Mizzou-Hatters: Box Scorin'

I didn't like the "Beside the Box Score" thing, so I'll just keep trying new names until I find one I like...

So after a totally non-descript first 10 minutes, Mizzou just methodically pulled away.

• Stetson had one assist.  One.
• Meanwhile, I think all 9 of Mizzou's turnovers came in the first five rough minutes.
• Stetson really seemed to come into the game determined to muck things up.  Mizzou was clearly rusty offensively, and the game was almost unwatchably sloppy early.  But a) Mizzou's defense remained strong, and b) Stetson couldn't hit a shot if their lives depended on it, and eventually Mizzou got into a rhythm with the ball.
• This is where a stat like "Expected Offensive Rebounds" comes in handy--Stetson had more Off Reb than Mizzou, so you'd think that would be bad, but in the end they didn't grab as many as expected because they missed so many damn shots.
• Mizzou's 1.20 PPP = impressive.  Stetson's 0.67 PPP = VERY impressive (for Mizzou).
• Stetson's leader Garfield Blair: 6 points on 11 shots, 0 points, 4 turnovers.

Here's a fun summary of advanced stats from StatSheet.com. Seriously, this site has just turned into a freaking goldmine.

EqPts = a take-off of the Net Equivalent Points idea discussed last week.  Taking points, assists, rebounds (offensive & defensive), steals, blocks, turnovers and fouls into account, the team's points are re-distributed to figure out who had the biggest impact on the game itself, instead of just how many balls a player put through a basket.  I can go into detail on the formula if anybody asks, but for now just know that that was the intent.

• Hopefully Leo Lyons is saving himself for Braggin' Rights, because while he was pretty good offensively against Murray State, he's basically blended into the scenery the last couple of games.
• This was a really neat game to watch, as almost every freshman did something spectacular at some point.  Marcus Denmon came in early and sparked a lifeless Mizzou squad with defense, Miguel Paul was very smooth and in control, and...rarely will Laurence Bowers have a better 60 seconds than when he blocked a 3-pointer, nailed a long jumper, then ended up on the receiving end of an alley-oop 30 seconds later.  Steve Moore continues to look lighter and more agile (but still stout).  Really, only Kimmie English was unimpressive today, and he's proven himself already.
• I was about to say it's going to be hard to keep Bowers off the court, but...Justin Safford and Keith Ramsey were as or more impressive.  Mizzou clearly isn't going to have a lot of pure size next year, but Safford, Ramsey and Bowers (Jaureth Bamford--24 points, 14 rebounds last night) will be pretty dynamic next year nonetheless.  Now we just have to hope that Steve Moore continues to come along so that Mizzou doesn't get totally manhandled by big teams.  Regardless, Bowers is looking better and better.
• One concern: Mizzou is going to need more production from the point guard position at some point.  Paul was in control, but he and Zaire Taylor will have to prove they can score, else teams will begin to give them the Wesley Stokes treatment.
  
• I'll say this: Jarrett Sutton really does have a nice stroke.

Season to Date

• DeMarre has distanced himself from Leo at the top, but they do make a pretty rough twosome.  Mizzou is going to be tough to beat when one of them is on, and really tough to beat when both of them are on.
• Jaureth Bamford: 31.2 MPG, 10.2 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.5 BPG, 1.1 SPG.  Mr. Bamford is a damn solid all-around contributor there, huh?
• J.T. "Big Game" Tiller will get a chance to live up to his nickname this week...he should be well-rested, as he hasn't been asked to do much lately.