Topic: The Loop factor redux...

[backontrack]

0-5...for us to get anywhere he's going to have to be much better than that, no matter what Burks does...

[Olen]

0-5...for us to get anywhere he's going to have to be much better than that, no matter what Burks does...

MU got 56 points from the guard position last night (even with Loop putting up a goose-egg) - compared to 21 points in the home loss to UAB a few weeks ago.  Guard play (scoring) was not even close to a reason for MU losing last night's game.  And Loop continues to be a defensive distraction for the opposition because of his threat to get hot from the outside.  It was mentioned in an article after the ODU game Saturday (when Loop hit his first shot - one of the opposing defenders told Loop's defender he couldn't cheat and sag down because Loop is too good of a shooter).  A consequence of that is that Loop isn't going to get many good looks and is unlikely to hit more than a couple of threes per game at this point.  But that opens the inside for drives to the hoop (esp. from Elmore, Browning, and Taylor), as well as allowing Elmore, Browning to use Taylor/Kelly on the pick-and-roll for drives or separation.

MU left 14 points on the floor last night from missed lay-ups and bunnies -- Taylor accounted for 10 points missed himself.  Point-blank put backs, lay-ups and bunnies.  In addition, the Herd was a bit out of position on the defensive rebounding side, esp. where the Herd had a committed double team on the shooter near the base-line or blocks -- the back side defender(s) was (or were) outside or away from the hoop and the other UAB forward was typically crashing the board.  It is one of those annoying by-products of the defensive style played. 

[MUther]

Nice analysis Olen.

[Olen]

Nice analysis Olen.

Thanks - although someone disagrees with you (and I).  ** shrugs **  :)

[Big City]

MU left 14 points on the floor last night from missed lay-ups and bunnies -- Taylor accounted for 10 points missed himself.  Point-blank put backs, lay-ups and bunnies.  In addition, the Herd was a bit out of position on the defensive rebounding side, esp. where the Herd had a committed double team on the shooter near the base-line or blocks -- the back side defender(s) was (or were) outside or away from the hoop and the other UAB forward was typically crashing the board.  It is one of those annoying by-products of the defensive style played. 

This right here. Clean these things up. Not worried about Loop at all.

[jstherd]

IMO, and that is what is being presented here by all of us, Backontrack has a valid point. His point is that Loop is a very valuable part of the offense, and for us to be at our peak, Loop needs to be making 3s. Everyone who has followed this team knows about Loop,s "destraction" defense, his solid play, etc. However, one of Loop,s primary talents is shooting the three and when he;s doing that, combined with his other skills, make us a much better team. No one is making light of Loop;s value to this team. It is entirely the opposite. I hope the Loopster is on fire in Birmimngham. It will greatly enhance our chances of getting to the dance. I really like the guy, the way he competes, the way he goes all out, but I like him the best when he,s hitting 3s at a decent or better percentage.

[DC01HERD]

We need Loop to be fresh to beat UAB. They are big and athletic. Need your legs when you are shooting deep and when you really have to work on defense it tires you out quicker.