CBB - Thursday 11/18

I am just going to read some stats to you because it just reinforces the things that we have been talking about to this team and the things that we have been working on to this team. Everybody understands that we are shooting 48 percent from the field and 39 percent from beyond the arc. We are shooting 70 percent from the free throw line, and we have 21 assists and 43 turnovers. Our opponents, in two games, are shooting 39 percent from the field and 28 percent from beyond the arc. They are shooting 57 percent from the free throw line. We have 16 offensive rebounds and they have 35 offensive rebounds. We have 43 turnovers and they have 22. At home, through two games, the score is 140-140.

"That speaks volumes to everything that I believe and that this group has got to believe, which is that if you defend, rebound and take care of the ball, then you have an opportunity to be successful. We talked about it and worked on it. The thing that bothers me is that we have two guys on this team that in two games have more assists than turnovers - and they are both freshman. The majority of our turnovers and breakdowns defensively are coming from guys that have been in the program for two or three years. That is where we are at. The only positive in all of this is that it is early. Again, I want to make sure that everybody understands like I told them (Tuesday) night. This is not a panic speech. Everyone asks about what we are doing, but it is what we are not doing. Certain guys say certain things about things being hard, but this game is hard. It is also about your ability to compete at a high level and understand."

The Tigers are relying heavily upon freshman. After PG Bo Spencer was kicked off the team this summer, it left only one returning player who averaged more than 2.3 ppg in Storm Warren at 11.8. This team is in a tremendous transitional phase right now and is the perfect time to go against them.

Now T-Martin is no world beater and won only 4 games last year but they return 4 starters and are off to a 2-0 start, albeit over MacMurray College and Centenary (famous for Robert Parish). They have been playing a physical brand of defense and have created 41 turnovers in two games and held their opponents to a 34% FG%. In their last game, they held Centenary without a field goal from the 13:55 mark until 7 seconds were left in the game.

T-M is led by by 6-3 senior Reuben Clayton (11.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg). Clayton started 15 games and averaged 30.2 minutes and has been their leading scorer their first two games averaging 20.5 ppg and 7 rpg. "Clayton struggled with his jump shot late in the season," Head Coach James said. "Early in the season he was making shots and getting to the rim. As the season went along, I think he wore down. He's worked on better conditioning."

In addition they are led by 6-5 senior guard/forward Benzor Simmons (13.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg). Simmons was team's second-leading rebounder and second-leading three-point shooter (38-of-114). "Our situation, we play a lot of four guards," James said. "We expect big things from Benzor. He had a great summer. He came back in great physical condition. He knows it's his senior year and he's worked very hard to accomplish his goals."

Freshman Mike Liabo has been a nice early addition averaging 15.5 ppg on 56% shooting in the first game also.

T-M looks like they are playing good defense and LSU is struggling to find an identity and rotation right now. Based upon their two early results, LSU is not in a place to beat this Tenn-Martin team anywhere near 16 points.

ILLINOIS -3 (1.5 UNITS)

UNDER BOWLING GREEN/MICHIGAN 128 (1.25 UNITS)