Game Thread

[Jesseandrippers]

I know it was against GTown, but X still played very well. Edwards continues to show he is the four of the future, and even could play a much bigger role in the present. Happy for Nate, and for Paul's decent 2nd half. One thing for sure: X is a lot more efficient when Colby runs point, and attacks the rim instead of dribbling underneath the basket. I know I'm too much homerand not enough anti,but X will win two in MSG.

Butler 4:30pm on 3/9…win, and we get Providence. Both beatable teams. We just haven't shown a lick of interest in being that team that can play tip to buzzer in a dominant way. May need to move Scruggs off the point and let him make plays from the wing. He is a superior athlete but doesn't seem to be able to run this offense. Have another guard run the point inside-out. Nunge and Free are serviceable in the passing game. That just may get our shooters open looks or our athletes a chance slash.

[skyhops]

When Johnson plays well we typically win. Good win for Scruggs on senior night, but I hate to admit this but we play better without Scruggs and Free

[Anti-Homer]

When Johnson plays well we typically win. Good win for Scruggs on senior night, but I hate to admit this but we play better without Scruggs and Free

I feel bad for both, particularly Scruggs. He has had a subpar year offensively, but I never expected him to be a liability on defense. Credit Steele for recognizing it at least a little the last couple of games as both have been a net negative too often this year. It is no coincidence that X has gone on some big runs recently with Free out of the game. Also, X never looked more efficient than last night when Jones or Odom played point. I think someone mentioned it previously, but Scruggs does not have the dribbling ability, nor consistently distinguishes between a good and bad shot.

On one play, he went three on one in the lane and took a circus shot that went ten feet to the right of the basket. I do not think I have ever seen a shot in the lane miss so badly. When he catches it on the wing, he has the ability to back his player to the basket, which is probably his most effective go to move.

[pdxmuskie]

Scruggs could be great. I'm less certain of Zach but it is possible. He is a competitor and that makes me think it is possible to coach him up defensively. Players can play above their ability with the right motivation.

Scruggs just doesn't have a coach to team him the right way to play. He was with Marshall and Q the last several years. All he knows is the wrong way to play.

[skyhops]

I have seen and heard enough about Scruggs that do not expect anything more than average basketballl, poor decision making, and sometimes a good game. He is not an intense player and if he doesn’t have it by 24 years old he might not get it. He was our highest recruit.

[X-lucidity]

Sadly, reading many on this board, I now feel my prediction of a program descent is inevitable. Apparently Coach Steele and staff were once again impressive and if only we could make a FT eh…. Never mind Butler offensively horrendous in the 1st half yet managed to be even with us to start the 2nd half. Never mind we went into OT with KenPom #126 Butler who had lost their best player, yet blew us off the map in those extra 5 minutes. Never mind X did their annual late Jan., early Feb swoon again, on cue, just as the swallows always return to Capistrano. Never mind we again had promising Freshman who now as Sophomores are stagnant to regressive in their development. Never mind we have a staff that boasts of depth during pre season and a very intriguing Frosh with goggles and wild hair, that can’t scrape his way onto the court until the student section begs, yet in the final 10 minutes of the regulation rides the same 5 players save 14 seconds for Dwon. Never mind that same lovable goggle wearing Frosh will likely never play another minute of ball for X having had to sit and watch his coach glue him to the bench while others at his position flounder. Heck no, if only for those free throws, the program’s warts would disappear. Nope, seems there are enough on this board & out in devoted Muskieland who just don’t know ball well enough, that the AD will feel empowered to not have to eat the final yr on that wonderful contract. Lovely. Oh how the mighty have fallen. And the worst part?? Instead of at least attempting to turn the ship around starting this offseason, we get to watch as the program steams headlong towards that glacier for another 365 days. Cuz ball don’t lie – never has & never will, no matter how a fan base or Admn try to spin it…