ArchBaron Cup Part Deaux
I figured I'd get something out for UDPrider's to review in advance of tomorrow's game.
I missed the initial write up for Round 1, as I was out of the country.
SLU is playing really well right now, hitting their stride at the right time. They've won 5 of 6 since their demoralizing performance at the Arena on January 11th. That stretch includes an impressive road win at George Mason, and a disappointing, perhaps maybe not surprising, loss at UMass where the Billikens were out-toughed and surrendered 91 points in regulation.
They would easily have an at-large worthy resume if they simply were able to finish off good teams where they had sizable 2nd-half leads (all at home). UAB, Belmont and Auburn.
SLU leads with arguably the best point guard/assist man in the A10 with Yuri Collins. He's coming off a monster game at GMason that will probably garner A10 player of the week honors. Yuri has developed a respectable three point shot, so you can't just dare him to shoot them anymore. It's a slower, more deliberate set shot, so you can still go under ball screens if you have to. But you've got to make an effort to recover after going under. He had his worst game of the season in ArchBaron 1, and that's unlikely to repeat itself. He's the engine that makes them go.
They're also lead by the A10's leading scorer in Gibson Jimerson. Historically just been a three-point threat (can be deadly out there), his game has really blossomed and expanded this year.
Jordan Nesbitt, a local kid who "transferred" back home after enrolling early at Memphis last year, may very well be the most physically talented player on the team. Can shoot it, get to the rim, rebound, defend, etc. He's young and still maturing, but has made great strides both mentally and attitude-wise this season.
Fred Thatch Jr. Through some medical issues and Covid, it's possible we'll see Fred for like 7 total years in a Billiken uniform. While not as big as Trey Landers, he does all of that stuff for this Billiken team. His hustle plays and timely shots and stick backs have kept this team in some games of late.
Terrence Hargrove Jr. Very similar to Thatch, he's their all energy guy. Hustles, rebounds, dunks, etc. After having a "career" game from behind the arc in ArchBaron Round 1, going 4 of 5 from deep, he's gone 3 for 15 since.
Francis Okoro. Inserted into the strating lineup for most of conference play, as Linnsen was dealing with an ankle issue, he's settled in nicely as one of the more efficient big men in the A10. Early on, he missed so many bunnies you'd never complain about Camara again. I'm hoping that the presence of Deuce and Camara will help him revert to his earlier trends.
Martin Linnsen. Solid big/power forward. Moves a little awkward but has been effective when catching the ball around the block.
DeAndre Jones. Spells Yuri at the point. Very undersized. Plays pretty decent pressure defense. Had a huge game against UAB, going 5-7 from deep. No where near the creator that Collins is.
Lassina Traore. Big, undeveloped Frosh from the Ivory Coast. Still very raw. Doesn't play much, but can see extended minutes if Okoro or Linssen get saddled with fouls. Was forced to play extended minutes vs George Mason and had some nice moments, including an impressive block on Oduro late in the game that seemed like a sure fire dunk. If he's playing extended minutes, I like our chances as our bigs should be able to handle him consistently around the rim.
Some general SLU information:
- Unlike most SLU teams in the AB Cup history, this team can actually shoot the ball pretty well. They have 5 guys above 33% from behind the arc. And they have this transfer Rashad Williams who they describe as a "volume shooter" who doesn't play a lot of minutes (~110 on the season), but has hoisted 46 treys (half of those in the last 5 games), making 11 on the season. He's not a guy I'd like to see out there hitting two or three in short period of time.
- Unlike teams of SLU past, they're not a strong interior team, on either end of the court.
- Unlike teams of SLU past, they're an outstanding free throw shooting team.
- They don't play a lot of pressure, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Travis mix it up a little, given our early season turnover ghosts.
- Travis will be all over the court, very animated and seemingly complaining about a lot of calls.
- Their crowds this year have been pedestrian at best, but they've seemed to get a lot out of those who do show. They've been pushing hard for a big showing this Saturday and we'll gladly add 1500 red shirts to a crowd of ~6000.
- They hate us. They absolutely hate everything about us. We're everything they want to be and it breeds contempt. Travis is very aware of that hatred, as well as his winning % against UD, and will be wound very tight.
- Be LOWD. Wear RED.
I missed the initial write up for Round 1, as I was out of the country.
SLU is playing really well right now, hitting their stride at the right time. They've won 5 of 6 since their demoralizing performance at the Arena on January 11th. That stretch includes an impressive road win at George Mason, and a disappointing, perhaps maybe not surprising, loss at UMass where the Billikens were out-toughed and surrendered 91 points in regulation.
They would easily have an at-large worthy resume if they simply were able to finish off good teams where they had sizable 2nd-half leads (all at home). UAB, Belmont and Auburn.
SLU leads with arguably the best point guard/assist man in the A10 with Yuri Collins. He's coming off a monster game at GMason that will probably garner A10 player of the week honors. Yuri has developed a respectable three point shot, so you can't just dare him to shoot them anymore. It's a slower, more deliberate set shot, so you can still go under ball screens if you have to. But you've got to make an effort to recover after going under. He had his worst game of the season in ArchBaron 1, and that's unlikely to repeat itself. He's the engine that makes them go.
They're also lead by the A10's leading scorer in Gibson Jimerson. Historically just been a three-point threat (can be deadly out there), his game has really blossomed and expanded this year.
Jordan Nesbitt, a local kid who "transferred" back home after enrolling early at Memphis last year, may very well be the most physically talented player on the team. Can shoot it, get to the rim, rebound, defend, etc. He's young and still maturing, but has made great strides both mentally and attitude-wise this season.
Fred Thatch Jr. Through some medical issues and Covid, it's possible we'll see Fred for like 7 total years in a Billiken uniform. While not as big as Trey Landers, he does all of that stuff for this Billiken team. His hustle plays and timely shots and stick backs have kept this team in some games of late.
Terrence Hargrove Jr. Very similar to Thatch, he's their all energy guy. Hustles, rebounds, dunks, etc. After having a "career" game from behind the arc in ArchBaron Round 1, going 4 of 5 from deep, he's gone 3 for 15 since.
Francis Okoro. Inserted into the strating lineup for most of conference play, as Linnsen was dealing with an ankle issue, he's settled in nicely as one of the more efficient big men in the A10. Early on, he missed so many bunnies you'd never complain about Camara again. I'm hoping that the presence of Deuce and Camara will help him revert to his earlier trends.
Martin Linnsen. Solid big/power forward. Moves a little awkward but has been effective when catching the ball around the block.
DeAndre Jones. Spells Yuri at the point. Very undersized. Plays pretty decent pressure defense. Had a huge game against UAB, going 5-7 from deep. No where near the creator that Collins is.
Lassina Traore. Big, undeveloped Frosh from the Ivory Coast. Still very raw. Doesn't play much, but can see extended minutes if Okoro or Linssen get saddled with fouls. Was forced to play extended minutes vs George Mason and had some nice moments, including an impressive block on Oduro late in the game that seemed like a sure fire dunk. If he's playing extended minutes, I like our chances as our bigs should be able to handle him consistently around the rim.
Some general SLU information:
- Unlike most SLU teams in the AB Cup history, this team can actually shoot the ball pretty well. They have 5 guys above 33% from behind the arc. And they have this transfer Rashad Williams who they describe as a "volume shooter" who doesn't play a lot of minutes (~110 on the season), but has hoisted 46 treys (half of those in the last 5 games), making 11 on the season. He's not a guy I'd like to see out there hitting two or three in short period of time.
- Unlike teams of SLU past, they're not a strong interior team, on either end of the court.
- Unlike teams of SLU past, they're an outstanding free throw shooting team.
- They don't play a lot of pressure, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Travis mix it up a little, given our early season turnover ghosts.
- Travis will be all over the court, very animated and seemingly complaining about a lot of calls.
- Their crowds this year have been pedestrian at best, but they've seemed to get a lot out of those who do show. They've been pushing hard for a big showing this Saturday and we'll gladly add 1500 red shirts to a crowd of ~6000.
- They hate us. They absolutely hate everything about us. We're everything they want to be and it breeds contempt. Travis is very aware of that hatred, as well as his winning % against UD, and will be wound very tight.
- Be LOWD. Wear RED.