I attended the game and didn't get a chance to send this to Matt, so I'll just post it here for those that still care to read about another disappointing loss.
A lot to take in from the team stats, but 2 things really stand out.
1) Once again K-State got killed on 2s. The Cats weren't down at 33% like in several other losses, but still got outshot by over 12% and outscored by 14 points on 2s. Meanwhile, they wasted a solid 3 point night and an incredible FT shooting night.
2) The 2nd half turnovers were ridiculous as the Cats turned it over on nearly 40% of their possessions, including the last 3 before X's miss at a game tying 3. Saint Louis went with some full court pressure and consistently got K-State sped up. Even then, K-State was
3) Saint Louis' biggest strength was on the offensive glass, and while they didn't destroy the Cats, they did end up with a final advantage of 9-3 on 2nd chance points. In a game that comes down to the final possession that margin takes on a large role.
X missed the shot at the end, but he also hit some big ones and ended up with a solid game. But as has been the case all year, he didn't get much help from the 2 other parts of this year's big 3 as Carti and Mak each had bad games, so bad that Bruce took them both out for most of the crutial stretches. Also, K-State didn't get quite the game the needed from McGuirl the Gordons.
That said, Levi Stockard and David Sloan each had their best games in purple. Stockard was solid around the rim and great from the FT line, though his defense and rebounding likely contributed to 2 key areas that Saint Louis beat K-State in. Sloan was active and got the offense going including a couple of huge lay ups late in the game, but he also had a key turnover late in the game.
The contributions from these two were really nice, but they aren't ready to carry this team. They might develop into a role as one of this year's top 3 or 4 players, but right now it's still about the deficiencies of Mak, Carti, and X. When only 1 of those 3 is solid, this team simply won't be good teams, let alone great ones and they type of competition they will see in Big 12 play. In that way this team reminds me of a Wooldridge team; does some things well and plays hard (I don't think overall effort is an issue) which are things that will keep them in a lot of games, but there simply aren't enough play makers that are needed to make game winning plays down the stretch.
The program isn't falling apart as a whole, but this year is an extreme disappointment and this low level of play was unexpected. At this point just minimize the damage, keep the young guys engaged and improving, and hope for development leading to more success in Big 12 play. Unfortunately we're seeing a transition year that likely will lead to no postseason, but these are seasons that no program in this league has avoided besides KU.
A lot to take in from the team stats, but 2 things really stand out.
1) Once again K-State got killed on 2s. The Cats weren't down at 33% like in several other losses, but still got outshot by over 12% and outscored by 14 points on 2s. Meanwhile, they wasted a solid 3 point night and an incredible FT shooting night.
2) The 2nd half turnovers were ridiculous as the Cats turned it over on nearly 40% of their possessions, including the last 3 before X's miss at a game tying 3. Saint Louis went with some full court pressure and consistently got K-State sped up. Even then, K-State was
3) Saint Louis' biggest strength was on the offensive glass, and while they didn't destroy the Cats, they did end up with a final advantage of 9-3 on 2nd chance points. In a game that comes down to the final possession that margin takes on a large role.
X missed the shot at the end, but he also hit some big ones and ended up with a solid game. But as has been the case all year, he didn't get much help from the 2 other parts of this year's big 3 as Carti and Mak each had bad games, so bad that Bruce took them both out for most of the crutial stretches. Also, K-State didn't get quite the game the needed from McGuirl the Gordons.
That said, Levi Stockard and David Sloan each had their best games in purple. Stockard was solid around the rim and great from the FT line, though his defense and rebounding likely contributed to 2 key areas that Saint Louis beat K-State in. Sloan was active and got the offense going including a couple of huge lay ups late in the game, but he also had a key turnover late in the game.
The contributions from these two were really nice, but they aren't ready to carry this team. They might develop into a role as one of this year's top 3 or 4 players, but right now it's still about the deficiencies of Mak, Carti, and X. When only 1 of those 3 is solid, this team simply won't be good teams, let alone great ones and they type of competition they will see in Big 12 play. In that way this team reminds me of a Wooldridge team; does some things well and plays hard (I don't think overall effort is an issue) which are things that will keep them in a lot of games, but there simply aren't enough play makers that are needed to make game winning plays down the stretch.
The program isn't falling apart as a whole, but this year is an extreme disappointment and this low level of play was unexpected. At this point just minimize the damage, keep the young guys engaged and improving, and hope for development leading to more success in Big 12 play. Unfortunately we're seeing a transition year that likely will lead to no postseason, but these are seasons that no program in this league has avoided besides KU.
