The Ballad of John and Yoko lyrics (Beatles song) seem appropriate after this game, although the Clint Eastwood film, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly also comes to mind, lol, as it featured that incredible comeback, a horrible first half, but with that clutch trey by Geo to cut the lead from 10 to 7 at the buzzer, and of course Paul's ugly play. Nothing ever comes easy for this team, but what a gritty, gut-check comeback to win after being down 6-10 much of the game and cutting it from 52-45 with 9 minutes left to a 52-52 tie with 5:30 left - based on zone defense of all things. Didn't see that coming, but it worked. And we hit just enough timely shots to win, with most of them being by Ron Harper Jr., including the game winner of course, although those 4 FTs by Cliff and 2 by Hyatt, down the stretch were just money.
What a crazy game and we have to talk about Mulcahy's horrible performance and gaffe. He picked a very bad time for his worst game of the year with just 5 points, but he also had 5 TOs to just 3 assists and, of course, the dumbest play of the season, getting a flagrant 2 foul (deserved) for swinging and making contact with the head of the defender who had just fouled him hard, but fair (it's what is done with 19 seconds left and the season on the line for both teams). And this was after his continued whining all game to the refs, including acting to try to get a flagrant on the same guy earlier in the 2nd half (it wasn't a flagrant). He needs to STFU and start playing the kind of basketball he's capable of, especially as one of the team captains.
Let's talk about some more good stuff, though. In addition, to the game winning shot, Ron had 19/6/4, and he deflected the last chance in-bounds pass by IU, so we didn't have to sweat a last minute trey to tie, and Cliff Omoruyi was fantastic out there with 13/12 and 4 blocks! Geo had 13 also and played some nice D, while Caleb played great D as always with 2 more steals, but did get into foul trouble, although he did contribute 8/5. And we got some quality minutes from Mag and Hyatt, especially with Caleb out, although Hyatt has to take better care of the ball - but those FTs were huge. Reiber was incapable of covering Davis, though, so very few minutes (thought we might see Agee). And while we didn't start well, which may lie somewhat on the staff, Coach should get huge credit for going zone for extended periods, which was key to our 2nd half comeback. Well done.
That's another Q1 win and we're now in with 6 Q1 wins, including 2 on the road, as long as we beat PSU, like we should (please?) and I think we're probably in even if we lose to PSU, but win one in the B1G tourney, but let's not leave it to chance and let's just pummel PSU.
What a crazy game and we have to talk about Mulcahy's horrible performance and gaffe. He picked a very bad time for his worst game of the year with just 5 points, but he also had 5 TOs to just 3 assists and, of course, the dumbest play of the season, getting a flagrant 2 foul (deserved) for swinging and making contact with the head of the defender who had just fouled him hard, but fair (it's what is done with 19 seconds left and the season on the line for both teams). And this was after his continued whining all game to the refs, including acting to try to get a flagrant on the same guy earlier in the 2nd half (it wasn't a flagrant). He needs to STFU and start playing the kind of basketball he's capable of, especially as one of the team captains.
Let's talk about some more good stuff, though. In addition, to the game winning shot, Ron had 19/6/4, and he deflected the last chance in-bounds pass by IU, so we didn't have to sweat a last minute trey to tie, and Cliff Omoruyi was fantastic out there with 13/12 and 4 blocks! Geo had 13 also and played some nice D, while Caleb played great D as always with 2 more steals, but did get into foul trouble, although he did contribute 8/5. And we got some quality minutes from Mag and Hyatt, especially with Caleb out, although Hyatt has to take better care of the ball - but those FTs were huge. Reiber was incapable of covering Davis, though, so very few minutes (thought we might see Agee). And while we didn't start well, which may lie somewhat on the staff, Coach should get huge credit for going zone for extended periods, which was key to our 2nd half comeback. Well done.
That's another Q1 win and we're now in with 6 Q1 wins, including 2 on the road, as long as we beat PSU, like we should (please?) and I think we're probably in even if we lose to PSU, but win one in the B1G tourney, but let's not leave it to chance and let's just pummel PSU.
