Originally Posted by Mizzou_8541
Went to the game tonight and thought I'd share my humble thoughts. Probably not nearly as correct as someone like Duncan, DJ and others, but nevertheless, thought I'd share.
1. What a difference a year makes. The talent and coaching has improved immensely from last year.
2. The stink from Kermit is completely gone, and we haven't even played a game yet. This team has improved in every area.
3. kU is very good. But I think they will be as good as Devante Graham goes. He is a douchey punk, but a very good douchey punk (neither of which is an unknown). He might be the best player in NCAA.
4. For a 9-win team to give the No. 1 (or No. 3 team, depending on the rankings) all they wanted, it's, again, very impressive for Cuonzo.
5. Atmosphere was fantastic. Stadium was packed with fans that were clearly needing some basketball to help them forget their shitty football teams. kU didn't commit a foul all night, and every call against them was a melodramatic travesty, according to their fans.
6. Mizzou out rebounded kU. It's as weird to type that as it is to realize that Mizzou actually out rebounded someone.
7. MPJ is as advertised. He wasn't the best player on the court tonight (credit Graham), but he will be most nights. Tried to do too much in the second half. He needs to trust the offense more.
8. Jermiah Tilmon might be the best big man we've had since Oriakhi. He will be better than him by the end of the year. Big, strong, quick, with a better offensive game than most said coming out of HS. I look for big things from him this year, and maybe the next two years. Fouls might be an issue.
9. Jontay is 17 years old. 17. He was very good, the game didn't look too big for him. He needs to improve defensively. Made some plays but was out of position often.
10. Blake Harris hasn't played an official game yet, and is already a massive improvement at PG. He got a little ahead of himself at times, but runs the offense, is very good defensively, and sees the court.
11. Kassius Robertson can shoot the rock, but isn't good defensively. I could be wrong, but it looked like he was a liability there.
12. The Kermit holdovers: Barnett-fantastic. Puryear-ok. He missed several shots he should have made, but is a max effort guy and does the little things. Phillips-I like him a lot because he leaves it all out there, but he's just not very good. I think he gets fewer minutes as the season goes on and as CJ Roberts improves.
13. CJ Roberts didn't play much, but it seemed like he made some plays when in.
14. Free throw shooting was an issue. I think we shot 55%. We shoot 75% and it's a one point game. Who knows what happens then.
15. Cullen Van Leer played quite a bit and he didn't make me want to throw my beer at the TV. Didn't stand out, which could be viewed as good or bad.
I think this team wins 25 games and is a 6 seed. Very impressive for a club to look this good agaisnt the No. 3 team in the country when their best players have barely gotten past their first mid-terms (or should still be in HS). kU was the better team tonight, but if it's played again in March, I think Mizzou wins. We have much more potential to improve. Take this all FWIW. Just my thoughts.
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