MTSU's Upshaw & Harris

[iommi]

These guys will be a handful. They are very versatile and play inside and outside. One of them will be inside the foul line area. Our centers are going to have to move their feet and decide whether to come up or pinch down. I can see Harris & Upshaw creating high-low action.

We will have to tag Giddy (the dude shot 50% from three for the SEASON) but how we handle Upshaw and Harris will be paramount.

LGO!!!

 

[jdubs30]

MTSU is similar to Dayton in how they play. They will move 5 guys all around and they'll be able to shoot it (except when Dayton had McElvenege in). I don't see them trying to try to go down low too much.

In many ways, Dayton was the perfect round 1 opponent to get before MTSU because of the similarity. I like our chances, they will have to be on from deep to win, and how they shot today, it's certainly a possibility they can be on again. I think/hope the quick turnaround will be tough for them to prepare for the zone.

I expect the zone to be very extended. This is a game G should try to take over -- MSU to me isn't a tremendous offensive team and they did whatever they wanted pretty much, they just couldn't get stops. If our offense is there and they don't go bonkers from 3, we will be in good shape

 

[Briancuse]

They are very tough, here to hoping having only one day to prepare for our zone will make a big difference.

 

[CorduroyG]

Lets hope they played the game of their lives cuz if they play like that again we'll probably lose. But i seriously doubt they will.

 

[iommi]

jdubs30 I'm not sure about extending the zone because of the two guys I mentioned. They both are skilled when they go inside. .Just tag Giddy and if two guys start going off, THEN extend. I expect our normal zone and JB to adjust it if need be at halftime.

 

[two3zone]

Outside of today's game obviously, MTSU's only top 100 victory was against #95 Belmont. Outside of that they were 0-4 against the top 100.

I don't like to normally look at games as gimmies but I really can't see JB losing this game. Flukes happen and it happened today when Mich State went down, there is no correlation between their victory with them and how they're going to do Sunday against us. There is a heck of a lot of data out there to show that they're not a great team. Hats off to what they accomplished today because it was crazy impressive and they have a lot to be proud of but I just don't see them having enough to compete with us.

Our defense is nothing like any of their players or coaching staff have EVER seen. We usually live and die by the 3? Sure, but if they're not falling and G and Mali are driving the ball, who's going to stop them? They don't have size.

I have about as much confidence in this game as I would if we were playing Colgate, we're just at another level. I think we win this game by 15+ but if we don't win by 10+ I'll eat my hat and never post on here again.

 

[HoustonCuse]

I don't know what will happen on Sunday, but it certainly looks like what they did to beat MSU will not work against us. I don't mean hitting 60% or whatever it was, I mean the things they did to get those quality shots. All of it was very good man offense. They will need to do something completely different to get those same shots against us and they'll need to do it almost as well.

 

[bballbeadle]

I feel that this year, more than any of the past years, virtually anyone who is left can go far in the tournament IF they play their best games. This weekend's games should be thrilling, and by that I mean terrifying!

 

[creatorsgam]

Outside of today's game obviously, MTSU's only top 100 victory was against #95 Belmont. Outside of that they were 0-4 against the top 100.

I don't like to normally look at games as gimmies but I really can't see JB losing this game. Flukes happen and it happened today when Mich State went down, there is no correlation between their victory with them and how they're going to do Sunday against us. There is a heck of a lot of data out there to show that they're not a great team. Hats off to what they accomplished today because it was crazy impressive and they have a lot to be proud of but I just don't see them having enough to compete with us.

Our defense is nothing like any of their players or coaching staff have EVER seen. We usually live and die by the 3? Sure, but if they're not falling and G and Mali are driving the ball, who's going to stop them? They don't have size.

I have about as much confidence in this game as I would if we were playing Colgate, we're just at another level. I think we win this game by 15+ but if we don't win by 10+ I'll eat my hat and never post on here again.

Izzo alluded to this in the presser. Made a comment, while giving credit to the shooting of MTSU, that basically said they didn't think they could have hit some of the shots they were taking.

MSU preps well. Doesn't sound like they saw a lot of evidence from tape indicating last night's play is the norm for that team. Hope it was the one exception of the season for MTSU, and they land back in reality Sunday.

 

[jdubs30]

jdubs30 I'm not sure about extending the zone because of the two guys I mentioned. They both are skilled when they go inside. .Just tag Giddy and if two guys start going off, THEN extend. I expect our normal zone and JB to adjust it if need be at halftime.

They are very talented. But neither seems like the type to post up on the block, call for the ball with their back to the basket, and go to work on their man.

The foul line against them could be tough - they seem to have a lot of capable guys who could get the ball there and either make a shot, or make the next pass.

Ultimately you're right about the zone, honestly I could see them starting something like 4/5 from deep then we extend a bit. If the first 5 minutes they start hot from 3, combined from what they did yesterday, I could see them firing up 30 or 35 3's. Which would be OK with JB if they only make around 10 or 11 and we rebound like we should.

 

[Dmcnabbrules]

Extend the zone and play Lydon 35 minutes. Coleman will have no place in the game. MTSU really has 5 guys because of injury. It will be crucial for G, Malachi, and Lydon have to attack the rim. I feel good but all of their 5 can play. Can we score against their unique D. The 1-3-1 into a 2-3 after a few passes is very different. Diagonal passes and a few ally oops should be open.

 

[OrangeTown]

I feel that this year, more than any of the past years, virtually anyone who is left can go far in the tournament IF they play their best games. This weekend's games should be thrilling, and by that I mean terrifying!

I love the passion and intensity behind all your posts. Just wanted to put that out there.

I'm disappointed in myself for not sliding over from 311 to at least say "Hi" to you once this season. Unfortunately, events for me are such that I was unable to renew my season tickets for next year.

 

[two3zone]

I love the passion and intensity behind all your posts. Just wanted to put that out there.

I'm disappointed in myself for not sliding over from 311 to at least say "Hi" to you once this season. Unfortunately, events for me are such that I was unable to renew my season tickets for next year.

I had the pleasure of sitting with her when she had 2 open seats and posted it on the forum here. It was for the St Francis game a couple of years back. I had such a great time hanging out with her, she's just as much fun in person as she is on here!!!