Improbable? Unacceptable? Smh?
Happy thanksgiving by the way, everyone!
Not even room service could save the Cougars against the Hampton Pirates in the consolation game of the Cancun Challenge.
The Cougars held the lead through the first 17 minutes of the second half. Early on, it was a foregone conclusion that SIUE would win at least one game on a neutral court for the fourth straight season. SIUE led by nine at halftime and extended their lead in the second half. The runaway mentality quickly shifted to having to hold on for dear life, and the Cougars were unable to do it. Listening on the radio, I got extremely uncomfortable about midway through the second half. The Pirates kept chipping away as SIUE's turnovers mounted. It was just a matter of time before Hampton got back in the black. With 1:47 left in regulation it happened.
Once Hampton had the lead, it was too late for SIUE to take it back. With a chance to inch closer, SIUE took way too much time off the game clock and found themselves down two with Hampton at the free throw line with one second left.
The numbers were not pretty. SIUE was beat in the paint 24-8, perhaps showing the lack of height inside could be more of a problem than we initially thought it was, despite increased athleticism down low. The rebounding numbers reflected that as well. 41-27 Hampton.
SIUE won the turnover battle, forcing 18-16, shot 44.6 percent and had 14 assists. Those are all pretty good numbers.
It came down to execution, and SIUE was out-executed. This team has done a good job so far when they are out-rebounded. They force turnovers, and are finally showing they are capable of scoring some buckets. After shooting in the 20 percent range for the first two games, SIUE has drastically improved their shooting game, but the wins remain illusive. It's not too often you hit 10 3-point buckets and lose.
This team is hard to figure out.
Hampton is not a great basketball team, but did make the NCAA tournament last season. I am not going to talk about this loss without recognizing Hampton, because while SIUE blew a 14 point lead, Hampton battled back from a 14 point deficit. Darrion Pellum is their premier player and he showed it, scoring 24 points. David Bruce also had a solid outing with 12 points and eight rebounds.
It also seems impossible for SIUE to get to the free throw line. It's even harder for them to take advantage of it once they get there. The Cougars were 4-8 at the line.
I know some of you are calling for coach Forrester's head. I don't think it's time yet, and have said that for awhile. Could it get bad enough to where that is a possibility? Sure. Will SIUE figure it out? I think so. Just look around the OVC. Everyone is bad. Austin Peay, the league's pre-season favorite is 0-6. Morehead State has been embarrassed. Murray State just won the Great Alaska Shootout, but even they have been struggling early. Only time will tell.
2 comments:
Allan,
Let me just vent for a few so that you can understand a lil bit where some of us are coming from. I think the losing is not as frustrating as the inability for Lennox to display any continuity of a system. There is no identity with this team. Can the guy recruit? For this level and some of the guys we have seen come in, I would give him a decent passing grade. Can the guy coach? I have yet to see the coach in this man. There is no defined defensive set up, no defined offensive set up. Hence it makes it pretty easy for this team to get rattle easily because they have no "disciplined" system. They predicate everything on a couple guys getting hot or a team not playing well. Thats not a system thats just playing the game. I almost feel like at times we just shouldnt have a coach and let the guys run it themselves. I wouldnt be surprised if they would win more games that way. Another problem I have is that we seem to have regressed as a program instead of progressed. Maybe if the two transfers stick around we give Forrester another shot but at the seasons end if none of those guys are there and we have mass exits (which I am half expecting at this moment), you cut your losses and move on. I know we probably wont get much in the way of coaching interests but really at this moment I dont think you can get any worse. I know people say well what do you expect, these guys still arent Division I? And yes they have made some games closer this year. I would say the only blowout so far as been Illinois State which in my mind is a joke, those guys arent as good as they played lately. I think not beating Limbpscom and Hampton was where I lost it. He should have had these guys more disciplined but he didnt. I can only blame a coaching style and set up as the only reasons. Plus, where is the emotiong? Get T'd up once in awhile he needs to show the refs we are no pushovers and we are there to play not get screwed because we are a nobody. I just think he has been given his time and there has been a lack of improvement on his part. And i think the lack of an identity is going to be a problem down the road as well
ABIZZLECOUGAR
Venting accepted! I agree 100%. Not much else to say to this. At least tonight we should hopefully be treated to a big win.
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