VolinArizona
not in Arizona anymore
- Joined
- Feb 16, 2006
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After leaving the local BWW last night, I came home, and I couldn't bring myself to even check VolNation. I went straight to bed in my UT shirt and my jeans. This morning, I'm still at a loss for words. Someone in another thread had a parody of the Dennis Green meltdown - and it's exactly how I feel.
I'm very heartbroken that we lost, and I want to add that in no way, shape, or form, am I upset with any of the players or CBP. However, some glaring things:
1. I said over and over this week that Ramar Smith would be the key to this game, and I was right. He played like a man all over the court, except for one place: the line. 3-7 is unacceptable, and 8-17 as a team is embarrassing. If he just hit our season average of 65%, we get 3 extra points, a victory, and another night to play. They better fix it over the summer.
2. This game was evidence that Jordan Howell needs to be a 10 minute guy whose main goal is to stroke 3s. He was beaten by OSU's guards for the entire 9 minutes he was on the court. Love the kid, but his role needs to be smaller.
3. Our 2nd half offense was like night and day compared to our first half offense. In the 1st half, we were confident, relentless, and methodical. In the 2nd half, our strategy was to have our 2 guards toss the rock back and forth until 12 seconds were left on the shot clock, then give it to Lofton, Jujuan, or anyone we could find to shoot a 3. If we're going to wait to 10-12 seconds, give it to Ramar and let him drive to the hole.
4. The officiating was bad - 24 fouls against Tennessee, 17 against Ohio State. No foul shots from Chris Lofton or Jujuan Smith. Compare that to OSU's 2 best players, who shot 20. 20-0 for the best 4 players on the floor.
5. Whether or not CBP put blame on the refs or the players, he needs to take some fault. He took the foot off the gas pedal.
6. After the game, a few Ohio State fans came up to me and said "The best team didn't win, the luckiest team did." Classy fans last night.
7. I am extremely happy with this team. It was easy on Thursday morning to say "Even if we lose, I'll be happy because a lot wasn't expected." Now, on Friday morning, as I try to remind myself of that, it's easy to say "We had a 20 point lead in the 1st half, and we choked." There will be another day, but we have to wait 7 months for it.
I'm very heartbroken that we lost, and I want to add that in no way, shape, or form, am I upset with any of the players or CBP. However, some glaring things:
1. I said over and over this week that Ramar Smith would be the key to this game, and I was right. He played like a man all over the court, except for one place: the line. 3-7 is unacceptable, and 8-17 as a team is embarrassing. If he just hit our season average of 65%, we get 3 extra points, a victory, and another night to play. They better fix it over the summer.
2. This game was evidence that Jordan Howell needs to be a 10 minute guy whose main goal is to stroke 3s. He was beaten by OSU's guards for the entire 9 minutes he was on the court. Love the kid, but his role needs to be smaller.
3. Our 2nd half offense was like night and day compared to our first half offense. In the 1st half, we were confident, relentless, and methodical. In the 2nd half, our strategy was to have our 2 guards toss the rock back and forth until 12 seconds were left on the shot clock, then give it to Lofton, Jujuan, or anyone we could find to shoot a 3. If we're going to wait to 10-12 seconds, give it to Ramar and let him drive to the hole.
4. The officiating was bad - 24 fouls against Tennessee, 17 against Ohio State. No foul shots from Chris Lofton or Jujuan Smith. Compare that to OSU's 2 best players, who shot 20. 20-0 for the best 4 players on the floor.
5. Whether or not CBP put blame on the refs or the players, he needs to take some fault. He took the foot off the gas pedal.
6. After the game, a few Ohio State fans came up to me and said "The best team didn't win, the luckiest team did." Classy fans last night.
7. I am extremely happy with this team. It was easy on Thursday morning to say "Even if we lose, I'll be happy because a lot wasn't expected." Now, on Friday morning, as I try to remind myself of that, it's easy to say "We had a 20 point lead in the 1st half, and we choked." There will be another day, but we have to wait 7 months for it.
