@Providence, Wed. Jan. 25, 6:30pm, FS1/570AM

I'm sure it didn't help that Cooley had to watch Ponds have a great game....."the one that got away".....
 
Replaying the last 5 minutes, a few things stood out. The guys came from behind on at least 3 or 4 occasions, including keeping their composure, and tightening up the D, after 2 wide open threes by Lindsey. They were very patient on offense the last 4 or so possessions, and made 3 big defensive plays in the last minute, with Williams involved with all 3. The refs were atrocious most of the game, but thankfully kept their whistles silent in the final minute instead of trying to steal the game away from us.

Best part of the game was seeing the smile on Ponds face, especially on the home court of the school he almost chose over us. Ponds and Lovett are given plenty of pt and a lot of freedom on the offensive side of the ball. If winning is added to the mix, they will be smiling often and more willing to trust the process and stay around to enjoy the rewards.
 
Mullin does not appear to be the greatest guy on the handshake line after a loss either.
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You really take a shot at Mullin at every opportunity
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Actually just being fair. We are criticizing handshakes after a game. Been pretty quiet since the Penn State game because I am happy that he is more engaged that was my complaint. I've seen improvement so I am content for now.

I apologize for not being a homer and thinking he can't do anything wrong.
 
Great to see these guys pull out a tough road game vs a competitive Providence team (wins over GTown and SH), prob another example of a team we match up well against. Any team with a fairly dominant front court is gonna be real issue for us.

One thing that had me confused last night (other than the complete no show in the first 5 mins of the second half), what was the pressure that Ellison was performing for the entire 1st half? It looked like a semblance of an attempt to trap the ball handler....but Lovett looked confused as to why he was coming over- a simple over the top pass broke it and put us out of position on D. Anyone else perplexed by that?

Also- Mussini receives a bit of hate on here, but cmon- last night he was not put in a position to succeed at all against Lindsay- 6'7 240... I actually think that all three 6ft guards can play at the same time with a Williams/Owens, Owens/Yakwe combo. throw a 3-2 zone at during that time.

Overall- can't take away the fight these guys showed when Prov looked they were gonna blow it open. Enjoy this, as these victories are few and far between this year.
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Actually Ellison was slow moving to trap the ball handler, never got over in time. So I really think the so called press was set up only to slow the Friar's offense.
 
With 40 seconds remaining in the game and the Johnnies in possession of the ball I would have preferred us moving the ball, passes or weave, rather then Lovett dribbling alone until there was 13 seconds left.
 
It is worth so much more then 1 win when you win a tough, comeback, road game like this. Now we have to continue to raise the level of our play against Xavier. This team should be over the 25 point losses. Also eliminate the bonehead plays like Ahmed's 2 bad plays and Owens almost getting a technical.
 
It is worth so much more then 1 win when you win a tough, comeback, road game like this.
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I was tempted to go all literal on you about 1 win being worth exactly 1 win, but nah.
Now we have to continue to raise the level of our play against Xavier.
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That's exactly the mission - to keep making forward progress. Xavier game should be a good test of that. Kind of similar to maintaining focus for the road game at DePaul after the big win at home over Butler. We don't have to beat X, but i do want to see a 40 minute effort and no quit if they get down.
This team should be over the 25 point losses.
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I am pretty sure there are a couple of 20 point losses left on the horizon. Even if we get to where everyone actually plays hard for 40 minutes (in other words, they all take a Lovett pill), we still don't play enough (any) defense, we still don't have enough size in the frontcourt, we still don't move the ball enough on offense, and there have to be a couple of nights when the 3 doesn't drop. If and when that happens against a good team, there will be another big loss or so. Momma always told me there'd be days like these, ya know?
Also eliminate the bonehead plays like Ahmed's 2 bad plays and Owens almost getting a technical.
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You could have left it at eliminate bonehead plays like Ahmed's and you would have been fine. But yes, there is a fair amount of maturing and basketball understanding yet to occur with this group. If they make a little progress every game, which they seem to be doing in fits and starts, then it's all good.
 
It is worth so much more then 1 win when you win a tough, comeback, road game like this.
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I was tempted to go all literal on you about 1 win being worth exactly 1 win, but nah.
Now we have to continue to raise the level of our play against Xavier.
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That's exactly the mission - to keep making forward progress. Xavier game should be a good test of that. Kind of similar to maintaining focus for the road game at DePaul after the big win at home over Butler. We don't have to beat X, but i do want to see a 40 minute effort and no quit if they get down.
This team should be over the 25 point losses.
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I am pretty sure there are a couple of 20 point losses left on the horizon. Even if we get to where everyone actually plays hard for 40 minutes (in other words, they all take a Lovett pill), we still don't play enough (any) defense, we still don't have enough size in the frontcourt, and there have to be a couple of nights when the 3 doesn't drop. If and when that happens against a good team, there will be another big loss or so. Momma always told me there'd be days like these, ya know?
Also eliminate the bonehead plays like Ahmed's 2 bad plays and Owens almost getting a technical.
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You could have left it at eliminate bonehead plays like Ahmed's and you would have been fine. But yes, there is a fair amount of maturing and basketball understanding yet to occur with this group. If they make a little progress every game, which they seem to be doing in fits and starts, then it's all good.
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Lawmanfan channeling his inner Fun? ;)
 
I think I may have originally stolen the "break your post into quotes" thing from Fun, but it may also have been from somebody back in the days of R & P, I can't remember.

I don't actually know what's happened to Fun. I think he's gone soft. A couple of days ago I found myself agreeing with virtually every post he put up. I even put a "thank you" on one of them. I thought about doing it for a couple of others, but it just felt wrong, so I didn't. And he's so damn nice to WASJU, even when he totally deserves to be torched. It's kind of sad, actually.

Anyway I was mainly agreeing with Kred, technique aside
 
I don't actually know what's happened to Fun. I think he's gone soft. A couple of days ago I found myself agreeing with virtually every post he put up
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More likely you just got smarter.
 
Mullin does not appear to be the greatest guy on the handshake line after a loss either.
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You really take a shot at Mullin at every opportunity
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Actually just being fair. We are criticizing handshakes after a game. Been pretty quiet since the Penn State game because I am happy that he is more engaged that was my complaint. I've seen improvement so I am content for now.

I apologize for not being a homer and thinking he can't do anything wrong.
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The way I saw it after the game CM was on line giving his hand shakes to providence players and staff but their headlock was not to be found Saw him walk past CM and did not even look his way
 
I think I may have originally stolen the "break your post into quotes" thing from Fun, but it may also have been from somebody back in the days of R & P, I can't remember.

I don't actually know what's happened to Fun. I think he's gone soft. A couple of days ago I found myself agreeing with virtually every post he put up. I even put a "thank you" on one of them. I thought about doing it for a couple of others, but it just felt wrong, so I didn't. And he's so damn nice to WASJU, even when he totally deserves to be torched. It's kind of sad, actually.

Anyway I was mainly agreeing with Kred, technique aside
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Fun will never go soft so maybe you're developing a man crush.

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What a great win on the road
The unsung hero was Darien Williams for 2 reasons:
1. Obviously, the block on Providence's last possession
2. Just as important, in Providence's next to last possession, Owens blocked a shot and was about to taunt the player whose shot he blocked and probably would have gotten T'd up. That would have cost us 2 foul shots and it would have also been Owens' 5rth personal foul. Williams smartly pulled Owens away quickly to make sure that he didn't do anything foolish. Great move on his part.
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Maybe the difference between a win and a loss
 
I assume Williams can only go in spurts, but give him as many minutes as possible. He and Owens are at least decent. Time for Yakwe to play marginally & Amar should watch the bus.
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I've said it before and I'll say it again
Amar's shorts should be glued and nailed to the bench
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Makes sense. His feet seem to be glued to the floor on defense
 
With 40 seconds remaining in the game and the Johnnies in possession of the ball I would have preferred us moving the ball, passes or weave, rather then Lovett dribbling alone until there was 13 seconds left.
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Guy went by his man all game long. Mullin wanted to make sure the ball was in his best players hand for the shot. The problem as is often the case especially in college with those end of game isos is the player starts his move too late in clock or shot clock which results in a ugly looking shot. Start your move earlier gives you more options. Providence was going to get the ball back with enough time for their own shot. Would tather have given them another couple seconds and gotten off a better shot.
 
Thanks for finding that replay !!!...

I paid $20+ to get temporary in flight Wifi access on a flight Wed night so I could watch it on Fox Sports Go app on my cell phone but screen was small, I didnt have sound and it froze up a few times...
 
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