------------------- going on in the media, this game is setting up very nicely for Muss to add to his coaching legend. UConn resembles Kentucky with the dominating power forward inside and great three point shooters outside. We have played well against Kentucky and we can also do so against UConn.
I suspect one of the coaching cards that Muss will play will be to dial down the pressure on Smith to come back and be great. If he will just continue to play great defense and just hit a few outside shots, that could be the difference. Smith just does not seem comfortable ādriving to the hole banging with the bigs getting fouled for free throwsā part of the game right now. We got those kind of guys in Council, Devo, and Black. We need some outside threats to open up the defense and maybe Smith can just provide that and some ball handling.
I think that Smith is a fantastic offensive threat but he is trying too hard to prove it when all he has to do is be himself and not try to do too much offensively. As to your comments of continuing to play great defense Iāll have to disagree. He is constantly caught watching the ball too much and losing track of his man (as the example of Melendez getting 8 straight points off of Smith when he lost track of him). He can still help us but he has to figure out that he is not the only main man to carry us to the title. This is the reason that we are playing better without him, thus far.
I saw an interview with Muss yesterday, and he made a point of noting that Nick played good defense down the stretch against Kansas. If he hadnāt done that Muss would have yanked him and put in someone else to play D.
He did yank him! He put him back in when Devo fouled out. Iām all for Nick Smith and know that if he can relax on offense he could be the difference between us winning and losing in Vegas. I just mentioned the problem he had on defense in the Illinois game. And yes he did help us on defense at the end of the Kansas game.
I do not recall a ābadā shot from Nick versus Kansas, just misses. Gotta give Kansas some credit, along with some knee pain. I bet Nick has a much better game versus UConn; and itās my view thatās what the Hogs will need for a W.
I love this team! I see no quit in any of them. I also think we have great fans. We may not always agree but I love the passion. Weāre very fortunate so letās keep this season going!
I am certain Nickās reluctance to fling himself at the rack leans towards his hurt knee You have to be ready to land off balance and weirdly driving and getting banged. Having a bad knee doesnāt lend itself to that. I am so far from Nick Smith as an athlete I hate to reference myselfā¦but I remember how I felt after a knee injury. You want to avoid traffic.
I feel for Nick. Iām sure heās torn in many directions. I know one thing he came back because he wanted to be a Razorback. I admire him for that and always will.
Our freshmen guards have all struggled with contact. Weight room and maturity will help that. They donāt back down but no doubt it takes a physical toll.
I see where UConn center gets compared to Tishewe of Kentucky, does that mean he is allowed to camp out in the lane and ride over players back to get a rebound without getting called for a foul? If thatās the case heās not only good he favored, which is BS. WPS
Walsh donāt struggle banging. A B will go inside and bang. AB just didnāt take the ball inside much against Kansas. Smith missed a few shots and didnāt keep shooting. Smith need to see 1 shot fall. The. I think he can get hit. Thereās one ball and 5 players who ever has the best shot in a possession need to take it! Council and Devo canāt s ore enough alone to win. If all hogs show they can score thatās what needs to happen. Find a hit hand and ride āem. Letās hope they all take turns scoring.
I swear some people donāt read the whole post. I said āTHEY DONāT BACK DOWNā (yelling for those who canāt hear). They will absolutely go inside and bang but physically, our freshman guards have had difficulty making shots inside with contact. Iāve seen it all year long. They need to get stronger and they will as they mature.
AB and Walsh have finished through contact. I think Walsh is good dealing with getting mugging and getting up a shot.
Smith has never got into true game shape but he can go to the hole.
AB can go to the hole but he canāt finish as well as a bigger frames human being. A little darn common sense there.
By the way jack xxx I have watched pretty much everting type of sporting event with a hog on it for years. Iām not a reside expert but thereās plenty on this board.
By the way I use to park in a parking lot years ago
When someone would park so close I couldnāt get either door open until they moved and I had to wait on them or crawl in a window I would
Leave a cartoon message printed on paper on their windshield
āPitcher Mickey Mouse saying next time leave a can opener xxx hole where I can get in my car.ā
WTH does any of this have anything to do with this post. Love the name calling whenever someone disagrees with any of your posts. I never said any of them could not go to the hole. But they have struggled at finishing when they are up against physically stronger players. Itās not rocket science to expect freshmen to need more time in the weight room and to get stronger.