...and that one was totally about us --- good and bad.
First off, look... that was a welcome and overdue win, and yes, I'm as ecstatic about that as any fan --- and trust me, I was reverse-jinxin' as hard as I could (you're wlecome) down the stretch, but this analysis is gonna be straight coach-speak, i.e., there were no positives that weren't countered by negatives that frankly kept dook in a game we should have cruised in. Fortunately the balance of good vs bad (and of course, good vs evil) tipped our way just enough...
- We came out with energy (helped by an early Scramble) but we didn't always put out what I call "grunt work" energy --- exerting that last extra bit of effort to snatch a contested rebound or loose ball. As a result we didn't clean the glass in the first half. I suspect that was a point of emphasis at halftine and the improved result showed.
- Roach demonstrated why I wasn't upset about losing that recruiting battle, especially his propensity to take the ball into no-man's land, and he couldn't do anything with Caleb. That said, we can't have nice things and CL damn near negated his own career night by going utterly brain-dead in the last 5 minutes. Son, you can't pat yourself on the back --- get yore ass back on defense, and where the hell were you taking the rock in the last few sets? You're starting to "get it" --- just keep your head in the game.
- speaking of that latter point, this is dook at dook --- they're gonna foul and foul and foul some more (and maybe a third will get caled), so assume that and be strong with the ball. Guards need to be sure on every dribble, Bigs need to "chin" the ball on defensive rebounds, and on offense go up THROUGH them if necessary ($1 to Psycho-T). Bacot's offensive energy was negated by some weak moves. You also CANNOT afford to be loose wth passes off rebounds. For all Sharpe's beastliness tonight, that untimely giveaway to Goldwire was a damned momentum-killer.
- speaking of fouls, this wasn't the ideal crew if we were looking for whistles inside, but we got enough to cruise --- that is IF WE MAKE OUR DAMNED FTs. Jeez. Thing is, though, INSIDE was the key. Roy's game-plan was spot on (and also, rolled out a nifty new wrinkle on a late-first-half OB play). Despite letting some rebounds get away, Brooks was aggressive on both ends (and got a HUGE defensive rebound down the stretch). Also a nice find on the diagonal to Plates on the break for a 3.
- speaking of 3s, that was the unsung consequence of the game-plan --- we were actually getting looks playing inside-out and in transition, and those rhythm-3s are high-pct shots. We also got the best of the key match-up issue and got Hurt in foul trouble early.
- Leaky came through with some timely mid-range pull-ups (that's his game) and 2 big FTs to seal it, but Lordy, some of those fouls --- especially the dumb one up 5 late. Come on now. And AP was 6/7 on stops and flat stoned Moore when he tried to post him, but then turns around and makes a bad assumption pass to give it back. Come on now. Walton came out knocking down his looks but as I warned previously, opponents have scouted us now and they've going after him on the other end, and hoo-wee, that aspect was NOT pretty tonight. Ant keeps playing with energy but his tendency to get out of control is starting to catch up to him ---time to take a breath and let things slow down, partner. And rough offensive night for RJ, but he did take care of the rock.
Anyway.... fortunately, the late defensive subbing paid off, and Roy made judicious use of giving fouls (and thank you Wendell for that last travel, BTW). And make no mistake, we NEEDED that win (for every reason imaginable!)... but there's still growth and clean-up needed if we're gonna make any noise in March (which we're thoroughly capable of). No time to celebrate --- gotta turn around and defend the Dome on Monday!...
First off, look... that was a welcome and overdue win, and yes, I'm as ecstatic about that as any fan --- and trust me, I was reverse-jinxin' as hard as I could (you're wlecome) down the stretch, but this analysis is gonna be straight coach-speak, i.e., there were no positives that weren't countered by negatives that frankly kept dook in a game we should have cruised in. Fortunately the balance of good vs bad (and of course, good vs evil) tipped our way just enough...
- We came out with energy (helped by an early Scramble) but we didn't always put out what I call "grunt work" energy --- exerting that last extra bit of effort to snatch a contested rebound or loose ball. As a result we didn't clean the glass in the first half. I suspect that was a point of emphasis at halftine and the improved result showed.
- Roach demonstrated why I wasn't upset about losing that recruiting battle, especially his propensity to take the ball into no-man's land, and he couldn't do anything with Caleb. That said, we can't have nice things and CL damn near negated his own career night by going utterly brain-dead in the last 5 minutes. Son, you can't pat yourself on the back --- get yore ass back on defense, and where the hell were you taking the rock in the last few sets? You're starting to "get it" --- just keep your head in the game.
- speaking of that latter point, this is dook at dook --- they're gonna foul and foul and foul some more (and maybe a third will get caled), so assume that and be strong with the ball. Guards need to be sure on every dribble, Bigs need to "chin" the ball on defensive rebounds, and on offense go up THROUGH them if necessary ($1 to Psycho-T). Bacot's offensive energy was negated by some weak moves. You also CANNOT afford to be loose wth passes off rebounds. For all Sharpe's beastliness tonight, that untimely giveaway to Goldwire was a damned momentum-killer.
- speaking of fouls, this wasn't the ideal crew if we were looking for whistles inside, but we got enough to cruise --- that is IF WE MAKE OUR DAMNED FTs. Jeez. Thing is, though, INSIDE was the key. Roy's game-plan was spot on (and also, rolled out a nifty new wrinkle on a late-first-half OB play). Despite letting some rebounds get away, Brooks was aggressive on both ends (and got a HUGE defensive rebound down the stretch). Also a nice find on the diagonal to Plates on the break for a 3.
- speaking of 3s, that was the unsung consequence of the game-plan --- we were actually getting looks playing inside-out and in transition, and those rhythm-3s are high-pct shots. We also got the best of the key match-up issue and got Hurt in foul trouble early.
- Leaky came through with some timely mid-range pull-ups (that's his game) and 2 big FTs to seal it, but Lordy, some of those fouls --- especially the dumb one up 5 late. Come on now. And AP was 6/7 on stops and flat stoned Moore when he tried to post him, but then turns around and makes a bad assumption pass to give it back. Come on now. Walton came out knocking down his looks but as I warned previously, opponents have scouted us now and they've going after him on the other end, and hoo-wee, that aspect was NOT pretty tonight. Ant keeps playing with energy but his tendency to get out of control is starting to catch up to him ---time to take a breath and let things slow down, partner. And rough offensive night for RJ, but he did take care of the rock.
Anyway.... fortunately, the late defensive subbing paid off, and Roy made judicious use of giving fouls (and thank you Wendell for that last travel, BTW). And make no mistake, we NEEDED that win (for every reason imaginable!)... but there's still growth and clean-up needed if we're gonna make any noise in March (which we're thoroughly capable of). No time to celebrate --- gotta turn around and defend the Dome on Monday!...
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