First of all what a win, these kids are resilient just when you say "oh boy here we go", they're making plays to get back in it. Only this time they finished it.
Okay:
Akok - 39 minutes need more that 4/6/2 but he's learning and will do just that next year. Even in the next 7-17 games he may pop up with a stats sheet filler.
Carlton - Weird game for him but a warrior effort. 5/10 isn't great but a couple huge boards in traffic down the stretch. Once again missed a couple of easy finished but you know what the big white dude gets away with murder. The kid had 1 or 2 fouls and instead he should be fouling out. The one lefty finish Josh missed he got bumped hard by the kid no call. His fist 3 possessions 2nd half were atrocious with 2 TO's and a bobbled pass but he came back to be a contributor late especially a put back and rebound even later in which Cincy should've fouled him but didn't when they had the chance.
Vital - What can you say when he starts out hot like he was from 3 almost expected a 30 pt night but he's still struggling a little. But his toughness showed on both ends especially guarding either Cumberland. It was a typical Vital with some "wtfs" but mostly positive as he finds a way. Huge weak side rebound and put back and what can you say about the regulation and OT ending D, effort plus! He was straight up on D the last one only contact was Cumberland leaning forward to draw a foul, nice job CV.
Bouk - Wow we need a little more in the first half as his pattern seem to be a little Shabazz-like of the great 2nd half. He does stuff that is so exciting for now as well as the future. His steal and hesitation first half only to finish opposite rim from the shot blockers was special as hell. And there was more, a pleasure to watch. A couple of times he had a chance to reach or body a break away and held back from fouling, I like that beginning to understand we need minutes from him. Special player once we can ride sooner too, maybe now?
Adams - His 2 threes at 28-18 Cincy were monstrous. Could have lost them early. One of his best offensive moves was form the camera side to the middle and a great stop and pop from just inside the FT line, love that would like to see more. Plays hard, missing those 2 FTs hurt and they hit a 3 I believe I'm thinking "uh oh". Solid game though 16 off the bench is great hope to see him gain confidence form this one and be more consistent. Huge though, get to have a guy like that as the 7th, 8th isn't it?
Wilson - not sure what happened? Was the knee bothering him? Only 2 minutes not much to say expect I hope he gets healthy need him.
Gaffney and Gilbert - I will say this to start, thought Hurley made a great decision pretty much staying with the other 3 for the last 5-10 minutes of regulation and OT. While neither played awful I think we were tougher with the lineup that pulled it out. A couple bad decisions by each but again nothing bad overall just not the impact of the other in this game, glad Danny didn't feel he needed to get them in again, well coached.
Whaley - I mean not a double-double but the guy is playing well. Blocking shots is becoming a thing for him and big ones too. Solid minutes again love his impact these last 6-7 games and the confidence is now there.
Refs - once again awful but fair. They missed a couple big ones but hey we won, what can you say. But the 3 "jump ball" calls in a row told you on 2 of 3 they were,'t sure what to call. The 2.7 seconds OOB's should NOT have been reversed no proof that Bouk was the last to touch never mind even touched, it seems like the Cincy guys forearm kept the ball going that direction not Bouk. But hey, they were great LOL.
Favorite Play in the game - alright it's really not a play but I got a kick out of it anyway. If you didn't see this you need to go back and watch the play I just finished talking about in which they reversed the call with 2.7 seconds left. In real time the ball goes OOB's, all eyes on the ref making the call he takes his time to point the other way to UConn. Bouk, who was pointing the other way, walked over and hugged the ref after he called it Husky ball. Honestly it was beautiful check it out, he actually hugged him 2 hands around him and a hug, fn hilarious!
GREAT win, happy to leave that taste in their mouth. Would love to have them on the regular season schedule though it's a dogfight.
