The OJ Mayo-Russell Robinson Matchup (KU Wins, 59-55)
Uncategorized December 3rd. 2007, 2:54pm
Decided to watch with more than a passing interest as USC freshman OJ Mayo matched up against Kansas defensive glove Russell Robinson Sunday. First, some thoughts on Mayo’s teammates: Daniel Hackett claims to style his game after Manu Ginobili, and if he improves his handle, sure. Taj Gibson is angry at something, but we are unsure what that may be. He acquires fouls at a breakneck pace. Davon Jefferson is awesome to watch, but needs a jumper. Which brings us to Mayo (KU’s Darnell Jackson’s isn’t impressed.) Fortunately, he left the punk at home and we actually enjoyed watching him play. He shot a woeful 6-for-21, but that’ll happen against the best. He seemed to get to the basket with ease several times, but simply could not finish. Robinson wasn’t credited with a block, but he definitely knocked away two Mayo shots. Not sure who had the call (Raveling?) but he was slurping Mayo the same way Dookie V blows Coach K. Sickening. Kansas, as usual, looked like crap in the halfcourt, and for most of the game, seemed to really miss Sherron Collins. Then Chalmers got aggressive late, Brandon Rush (2-for-11) stopped forcing junk, and the Jayhawks got the 59-55 win. Hard to fully judge Kansas without Collins, but right now, we’d take the Jayhawks over North Carolina and UCLA on a neutral floor. Still give Memphis the edge over all three, but we haven’t seen the Tigers against a real team yet. USC, with the Mayo-Hackett-Jefferson combo, could duplicate what the trio of Stewart-Young-Pruitt did last year, namely, a run to the Elite 8.
11 Responses to “The OJ Mayo-Russell Robinson Matchup (KU Wins, 59-55)”
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December 3rd, 2007 at 3:08 pm
Funny. Several years ago, Raveling made the, “their knuckles were dragging on the court when they came out of the locker room,” about Kentucky and yesterday the guy said Arthur could scratch his knees without bending over. Anyhow, that guy yesterday was probably the worst announcer I’ve heard since Raveling. Wretched.
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Robinson has regressed way back this year. Not even the same player. Well, he still can’t shoot so I guess that is the same. It’s a shame because he’s a real likable guy.
It is still the first week of December so too early to really judge, but I’m not overly impressed with them after watching 7 games. Same old probablems… Can’t rebound. Can’t shoot free throws. Too many dumb turnovers.
They are getting by on talent right now.
December 3rd, 2007 at 3:13 pm
Robinson has offensively regressed (37% field, 30% 3pt, 27 – 18 Ast/TO). Still good on D.
December 3rd, 2007 at 3:56 pm
“but we haven’t seen the Tigers against a real team yet.”
And you probably won’t until March.
December 3rd, 2007 at 4:18 pm
s1, Memphis plays USC, Gtown and Arizona in December. Gonzaga in Jan. Tenn in Feb.
BCS football schools should take notes.
December 3rd, 2007 at 5:39 pm
Looking forward to Trojans vs Tigers from MSG tomorrow night! No doubt Memphis will win but I’m interested to see how Mayo does against a super athletic team. How often will we see OJ and Derrick matched up against each other?
-Bobby Bluechip
http://fantasysportsmatrix.com/bobbybluechip
December 3rd, 2007 at 5:47 pm
I really don’t think there’s anyway Kansas beats UCLA on a neutral floor with Love in the mix. Just a gut feeling.
December 3rd, 2007 at 5:52 pm
That whole game was ugly and shouldn’t be used as a barometer for either team. Games in early December are meaningless. KU and USC will both evolve and grow into themselves as the season progresses. By the time KU gets Collins back they will be nastysickalicious.
December 3rd, 2007 at 10:28 pm
That was Marques Johnson on the call, not George Raveling. Johnson was probably impressed because he also called the USC-Oklahoma game three days earlier, when Mayo took over the game in the second half.
Mayo has not done anything at all this season that suggests “punk.” He hasn’t trash-talked anyone, he hasn’t barked at officials, he listens intently to Floyd in the huddle, and he says all the right things to the media. A sample from yesterday, when asked if he ever takes shots he shouldn’t:
“Yeah, sometimes. We have a talented team in my opinion, and we can make a variety of shots. But a lot of times, you can get a better shot, or maybe put your teammate in position to get easier shots. Sometimes, you take shots and, if they don’t fall, bad shot, and if they do fall, terrific shot.”
Asked about his high number of turnovers:
“I just need to take care of the ball. Being a lead guard, I have to give my teammates opportunities to take a good shot they can knock down. Sometimes on the fast break, if it’s not 100% there, maybe you don’t need to take it there. I’m just learning. I’m not a perfect player. I can get better. I will get better as the season goes along, and so will our team.”
Really sounds like a punk, doesn’t he? Incidentally, he is also excelling in his classes, which are in business and journalism– not Ballroom Dancing. The guy scored in the 95th percentile on the ACT and placed out of the freshman English requirement, which no Tim Floyd recruit had ever done. Again, not punk stuff.
Now, his game, on the other hand, still needs work. Shot selection has generally been good, although it was not good last night, and he has been very prone to turnovers.
Incidentally, USC did not make a run to the “Elite Eight” last year. They lost in the “Sweet Sixteen” to North Carolina, which then lost to Georgetown in the round of eight.
December 3rd, 2007 at 11:10 pm
I’ve got a feeling WWE Superstar Dude Love is picking USC to miss the tournament.
December 4th, 2007 at 12:01 am
Brian -
That was my first thorough witnessing of Mayo (still early in the season, I can’t keep up with what games are on tv at what times or I should have seen him earlier). He seemed cool and even though he didn’t play well, he never through a hissy fit or called out his teammates or ball hogged. Much like last time this year when every Texas game was must see becaue of Durant, I’ll be keeping an eye on USC.
By the way, 1100 am games for college hoops are generally poorly played.
December 4th, 2007 at 7:12 am
George Raveling hasn’t been the same since the stroke. . . .Wait. . . he’s never had a stroke?