The Butler didn't do it ThoughtZ™

[RichZ]

1. Our play the first few minutes of the game was horrific., and it wasn't until about four & a half minutes in that we saw some signs that we might just be starting to right the ship.
2. And by the 13:20 mark, we had tied the game.
3. For much of the rest of the first half, we weren't on our A game, or even B, but at least we weren't getting run out of our home court.
4. Malachi missing all three foul shots after getting fouled on a 3 pt attempt didn't help. That was the start of his sub par performance last night. Missed his FTs, missed his shots from the field, grabbed two rebounds and had 1 dime.
5. 7 minutes left in the half and while we still look a little off kilter, things are getting better. Up by 8.
6. At 5:30 our lead had grown to 13. We were still making too many mistakes, but Butler wasn't making us pay for them.
7. But Butler found some life late in the half, and got within 9 at 4:24.
8. Then, the last minute or so of the half, we started to play like we're supposed to. and went into halftime with a 14 point lead.
9. At the half, we had shot 51.6% (16/31) to Butler's 28.1 (9/32). We also had a 25 to 12 rebounding advantage and 10 to 5 on dimes, along with 8 to 1 on blocks. Unfortunately, Butler had a 4 to 1 lead in steals and only 3 turnovers to our 7.
10. Mullins started the 2nd half with a steal and score!
11. 6 fouls called on UConn in the first 2:30 of the 2nd half.
12. 21 point lead at 15:30 off a spectacular 1 handed rebound and dunk from Ross.
13. Our lead dipped to 14 with 12 and change to go.
14. After a first half shooting 0 for 2 Ross had a heck of a 2nd half. 5 for 6 from the floor in the 2nd half, as well as collecting 5 of his team leading 8 boards after half time.
15. Solo had his best shooting game with 26 on 8 of 14 from the floor and 7 of 8 from the line.
16. For the game, we shot 51 & 35 percent to Butler's 30 & 21 and assisted on a shade over 59% of our baskets.
17. All of our starters with the exception of Mullins had at least 5 boards. But Reibe and Ross off the bench with 7 and 8 respectively, contributed mightily to our board work.

 

[upstater]

1. Our play the first few minutes of the game was horrific., and it wasn't until about four & a half minutes in that we saw some signs that we might just be starting to right the ship.
2. And by the 13:20 mark, we had tied the game.
3. For much of the rest of the first half, we weren't on our A game, or even B, but at least we weren't getting run out of our home court.
4. Malachi missing all three foul shots after getting fouled on a 3 pt attempt didn't help. That was the start of his sub par performance last night. Missed his FTs, missed his shots from the field, grabbed two rebounds and had 1 dime.
5. 7 minutes left in the half and while we still look a little off kilter, things are getting better. Up by 8.
6. At 5:30 our lead had grown to 13. We were still making too many mistakes, but Butler wasn't making us pay for them.
7. But Butler found some life late in the half, and got within 9 at 4:24.
8. Then, the last minute or so of the half, we started to play like we're supposed to. and went into halftime with a 14 point lead.
9. At the half, we had shot 51.6% (16/31) to Butler's 28.1 (9/32). We also had a 25 to 12 rebounding advantage and 10 to 5 on dimes, along with 8 to 1 on blocks. Unfortunately, Butler had a 4 to 1 lead in steals and only 3 turnovers to our 7.
10. Mullins started the 2nd half with a steal and score!
11. 6 fouls called on UConn in the first 2:30 of the 2nd half.
12. 21 point lead at 15:30 off a spectacular 1 handed rebound and dunk from Ross.
13. Our lead dipped 14 with 12 and change to go.
14. After a first half shooting 0 for 2 Ross had a heck of a 2nd half. 5 for 6 from the floor in the 2nd half, as well as collecting 5 of his team leading 8 boards after half time.
15. For the game, we shot 51 & 35 percent to Butler's 30 & 21 and assisted on a shade over 59% of our baskets.
16. All of our starters with the exception of Mullins had at least 5 boards. But Reibe with 7 and Ross with 8 off the bench, contributed mightily to our board work.

Butler's woeful 3 point shooting was the major factor in them falling behind by 21.

Butler's really good 3 point shooting was the major factor in Butler coming back to near single digits.

If Butler shoots 35% from 3, it's a tighter game. They were missing open looks, so that would be a concern against other teams.

 

[GHSWolverines]

Yeah, those first 4 minutes could have been an episode of The Twilight Zone

 

[Lafayette]

chalk it up to nerves, first Big East game and at home and Tarris being a bit rusty. He had a few misses and TOs in that earl span then we all settled down.