Someone said if Branch is healthy...BINGO! I really think that's the key. If he's healthy, Jakarr has a typical Jakarr game, Pointer keeps rebounding, Obekpa keeps blocking and rebounding, and Marco gets hot from 3, we can definitely still win. If Branch looks anywhere near how he did last game, we are in trouble and it can get ugly. It would really be great if Harrison could rally his teammates up (not sure if he's still going to be at the game or forced to be away from them) and show maturity. I remember when Pointer made 2 huge dunks against DePaul and Harrison was fouled out, he was the first one to run over to Pointer at the timeout and give him a slap on the back. We need to see that Harrison more. Anyway, we need to stop Cotton i.e. 15 pts or less. Losing Harrison clearly hurts, but it will be interesting to see what his absense will do, since he takes a TON of bad shots.
We can win if other players step up and take better high percentage open looks and pass the ball a lot. It almost reminds me of last year when Melo was out and the Knicks were doing great passing it around to other players in his absence. Hopefully we can do the same. Who knows, maybe without Harrison they forget Sampson is a huge threat, that Marco can get hot from 3, and that Branch is very effective (if healthy)...maybe they take us lightly.