I know few care all that much (I post because I enjoy posting) - and Degaz and Bac and others' comments pretty much covered most of the game analysis. Even so I usually like to add mine. Have just been very busry this week.
Still, very brief (for me) comments:
1) This was the team I think many of us hoped for ... though we would have liked to see it much earlier in the season, and much more consistently. HOPEFULLY, RU plays like this most games going forward ... if they do, a chance (even if a long chance) to salvage the season.
2) Either kudos to Pikiell - or criticism for not doing so earlier - with the line-up change, but in particular using Grant extensively. The stats do not show it, but no one watching the game could avoid noticing how much Grant changed RU's chemistry (both offensively, but especially defensively) and team dynamic when he was on the floor. The last couple of games Grant is being what Pikiell and RU fans hoped Martini would be - but has not been. Also, related, Pikiell used a 9-player rotation this game ... if I had to guess, it is SEVEN (7) or EIGHT(8) players: Harper, Bailey, Sommerville, Grant, Acuff, Williams, Ogbole and maybe Davis as the 8th ... with Martini, Derkack, Hayes as situational reserves, depending on match-ups: So a more guard oriented opponent, Derkack gets a chance in spots and Davis gets a few more minutes and Martini gets fewer minutes.
3) I know UCLA has been having all sorts of problems the last few games - including defensively. But they are theoretically a good defensive team. RU's offense, while not perfect, executed and flowed pretty well . Thanks in large part to Harper being closer to 100% (probably not quite there), but also this is the 3rd game in a row that Bailey has made a concerted effort to PASS the ball as part of the offense - and got 2 assists this game for that effort.
4) RU's rebounding was excellent, led by Bailey, Sommerville, Ogbole (great rebounding energy when in), Grant - even Martini!
Players: Bailey was very good - did not force, was efficient, excellent rebounding, one of his best defensive games (and not only because of the blocked shots) - though he DID miss with communications 2X, leading to easy baskets, made extra effort to pass to his teammates, cut to the basket, drove, pulled up, took catch and shoot 3's - just a good all-around effort ... Harper: Solid, though not nearly as good as he CAN be - maybe he was not yet 100%, missed some shots (just 5-13), but rebounds, assists, but also several forced plays leading to several of his 4 turnovers ... Sommerville was very good on the boards - very good, bodied/walled up very well on UCLA's leading scorer (between him, Ogbole and help defense they held UCLA's leading scorer at 15+ ppg to ZERO FG and just 6 FT), hit 4-6 FT ... Acuff did not produce a lot of stats, but did hit a key 3-pointer, was at least solid defensively (perhaps his foot is finally near 100%), and by starting he changed the substitution poatterns - for the better ... Grant was terrific, low stats notwithstanding (see above), and I might note unlike martini or Hayes can get off his 3-point shot even id=f contested with a run-out because of his aathleticism and elevation ... Ogbole played a very solid game with a terrific catch and drop step in traffic, a nice follow and dunk, and aggressive rebounding effort, as well as generally solid positional defense on UCLA's center ... Williams was huge in this game - the Williams of last season, and under control mostly, solid defensively, good judgments on his floaters and drives ... Martini was actually okay - not great, but several hustle plays, made his 1st 3 (though missed the next 2 which were both wide open), did give up an easy post basket when covering #3 of UCLA ... Davis did not play as big a role, but DID play solid on-ball defense when in, and DID hit those crucial 4-4 FT in the 2nd half ... Derkack and Hayes a coach's decision DNP.
Still, very brief (for me) comments:
1) This was the team I think many of us hoped for ... though we would have liked to see it much earlier in the season, and much more consistently. HOPEFULLY, RU plays like this most games going forward ... if they do, a chance (even if a long chance) to salvage the season.
2) Either kudos to Pikiell - or criticism for not doing so earlier - with the line-up change, but in particular using Grant extensively. The stats do not show it, but no one watching the game could avoid noticing how much Grant changed RU's chemistry (both offensively, but especially defensively) and team dynamic when he was on the floor. The last couple of games Grant is being what Pikiell and RU fans hoped Martini would be - but has not been. Also, related, Pikiell used a 9-player rotation this game ... if I had to guess, it is SEVEN (7) or EIGHT(8) players: Harper, Bailey, Sommerville, Grant, Acuff, Williams, Ogbole and maybe Davis as the 8th ... with Martini, Derkack, Hayes as situational reserves, depending on match-ups: So a more guard oriented opponent, Derkack gets a chance in spots and Davis gets a few more minutes and Martini gets fewer minutes.
3) I know UCLA has been having all sorts of problems the last few games - including defensively. But they are theoretically a good defensive team. RU's offense, while not perfect, executed and flowed pretty well . Thanks in large part to Harper being closer to 100% (probably not quite there), but also this is the 3rd game in a row that Bailey has made a concerted effort to PASS the ball as part of the offense - and got 2 assists this game for that effort.
4) RU's rebounding was excellent, led by Bailey, Sommerville, Ogbole (great rebounding energy when in), Grant - even Martini!
Players: Bailey was very good - did not force, was efficient, excellent rebounding, one of his best defensive games (and not only because of the blocked shots) - though he DID miss with communications 2X, leading to easy baskets, made extra effort to pass to his teammates, cut to the basket, drove, pulled up, took catch and shoot 3's - just a good all-around effort ... Harper: Solid, though not nearly as good as he CAN be - maybe he was not yet 100%, missed some shots (just 5-13), but rebounds, assists, but also several forced plays leading to several of his 4 turnovers ... Sommerville was very good on the boards - very good, bodied/walled up very well on UCLA's leading scorer (between him, Ogbole and help defense they held UCLA's leading scorer at 15+ ppg to ZERO FG and just 6 FT), hit 4-6 FT ... Acuff did not produce a lot of stats, but did hit a key 3-pointer, was at least solid defensively (perhaps his foot is finally near 100%), and by starting he changed the substitution poatterns - for the better ... Grant was terrific, low stats notwithstanding (see above), and I might note unlike martini or Hayes can get off his 3-point shot even id=f contested with a run-out because of his aathleticism and elevation ... Ogbole played a very solid game with a terrific catch and drop step in traffic, a nice follow and dunk, and aggressive rebounding effort, as well as generally solid positional defense on UCLA's center ... Williams was huge in this game - the Williams of last season, and under control mostly, solid defensively, good judgments on his floaters and drives ... Martini was actually okay - not great, but several hustle plays, made his 1st 3 (though missed the next 2 which were both wide open), did give up an easy post basket when covering #3 of UCLA ... Davis did not play as big a role, but DID play solid on-ball defense when in, and DID hit those crucial 4-4 FT in the 2nd half ... Derkack and Hayes a coach's decision DNP.
