We played good enough to win and should have won but once again we don't know how to finish in crunch time. And before I talk about our players I want to talk about the officials because I normally DON'T blame them but in this game I BLAME them for the loss. I don't know how many times I saw Iowa players reaching in and slapping RU's arms and not getting calls. An example of a blatant non-call was when Corey had the ball stolen from him. The kid (Bohansen or Baer)slapped his arm and no call. The Iowa players drive the basket and we're in a good position but we breathe on them and we're called for the foul. I counted at least six of those throughout the game.
Now to our own players who in spite of the officials still should have finished this game and won: Freeman played extremely well and it's good to see him back. I think he needs to take more outside jump shots within sixteen feet. CJ is a liability down low. He thinks he's a finesse player and tries to tip everything up instead of grabbing the damn ball and going up strong and either dunk it or get fouled in the process. With that said, I like CJ at the high post. He has good touch and I like the way he distributes the ball.
Secondly: when was the last time Williams hit a meaningful three when it mattered? How about never. Nigel should NOT be shooting threes. His shot is seventeen feet in and once again he tried to dribble drive and got stuffed. He either needs to back out and hit a jumper or dish the ball out. How many times is he going to get his shot blocked before he realizes it? I do however love his court presence but down the stretch both he and Corey gave this game away, especially Corey.
Thirdly: Corey still doesn't get it when he drives down among the trees. He has to dish it or stop and hit a jump shot. Corey can't do it all himself and when he tries he commits too many unforced errors. It started late in the second half when he got fouled going up and missed both FT's. Then on four of the next five possessions he tried to do it all by himself and got the ball taken away from him twice and he missed badly on the other three possessions. When we were up 9 I didn't understand why Pikiell didn't press them and switch defenses?
Fourthly: Right now I am so PISSED off the way we can't finish. I'm wondering if Pikiell needs to start mixing up his defenses including pressing more. When Iowa began that run, I think it would have helped if we had gone zone. Most of their shooters went cold from the outside. I think it would have also helped our bigs not get into so many fouls.
One last thing regarding the officials: We had this crew with the white hair guy and the groomed slicked back black hair guy and they screwed us then and screwed us now. We weren't even in the bonus while Iowa was in the bonus + for more than ten minutes before we even got into the bonus. You cannot tell me that every time we drove or went for a second shot there was no hacking, because there was. I don't mind losing, but when the officials blatantly help out one team over the other especially the home team then it pisses me off. I think this also has to do with we have no reputation so we don't get the calls.
My vent is over. Thank you.
Now to our own players who in spite of the officials still should have finished this game and won: Freeman played extremely well and it's good to see him back. I think he needs to take more outside jump shots within sixteen feet. CJ is a liability down low. He thinks he's a finesse player and tries to tip everything up instead of grabbing the damn ball and going up strong and either dunk it or get fouled in the process. With that said, I like CJ at the high post. He has good touch and I like the way he distributes the ball.
Secondly: when was the last time Williams hit a meaningful three when it mattered? How about never. Nigel should NOT be shooting threes. His shot is seventeen feet in and once again he tried to dribble drive and got stuffed. He either needs to back out and hit a jumper or dish the ball out. How many times is he going to get his shot blocked before he realizes it? I do however love his court presence but down the stretch both he and Corey gave this game away, especially Corey.
Thirdly: Corey still doesn't get it when he drives down among the trees. He has to dish it or stop and hit a jump shot. Corey can't do it all himself and when he tries he commits too many unforced errors. It started late in the second half when he got fouled going up and missed both FT's. Then on four of the next five possessions he tried to do it all by himself and got the ball taken away from him twice and he missed badly on the other three possessions. When we were up 9 I didn't understand why Pikiell didn't press them and switch defenses?
Fourthly: Right now I am so PISSED off the way we can't finish. I'm wondering if Pikiell needs to start mixing up his defenses including pressing more. When Iowa began that run, I think it would have helped if we had gone zone. Most of their shooters went cold from the outside. I think it would have also helped our bigs not get into so many fouls.
One last thing regarding the officials: We had this crew with the white hair guy and the groomed slicked back black hair guy and they screwed us then and screwed us now. We weren't even in the bonus while Iowa was in the bonus + for more than ten minutes before we even got into the bonus. You cannot tell me that every time we drove or went for a second shot there was no hacking, because there was. I don't mind losing, but when the officials blatantly help out one team over the other especially the home team then it pisses me off. I think this also has to do with we have no reputation so we don't get the calls.
My vent is over. Thank you.
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