All that said, gotta be fair: I thought Hillsman handled everything at last year's Final Four with total class. And although his team played hard and aggressive basketball in the final, there was none of the roughhousing or other associated nonsense that his earlier teams were known for.
As far as this present controversy, I usually have no regard for a team that is up 20 or 30 late in a game but still goes out of its way to continue pressing an overwhelmed opponent. But the problem here, as bags just alluded to, is that Syracuse's entire philosophy is built around gaining extra possessions by pressing an opponent like hell for 40 minutes. So, particularly at this point in the season, how is Hillsman supposed to train his team to do that in game conditions, except by pressing for all 40 minutes regardless of the score? I'm still not in love with it, but I understand it.
Am I the only one wondering whether UNC is keeping Hatchell around now only so they'll have a sacrificial lamb at the ready to throw under the bus once the NCAA excrement finally hits the fan?
