First of all, never would've imagined that from OHIO. Valiant effort.
By my goodness, what a meltdown and what a gut punch.
Praises aside, which there are many, concerns:
1. If this doesn't tell us our one remaining scholly needs to be another ball handler/PT, nothing does. Simmons is a one man ball-handling show. Needed another, didn't have it. 23 turnovers and it was up to Simmons to play 1 on 5 vs. pressure. Simmons gets hurt, or gets into foul trouble--ball game for us. Too much was asked of him and at this point we can't survive a minute of him not being on the court.
2. Ability to stop penetration was apparent the first 2 games at home and huge today. Matador defense all 1H and while we were living with long range shooting, they were going to rack every possession. They added some outside shooting in the 2H and lights out. Khari, when you're opponent head fakes you 10 straight times and drives by you each time, quit jumping and stay on the ground. Our defensive strategy was simply fouling literally every trip down the court because we couldn't stop the dribble.
3. Kenny, where were you in 2H? You disappeared when the pressure cooker hit and dished it off to Simmons too afraid to do something yourself. You did not look like a Big 10 player transitioning to the MAC, in appeared opposite and you disappeared late. Falling, frustration fouls, not wanting the ball and clearly flustered. After an amazing 1H, they played you tighter and it was game over for you. Please have more to your game other than a spot up shooter. In fact, down the stretch it was obvious nobody but Simmons wanted any part of touching the ball. Wadley 3 ball late, really?
Man that hurt and while I love the moral victory, we let a big moment slip away Hopefully a learning moment and they'll be better for it later this season. BIG BUMMER!
Last Edited: 11/20/2015 3:36:55 PM by Chicken George