Some observations from this absolute car crash of a college basketball game.
1.) Why didn’t we press more in the 2nd half, especially at the beginning of the half? We did well and gained huge momentum in the first three games by turning up the pressure and getting our guys playing aggressively, speeding up the other team and forcing them into turnovers that we turned into fast break points or easy baskets. We have to overwhelm the other team with our talent and athleticism. I thought we would do that but then Red backed off the strategy that had been working the first three games. Instead we sat back and got more and more passive. Was it because of the foul trouble to key players like Sadiq?
2.) The Refs were an absolute steaming hot pile of doodoo tonight. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more poorly reffed game. Called our guys for so many ticky tack and phantom fouls and then let them get away with murder. It was insane, and the game had no flow. Our players were all out of synch because of the constant whistles. The ACC needs investigate these officials.
3.) Omg, my eyes, my eyes! our free throw shooting was a dumpster fire hellscape of epic proportions. It felt like someone was stabbing me in my eyes every time one of our guys stepped to the line. Get a sports psychologist to help this team with their free throw shooting woes asap.
4.) JJ Starling is dealing with a serious case of the yips at the free throw line, and I’m terrified about what that will mean for us. I can’t believe the hitch in his free throw form is back! What the actual . He needs to see a sports psychologist stat. He was a very good shooter in high school with a good form, and his shooting form has just fallen apart in college and has gotten worse every year. Makes no sense. To quote Cher in Moonstruck, “Snap out of it!”
4.) I was excited to see JJ Starling return and to see what he could do. But then we laid this giant stink bomb. While he played well on offense and didn’t force things, I worry that JJ might be throwing off the flow that the rest of the team has developed. Hopefully he can figure out how to play with the rest of the team and especially Kiyan.
5.) Did Kiyan have an off game because of JJ’s return? How will he adjust to coming off the bench? He better figure it out because we’re going to need him.
6.) I think we’re gonna get smoked by Houston. Hopefully we can have a good showing against Kansas and the third Vegas team.
7.) My ears, my ears! Emeka Okafor might be the worst TV analyst I’ve ever heard. A literal toddler could do a better job describing the game action. I mean, he’s a UConn guy so I shouldn’t be surprised that he’s an idiot. He was atrocious and just kept droning on and on about Monmouth—when you could actually make out what he was saying. ESPN needs to pull the plug on ever hiring that guy again.
