I agree. Usually I would watch us on TV in a blowout like that and leave depressed but I felt encouraged. Seeing JC back was fantastic and he made some great moves for his first game back. The bench of Mickle, Gollon, Butler and JC (for now) is fantastic. What we need to get is more scoring and attacking from Block and Dartis every night. Laster has shown he has First Team All-MAC ability and leadership. I think we will be closer to .500 this year than 20 wins but this team will take every game with 100 percent effort.

I am just the opposite IMHO. Butler has been a head down, score first player. Seeing the floor or the spacing/players has been sorely lacking. Facilitate has not been part of the conversation. I was just amazed when he went into the key 2nd half and actually PASSED the ball. In my eyes Kirk has kicked out and kept the ball hot consistently. Still a work in progress but were I one of the other 4 on the floor presently I think I might actually have my hands up looking for a pass with Number 4. Just my take. I think they both have good skills (basketball and PG). How they choose to use and develope them is to be seen. One thing for sure....they could both use some work on shot mechanics. When the student is ready.....

Saul needs to consider bringing in a "distribute the ball first" grad-transfer veteran PG next season to mentor the younger guards. Larry Austin who played at Xavier and is now glued to bench at Vanderbilt comes to mind. Freshman Saben Lee, son of former NFL runningback Amp Lee, has already beat him out for the job. But if you want a crafty ball handler who can break a press on his own and won't jack up 3's, he fits the bill.

That, and, unless there's a departure, there's no scholarship to give.

You don't think either Kirk or Butler will grow into the job?

Yeah, the team is on track!!!

We watched the same game, bobcat28; just saw it differently. I thought they played hard defensively; but not efficiently

I'll say it again and again and again and I've had this discussion with practically every coach we've had since Jim Snyder: If you seek to build a team that can compete against the better (not great) non-league competition on your schedule, the MAC will be your oyster in the process. This is why you'll notice I'm always beating the drum to finally get two post guys on the roster who have the height, length and athleticism that HS recruit Nathan Springs brings to Athens next season. Yes, he may be a project. But he's the type of potential impact post player you take a chance on. Get an athletic one and a banger 6-10 or taller and then let's go out and ball with anyone. I know it's hard for a MAC school. But you've got to try.


You can beat a team like Maryland that has superior size and athleticism on their own court, but you have to play a nearly perfect game. That wasn't even possible last night because Jordy Dartis is playing hurt, Jason Carter hasn't had time to get his feet under him, and we're playing two talented freshman guards who are in the learning process. Size that can play kills. We're just too small upfront to compete against teams like that without shooting the lights out from the perimeter.

Did you notice the two players Maryland had in the post? Are you kidding me? We had no answers for either one of them, because we have no players like either one of them. I felt for Doug Taylor, laboring to keep Cekovsky from the hole. He did the best he could, but what could he do, crack him in the knees with a tire iron? We tried to double down and Cekovsky scored anyway or kicked it out for open treys. We got to the hoop time after time after time when Bruno Fernando was on the court. How did that work out? Block (not Gavin) after block after block without occasionally putting us on the line by fouling. Freshman wing Daryll Morsell was flat-out ridiculous. Did you see those moves he scored on? Cowan is an all-conference caliber quality young point guard, Huerter has a solid all-around game, Justin Jackson is an NBA prospect and they all had height and length, with the exception of Cowan. Maryland has gone to the Big Dance the last three seasons, averaging 26 wins per over that time. We weren't playing against chopped liver out there.

So, yeah, we're a MAC team. But I'm confident we're going to be more than "OK little" when it's all said and done this season.

Good take^^^. This program should never accept not going to an NCAA Tourney over a 5 year stretch. The next 16 months are very important for Saul to really start showing something. When you are the highest paid coach in the league, you better at least start sniffing MAC Tournament championship games. Still waiting for Saul to have his "Ball State over Notre Dame moment". I view it as DiamondCat...how can anyone take something positive away from the Maryland game? That was a big disappointment.

You can play small ball and compete with anyone, but you have to hit your open shots. It's how we were able to beat South Florida and hang with North Carolina. It's how Golden State can win playing Draymond Green at center.

Fair or not with all of the injuries....no NCAA appearance after 5 years...and I think it will be a struggle for him to keep his job. The highest paid coach in the MAC can't just take teams to MAC semis. Again, a long way to go...but these next 16 months are going to be crucial for the #SaulBallEra. Larry made it to NCAA in year 5. Timmy made it in year 4 and Groce made 2 NCAA's over a 4 year span.

JC the best recruiter? I'm interested to see your reasons for that. I personally don't know who we can say best recruiter was.