Reed had a double/double in the first half with 100% FG percentage and went on to finish the game with 31 points (80% FG) and 27 rebounds. Almost a point per minute (35 minutes). It is amazing what Taris can do when he picks up only 1 foul, doesn’t get tackled, and goes 7-9 from the line. Life without James Breedings.
Absent Karaban 4-9 from 3 points, we were 1 for 16 from 3pts or 6%. Mullins (0-8) and Ball(1-6) combined for 7%. Yet, Mullins was 5-6 from 2point territory. Mullins needs to start there and then mix in some threes. Karaban was 5-7 from 2pts. So their combined 10-13 (77%) 2pt FG% is something to build on.
Our bench had 4 points, since Smith started for Demary and contributed 8 points. Reibe’s zero points and rebounds in 5 minutes, highlight was 4 fouls. He needs to do better Sunday, especially if Stewart is still out. Ross played defense but otherwise was quiet in 21 minutes.
Interestingly, we had only 9 turnovers without Demary, while Smith (7 assists) and Mullins (6 assists) contributed to an over-all 22 to 14 assist advantage. As has been the case this season when you combine the assist advantage with a huge 44 to 23 rebound advantage, we get a win. A 14 offensive rebound advantage helped us take 18 more FGA than our opponent.
Hurley now is letting GM Tom Moore communicate injury status updates. We will see on Demary and Stewart. But, my sense is if their injuries were minor they would have played in a tournament game. No doubt we will need more depth off the bench with someone else playing well off the bench besides Smith on Sunday. Although, some guys play better when they are not looking over their shoulder about being replaced. We were just Ball or Mullins getting hot from 3pts away from a blowout against Furman.
Obviously, a huge game at 8:45pm Sunday against UCLA. It is a win or go home time of year. Where all the crazy passion of Hurley seems to get translated into the love many of his players have for him and their belief he can take them to the promise land, if they give 100%+.
Absent Karaban 4-9 from 3 points, we were 1 for 16 from 3pts or 6%. Mullins (0-8) and Ball(1-6) combined for 7%. Yet, Mullins was 5-6 from 2point territory. Mullins needs to start there and then mix in some threes. Karaban was 5-7 from 2pts. So their combined 10-13 (77%) 2pt FG% is something to build on.
Our bench had 4 points, since Smith started for Demary and contributed 8 points. Reibe’s zero points and rebounds in 5 minutes, highlight was 4 fouls. He needs to do better Sunday, especially if Stewart is still out. Ross played defense but otherwise was quiet in 21 minutes.
Interestingly, we had only 9 turnovers without Demary, while Smith (7 assists) and Mullins (6 assists) contributed to an over-all 22 to 14 assist advantage. As has been the case this season when you combine the assist advantage with a huge 44 to 23 rebound advantage, we get a win. A 14 offensive rebound advantage helped us take 18 more FGA than our opponent.
Hurley now is letting GM Tom Moore communicate injury status updates. We will see on Demary and Stewart. But, my sense is if their injuries were minor they would have played in a tournament game. No doubt we will need more depth off the bench with someone else playing well off the bench besides Smith on Sunday. Although, some guys play better when they are not looking over their shoulder about being replaced. We were just Ball or Mullins getting hot from 3pts away from a blowout against Furman.
Obviously, a huge game at 8:45pm Sunday against UCLA. It is a win or go home time of year. Where all the crazy passion of Hurley seems to get translated into the love many of his players have for him and their belief he can take them to the promise land, if they give 100%+.
