In auburn’s head

At this point I think fans are looking at things to hope for in our team, and in opponents. I don't see anything that leads me to believe we are "in their heads", except maybe as a source of motivation to redress the early-season loss. When you get to this point, with these players / coaches, the "in their heads" is probably wishful thinking on other's part. I am wishing that our guys have been putting too much pressure on themselves, individually and collectively, outside of Walter and Thomas, both of whom seem impervious to succumbing to pressure. I think our guys have been in their own heads to a limiting degree, not crippling. Those minor limits will be season-enders over the next 2 games.

Whatever happens Saturday, it comes down to individuals doing what they are capable of, or not, on both teams.

 

We have 5 legitimate 3 point shooters in Clayton, Richard, Martin, Haugh, and Aberdeen. If three of them are on we win. If two are on, we need a big performance in the paint.

 

Yeah, but we played without Martin so Martin gets the minutes Denzel played and Denzel gets the minutes Urby played. I don't think we could expect Urby to go 3 for 3 from 3 like last time anyway and would rather have Zel playing than Urby for his defense and ability to score in the paint.

 

One of the key defensive moves in the last game was our bigs allowing Broome to catch the pass on the left side block, then forcing him to go right into the lane. He still got 18 points, but it was a very difficult 18 on 42% shooting.

I'm sure we'll give him a steady dose of that same defense Saturday.

 

Martin will get Urby's 10, probably won't be as efficient, but Martin is probably good to affect AU's efficiency by 6 points by himself.
We also get Micah for this match up too.

 

In a vacuum maybe. Clayton changes everything the way he's been playing at the end of games. And the rest of the team doing their parts. If we can keep closing out games like we have we can win the next 2 as long as they're close. Senior guards win tournaments.

 

Definitely keep it clean though, no need to ignite the rest of their team.

 

The game will be decided in the first 10 minutes. If we come out like we have every game since the Norfolk St game, Auburn wins and wins easily. If we can take their early punches and stay within 5 points, the game will come down to the last minute and will fall on who can hit their FTs.

 

I'll bet they have been told not to say anything that may make the Florida locker room wall. They are ropa-doping.
Let's hope Golden knows what's going on and keeps his team focused!

 

That hurts just looking at it.

 

I don't think that Golden misses much - if anything. He will have them ready.

 

As long as Auburn doesn't shoot lights out from 3 I like our chances

 

I hope he spins up a 10 minute dance party before tip off.

 

My recipe for a victory:
1. Take care of the ball! Limit turnovers.
2. Bigs have to dominate, can’t get pushed around.
3. Bigs need to score near basket when opportunity arrives which can ope up space for our guards
4. Clayton has to have scoring help from other guards. They will be all over Clayton.
5. Make ft’s

 

First game was Auburn 22-17 after ten minutes.

 

I like the Billy D / Oden strategy
1. Force Broome to shoot on his bad side as much as possible, but only double team occasionally ( enough to make him aware)
2. Use our big tough guards to shut down their 3 point shooters.

 

It is one thing if you are playing a team that you have not played all season. There really are no surprises. It is conceivable that one of their players could have an uncharacteristically good or bad game but the same is the case for us.

We have to be aggressive because what is in their heads is that they lost three of the five games they lost from the free-throw line. We did not need a disparity in free throws to beat them in Auburn. However, forcing them to foul us early and often would, in my opinion, help our cause tremendously.

Who knows, maybe Klav will come in and drill some threes to put some icing on the cake. I hope so. If he is getting playing time, we can afford to rest one of our other starting guards.

I believe we are 4 Klav 3s from winning these next two games.