LSU game thread....

[IWB]

Anyone out there?

First walked into the building....

Contact: "A lot of NBA scouts today."
Me: "Who does LSU have?"

In all there are 10 NBA scouts in the building, 4 of which are from the T-Wolves - must have some serious interest in O'Bryant?

[IWB]

Surprised Mayo was in as early as he was, Buzz must want to shake the cobwebs out of him immediately

FYI - Danny Pudi in the house

[TedBaxter]

Marquette hustling on defense, but LSU getting open shots and hitting 3's to stay in the game. The one where Trent Lockett went for the loose ball and LSU getting an open 3 out of it was the perfect example. Like the hustle and like how Trent and Vander are playing today.

[IWB]

Great to see the infamous Johnny Rev on the dance cam!

[IWB]

Agree Ted - The hustle level with the entire team is much different than it was on Wednesday.

[IWB]

Last missed shot, clear that Vander is back to releasing the ball from his palm and not his fingers.

[TedBaxter]

Mayo doesn't seem to have his shooting legs yet, but the one area he will help this team is man defense. He can really get in the shorts of another player and is already showing it today. This should get more turnovers for this team and lead to more fast break opportunities.

[Phantom Warrior]

This will still turn into a nail-biter/white-knuckler.

[IWB]

Mayo doesn't seem to have his shooting legs yet, but the one area he will help this team is man defense. He can really get in the shorts of another player and is already showing it today. This should get more turnovers for this team and lead to more fast break opportunities.

He has such a quick fist two steps it is making a difference on defense.

[TedBaxter]

If MU continues to shoot jumpers, yes. If they can get inside and get points off of slashes, no.

[IWB]

First half...

Points in the Paint
MU: 24
LSU: 10

Points off of turnovers
MU: 11
LSU: 9

2nd chance points
MU: 7
LSU: 4

Fast break Points
MU: 15
LSU: 9

Bench scoring
MU: 24
LSU: 14

[IWB]

Jameel McKay in the house as is Diamond Stone. A few others I don't recognize, will find out.

[IWB]

MU out-rebounded LSU in the first half 22-16.

[IWB]

They show a replay on the Lockett foul on TV? Looked like Trent established position from my view.

[IWB]

LSU on a 27-6 run. Unbelievable!

[IWB]

LSU on a 27-6 run. Unbelievable!

So far in second half.....
Points in paint -
LSU: 8
MU: 2

Fast break points
LSU: 10
MU: 0

Bench
LSU: 7
MU: 0

[IWB]

Davante's body language after contact is really out there.

[IWB]

Last two fouls called on LSU were same ref calling it on the same player. I think that ref (Stephens?) got sick of Coleman's complaining and is now watching everything he does. Wish they would keep a better eye on LSU's two guards. Hickey and Stringer get their cheap shots in, running by rebound battles with slaps/hits to the face - all looks like incidental contact, but after the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th time? These guys know how to play dirty and get away with it.

[IWB]

Too many mental mistakes. Every time MU establishes a lead they give it up via mental breakdown. That has to stop happening.

[IWB]

Gardner's free throw shooting has been clutch - get him the ball in this situation every time.

[TedBaxter]

This team loses focus, especially on defense and then instead of putting pressure on the defense with penetration, they start to stand around. They don't have a Jae Crowder to challenge the other players on the court.

Jamil has to start taking the ball to the basket and drawing fouls, ala Jimmy Butler. He can't be just a jump shooter.

[Phantom Warrior]

24 of 25 free throws!!!!!!!!!!!! If we hit 75% of free throws in this game, we probably lose.

Too bad Vander missed the one and one against GB.

17 points and 6 assists for Junior - along with 4 rebounds. He did have 4 turnovers, too many, but he did play well overall.

MU recruited Stringer. He hit six treys and finished with 20 points. Nice player.

[TheSultan]

Complete lack of toughness on this team...both mental and physical. The hard fought offensive rebound...the putback... It just isn't there this year like it was with Hayward, Butler and Jae. I was really expecting more out of Jamil in particular.

[Nukem2]

With Todd and Vander in the game, MU has a much different on-court mojo. From my seat, it looked like Tod played well other than his shot not dropping and the careless TO. That football pass by Vander with 3.3 seconds to go was ludicrous as it could have given LSU the ball under its hoop. Davante made a great save on the previous long pass, though he was not fouled as he initiated the contact. He did some eye-popping things in the course of the game.

[TheSultan]

Todd will be fine when he shakes the rust off. Clearly more athletic than Thomas and should take most of his minutes.

[lougrant]

Mayo's shot was inconsistent last year, so I shudder to think what his offensive game will be like after an extended layoff and how long it will take him to come around. Would still rather see him on the court than Thomas or Lockett.

[IrwinFletcher]

Mayo might be our best, if not equal to Vander in driving to the basket, something we have not done much at all this season. I think he will open up the offense a little bit and give us a much needed weapon.

[TheSultan]

Mayo can't replace Lockett's rebounding. He can however pretty much replace anything that Thomas is giving MU right now.

[MUMac]

With Todd and Vander in the game, MU has a much different on-court mojo. From my seat, it looked like Tod played well other than his shot not dropping and the careless TO. That football pass by Vander with 3.3 seconds to go was ludicrous as it could have given LSU the ball under its hoop. Davante made a great save on the previous long pass, though he was not fouled as he initiated the contact. He did some eye-popping things in the course of the game.

Not only was he not fouled, he traveled. There were two calls that could have been made, and the official chose the 3rd, which did not happen.