(POST GAME) Butler, Tues. Dec. 31, 7:30pm, FS-1, 970AM

[quote="montyaloofah" post=370190]We need wins not lessons, but hopefully this game taught them to never give up. They should hold their head high with that 2nd half comeback[/quote]

When it comes to not giving up, this group doesn’t seem like they need to be taught that
 
[quote="Logen" post=370193]After we squandered leads in previous games, many, including myself, talked about basketball being a game of runs and it is. So we had a tremendous 2nd half run, got a lead late and then couldn’t close it out. It’s about W’s and L’s and in my opinion there are no moral victories and that was a bad loss. Another example of us not knowing how to play with a lead. And I may be harsh but Dunn backing that ball out was a “me” play and I just don’t see it.[/quote]
Unless the play call during the time out was for Dunn to drive to the basket.
 
[quote="Logen" post=370193]After we squandered leads in previous games, many, including myself, talked about basketball being a game of runs and it is. So we had a tremendous 2nd half run, got a lead late and then couldn’t close it out. It’s about W’s and L’s and in my opinion there are no moral victories and that was a bad loss. Another example of us not knowing how to play with a lead. And I may be harsh but Dunn backing that ball out was a “me” play and I just don’t see it.[/quote]

Great point on Dunn play, inexplicable.
 
Someone mentioned in the game thread that MA was punishing LJ. I don’t think that’s the case. He was just riding the guys that brought us back. As for Dunn, he was the engine that was driving our comeback. I have no problem putting the ball in his hands at the end. The only mistake, imo, is that we slowed the game down when we went up by 5. That let Butler play their game. Of course, a couple of foul calls near the end also slowed things down for them.
 
Based on what I saw tonight, if all goes well for us injury wise etc., I still think we can finish 9-9 in conference.
 
Kid played hard & well;

Nick Rutherford: “To be honest, you want to win, but you can’t be disappointed. All you can do is fight, and we fought. We had the game, but they’re a good team, so give them credit.”
 
[quote="bamafan" post=370195][quote="Logen" post=370193]After we squandered leads in previous games, many, including myself, talked about basketball being a game of runs and it is. So we had a tremendous 2nd half run, got a lead late and then couldn’t close it out. It’s about W’s and L’s and in my opinion there are no moral victories and that was a bad loss. Another example of us not knowing how to play with a lead. And I may be harsh but Dunn backing that ball out was a “me” play and I just don’t see it.[/quote]
Unless the play call during the time out was for Dunn to drive to the basket.[/quote]

Well, since Dunn got the ball after a broken play scramble I don’t think so, but just my opinion.
 
[quote="Paultzman" post=370200]Kid played hard & well;

Nick Rutherford: “To be honest, you want to win, but you can’t be disappointed. All you can do is fight, and we fought. We had the game, but they’re a good team, so give them credit.”[/quote]

Tough player. Between his tough/clutch bucket against Arizona late and then his play tonight, he’s quickly becoming a favorite of mine
 
Rutherford single handedly brought this team back. His energy and positivity was contagious at a point in the game when we were down 19-20 points early 2nd half. Incredible effort.

If I’m going to nitpick I would’ve had LJ in the game under 4 minutes. Our late game offense is really porous he should’ve been given a chance to ice the game up 5 late.
 
[quote="SJU2000alum15" post=370197]I agree that Williams or Rutherford should have had the ball on that play.[/quote]

I am not giving Rutherford the ball there, under any circumstances. I know he did it against Arizona, but that was because we pushed it up the floor. His whole game is steals, and beating the defender down the court. In the set offense, he's a negative.

Had no problem with Dunn getting it there. He seems to want the ball late in the games (I love that attribute about him, but it's going to cost you sometimes), and has already come through twice for us this year. Dunn driving was the only option, and either go up with it, or kick out to LJ.
 
Daly Dose if Hoops
Greg Williams on Mike Anderson’s 40 Minutes of Hell: “We definitely feed off it...it’s our brand of basketball.”

Rutherford: “If you watched our practices, this ain’t even close.” #sjubb

I wonder if Steere embraces the practice mantra? Seems a requisite.
 
[quote="SJU61982" post=370204][quote="SJU2000alum15" post=370197]I agree that Williams or Rutherford should have had the ball on that play.[/quote]

I am not giving Rutherford the ball there, under any circumstances. I know he did it against Arizona, but that was because we pushed it up the floor. His whole game is steals, and beating the defender down the court. In the set offense, he's a negative.

Had no problem with Dunn getting it there. He seems to want the ball late in the games (I love that attribute about him, but it's going to cost you sometimes), and has already come through twice for us this year. Dunn driving was the only option, and either go up with it, or kick out to LJ.[/quote]

Did you watch tonight’s game? He drove the ball in the half court several times. Butler couldn’t stay with him.
 
Mike Anderson on not bringing LJ Figueroa back sooner: “Those guys were just playing well.”

To me SJU still needed a shooter out there to keep Butler honest in closing minutes, but CMA knows better than fans.
 
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[quote="Paultzman" post=370207]Mike Anderson on not bringing LJ Figueroa back sooner: “Those guys were just playing well.”

To me SJU still needed a shooter out there to keep Butler honest in closing minutes, but CMA knows better than fans.[/quote]

And your option for that shooter was....?
 
Anderson should pull Dunn for even thinking about shooting 3 . He is a bricklayer . Great to the hoop but , too much 1 on 1 basketball . Him getting 13 shots and 0-5 from 3 should never be repeated . Rutherford or Williams deserved the ball on the last possession . Earlington should not shoot outside 10 feet . His work is inside , all the time .
 
Normally when a team that employs a pressing defense takes a five point lead in the last few minutes of a game you relax the press to avoid giving up any easy baskets. Based on the W. Va. and Butler games this team has to increase the pressure at that point. They cannot score unless they create turnovers.
 
[quote="sirvoo" post=370203]Rutherford single handedly brought this team back. His energy and positivity was contagious at a point in the game when we were down 19-20 points early 2nd half. Incredible effort.

If I’m going to nitpick I would’ve had LJ in the game under 4 minutes. Our late game offense is really porous he should’ve been given a chance to ice the game up 5 late.[/quote]

I thought the same thing, but understand why coach rode the group who led the charge in the 2nd half. Truth is, he was going to be second guessed regardless if we lost. We just needed to make another play, and couldn’t quite get there. Amazing comeback nonetheless.
 
It’s almost like I wish we got blown out cause now I’ve just been straight depressed for the past half hour lol
 
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