...and we survived utter mayhem.
And I'm gonna start right there.
Moment: In the second half, on the play #5 (the mouthy SOB who should've been T'd up in the first half) smacked his teammate in the face, on the replay both of those guys had firm holds on Mando (who had position for a rebound). THAT was FSU's story from the tip --- grab, hold, bump, hack and try to numb the incompetent ref crew, and it worked. That was THE reason Mando only got 4 rebounds all day, and the mayhem kept them in the game --- that and being unconscious from 3 early on.
Let's get to us:
- Ingram had another big board night (which we needed) with 17 to make up for the Mando-mugging, but did not do well driving and/or finishing vs their grabs.
- I was disappointed we only ran one possession of 44, especially after what it did to them last time. With that said, our rotations were once again tight. Big moment: Late game after they had cut it to 2 then after we get it to 4, they try to iso EC and he uses his feet to force to help, and Ingram stepped in for the shot-block --- just the way you teach it in 4-man shell.
- Really disappointing day from our bench, who allowed themselves to get caught up in FSU's tactics. JWash was being knocked around by their physicality but I really thought Withers would be valuable today. However, he reverted to letting himself get sped up. High came in to mix it up but caught with his hands down on the perimeter for 3s. And Seth --- son, you can jump outta the gym --- stop air-hanging and DUNK the damn ball!
- We ultimately got our winning margin in spurts by using tempo and selectively breaking down their D with the same action we used against Wake. As for the latter, this time we knew they couldn't keep Cadeau from getting to the rim. However, when they started holding our Bigs and laid back to protect the rim (and got away with fouls) that made it more difficult. Thus, it was a good variation late to scheme that big floater for RJ.
- with that said, I didn't like killing our tempo too soon down the stretch. With all the swallowed whistles that played into FSU's hands. And our ball-movement also ground to a halt and we seemed to playing not to lose a bit.
- Speaking of RJ, FSU made an extra effort to smother him and he had trouble handling the rock vs their reaches, but still came up with 24 (hard-earned) pts.
- Ultimately the difference-maker today was #2 (despite getting HOSED by Cassell on two great defensive plays). Any time he was out, things got very sketchy. Despite getting (once again) shorted a board and a dime, EC finished with 16 pts and 6 Assists, and a +16 for his 28 minutes in a close game.
- Finally, in one advanced metric, EC drew 9 fouls today (5 shooting) and fortunately went 8/9 and the line. The stroke looked way more confident and like his HS self today -- hopefully a good sign moving forward.
Anyway, it speaks VOLUMES to the character and toughness of this team to come out of that grab-fest with a W against all those long athletes. And sorry for harping on it, but pretty-boy Cassell has always sucked and that Potter jabronie needs to be reffing middle school somewhere --- to be sure, our 24 FTs should've been double that. We have to play a dangerous enigma Tuesday on the road, so let's hope for no let-down. As for today, a way better win than the national media will give is credit for!...
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