We came to NYC on a Mission. The squad is focused and getting down to business. This is why Chief predicted UConn would win this tournament. The vibe was unmistakable in a 40 point win.
Defending well and shooting just under 45%, while owning the boards. The team now recognizes who the leader is and when you unselfishly move the ball around good things happen, and if they don’t you go get the offensive rebound and try it all over again. Can you say, clinic?
Bouknight, Cole and Sanogo led our scoring and Whaley/Martin/Bouknight controlled the boards as the squad went in at the half with a 23 point lead. At the half we had 10 assists to just 3 turnovers a 3.4 assist to turnover ratio. Our suffocating defense produced 8 turnovers, which translated to 16 points.
We start out the second half with the up tempo basketball, which Chief loves and have said all along is our best style of play. Aggressive but not fouling defense leading to easy transition baskets.
Having said all that it’s critical that Bouknight be the leader both on and off the court and do all the right things. That includes doing all the common sense things so you won’t cramp up in games. Plenty of fluids (water), consuming nothing to dehydrate himself and good conditioning. Also, stretching and making himself stronger so that he can avoid injury. This is why against all the obvious evidence he should go pro, it would be best for him to instead focus on these things and stay another year. Chief realizes that probably won’t happpen, but it would be in his long term interest for a long career.
The good news, without Bouknight we could extend our lead. The bad news is it will be difficult to do that against Creighton. It’s not a newsflash he is critical to our success but the other guys did learn how to play tough without him.
That toughness led to a 20 rebound advantage with over half of that coming from the offensive glass preventing DePaul from making a comeback. Gaffney and Jackson continue to look good.
As an aside, it was interesting that Springs got playing time and Akok didn’t. Springs had his good moments too. We can make a really deep run if Bouknight does the right things both on and off the court and keeps himself healthy. Creighton will be a very tough out.
Defending well and shooting just under 45%, while owning the boards. The team now recognizes who the leader is and when you unselfishly move the ball around good things happen, and if they don’t you go get the offensive rebound and try it all over again. Can you say, clinic?
Bouknight, Cole and Sanogo led our scoring and Whaley/Martin/Bouknight controlled the boards as the squad went in at the half with a 23 point lead. At the half we had 10 assists to just 3 turnovers a 3.4 assist to turnover ratio. Our suffocating defense produced 8 turnovers, which translated to 16 points.
We start out the second half with the up tempo basketball, which Chief loves and have said all along is our best style of play. Aggressive but not fouling defense leading to easy transition baskets.
Having said all that it’s critical that Bouknight be the leader both on and off the court and do all the right things. That includes doing all the common sense things so you won’t cramp up in games. Plenty of fluids (water), consuming nothing to dehydrate himself and good conditioning. Also, stretching and making himself stronger so that he can avoid injury. This is why against all the obvious evidence he should go pro, it would be best for him to instead focus on these things and stay another year. Chief realizes that probably won’t happpen, but it would be in his long term interest for a long career.
The good news, without Bouknight we could extend our lead. The bad news is it will be difficult to do that against Creighton. It’s not a newsflash he is critical to our success but the other guys did learn how to play tough without him.
That toughness led to a 20 rebound advantage with over half of that coming from the offensive glass preventing DePaul from making a comeback. Gaffney and Jackson continue to look good.
As an aside, it was interesting that Springs got playing time and Akok didn’t. Springs had his good moments too. We can make a really deep run if Bouknight does the right things both on and off the court and keeps himself healthy. Creighton will be a very tough out.
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