Intensity, Effort, and Heart
It’s obvious the team is taking on the personality of their coach. Even though they trailed 40-26 at half, I thought the game plan and intensity to defend the post was solid. UCONN kept feeding Sanogo and Clingan, so they eventually were going to get theirs. However, 7/15 from 3 and a 7-0 fast break advantage is always going to be hard to overcome when you are offensively limited like this team is.
But they didn’t quit, they came out trading blows and buckets, and eventually they wore them down and made their rally in the second half. They could have folded on the Sha technical, THEY DIDN’T. They could have folded on the 5 point sequence that pushed the lead back to 7, THEY DIDN’T. They could have folded after Dawes’ poor judgment fouling near half court, THEY DIDN’T.
Femi and KC set the tone defensively all night. But then it DID become contagious. Best defensive game from Samuel in four years at the Hall, Dawes was up on his man all second half, and I thought Jackson even acquitted himself well at times too. Throw in a career high 10 rebounds from Kadary Richmond, your PG.
Edge of my seat all night, I was about to get into a defensive stance in front of my TV like Sha was doing on the sideline. You could feel the energy coming through the screen into your living room.
You need to score the basketball but I always believe that you win with defense.
Second half, Uconn 2-8 from 3 to go with 12 turnovers.
I have nothing else to add for observations.
We were 4-21 from 3
17-25 from the line
Minus 11 rebounds differential on the glass
Only 7 assists for the entire game
Some low BBIQ plays at key moments
And Femi ends up taking the final shot from 3.
You aren’t supposed to win games with what I described above.
But there is no statistical measure for HEART, our coach has it, our coach demands it, and I believe the players are buying into it. Whether they are more talented than the opponent on paper or not. If you give bring that desire, intensity, and heart to every basketball game, this fanbase will fall in love with you and support you no matter what.
Go Pirates…Go Big Blue!!
It’s obvious the team is taking on the personality of their coach. Even though they trailed 40-26 at half, I thought the game plan and intensity to defend the post was solid. UCONN kept feeding Sanogo and Clingan, so they eventually were going to get theirs. However, 7/15 from 3 and a 7-0 fast break advantage is always going to be hard to overcome when you are offensively limited like this team is.
But they didn’t quit, they came out trading blows and buckets, and eventually they wore them down and made their rally in the second half. They could have folded on the Sha technical, THEY DIDN’T. They could have folded on the 5 point sequence that pushed the lead back to 7, THEY DIDN’T. They could have folded after Dawes’ poor judgment fouling near half court, THEY DIDN’T.
Femi and KC set the tone defensively all night. But then it DID become contagious. Best defensive game from Samuel in four years at the Hall, Dawes was up on his man all second half, and I thought Jackson even acquitted himself well at times too. Throw in a career high 10 rebounds from Kadary Richmond, your PG.
Edge of my seat all night, I was about to get into a defensive stance in front of my TV like Sha was doing on the sideline. You could feel the energy coming through the screen into your living room.
You need to score the basketball but I always believe that you win with defense.
Second half, Uconn 2-8 from 3 to go with 12 turnovers.
I have nothing else to add for observations.
We were 4-21 from 3
17-25 from the line
Minus 11 rebounds differential on the glass
Only 7 assists for the entire game
Some low BBIQ plays at key moments
And Femi ends up taking the final shot from 3.
You aren’t supposed to win games with what I described above.
But there is no statistical measure for HEART, our coach has it, our coach demands it, and I believe the players are buying into it. Whether they are more talented than the opponent on paper or not. If you give bring that desire, intensity, and heart to every basketball game, this fanbase will fall in love with you and support you no matter what.
Go Pirates…Go Big Blue!!
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