Finally having a chance to post after seeing my first two games live in 7 years. The GW games was ugly well at least the last 12 minutes. The entire game we seemed pretty disinterested. We didn't have many open shots that dropped in for us but regardless we were beat before the opening tip.

I talked to Coach after the game and offered him a beer and his reply was a simple "I wish." He told me a couple of things that I want to share. He didn't think we had the athletes to keep up and starting next year we are going to practice cutting down the nets a la Jim Valvano. He told me to be excited for Simmons. Real excited and we are going to turn this thing around quickly.

I think the second was more of a statement about our teams character then anything else. We didn't let GW beat us twice. Several things I liked:

Setty- Played with-in himself and took what DePaul Gave him. Tremendous bounce back game considering awful is the only nice way to put the previous performance.

Campbell- He might be the X factor for this team. It is imperative to get him involved early. A few early touches kept him engaged the entire game. He has post moves that he can score at will in the MAC. If he's not involved he literally has an off switch. See the GW game.

Mo- It seemed like he played with a controlled anger in the DePaul game and it was impressive. Whatever of whoever pissed him off keep doing it because it worked. His defense was inspired.

Bean- He is a scorer and when he gets hot look out. A few ill advised shots but going 7-14 from 3. We will take every time.

R. Taylor- I am glad he's a Bobcat. Despite coming back from Mono played with energy. He has some high major hops. I won't be surprised if he becomes the best player out of all our current and former 2014 recruits.

Wadley- The dunk on him was incredible. Seriously let him have two or three passes at the Luau buffet. I wish we could put 100lbs pounds on him.

Stevie- He might just be done. 3rd coach in 4 years with all the injuries. Both games he didn't have the energy that was contagious. He is still a great ambassador for the university. When Colorado was going on their run against DePaul, I look at Stevie and said "We got this" He nodded as in saying no kidding. Great moment. I love Stevie but less then 20 minutes a game might be enough.

Laster- Love his energy. In four years, we love his hustle like we did with Freeman and Halbert. He is all heart. He'll never be All MAC but he's going to win us some games over the next four years.

No Harley and no Thomas. We need the depth. I hope more teams try pressing us the way DePaul did. We could name the score. I know nobody thinks DePaul is any good but there size and athletes would make them a top team in the MAC.

Lots of fun at the Stan Sheriff Center and Mrs. Phillips had some pretty funny one liners. Really enjoying the direction of the program.

Christmas game early with Ohio and Nebraska tomorrow. Best 5th place game we could ask for. Aloha!

I did not read the LONG POST about 2 games in Hawaii.

I think:

1. Starting 5 is becoming set
2. The first couple off the bench will add energy spurts (Setty, Stevie)
3. Taylor and Laster gonna blow up
4. Campbell's hook gonna be a 3 year highlight reel (rbs as well). NOT his 3's.
5. Bean will go from 8 to 25 pts on any given night (just pray the TO's less than 5)
6. N'dour is as good as WE ARE - the higher his pts & rbs are - the MORE we win by....

I'd rather finish 2-1 and in 5th place...then 1-2 in 4th place. The mission was to try and scratch out 2 wins and find a line-up that can give you the best chance to win in MAC play. I give a ton of credit to Coach Phillips for going with his gut. He's now limiting Stevie's minutes and that should continue the rest of the season. I know he's a senior, but Stevie will help the team more by only playing 12-15 minutes per game. Looking forward to watching today's game on Christmas Day...not a bad extra present.

I agree and it wasn't even a long post. Great write-up by Hawaiian Bobcat and love the conversations he had with Coach Phillips.

thanks for the write up, enjoyed it.


re: Laster "will never be all MAC". You sure about that? I would be more surprised if after 4 years he wasn't all MAC.

as for Stevie, his goal should be to break DJ's single season assist record. Forget the buckets, dish the dimes.

Thomas is not in Hawaii. Harley is in Hawaii bot woke up with a back issue prior to the first game.

Hawaiian Bobcat, really good post except for your paraphrase of your conversation with Coach. First, its your take and interpretation of his words. Second, if any of us have a conversation with a coach, I'd assume its off the record and I wouldn't post it on social media. Why do you think.most coaches restrict their comments to plain vanilla coach speak? Because they know there's a risk what they say will be posted on a message board.

Chicken...take a deep breath...chill dude. Hope to grab a bite to eat at your establishment soon.

I agree with the sentiment. I truly appreciate what was shared but have never been so bold as share any of what I have heard from officials, players or coaches. Like a dark hole for info.

And for those who do not think those folk read message boards.... You got another think coming. They may laugh, make fun, rarely take to heart and question what anyone on here actually knows about the game but they do read em.