OT: NCAAT Discussion

[Five Two]

At the end of the Michigan game last night, when Tennessee was pressing, Michigan had 5 guards on the court. I kept thinking about similar end of game situations where we'd have Copes and/or Jenkins handling the ball and getting fouled. ugh.

 

[psyclone]

At the end of the Michigan game last night, when Tennessee was pressing, Michigan had 5 guards on the court. I kept thinking about similar end of game situations where we'd have Copes and/or Jenkins handling the ball and getting fouled. ugh.

Note that even with 5 guards on the floor Michigan had trouble getting the ball inbounds and when they were successful, they seemed to turn it over every time.

After one of those turnovers, Tennessee had the ball with 9 seconds left only down 1. So the 5 guard strategy was less than a roaring success (not because of foul shooting) but perhaps because they didn't have a big guy to throw it to.

 

[Five Two]

Note that even with 5 guards on the floor Michigan had trouble getting the ball inbounds and when they were successful, they seemed to turn it over every time.

After one of those turnovers, Tennessee had the ball with 9 seconds left only down 1. So the 5 guard strategy was less than a roaring success (not because of foul shooting) but perhaps because they didn't have a big guy to throw it to.

they had their best ball handlers and presumably their best free throw shooters on the floor. I'm not going to be convinced that Copes is somebody we want on the line with the game in the balance.

 

[psyclone]

they had their best ball handlers and presumably their best free throw shooters on the floor. I'm not going to be convinced that Copes is somebody we want on the line with the game in the balance.

I agree--Copes is our worst ft shooter and you want him on the bench when we're on offense late in the game when we have a lead. My impression is that Hewitt actually did make "offense-defense" subs with Copes usually on the bench in those situations. But there are some times when Copes is on the floor on defense and there isn't a chance to get him out of the game when we're on defense.

 

[phoenix-arizona]

No more Arizona . No real rooting interest anymore

 

[KAOriginal]

Ill say it again. While we are watching the cream of the crop in terms of hoops, it just makes me sad to realize how the level of play has just deteriorated for us the past few years...

 

[Harry]

All set...UConn vs. Florida and Wisconsin vs. Kentucky. From 2006, my hatred against Florida men's basketball continues...Let's go UConn, Wisconsin, or Kentucky!

 

[phoenix-arizona]

Wisconsin or Florida . Prefer Wisconsin

 

[DeepValue]

Honestly thought Wilbekin was the second coming of Tony Parker. Then I watched him play against UConn. Now things are different.

 

[Washingtonian]

Think UConn is making up for not being aloud to play in the big dance last year?

 

[MasonJar]

Think UConn is making up for not being aloud to play in the big dance last year?

Yeah. They just cheated harder this year to make up for last year. Or I guess they just didn't get caught this year.

 

[GMUgemini]

Yeah. They just cheated harder this year to make up for last year. Or I guess they just didn't get caught this year.

That's what I was thinking, too...of the two teams in the final, one is coached by someone who caused two separate schools to be sanctioned with vacated runs, and the other was banned from the postseason last year...

 

[Five Two]

and the other was banned from the postseason last year...

but those academic sanctions were the result of the former coach, not the current one.

 

[psyclone]

Regardless of who might have been cheating, I will say I was very impressed with the play of 3 teams in the semis--to my eye only Florida played poorly and that may have been a function of how well UConn played. The overall level of play was considerably beyond what I saw from the A10 this year, even from the top of our conference.

Wisconsin traded punches with Kentucky all game, but their turnovers the last couple of minutes were atypical of their quality of play. They really moved the ball well most of the time.

 

[phoenix-arizona]

Who had this final in their bracket ?

 

[DeepValue]

Every team seems to have Kentucky right where they want them until suddenly they don't. Kentucky is very strong on the boards and when they drive to five feet and loft a floater it's unstoppable.

 

[MasonJar]

but those academic sanctions were the result of the former coach, not the current one.

As if changing the coach changes the culture of the place.

 

[Five Two]

As if changing the coach changes the culture of the place.

we are exhibit 1.A. that changing the coach changes the culture....

 

[GMUgemini]

we are exhibit 1.A. that changing the coach changes the culture....

The culture of our athletics department has changed? Unless you are talking about winning, I'd say you are wrong.

Its not like there were never any problems under L. I mean Tony Skinn punched a player in the crotch in the middle of a game. And DJ's credit card fiasco would have still happened. Then there's pillowgate and a few other unexplained suspensions like Cam Long's.

I don't think the culture of our basketball team has changed much. They are generally good kids who work hard and graduate in time.

 

[Five Two]

The culture of our athletics department has changed? Unless you are talking about winning, I'd say you are wrong.

of course I am talking about winning. all that other stuff is fluff (not the caddie).