usf-cal

[rman726]

I'm still sticking with Temple.

Same. It's tempting, but USF just hasn't consistently beaten teh good teams. They Beat Cincy and Louisville, and then lost to every other good team they played. Staying with my gut on Temple.

 

[hungry husky]

I seriously think Heath was thinking of punching Montgomery for that. They were down 18 with 2 minutes to go and fouled and pressed their way to an 11 point loss after USF decided to stop really playing defense. Cal was seriously pressing and fouling down 14 with 19 seconds to go.

The thing is, if it's an 6-8 point lead with a minute to go next time, Heath might be sweating it out a little bit. His team kept throwing the ball away at the end when Cal was pressing intensely and Heath had his hands on his head in disgust. Something to keep in mind for next time.

 

[caw]

The thing is, if it's an 6-8 point lead with a minute to go next time, Heath might be sweating it out a little bit. His team kept throwing the ball away at the end when Cal was pressing intensely and Heath had his hands on his head in disgust. Something to keep in mind for next time.

I think they would be a bit more careful if it's a 6-8 point lead. When your up 20 and really there is no way the other team can win, you don't always focus.

 

[Gurleyman]

Meanwhile, Bucknell got that first round upset so many were expecting, just one year later and in the NIT - 65-54 at top-seeded Arizona. Tough to say that Arizona was fatigued from their grueling conference tournament.

 

[hungry husky]

Meanwhile, Bucknell got that first round upset so many were expecting, just one year later and in the NIT - 65-54 at top-seeded Arizona. Tough to say that Arizona was fatigued from their grueling conference tournament.

 

[hungry husky]

^

 

[Tenspro2002]

I think they would be a bit more careful if it's a 6-8 point lead. When your up 20 and really there is no way the other team can win, you don't always focus.

Remember that they choked away the Notre Dame game down the stretch. Granted, that was only a 3 point lead (though it felt like 10), but there were 3-4 boneheaded plays and missed free throws down the stretch.

I think last night's display, in light of the meltdown vs. ND, is further evidence that USF struggles immensely with closing out games.

 

[Druken Friar]

Remember that they choked away the Notre Dame game down the stretch. Granted, that was only a 3 point lead (though it felt like 10), but there were 3-4 boneheaded plays and missed free throws down the stretch.

I think last night's display, in light of the meltdown vs. ND, is further evidence that USF struggles immensely with closing out games.

Agree, they let up the last 5 minutes, the final score was not in doubt. However, they have come a long way since ND andI like their chances against Temple. I think Temple is in for a shock. The only variable is how the game is called. If they let the boys play, USF will wear them down.

 

[caw]

I was honestly shocked at how athletic USF looked offensively. I remember Augustin looking that good, but some of those other kids looked a ton more athletic than I remember.

 

[Tenspro2002]

However, they have come a long way since ND

I agree that the game wasn't really in doubt and you can't necessarily claim that their struggles portend bad late-game execution in the future, but you realize that ND was USF's last game before yesterday. Kind of hard to have "come a long way" in one game.

 

[caw]

I agree that the game wasn't really in doubt and you can't necessarily claim that their struggles portend bad late-game execution in the future, but you realize that ND was USF's last game before yesterday. Kind of hard to have "come a long way" in one game.

The ND game as you mentioned was a close game throughout. USF may have turned the ball over a lot at the end, but their largest lead was 5 with about 10 to go 1 with 5 to go and 3 with about 3 to go.

Now USF should have at least scored more than 2 points in the last five minutes but ND only put up 3 points during that time span. The pace of that game was drag down slow and scoring/offense was abysmal on both sides.

I don't consider that as much of a collapse as just a close game that ND managed to get to OT.

 

[Tenspro2002]

Eh, I agree with you when you look at it on the whole, but USF made about 4 "choke" plays down the stretch that make you wonder about their poise at the end of a game with a small lead.

If I remember, it went something like:

- Got the ball stolen on a halfcourt trap
- Blew a fast break layup while beating the press
- Bricked the front end of a 1-and-1 following the blown layup
- Committed a horrendous foul due to poor awareness after the missed FT