simmered down now

I think I'm ready to give my thoughts on the dook game. Let me preface them by saying that I expected us to lose the game. Dook is a good team, and Cameron is Cameron. Plus, we'd never shown ourselves capable of playing big in a big game. So, I went into the game purely wanting us to show signs of being the great team I thought we were -- the fact that I didn't see any (well, okay, very few) of those signs is I think why the loss has hit me so hard.

I thought we were great, mature, poised, and ready to prove a point. All we proved was that we panic in big games, make some of the stupidest plays ever, have players disappear, and choke under pressure.

Now, I understand the arguement that we played like absolute horseshit, Jawad and Rashad shot like crap, we had 23 TOs, we missed some key free-throws (and they made a lot), it was at dook, and we still only lost by 1 -- and had a chance to win.

My counter: why does all that shit CONTINUE to happen when we play in big games? I'd write it off as a fluke once or twice, but it's been pretty consistent with this group. Even Rashad admitted that the team was nervous, flighty. Well, it showed.

Some teams "know how to win," and do all the "little things" it takes. This team not only seems to lack those qualities, but additionally possesses a keen instinct for seeking out the types of plays that lead directly to losses. David missing a wide open catch (and layup). Rashad dribbling the ball off his knee. Marvin and Ray missing FTs, especially front ends. ALL of Ray's EIGHT turnovers.

Yes, our skilled PG, the floor general, our coach on the court, turned the ball over EIGHT times, the vast majority inexplicable bonehead blunders brought on by reckless play. (Please realize this is far from the first time Ray has had this many turnovers, and to be completely honest, it is unacceptable. If it means him playing slower, well then he needs to play slower. Lord knows he needs to play smarter. Take for example how many TOs we've had this year purely on trying to throw the alley-oop. Our success rate is probably 20%, and that's a pass you ONLY throw if it's WIDE open--not if Shelden Williams is at the freaking free-throw line and can still pick it off).

Caveat: Ray needs to be given FULL credit for bringing us back, and I do give him that respect. He never gave up and spurred our late charge. Unfortunately, we never should have been in that position to begin with, and he's got a lot of responsibility for that.

(A key point to make here is that the game would have been SOOOO much different if we'd have had even a slight lead for an extended period of time. Since dook had the lead, they were comfortable playing slow, controlling the tempo. I think their depth becomes a much BIGGER issue if they have to conitinually fight from 3-7 points behind for even 10-15 minutes of the game than if they can walk the ball up the court after another of our turnovers and hold it until the last few seconds of the shot clock until we foul them. Seriously, I might think that us getting an early lead and holding it could equate to as much as a 10-15 more points -- just for us -- as opposed to dook having the lead. This, probably more than anything, was the key to the game, IMO.)

little thoughts:

Mad props to Sean, he came to be great, and was

Disappointed that Marvin missed his FTs and threw that pass at Sean's feet, but he still played a fantastic game, and you can't expect him to be perfect

Melvin BLOWS, and probably leads to -5 to -10 points for the time he is on the floor, as he gets absolutely abused defensively, and has no court sense whatsoever, indicated by his pass directly to JJ, who was ALREADY in the passing lane, therefore saving him the effort of anticipation

Jackie was good, no complaints

Jawad, continues to prove himself as a pussy, both mentally and physically, at the most crucial times

David was okay, could have done slightly better on Redick, but seems to have had a very good game in light of our other players

Reyshawn: oh wait, we played Melvin. Why?

Rashad, dog, we need your shot back. It's not falling, but don't give up on the rest of the game. And BELIEVE you'll make the next one. Pretty soon you will. He's actually carried us before, so I'm not worried about him.

the last 18 seconds, My Theory:

it wasn't a struggle between Ray and Roy. It wasn't panic or confusion. It was Ray not wanting to take (and make) a shot and leave time on the clock. He wanted us to have the LAST shot no matter what, and gave up an OPEN shot to get it (well, not get it). Seems like the most backward reasoning ever to me.


okay, so that was a bit more of a rant than I wanted. I do think I have calmed down since Wednesday, and I never expected to get riled up in the first place. What can I say? The game was a huge disappointment, in so many facets, on so many levels. That's what makes me so sad, and right now, it feels like an infinite sadness (which UConn could make worse--either way it seems like it doesn't mean much anymore). Somehow, I imagine we'll do something to convince me again that we've changed, have what it takes, will compete for a NC -- but right now, I just don't see it. And that's why I cry.