Two weeks ago if any of us would have suggested that we would beat ASU in Tempe we would have all called them crazy. But after 7 straight wins, including UCLA, I have to say that I expected to win. If it were not for a Zane Johnson missed put back and a Pendergraph rebound my wish expectation may have been fulfilled.
The cats played with tremendous heart last night particularly after a first half that showed ASU playing there best basketball all season. They couldn't seem to miss and when the Cats came out in the second half and went 2-10 or something terrible like that I thought the game was over. The game seemed dead and gone at exactly the moment that the Oscars were playing the In Memoriam segment. But as Slumdog Millionaire continued to win awards the Cats came back.
Chase Budinger took a ballsy three pointer that didn't look nearly close enough. I wish he would have taken it to the hole like he did earlier in the game and during the past two weeks. Overall he played really well including forcing Harden to his right on that last play. I don't think Hill needed to help out on the block, because Harden was not going to make that shot.
I hate losing to ASU but we took there best punch and should have won. I would be happy to see them again in the Pac-10 tourney.
Thoughts?
Zane Johnson just flat out choked on that play. If that were J. Horne he would have dunked it and slapped the board. But Zane shot a 2 footer only 1 foot. If anyone ever asks what pulling the string means show them that play. He choked big time in his home city against an arch rival. Zane choker Johnson. Here is what is funny Lunardi actually has us getting a higher seed after the loss. He has us as a 7 playing the 10 seed Florida. In Miami. That would be a kick to the junk.
ReplyDeleteCoaching coaching coaching. How hard is it to know ahead of time to guard Kuksiks close and make him dribble. He is the slowest player in the universe. Robbie Byrne is faster than him right now. Make him drive and over play him. Just like the suns should have done to Rondo. Things like this really blow my mind. In warm ups, if I were a coach, I could tell that Kuksiks should be guarded close and forced to penetrate and that Rondo should be allowed to shoot threes. Now my hope is that some how UofA gets out of the first round of the NCAA, because whichever second round team they would play would be in trouble. Such a quick turn around wouldnt let the other coach complete dominate ours and it would be much more so left on the players, resulting in a Sweet 16.
ReplyDeleteAt least the Cardinals out-coached some of their opponents, that was a nice change up but I hope Phil is right that would be awesome.
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