ready to catch the ball cleanly. It was like they were surprised that the ball was coming to them. Why did we recruit so much height if we aren't going to punish smaller teams under the basket? All Lincoln had to do was collapse under the basket and let a bunch of 6'9" guys miss three pointers. Passes were sloppy all night. I really like Sam Martin but even he was making bad passes that were easy to pick off.

I realize that we have a small number of returning players and a ton of freshmen, but we can't beat a DII team that won 4 games last year? We struggled against Langston.

I have a lot of faith in Coach Menzies and I hope he can turn it around, but good grief. LSU, Illinois, and K-State games are going to be a bloodbath. I was really looking forward to crushing some skulls this season.

[stantmarks]

I was frustrated watching the team. After a few months of practice it looked like they have never played together. Spacing was awful. They all bunched up in the middle and it seemed nobody spread the floor. Too much of one player trying to do it all and not enough passing. Then they tried to pass when they shouldn't. The team is not ready to compete and not impressed with the coaching thus far. I have confidence that Menzies will turn this around but did not see us being this disorganized from the get go.

[section28]

they have been working together but practice only started in october... almost 1000 college games experience with Lincoln and our hoops babies just gettingborn