... I know nobody cares much about the NIT, and it's a long shot, but the way Jimmy Buckets and Trey Thompson are starting to play, I think some bonus basketball would be good for them. I also think it would be good for Moses to see if he can play more consistently in a do-or-die postseason setting.
* So, what is the path to the NIT? We're 14-14 (7-8 SEC) and would need a minimum of 18 wins for any shot, but probably need 19 or maybe even 20, so there's a lot of work to be done. Just 2 games ago, I felt like Mizzou might be our last chance for a W ... but with back-to-back wins, we go on the road against TN in what is a favorable matchup on paper, so you never know. Win 2 out of these last 3, then find a way to scrap out 2 wins in the SECT, and we might sneak in. I believe it is unlikely, but I thought impossible after the home loss to Auburn.
* Speaking of Moses, how many games has he been invisible in the first half before going absolutely nuts in the 2nd half? He ended up being the best player on the floor TONITE -- after having only 4 points on 1-of-6 shooting in the first half -- he finished with 21 points (6-of-11 FGs and 9-of-13 FTs), 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks, 1 steal, and 3 turnovers ... BSimmons had 23 points on 6-of-9 FGs and 11-of-18 FTs, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 block, 1 steal, and 5 turnovers.
* Moses with his 4th consecutive double-double, and 15th on the season. Scary to think what he could become with another offseason to improve for his senior season.
* How about Trey Thompson? Kid looked like a man inside ... 6-of-6 FGs (all at the basket) plus 1-of-2 FTs for a career-high 13 points, plus 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block. I thought he was the most effective in dealing with Simmons, too, at both ends.
* Jimmy Whitt was on fire in the first half, but got caught late in shot clocks in the 2nd half and had to hoist up some rushed, deep, off-balance looks. Still, 5-of-8 FGs, including 2-of-3 from 3, for 12 points and 1 rebound. I also thought he did a solid job defensively closing out on shooters. Another nice outing for JW.
* Bell and Hannahs weren't spectacular, but they both shot north of 50% on FGs, combining for 29 points, and they filled up the rest of the stat book, too, combining for 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and 6 turnovers. How about Anthlon digging the ball away from Simmons on back-to-back defensive possessions, leading a 7-0 run that blew open a 4-point lead to 11 in the 2nd half. That was awesome on many levels.
* I thought Moses and Trey played with a lot more toughness inside in the 2nd half, and really, that was the difference in blowing that game open. Of course, our bench on the strength of JW's and TT's combined 25 points outscored their bench 32-0, so that was huge in winning by 20.
* Jabril with only 3 points, but 6 rebounds and 6 assists to go with ZERO turnovers (it sure felt like he had 5 turnovers, but apparently none according to the boxscore).
* So, what is the path to the NIT? We're 14-14 (7-8 SEC) and would need a minimum of 18 wins for any shot, but probably need 19 or maybe even 20, so there's a lot of work to be done. Just 2 games ago, I felt like Mizzou might be our last chance for a W ... but with back-to-back wins, we go on the road against TN in what is a favorable matchup on paper, so you never know. Win 2 out of these last 3, then find a way to scrap out 2 wins in the SECT, and we might sneak in. I believe it is unlikely, but I thought impossible after the home loss to Auburn.
* Speaking of Moses, how many games has he been invisible in the first half before going absolutely nuts in the 2nd half? He ended up being the best player on the floor TONITE -- after having only 4 points on 1-of-6 shooting in the first half -- he finished with 21 points (6-of-11 FGs and 9-of-13 FTs), 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks, 1 steal, and 3 turnovers ... BSimmons had 23 points on 6-of-9 FGs and 11-of-18 FTs, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 block, 1 steal, and 5 turnovers.
* Moses with his 4th consecutive double-double, and 15th on the season. Scary to think what he could become with another offseason to improve for his senior season.
* How about Trey Thompson? Kid looked like a man inside ... 6-of-6 FGs (all at the basket) plus 1-of-2 FTs for a career-high 13 points, plus 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block. I thought he was the most effective in dealing with Simmons, too, at both ends.
* Jimmy Whitt was on fire in the first half, but got caught late in shot clocks in the 2nd half and had to hoist up some rushed, deep, off-balance looks. Still, 5-of-8 FGs, including 2-of-3 from 3, for 12 points and 1 rebound. I also thought he did a solid job defensively closing out on shooters. Another nice outing for JW.
* Bell and Hannahs weren't spectacular, but they both shot north of 50% on FGs, combining for 29 points, and they filled up the rest of the stat book, too, combining for 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and 6 turnovers. How about Anthlon digging the ball away from Simmons on back-to-back defensive possessions, leading a 7-0 run that blew open a 4-point lead to 11 in the 2nd half. That was awesome on many levels.
* I thought Moses and Trey played with a lot more toughness inside in the 2nd half, and really, that was the difference in blowing that game open. Of course, our bench on the strength of JW's and TT's combined 25 points outscored their bench 32-0, so that was huge in winning by 20.
* Jabril with only 3 points, but 6 rebounds and 6 assists to go with ZERO turnovers (it sure felt like he had 5 turnovers, but apparently none according to the boxscore).
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