Why was Nicholson in at the end?

[Curdog7]

If I was PSU, I would have let him get the ball and immediately foul him, which I think they were trying to do but the refs did not call it. I would have Leach, Berry, Marty, Barney and then another shooter.

 

[SmellyCat]

If I was PSU, I would have let him get the ball and immediately foul him, which I think they were trying to do but the refs did not call it. I would have Leach, Berry, Marty, Barney and then another shooter.

I couldn’t believe the inbound came to him. I could see an alley oop but he’s the last guy on the team who should be catching the inbound pass where he was.

That said, great dunk in the Illinois game last season off an inbound but this was a completely different part of the court.

 

[NUCat320]

If I was PSU, I would have let him get the ball and immediately foul him, which I think they were trying to do but the refs did not call it. I would have Leach, Berry, Marty, Barney and then another shooter.

He did have the ridiculously awesome swat on the 1x1 breakaway. Nobody else makes that play.

 

[EagerFan]

I think he was out of position in the motion, but I totally understand why they wanted him, Brooks, and Nick in at the end for the dunks and put backs. Cats tied it up that way before the refs decided they couldn't allow that.

 

[hdhntr1]

If I was PSU, I would have let him get the ball and immediately foul him, which I think they were trying to do but the refs did not call it. I would have Leach, Berry, Marty, Barney and then another shooter.

Well he did have 7 assists tonight. Also if he can get it inside he can dunk it. Or some one shoots it and he gets a put back. I think he was there to create space and PSU shut down other alternatives and then even if they call it you have to depend on him to hit the FTs.

Plus you realize we had 5 guys with 4 fouls? Foul calls were 30 to 17 (and one of the 17 was a tech) And it was even worse at the beginning of both halfs.

 

[Curdog7]

I think he was out of position in the motion, but I totally understand why they wanted him, Brooks, and Nick in at the end for the dunks and put backs. Cats tied it up that way before the refs decided they couldn't allow that.

It if I’m PSU and I see him on the court, I cover the other 4 and leave him open. He gets the inbounds and then gets fouled.
I still don’t get it.

 

[cedricmelons]

It if I’m PSU and I see him on the court, I cover the other 4 and leave him open. He gets the inbounds and then gets fouled.
I still don’t get it.

They're not going to intentionally foul with a 2 point lead.

 

[Curdog7]

They're not going to intentionally foul with a 2 point lead.

He is a career 45% FT shooter who banked one in earlier in the game. It’s the smart play

 

[EagerFan]

It if I’m PSU and I see him on the court, I cover the other 4 and leave him open. He gets the inbounds and then gets fouled.
I still don’t get it.

Sure, and you could just foul him immediately away from the ball and put him on the line with a risk of OT vs. huge odds he'll go 1 of 2 from the line.

I don't know why he was in there, so I can only assume the play included an alley oop option or put back.

 

[techtim72]

They're not going to intentionally foul with a 2 point lead.

Plus the way the refs were calling fouls favoring PSU why would Collins expect a foul to be called?