The Sam Game

[Chop]

We're up early on the out-matched Sam Houston State team. A bit sloppy early on, with too many early fouls (do I detect a trend on this point ...). I can't see these guys finishing within 10 of us.

On O, Sam's running a lot of designed, set plays. So it's some good practice defending against those.

There's a female ref. I guess that's allowed.

Shaka's really animated when we're on D--hollering and motioning with his hands a lot. D is perhaps the strongest point of this team.

 

[Chop]

Wow, we're good at shot blocking. I'm seeing more rejections than I saw when I was seeking a date for my first Jr. High dance.

 

[Chop]

We're up 44-26 at halftime. We've forced 8 turnovers. Ramey has 12 points. Brown and Sims are stuffing them on D. The overall level of athleticism on this team is the best I can recall.

We'll open conference play against OSU. I think we're legitimately among the powers in the Big 12 now.

 

[longhorn47]

As good as the 1st half was, the 2nd half we doubly bad. Porous defense, stagnant offense (we went >7 minutes without a FG at one point). Whistle-happy officials. The whole night was very Jekyll and Hyde.

 

[Chop]

Yep. There's certainly a hot and cold, Jekyll and Hyde aspect to our team this year.

 

[Horns11]

25 fouls and 18 turnovers is sloppy. I think they were cold going into this one and it showed. They also allowed that Nutall kid to just have free rein outside the arc and opponents will use this tape to get their shooters into position like him.

 

[Sangre Naranjada]

When we are hot we are good enough to play with just about anybody.

When we are cold, we are still a tourney-worthy team thanks to our defense.

To me, this is quite an improvement over every other Shaka coached team.

 

[FWHORN]

Nothing I saw last night even the cold run in the second half dampened my enthusiasm for this team. I remain more than cautiously optimistic that this team can finish in the top four of the Big XII and have a realist chance of winning a couple of tournament games in March.

 

[4th_floor]

Nothing I saw last night even the cold run in the second half dampened my enthusiasm for this team. I remain more than cautiously optimistic that this team can finish in the top four of the Big XII and have a realist chance of winning a couple of tournament games in March.

That's a low bar to clear. I agree this team could clear the bar and save Shaka's job for another year. But please, NO contract extension without a Big12 title or a final 4 berth.

 

[Chop]

Huh? Are you kidding? The first time we beat either KU or Tech, we've got to lock down Shaka to at least another 5-7 years at $1 million + above what he currently gets per year.

 

[caryhorn]

25 fouls and 18 turnovers is sloppy. I think they were cold going into this one and it showed. They also allowed that Nutall kid to just have free rein outside the arc and opponents will use this tape to get their shooters into position like him.

Agree^^^. 25 fouls is unacceptable for a team that is serious about a deep run in the March Madness tournament. that is crazy stupid and undisciplined.

Ahh, that rant felt good.

 

[ViperHorn]

They were not mentally into the game and started to reach and grab. Every team gets one of those games.

 

[caryhorn]

They were not mentally into the game and started to reach and grab. Every team gets one of those games.

yes, it's true that every team gets one of those^^^. Seems Shaka's teams have multiple games with reaching, grabbing and putting the opponent into the double bonus way too early.

 

[ViperHorn]

yes, it's true that every team gets one of those^^^. Seems Shaka's teams have multiple games with reaching, grabbing and putting the opponent into the double bonus way too early.

At least so far they look like a team and not a collection of individuals. Of course, if history teaches anything the "old" team will show up in conference play.

 

[mchammer]

At least so far they look like a team and not a collection of individuals. Of course, if history teaches anything the "old" team will show up in conference play.

Shaka’s team is the only one that I am aware that is playing better after covid and BLM than before. I don’t know what it is but I am impressed

 

[caryhorn]

At least so far they look like a team and not a collection of individuals. Of course, if history teaches anything the "old" team will show up in conference play.

I root very hard for Shaka to succeed. I really hope the team improves as the season goes forward.
A little more discipline and movement away from the ball and this team could go far. Defensively, they are a force.