Eerily similar to 2022-2023

[ArgoEagle 1,790]

Last night took the course of a bunch of our losses last year.  We had control of the game and looked sharp in most phases.  In the final 6 minutes their guards looked really good offensively and our guards went cold and laid an egg.  I don't believe and hope this trend does not continue this year.  Also got beat pretty badly in the free throw department & gave up too many offensive rebounds.  But overall I feel really good about the rest of this season.  War Eagle!

[KansasTiger 3,248]

1 hour ago, ArgoEagle said:

Last night took the course of a bunch of our losses last year.  We had control of the game and looked sharp in most phases.  In the final 6 minutes their guards looked really good offensively and our guards went cold and laid an egg.  I don't believe and hope this trend does not continue this year.  Also got beat pretty badly in the free throw department & gave up too many offensive rebounds.  But overall I feel really good about the rest of this season.  War Eagle!

I dont want to misunderstand, but last night didn't feel at all like our losses or even wins last year. This team plays completely different. This team is already better than last year, and has a much higher ceiling. We can discuss the loss and why it happened, and what can be done to work on that, but this is not a fundamentally flawed team like we've had in the past.

Edited November 8, 2023 by KansasTiger

[auburnatl1 4,980]

This team clearly has upgraded its roster. In fact the new players generally outperformed our legacy ones. What killed us was how badly the defense dropped off between the first half and the second. Giving up over 50 pts in the second half was devastating. 
 

Side note. Seemed like (over) half the posts last night were about the refs and a conspiracy that they’re out to get us. Painful. I won’t comment on the psyche that displays but going forward can we create 2 game threads: 1) one about the game - the good and bad 2) ventilation about how every single call is biased and unfair?

[ArgoEagle 1,790]

38 minutes ago, KansasTiger said:

I dont want to misunderstand, but last night didn't feel at all like our losses or even wins last year. This team plays completely different. This team is already better than last year, and has a much higher ceiling. We can discuss the loss and why it happened, and what can be done to work on that, but this is not a fundamentally flawed team like we've had in the past.

I believe if you'll go back and watch several of our losses where we had leads until the last 5-6 minutes; you'll definitely see similarities. Holloway was great shooting up until about his last few shots. He put up some bricks, just like our guards last year.  And yes I'm convinced we have better shooting guards than last year, but the lasts 40 minutes, not 34.  That part has to get better.  And no way we got beat by the refs!

[KansasTiger 3,248]

13 minutes ago, ArgoEagle said:

I believe if you'll go back and watch several of our losses where we had leads until the last 5-6 minutes; you'll definitely see similarities. Holloway was great shooting up until about his last few shots. He put up some bricks, just like our guards last year.  And yes I'm convinced we have better shooting guards than last year, but the lasts 40 minutes, not 34.  That part has to get better.  And no way we got beat by the refs!

I disagree. You can't just take a general vague situation and claim there are similarities due to the end outcome. This team has things to improve on, perimeter defense, fouls, vision, turnovers, etc., but this team did things I never saw last year's team do, and not just in the last 6 min. They played as a cohesive unit for most of the first half and in spurts of the second half (something I can only remember last year's team doing for 1-2 games period). The shooting is night and day different, which forces the defense to defend you differently, which allows more driving and passing lanes to open, allowing more ball movement. Holloway wasn't going to maintain a 66% 3 point shot all game, and saying him missing toward the end is reminiscent of our guards last year is just a lazy comparison. If he can clean up some of his turnovers, he will surpass Wendell Green's ability before we even get to conference play. 

Edited November 8, 2023 by KansasTiger

[ArgoEagle 1,790]

31 minutes ago, KansasTiger said:

I disagree. You can't just take a general vague situation and claim there are similarities due to the end outcome. This team has things to improve on, perimeter defense, fouls, vision, turnovers, etc., but this team did things I never saw last year's team do, and not just in the last 6 min. They played as a cohesive unit for most of the first half and in spurts of the second half (something I can only remember last year's team doing for 1-2 games period). The shooting is night and day different, which forces the defense to defend you differently, which allows more driving and passing lanes to open, allowing more ball movement. Holloway wasn't going to maintain a 66% 3 point shot all game, and saying him missing toward the end is reminiscent of our guards last year is just a lazy comparison. If he can clean up some of his turnovers, he will surpass Wendell Green's ability before we even get to conference play. 

Nothing "lazy" about the comparison. Spot on if you stay in context with my original post.  I know this team is different in many ways & am sure we won't keep coming up short in this type game.

[icanthearyou 4,463]

1 hour ago, KansasTiger said:

I dont want to misunderstand, but last night didn't feel at all like our losses or even wins last year. This team plays completely different. This team is already better than last year, and has a much higher ceiling. We can discuss the loss and why it happened, and what can be done to work on that, but this is not a fundamentally flawed team like we've had in the past.

I think you are correct.  However, I can also see Argo's point.  We played poorly down the stretch.  And,,, we did give up too many second chance points because we didn't rebound.

We should not have lost this game.

[TigerTennis80 345]

I saw much to be encouraged about during last night's game. The 1st half in particular showed what is possible for this team. I remember thinking many times last season that we didn't finish halves well, & then we finished the 1st half really well last night. I was so pleased about that! And then... I don't know why our defense took a step back last night (& that happened after 1 of the announcers said we have a chance to have an elite defense this season). But even with the defensive issues, I think we still win the game if we don't turn the ball over as we did in the final 3-4 minutes. The bad pass on the out of bounds play after we called TO was particularly putrid &, in my mind at least, the play that gave the momentum totally to Baylor. We closed out the 1st half well, & then closed the 2nd half poorly. Ugh! If we are a mentally sharp team to go with our size & athleticism, I think we can be a great team. The 1st half showed us that. The 2nd half showed us what happens if we aren't a mentally sharp team. Here's hoping we take the lessons of this game to heart. And mind.

[JuscAUse! 1,429]

2 hours ago, KansasTiger said:

I dont want to misunderstand, but last night didn't feel at all like our losses or even wins last year. This team plays completely different. This team is already better than last year, and has a much higher ceiling. We can discuss the loss and why it happened, and what can be done to work on that, but this is not a fundamentally flawed team like we've had in the past.

We don't agree on everything, but this.......100%. 

 

[JuscAUse! 1,429]

I feel like the overlooked part of this discussion are the guys in the other uniforms that came out in the second half and decided to take it to our guys. We didn't handle it well. As for the officiating, it was pretty even except for a couple of minutes in a row in the first half and 3 minutes in a row to start the second. I don't believe I've ever seen more fouls called against one side in that short a time. The rest of the game, especially in the 2nd half, was over officiated to the extreme and was not fun to watch at all. I don't even want to see a uat vs UK game called that tight.

[WillMunny 1,380]

Whatever the cause for the loss last night, CBP was clearly upset we didn't win.  He called it a huge missed opportunity that will count on Selection Sunday.  He even described it as a failure for the SEC.  He was on a mission to win this one.

I see his point.  He scheduled this high-profile game, flew the team way up north to play a very good team, dominated for three-fourths of the game, and then let it slip away at the end.  Heartbreaking.

Personally, I think we have a lot to be excited about, but we should have won that game.  It should sting all our players, no matter how good they played at times or how good they played individually.  I hope it's a huge motivator for the remaining brutal non-conference schedule.  I'm sure it will be, because Pearl will see to it.

WDE.

[tigeraddikt 1,615]

3 hours ago, ArgoEagle said:

Last night took the course of a bunch of our losses last year.  We had control of the game and looked sharp in most phases.  In the final 6 minutes their guards looked really good offensively and our guards went cold and laid an egg.  I don't believe and hope this trend does not continue this year.  Also got beat pretty badly in the free throw department & gave up too many offensive rebounds.  But overall I feel really good about the rest of this season.  War Eagle!

The final result was indeed the same as many of last year’s games, but for different reasons. I believe that when it’s all said and done, Baylor will likely hold a #1 ranking in somebody’s poll this season at some point. They are not a top 20, but rather a top-5 team imo. Scott Drew is an elite tactician and motivator. They had many new parts, but they came together and did what they had to do in the 2nd half to beat us. Was a dang good game til the last 4:00 of come-apart.

[tigeraddikt 1,615]

6 minutes ago, WillMunny said:

Whatever the cause for the loss last night, CBP was clearly upset we didn't win.  He called it a huge missed opportunity that will count on Selection Sunday.  He even described it as a failure for the SEC.  He was on a mission to win this one.

I see his point.  He scheduled this high-profile game, flew the team way up north to play a very good team, dominated for three-fourths of the game, and then let it slip away at the end.  Heartbreaking.

Personally, I think we have a lot to be excited about, but we should have won that game.  It should sting all our players, no matter how good they played at times or how good they played individually.  I hope it's a huge motivator for the remaining brutal non-conference schedule.  I'm sure it will be, because Pearl will see to it.

WDE.

100% right on.

He was also tap-dancing around his intended meaning of “You can’t tell me that we fouled that much more in the 2nd half than they did. Free throw disparity hasn’t been this ridiculously impactful in a game since last year’s Vanderbilt game where the big white guy had more makes than we had attempts.”

[KillenTime 127]

30 minutes ago, TigerTennis80 said:

I saw much to be encouraged about during last night's game. The 1st half in particular showed what is possible for this team. I remember thinking many times last season that we didn't finish halves well, & then we finished the 1st half really well last night. I was so pleased about that! And then... I don't know why our defense took a step back last night (& that happened after 1 of the announcers said we have a chance to have an elite defense this season). But even with the defensive issues, I think we still win the game if we don't turn the ball over as we did in the final 3-4 minutes. The bad pass on the out of bounds play after we called TO was particularly putrid &, in my mind at least, the play that gave the momentum totally to Baylor. We closed out the 1st half well, & then closed the 2nd half poorly. Ugh! If we are a mentally sharp team to go with our size & athleticism, I think we can be a great team. The 1st half showed us that. The 2nd half showed us what happens if we aren't a mentally sharp team. Here's hoping we take the lessons of this game to heart. And mind.

Agree on the lazy inbound pass.  Just lackluster lazy pass.  Should have had KD in the game at the time.  He had earned it with his play and has played at this level and this speed for 3 years.  Too many mistakes down the stretch.  Refs definitely took over the game calling 56 fouls with 34 or 32 being on Auburn.  Crazy.  We have to shoot FTs better though.  Disappointed with who was on the court to end the game.  Disappointed in the 4 position all around.  Expected Broome to play much better in the paint, but didn't expect him to hit 2 3s.  Lots of work to do.  Some of the new guys have to adjust to Power 5 speed of the game.  

[Zeek 16,657]

4 hours ago, ArgoEagle said:

Last night took the course of a bunch of our losses last year.  We had control of the game and looked sharp in most phases.  In the final 6 minutes their guards looked really good offensively and our guards went cold and laid an egg.  I don't believe and hope this trend does not continue this year.  Also got beat pretty badly in the free throw department & gave up too many offensive rebounds.  But overall I feel really good about the rest of this season.  War Eagle!

My take is simple. We lost by 6 even though the refs called us for 10 more fouls than Baylor. They looked like a very good team and I think they'll be much higher than #20 when it's all said and done. 

[Dual-Threat Rigby 8,678]

There was definitely some Deja vu, but it feels a lot better that this happened in game 1 with a swathe of new dudes, rather than game 34 with a core that played two years together 

[AUGoo 2,664]

You could see this team fold under the pressure that BU was bringing last night.  Suddenly Aden wasn't making great decisions on shots and passes.  Johni suddenly didn't look as loose as earlier in the game- he air balled a FT when we needed him.  And he lost his poop to put the team at a disadvantage when we still had some hope.  Honestly, I was embarrassed and disappointed when he pulled that stunt.  The only one looking loose was DJones-I think? our new 3pt specialist.

Meanwhile, BU played hard.  Head down, stayed cool and went the distance while turning up their level of play down the stretch.

Question: How do you teach poise and cool headedness under pressure?  Is that just natural, gifted type stuff?  If Johni ain't got it now, will he ever have it?  Next time he gives that hound dog look with his hands turned up and acting like he did nothing, I'm gonna throw something at the TV- own it!  I hold out hope for the underclassmen but find my expectations fading for the older guys.  My concerns are that I don't see who is going to lead this team when times are tough.  My money is on Tre.  I wish he had been on the floor towards the end.  I think he makes really good decisions and doesn't look rattled.

Thoughts?

[TuscaloosaTiger 285]

What was the rebounding difference in the second half? It seemed to me that BU got more than their fair share of rebounds, especially on their offensive end. Anyone have these numbers for us and them? This seemed to me a major factor in our loss. They hit the boards and had multiple second and third chances in the second half.

[WillMunny 1,380]

1 hour ago, AUGoo said:

You could see this team fold under the pressure that BU was bringing last night.  Suddenly Aden wasn't making great decisions on shots and passes.  Johni suddenly didn't look as loose as earlier in the game- he air balled a FT when we needed him.  And he lost his poop to put the team at a disadvantage when we still had some hope.  Honestly, I was embarrassed and disappointed when he pulled that stunt.  The only one looking loose was DJones-I think? our new 3pt specialist.

Meanwhile, BU played hard.  Head down, stayed cool and went the distance while turning up their level of play down the stretch.

Question: How do you teach poise and cool headedness under pressure?  Is that just natural, gifted type stuff?  If Johni ain't got it now, will he ever have it?  Next time he gives that hound dog look with his hands turned up and acting like he did nothing, I'm gonna throw something at the TV- own it!  I hold out hope for the underclassmen but find my expectations fading for the older guys.  My concerns are that I don't see who is going to lead this team when times are tough.  My money is on Tre.  I wish he had been on the floor towards the end.  I think he makes really good decisions and doesn't look rattled.

Thoughts?

I thought the same thing about Tre last night.  He always looks competent and confident.

Edited November 9, 2023 by WillMunny

[AUGoo 2,664]

2 hours ago, TuscaloosaTiger said:

What was the rebounding difference in the second half? It seemed to me that BU got more than their fair share of rebounds, especially on their offensive end. Anyone have these numbers for us and them? This seemed to me a major factor in our loss. They hit the boards and had multiple second and third chances in the second half.

That’s where the foul situation comes into play

[AURex 2,016]

I'm not buying "the refs killed us" story. As others have mentioned already, Auburn tightened up and couldn't take the pressure of a strong opponent in the endgame. Every team faces an opponent who makes a strong run - or at least tries to. Auburn was unable to stiffen their backbone to beat it back.

This will change!

With more experience and coaching-up, Auburn will compete more strongly when other teams make an endgame run. It is a matter of learning and mental toughness and competitive will.

 

[JwgreDeux 1,279]

It’s difficult to close out wins against good teams. If you’re not good from the free-throw line. We played good enough from the floor to win that game and gave it up at the line. 
 

some of our older players have to adjust to the new way. They’re going to call the block charge which caused some of our excessive fouls. Also, we had a handful of really good defensive possessions that Baylor ended up scoring on on a scramble either late in the shot clock, or after a pass or something was deflected. That should get cleaned up as our guys get more accustomed to playing with one another. A lot to be encouraged after that game. 

[RunInRed 16,435]

 

[WarTiger 3,910]

15 hours ago, TuscaloosaTiger said:

What was the rebounding difference in the second half? It seemed to me that BU got more than their fair share of rebounds, especially on their offensive end. Anyone have these numbers for us and them? This seemed to me a major factor in our loss. They hit the boards and had multiple second and third chances in the second half.

no idea what the numbers were per half, but for the game we were dead even on offensive rebounds and defensive rebounds

[gr82be 14,440]

On 11/8/2023 at 9:47 AM, auburnatl1 said:

This team clearly has upgraded its roster. In fact the new players generally outperformed our legacy ones. What killed us was how badly the defense dropped off between the first half and the second. Giving up over 50 pts in the second half was devastating. 
 

Side note. Seemed like (over) half the posts last night were about the refs and a conspiracy that they’re out to get us. Painful. I won’t comment on the psyche that displays but going forward can we create 2 game threads: 1) one about the game - the good and bad 2) ventilation about how every single call is biased and unfair?

I don’t buy into referee bias too much but if what was posted in another thread about the ref from the UVA final four game being on the floor is true then he probably hates us for everything we’ve said about that call. He blew it and there is no getting around that.