OOC Game 7: Saint Louis Billikens (Acrisure Game 1)

The SLU confidence is a bit mystifying but I can only hope the players are as overconfident as the fans. Santa Clara has already beaten two squads better than Grand Canyon, SLU’s only decent opponent so far, both by bigger margins and one away from home. If the resumes were switched, I would see the potential but certainly not feel confident about a win. Looks like a toss up, maybe slight advantage to SCU to me, if only because the Broncos aren’t playing their first game away from Leavey and are in their home state and timezone.

Also, not worth much, but SCU owns the series 4-1 over the years…

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Not sure how I feel right now. Hoping we can clean it up a bit in the second half.

Watching the 1st half SCU seems a bit quicker and more athletic but a few too many dumb mistakes and fouls. Should be leading by about 8 imo

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SLU knew the assignment was to keep Santa Clara from dominating the boards and not commit so many TOs. SCU can’t let SLU get so many backdoor cuts and dunks in transition. That’s basically all the offense that the Billikens are bringing, but it’s enough to keep it close.

Ugh. My BP is a bit too high this Thanksgiving. Horrible drought right now.

Even fouls and no McCottry is definitely advantage SCU, but way too close to feel any comfort here.

But no Ensminger is big advantage SLU…

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Somebody needs to take that floor mop from that kid!!! Clearly didn’t do his job and that looked really bad!

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Definitely at least pulled something in his knee. Hoping it’s not too bad… We gotta win it for Jake now.

Two weak possessions to close the game… don’t need knapper being a hero.

also don’t love sash being so shot happy early in the game.

But, overall a lot to like with this team. Hope ensminger has a speedy recovery

Graves missed that second FT. Sigh.

Thought they looked flat tonight. Slow to get back on defense quite a few times. If not for better free throw shooting, it wouldn’t have been as close. Definitely a disappointment. This is the type of game they have to find a way to win if NCAA tourney is going to be possible. Hoping to see more of the intensity seen against Nevada and Xavier tomorrow. .

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A frustrating loss. Hoping we can bounce back tomorrow. Winning against ASU and NM will be even more important now.

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Hope Jake is ok !

Any word on Gehrig Normand being available anytime soon? And can he shoot 3s?

Last year we could make it rain from outside, but did not bring the physicality and rim protection on a nightly basis.

This year, we seem broke from outside, but mostly do the other things…sigh.

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Tough loss. I understand not taking a TO at the end but would’ve loved to have seen a timeout. Not sure how high percentage a shot an undersized BK driving to the hole and double clutching is.

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I agree. Our 3 point shooting is our Achilles Heel early on. Tonight was atrocious once again.

Hammond, Knapper, Sash, and Cochran a combined 2 for 15. Despite that, we had chances to win this game. Can’t complain about FT shooting tonight overall. Hopefully, guys can regroup and play well enough tomorrow night to get a split.

It looks like consolation game is final game of the tournament, 6:30 PST, correct??

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I remember that game. That was a huge game for Cam last year. He had 18 pts and seven rebounds. He and Tilly were def a challenge for Robbie. I do recall Robbie was scary at getting that ball back out to the open shooter or cutter when he was trapped.

I’d meant to get to this board sooner to comment that it would be key to defend other guys on the perimeter or cutting if Robbie was in a trap. Hes really good at hitting those guys for the assist

I was 100% certain Graves and Ensminger were up for the task - but that was prior to Jake going down! Hoping he will be okay.

I haven’t seen game in its entirety yet. But folks on social media are calling out a lack of offense in final moments to clinch the game. Caught glimpses here and there. Been watching SCU basketball since Cam has been out for six weeks in Estonia with a knee injury - and I just love watching basketball.

Hoping for a comeback in next game and not stressing too much over a 1 point loss. That indicates tightening up a few things. But doesn’t show a total collapse. Hence - confident this team will be the one to burst the bubble once and for all.

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Tough loss. We didn’t play well, and we lost by 1. I think i’ll take that. No harm in the metrics. Win tomorrow and it will come down to winning the rest of the OOC games and winning vs. ASU/NM.

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Yes as far as I know he shoots 3s well but still yet to play much in college so who knows. They are hoping to have him back for conference play so probably back in about a month.

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Quick turnaround for Minnesota. Watched most of USF v. Minn a week ago….forward Crocker-Johnson is a load, tough inside, good rebounder (nearly 10/game) and decent scorer from the post and finishes strong off guard drive/dish and off reb put backs; Bukky and Graves will be tested, really could have used Tadjo for this matchup.
6-7 wing Tyson is their top scorer at over 20pts a game, scores at all levels and is their best 3pt weapon. I imagine Mahi will be matched on him to start and will have his hands full. Darlan could be key off the bench to matchup on Tyson as well and hopefully bother Tyson and challenge his shot with his length. If Jake is unavailable, Darlan will definitely have to play more.

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