First off, bammer has played a much better non conference schedule this year - Ohio St, Oregon, Clemson, Purdue, Creighton, AZ that has helped their kids experience adversity and they are battle tested - unlike AU. Oats capitalized on Bruce's desire to continue to play 11 regardless of the score or who was or was not performing on the court (both for AU and ALA). Playing each athlete a set number of minutes and substituting them in a predictable pattern makes it easier for the opponent to create mismatches. Not to mention, it becomes more difficult for our kids to settle in to their roles on the court and get their feet/head under control when experiencing a big away game.
Aden started the game with two fine assists but was consistently out muscled by whomever he attempted to guard and was not prepared to successfully defeat the 2 defenders double team that was sent his way. Tre comes in the 2nd half and does a wonderful job leading us back, but with the game on the line in the last 3 minutes it was Aden on the court. JWill had a terrible shooting night but did rebound the ball well and played decent defense. At the end of the 2nd half (last 6 minutes or so) he finally started receiving the ball in the paint and was able to finish with 3 simple but effective shots. Yet, out comes JWill and Chaney Johnson is on the court during "crunch time". Let's not forget the mishandled dunk attempt that would have been a huge momentum swing for AU.
Sears played an extremely heady game by working the pick and roll to perfection. His intent was to get a big on him (broome or Dylan) and then drive to the basket knowing full well that ALA C/F's (Nelson/Wague/Pringle - all 6'10" or better 230+ lbs) would have their way with the small AU guard that was supposed to be defending Sears on any block out attempt. Whether Sears made the shot over our guy as he did numerous times, all that really mattered was that the ball made it on the glass as we had no one putting a body on the crashing offensive players. If Sears noticed extra bodies following him to the paint, he would stop and send the ball back outside to his shooters - Wrightsell and Griffin.
Bruce has decided this year to play 11 so far and we have done well up to this point with that strategy. I am not going to even bring up MB whipping boy - Lior and his PT. It is so obvious that the other team has been told when "caucasian" hits the floor take him to the hoop and score over and/or around him.
Each game there will be players who are doing better or worse than normal, and it is up to the coach to play the best five on that given day when the game is on the line. Why was Broome on the court at the end to pick up his 5th foul when Dylan had 1-2 fouls to give? We could have used a TO and gotten him on the floor for the double team in the corner against Sears.
Aden started the game with two fine assists but was consistently out muscled by whomever he attempted to guard and was not prepared to successfully defeat the 2 defenders double team that was sent his way. Tre comes in the 2nd half and does a wonderful job leading us back, but with the game on the line in the last 3 minutes it was Aden on the court. JWill had a terrible shooting night but did rebound the ball well and played decent defense. At the end of the 2nd half (last 6 minutes or so) he finally started receiving the ball in the paint and was able to finish with 3 simple but effective shots. Yet, out comes JWill and Chaney Johnson is on the court during "crunch time". Let's not forget the mishandled dunk attempt that would have been a huge momentum swing for AU.
Sears played an extremely heady game by working the pick and roll to perfection. His intent was to get a big on him (broome or Dylan) and then drive to the basket knowing full well that ALA C/F's (Nelson/Wague/Pringle - all 6'10" or better 230+ lbs) would have their way with the small AU guard that was supposed to be defending Sears on any block out attempt. Whether Sears made the shot over our guy as he did numerous times, all that really mattered was that the ball made it on the glass as we had no one putting a body on the crashing offensive players. If Sears noticed extra bodies following him to the paint, he would stop and send the ball back outside to his shooters - Wrightsell and Griffin.
Bruce has decided this year to play 11 so far and we have done well up to this point with that strategy. I am not going to even bring up MB whipping boy - Lior and his PT. It is so obvious that the other team has been told when "caucasian" hits the floor take him to the hoop and score over and/or around him.
Each game there will be players who are doing better or worse than normal, and it is up to the coach to play the best five on that given day when the game is on the line. Why was Broome on the court at the end to pick up his 5th foul when Dylan had 1-2 fouls to give? We could have used a TO and gotten him on the floor for the double team in the corner against Sears.
