| 14 July 2009
HO-LY SHIT. That's about all you can say after a game like that one. With 10 minutes left in the game I was starting to gather my thoughts and was all set to gush about the Tigers' performance. And then over the next nine minutes the Tigers' 20 point lead dwindled down to one and I was starting to wonder what I would write if the Tigers ended up blowing the game. Fortunately, I don't have to do that. But I do have to try to make some sort of sense of what just happened.
- I'll just start off by saying that we caught an enormous break on that jump ball in the final minute. That was a foul and Byron Eaton should have gone to the line with a chance to put the Cowboys up for the first time in the entire game. I have no idea how the ref thought that was a jump ball. ABSOLUTELY should have been a foul. But we're the same fans that suffered through the 5th Down and the Kicked Ball Game. I have no problem taking this one.
- One thing this game definitely reaffirmed is that Matt Lawrence doesn't need to be starting. And for once, that isn't a knock on No. 33. Lawrence had what was easily his best game of the season tonight and it was probably his game since Mississippi State last year. Not only was he lights out from beyond the arc but he was also active in the passing lanes on the defensive end (he finished with only one steal but had several deflections). He also had a beautiful catch-pass to J.T. Tiller(?) at one point that led to an uncontested layup (I can't for the life of me remember at what point in the game this occurred and I'm not entirely sure it was to J.T, but I believe it happened late in the first half. If you saw it then you know what play I'm talking about).
- While Matt had his best game of the year, Kim English had what was probably his worst game of his freshman campaign. 16 minutes, 0 points and three fouls. Tough line. But every freshman is bound to have a few of those.
- I was really impressed with J.T. Tiller tonight. Especially at the start of the game. After the lackadaisical start to the Nebraska game, it was obvious Mike Anderson had his team ready to play at the start of the game and no player set the tone better than J.T. Every time he caught the ball he was pushing it up the floor and attacking. There wasn't a second that he wasn't putting pressure on the Cowboy defense. He might've been out of control a few times, but at least he was attacking.
- DeMarre Carroll was outstanding in the first half, but his second half effort left a lot to be desired. Those two turnovers late in the game were unacceptable. You've got to show more composure as a senior.
- Leo's performance wasn't awful, but it wasn't great either. And the four-of-eight from the line was a little frustrating. Once again, he attacked the rim and got to the line. But he's gotta convert those freebies.
- I feel like I've done a lot of Marcus Denmon bashing as of late and I don't want anyone to think that I don't like this kid. I really do like his game and I think he's a great fit for this system. But at the moment, I just don't think he's a very smart player. He actually had a pretty good game tonight. Seven points and three rebounds in 15 minutes (and ONLY 1 3-POINT ATTEMPT) is a pretty solid night. But that turnover and intentional foul was so close to being a backbreaking play it's not even funny. More than any other play that got OSU back into the game. I'm sure Mike was all over him for that one in the locker room afterward.
- We've all been pretty impressed with Keith Ramsey's defense and athleticism as of late, but I thought he displayed some offensive skill tonight that he has yet to show this season. 12 points in 14 minutes is impressive no matter who you are. And Ramsey's points weren't scored off of garbage buckets. He showed some legitimately nice moves. However, I'd be fine if he didn't shoot outside of 15 feet again for the rest of the year. But I gotta admit I was a little surprised he only played 14 minutes.
- I loved Zaire Taylor's final line: 10 points, five assists, five rebounds, two steals, and—best of all—six shot attempts. I'd say that's an ideal line for Zaire. I've criticized him multiple times for not shooting enough this season, and I'll admit he's not a player that needs to come out firing 15 shots a game. But he needs to shoot at least five times to keep opposing defenses honest. He also got to the line five times (making four of his free throws) so we know he's attacking the basket more than he has been. If we could get this kind of performance from Zaire every night I'd be pretty content.
- Does anyone else remember when the Tigers narrowly lost to OSU last season at Mizzou Arena and Byron Eaton and Marcus Dove stormed off the floor screaming at the Mizzou student section and popping their jerseys? I do because I was one of the students they were screaming at. It feels good to get a little payback. Obviously, I'm not happy with the near meltdown at the end of the game. But the key word there is near. Bottom line is the Tigers didn't blow the lead so instead of lamenting another tough road loss we get to talk about how we went to Stillwater and won in one in one of the toughest environments in the entire country. This isn't a good win for Mike Anderson's team. This is a great win. Win at home on Saturday against Texas Tech and we'll probably be a victory away from finding our way back into the Top 25.
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