a body of work
By Jeff
it would be easy to analyze last night's heart breaking loss. Missed free throws and a lack of a second good ball handler made the difference even with the Bows out-shooting the Dons and holding two of their best three offensive players to poor nights. But what i want to do is congratulate this team for a season that none of us could have ever imagined'
If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know that i am not afraid to voice my opinions. During the season, i sometimes wrote critically about a player, or a coaching decision, a player defection, and the like. so i dont think anyone can legitimately characterize me as a " homer"
Having said that, what a fantastic body of work for this year's team. They were picked by the WAC coaches and media to finish last in the Conference. They had not won more than 15 games in several years. They lost the heart and soul of the team when Hiram went out with an injury. Yet they put together a 19 win season, a 5th place finish in the Conference, and went to the post-season. But for poor free throw shooting in the Tournament game against San Jose and last night, and four games where they just could not make a last second stop, they could have been the number 1 turn around team in the Country.
Credit all of the players and the coaches. You saw what a healthy Bill Amis and an eligible Zane Johnson would have meant to last year's team by how much they contributed to this year's team. And the addition of Miah, Trevor, and Vander provides a solid group of returning players who contributed so much to this year's edition.
Dont get me wrong. The Bows are not yet ready to punch their ticket to the Big Dance. They have lots of puka's that need to be filled, the most critical, in my view, at the point guard and two guard positions. Miah will again miss the entire early season, and even with him the team needs another solid ball handler or two. Bill Amis will not be easily replaced, but another year of experience should prove very beneficial to Vander, who needs to be more confident with his options when he receives the ball in the paint, and Trevor, who needs to develop a serviceable outside shot. And much more will be expected from a very inconsistent Joston Thomas who needs to play within himself and fiqure out his strength is in the paint , not 17 to 22 feet from the hoop. Bo Barnes needs to become consistent with his outside shot, and Miles has 6 months to improve his ability to run an offense.
The 6500 fans who were at the game last night went home disappointed, but like me, they have to be counting the days until Oct 15 when the next edition of UH Basketball will start practice. Uh basketball is back, and in a big way, and there is no reason not to expect big things from next year's team. Sorry Gib for the pressure, but i know you wouldn't want it any other way.
The blog will continue thru the rest of the NCAA Tournament and i will back tomorrow with some thoughts on this weekend's results ( once i get over the Pitt l;oss).
Hoops Talk
March 20th, 2011 at 12:10 pm
Yeah, heh, I was part of that 6,500 last night. It was just one of those losses that, in the last moments, you were just left dumbfounded and, I dunno, at one point, thought the men's b-ball Warriors might've been getting playful and was trying to force an overtime (I dunno) to test their mettle in such a situation in the CIT tourney. Thought coaching staff was trying something different? Bottom line, yes, good winning record season. But, this was the blown opportunity of the year for them. So, yeah, just start thinking about next season if you're die-hard men's Warrior b-ball fan at this point.
Sorry Jeff P. . . But, that Pitt loss seemed to be deserved. I mean, that Pitt foul just seemed spiteful to Butler's own previous "dumb foul.". If Panther's were a # 1 seed, I would think that such a deserving team would've had the foresight to garner what the other team would've done to have their way with two free throws. But, you're more of an expert at this game than most islanders (seriously, here), so, have at this comment as needed.
Washington-N. Carolina result earlier today . . . now [b]that's[/b] a different story. Saw on the CBS post-game coverage, interview with one of the NCAA Supreme Being of Refere . . . er, I mean, one of the supervisory officials for NCAA officiating lamenting the ref' team on this matchup's seeming refusal to use the video playback option in the last seconds (quite literally) of THIS game, which might've given Wash' a fair shake at the very least. I have no doubt that if the tables were turned, the officiating crew would've not only have gone to the tape to review the last few seconds, but, asked if any other non-Zaprud (whoops) footage was available. Officiating needs a bit of an overhaul, if not an ou-and-out audit of its ways and means; what? Too naïve, this request?
Thanks for your ongoing comment and radio show Jeff!
March 20th, 2011 at 3:31 pm
Last night's game was a stinger because it was the last game for the 3 seniors. Being at the WAC tournament in Vegas, I think that stung me more than last night, but I felt fortunate to be able to watch an additional two games at home. The core of the team is made up of a great bunch of kids...Miah, Zane, Vander, Trevor, Joston, Bo, Bobby, and the rest all deserve a heartfelt pat on the back.
Next year will be an exciting year! I think Coach will be able to fill the 'pukas' with his recruiting. With the exciting style of play this year, who wouldn't want to come play in paradise? Miah's speed is infectious and addicting!
I think once the bench is deep enough so that the main players can rest their legs down the stretch, the missed free throws will be a thing of the past. Gotta admit, the Don's coach did his homework before coming into the Stan Sheriff last night...props to him. Same with the SJSU coach in Vegas.
Looking forward to a +20-win season next year!
March 20th, 2011 at 8:46 pm
Jeff, a man who is unafraid to voice his opinion. Please help me to underrstand the reason for having noone to rebound a missed free throw. I can understand the tactic, when there no time left in the game. But truely please explain the reason for no one to rebound when there is close to 2 minutes left in the game. Two minutes is an eternity and it turned out to be the Rainbows down fall. I am asking for closure, for the past season, so I may move on to the hopes of a WAC championship next year and I truely believe, I felt that we were going to win the tournment this year...Please help me.
March 21st, 2011 at 12:47 am
I thought they just pulled everyone back during those free throws mostly because they were tired, and partially because USF was beating them down the court so easily so they wanted to make sure that defenders were back. I don't think it was that big of a deal - Miah just missed his freethrows. I don't know if i would have done the same, but at the same time i don't think it was such the egregious mistake that the armchair coaches are making it out to be. I mean, you make the freethrows and we aren't having this conversation.
March 21st, 2011 at 10:46 am
in reply to Aaron, if the players were tired and it became a neccessity to rest them, then the tired players should have been on the bench and Coach could have gone Offensive/defense. Not being a big deal and making freethrows, winning at basketball is Preparation and Anticipation, a game of runs, prepare to rebound and anticipate that we might miss(History of late) Never give the opposition an easy score, and Not having any rebounders, made it easier for the opposition. An explanation from the coach or Jeff would ease the pain. Arm chair Coach can see everything, this call was Easy, but why thats all WHY?
March 21st, 2011 at 1:06 pm
good discussion. I cant speak for the Coach, but there several factors that might have entered into the decision as to whether to contest rebounds at the foul line. I think the major reason was to avoid fouling and letting USF get to the line with the clock stopped. Secondly, USF appeared fresher and faster down the stretch and getting your big guys back to try to stop USF guard's from penetrating was a factor ( unfortunately, the big guys never did block the lane the last two times the USF guards blew by Miah). And frankly, you are supoosed to make those free throws in a big game situation, and the BOWS didnt. Lastlly, ask Jamie Dixon about why didnt he clear the lane on the last Pitt free throw. Sometimes, if things dont work out, you never make the "correct" decision.