To me the key to tonight was both Bashir and Kassoum reading this board with Paultzman saying it is looking good with Walker and Monte saying he could play 20 minutes a game next season. They both got frightened to death of Walkers imminent commitment and had great games as they are fearful as upperclassmen to loose pt to a freshman.
Great win by the team and on to the next, game by game. Congrats to the team, coaching staff and suffering fans. Hope we had some recruits at the game.
Were there recruits at the game anyone?
Thanks!
There were 11 on Sunday, so I don't think so.
I don't have as sharp a recall of many of our wins as some of you do. It's mostly because, in the glory days, we'd be ho-humming it for 3/4 of the game, dominate the last 6-8 minutes, and everyone goes home satisfied.
Last night Owens played the most productive 0 point game you will see. Seemed to challenge every shot, rebounded, but picked up 3 of his 4 fouls far from the basket. Mullin oaxed him in at about the 6 minute mark, and I thought he would squeeze him in and out of the lineup to have him around at game end. Owens played smart the rest of the way, and not sure if he even came out at all. BIG game and some thunderous swats.
Ponds and Lovett put on a magic show taking the ball to the hoop with lots of schoolyard flair, finding daylight and baskets again and again.
3 point shooting was above 50% for much of the game, but faltered down stretch. Only criticism is that guys like Ahmed and Ellison have no sense of clock management when a double digit lead and under 4 minutes calls for a longer possession, not a 3 point bomb. Both those guys played very well overall, and props to Andrew2, Ellison plays hard nosed on ball defense. Ahmed played the important 3rd best offensive player role really well, which is what any good team needs.
The entire team raised their game defensively, and our guards picked Marquette's pockets a few times near midcourt.
I've largely stayed out of the Yakwe threads because I just thought there was more than the's shown all year, and even in his horrible games so far, to me did a few nice things each time out even if overall played poorly. He was an absolute beast in the 1st half, and played with an incredible level of confidence. I guess I'd give credit to the coaches for not giving up on him and continue to show him they had confidence.
Mussini hit a couple of bombs but also insisted on driving into traffic in the second half for a very predictable outcome. Mullin yanked him right away, and stopped him to talk for a few seconds before sitting him down. Earlier this year that part of Mullin's game was absent, talking to players before and after substitutions
No doubt about it. Satisfying win. The team is learning where their bread and butter is (Ponds and Lovett), and as soon as they really take notice, the other guys will find they are getting a lot more open looks as teams key on those 2.
