SMU - USC Upstate game thread

[PonyPatrol]

Just got back from the game - couple comments:

- killen, Ritter and Spencer are guys that couldn't play for another d1 team in the country. This team will not significantly improve with guys tossing around empty stat lines in 25+ minutes a game.
- our offense is no different than the tubbs years - poor spacing, no fast break game or open looks via drives to the basket
- #10 on SCU was the best player on the floor; how's that for recruiting?
- papa will be good. Still very raw but may turn into a huge offensive rebounder; as good a talent we've had since Hopkins
- that being said, seeing live games over the past couple years really makes you appreciate how good bhop was - it's a shame we couldn't surround him with some complimentary shooters. Nobody since has been anything close in the scoring sept
- walker is on his way to being a very solid pg, however Malone and Harp are extremely tentative offensively. freezing with the ball and picking up dribbles - these guys have to learn to create their shots
- doh is so vocal in positioning people offensively it's as if the freshman play with one eye on the coach; no rythm, and afraid to make mistakes. Until they learn to loosin up, we'll continue to see 15 passes around the arc, followed by a forced 20 footer with 3 seconds on the shot clock (i.e. The last 8 minutes of tonight game...)

[The XtC]

[quote="Dutch"]I keep hitting refresh on espn.com thinking it's a mistake. how did this happen? someone who was there, please report on the last few minutes.[/quote]

I dont know how many games you've seen, but Doherty has done this several times before. When he has a decent lead with around 6 minutes left he tries to sit on it and stall out a win. We slow down the ball and run a virtual 4-corner stall, no one even looks at the basket until the shot clock is under 10. With under 5 minutes to play and USCU chipping our 14 point lead away to nothing, we had the shot clock run out on us twice. It backfired again (Southern this year, NCA&T and others last year). It almost cost us the TCU game, but the Frogs missed 2 shots that could have tied the game, and then had to foul. You cant just sit back and rely on defense and the clock, you still have to play at the offensive end of the court.

This is probably my biggest criticism of Doh as a bench coach. Although sometimes I dont understand his substitutions, either.

I'd like to say Good Game to Bamba, I thought he played well, tonight.

[indianmustang]

upsate and utep tied at 24 with few minutes left

[perunapower]

upsate and utep tied at 24 with few minutes left

55-46 UTEP 7:45 in 2nd.

[StangEsq]

They only lost by 8 after leading at the half..