It may not fit my body clock but we are winning in these very late night games, so I am nervous about a 5:05pm start Sunday. But, it’s better than the 2pm game. This is win and move on or lose and go home time of year. So you don’t over-analyze the rear view mirror, you just celebrate success and prepare for the next opponent. Nothing in college basketball is bigger than UConn vs Duke from my perspective.
So now I will overanalyze the past game lol.
Our two star seniors combined for 55% of our points (37/67)and while our 19 point lead was chopped away at by a good team, we were strong enough mentally and emotionally to hold things together enough.
Karaban is the gift that keeps giving and so happy he’s improving his draft position even after so many years. He shot 50%, including 37.5% on threes and 2-2 FTs for 17 points. Led the team in rebounds (7), and had 3 assists and 2 blocks. Alex had a do what it takes to win type game.
Our other key senior Reed had 20 points with 50% shooting. But, what was really satisfying was his 2 made foul shots to win the game. He did not look like a 55% FT shooter and it was great to see all his hard work improving what he hasn’t done well pay off. Overall he has been a 75% FT shooter (15-20) in the three NCAA Tournament games, which puts a lot of pressure on our opponents. When you foul Taris now, you likely pay a price. While the high hedge scheme positioning hurt his rebounding (only 4 on defense) he played smart enough not to let Breeding eliminate him from the game (4 fouls). Reed also had 4 assists and zero turnovers against a tough team.
Our 43% to 25% 3pt% advantage was key even though some came early. That and higher 3 volume gave us a 15 point advantage from 3 in a 4 point win.
In a game in which we were out rebounded by 9 (39 to 30) that was key. Rebounding work starts before the shot goes up by being in defensive/rebounding position something Geno/Calhoun’s teams do/did well. The high hedge makes that sometimes difficult, despite our toughness and there was a MSU 13-6 offensive rebounding advantage, something we can’t allow against Duke.
Mullins (8 points) and Ball (12 points) played 61 minutes, shot 40% from 3 and 60% from 2 points. Demary is a tough guy, Hurley said he was at 70%, and playing against good teams makes it difficult playing hurt. He played for 19 minutes (2 points, 3 rebs, 3 assists, 2 TO’s.) I like Smith’s game, 7 assists vs 1 turnover, and good defense with 4 steals. Stewart actually hit a corner 3 so he had 4 points in 3 minutes but is probably less than 70%. Reibe needs to be better against Duke and Ross must continue his defense and hopefully adds a little offense since his defense will give him lots of minutes.
Big game on Sunday!
So now I will overanalyze the past game lol.
Our two star seniors combined for 55% of our points (37/67)and while our 19 point lead was chopped away at by a good team, we were strong enough mentally and emotionally to hold things together enough.
Karaban is the gift that keeps giving and so happy he’s improving his draft position even after so many years. He shot 50%, including 37.5% on threes and 2-2 FTs for 17 points. Led the team in rebounds (7), and had 3 assists and 2 blocks. Alex had a do what it takes to win type game.
Our other key senior Reed had 20 points with 50% shooting. But, what was really satisfying was his 2 made foul shots to win the game. He did not look like a 55% FT shooter and it was great to see all his hard work improving what he hasn’t done well pay off. Overall he has been a 75% FT shooter (15-20) in the three NCAA Tournament games, which puts a lot of pressure on our opponents. When you foul Taris now, you likely pay a price. While the high hedge scheme positioning hurt his rebounding (only 4 on defense) he played smart enough not to let Breeding eliminate him from the game (4 fouls). Reed also had 4 assists and zero turnovers against a tough team.
Our 43% to 25% 3pt% advantage was key even though some came early. That and higher 3 volume gave us a 15 point advantage from 3 in a 4 point win.
In a game in which we were out rebounded by 9 (39 to 30) that was key. Rebounding work starts before the shot goes up by being in defensive/rebounding position something Geno/Calhoun’s teams do/did well. The high hedge makes that sometimes difficult, despite our toughness and there was a MSU 13-6 offensive rebounding advantage, something we can’t allow against Duke.
Mullins (8 points) and Ball (12 points) played 61 minutes, shot 40% from 3 and 60% from 2 points. Demary is a tough guy, Hurley said he was at 70%, and playing against good teams makes it difficult playing hurt. He played for 19 minutes (2 points, 3 rebs, 3 assists, 2 TO’s.) I like Smith’s game, 7 assists vs 1 turnover, and good defense with 4 steals. Stewart actually hit a corner 3 so he had 4 points in 3 minutes but is probably less than 70%. Reibe needs to be better against Duke and Ross must continue his defense and hopefully adds a little offense since his defense will give him lots of minutes.
Big game on Sunday!
