UT vs App St

[car54]

I expected a crappy game out of Texas. They played well vs UNC and won a very BIG game just a few days ago. You have to expect a let-down after that when you aren't playing a big time game. They showed some "game" in taking care of business and pulling away in crunch time. They aren't where Smart wants them, but I like what I see in this team for the most part. Prince needs to get his **** together ( missing dunks etc...WTH ) We will need him in conference play.

 

[Sangre Naranjada]

Team was 8 of 18. I do not understand Ridley, who is having a great year, last year, he was not bad from the FT line. Maybe he will come around.

I looked it up. Ridley hit 61% from the charity stripe last year. He is at 39% so far this year. I hesitate to describe 61% efficiency as "good", but it beats the hell out of 39!

 

[txlandagent]

Working with a new SC coach: impacting weight, body shape, muscle memory etc...may play a little bit of a role too. Cam is down 25lbs from last year. Hopefully he tightens that FT% up because he's going to get to the line a lot this season.

 

[car54]

Working with a new SC coach: impacting weight, body shape, muscle memory etc...may play a little bit of a role too. Cam is down 25lbs from last year. Hopefully he tightens that FT% up because he's going to get to the line a lot this season.

You are right. New SC coach workouts may be playing a huge role in why they are missing FTs. That should improve if that is the case with time at the stripe after practice.
Tight games are won at the stripe; so all of the players need to step it up, especially Ridley, as he is going to get fouled a bunch.

 

[Statalyzer]

I think losing that weight may have helped Ridley in more than just "being quicker for his size" or "wearing out less quickly" - I think it also helped him with the mental-physical connection of how to handle his own size. Like a lot of young college big men, for a while he seemed kind of, not exactly clumsy, but like he didn't really know the right way vs the wrong way to use his size and strength. This year, he is translating that strength into meaningful activity much better.

 

[caryhorn]

This year, he is translating that strength into meaningful activity much better.

Yeah, he seems much more agile around the basket this year. His dunks off lobs are coming more often too. And one of them last night was unbelievable. It was one handed, way above the hoop, and about three feet to the right of the hoop. He got to it at the apex of his jump, and in an instant guided the ball violently to the basket. All this while running to the hoop. That is some pretty damn good stuff.

Shaka's scheme seems to be getting Cam more lobs, and they are really fun to see.