Whatever the reason, Virginia was able to make the big shots when it counted. They made some 3's from the corner when they had to in more than one game. I was in Louisville and thought they were dead when they had 2 foul shots, 3 points down, and a fraction over 5 seconds to go. They made the first, missed the second and tapped the rebound into the back court. I thought it was over, and they got it into overtime.
They were incredible at the end of games when the outcome was up in the air. In my mind, the only real questionable call they got was the missed double dribble. They won the games when they had a chance.
They were phenomenal with games on the line.
The little guard for Auburn missed a ft with about 20 seconds left if memory serves that would have helped their cause considerably.Which was absolutely the right call. Guy had to hit 3 ridiculously tough FT’s. He did. Auburn didn’t hit enough of theirs.
It was a two point game. UVA then got a good luck and was fouled. And Virginia went down today and hit all their FT’s down the stretch. That’s not luck.
Really? He went from being a terrible tourney coach to a national champ in one year? Is it not more probable that the idea of being a good “tourney” coach is a farce because once you’re facing teams of similar ilk in a single elimination tourney it’s largely based on the bounce of the ball and your luck with the refs’ whistles? Look everybody loves March Madness, but it obviously does not determine the best teams. Was Tech the second best team in the country this year? Were UConn and Kentucky 1 and 2 a few years back when Napier was a Huskie and those two met in the final as a 7 and 8 seed respectfully? With all due respect, I find it illogical to judge a coach based on a fickle single elimination tourney rather than the larger body of work the regular season provides, there’s simply more data points there to consider.He was. He also had the #1 team in the country this year and changed some of his style after the debacle last year. Made an E8 in the last few years too. Props to him.
He’s also 49.
Drew up a good play to get Guy a good look and then got him 3 FT’s. I bet ole Tony was lucky he thought of that one.
Look UT could’ve won that game. But New Mexico State could’ve won their game by making just one more shot. Then Auburn is knocked out in the first round and Bruce is still thought of as a “bad tourney coach” (a sentiment I saw on here). Instead, he’s taken two different programs (at least, could be more, but def UT and Auburn) further than they’ve ever been in the tourney, and he’s a FF coach. I’m sure you could find some instance that Auburn could’ve gotten called for a foul and didn’t, and had they, NMS would’ve won. Because it’s just that fickle.Bruin: THE TOURNAMENT IS ALL LUCK, TENNESSEE GOT UNLUCKY BECAUSE WE GOT THE WRONG END OF A CONTROVERSIAL CALL
(Ignores UT going 14-28 from the FT
(Ignores Rick Barnes sitting Grant Williams to start OT)
Really? He went from being a terrible tourney coach to a national champ in one year? Is it not more probable that the idea of being a good “tourney” coach is a farce because once you’re facing teams of similar ilk in a single elimination tourney it’s largely based on the bounce of the ball and your luck with the refs’ whistles? Look everybody loves March Madness, but it obviously does not determine the best teams. Was Tech the second best team in the country this year? Were UConn and Kentucky 1 and 2 a few years back when Napier was a Huskie and those two met in the final as a 7 and 8 seed respectfully? With all due respect, I find it illogical to judge a coach based on a fickle single elimination tourney rather than the larger body of work the regular season provides, there’s simply more data points there to consider.
Bruin: THE TOURNAMENT IS ALL LUCK,
That’s your prerogative. I just don’t think coaching in the tourney is too terribly different than coaching in the regular season, so the fact that he hasn’t had great tourney luck shouldn’t overshadow all the good he’s done in the regular season. But we’ll see. Hopefully Barnes takes us (and not UCLA! Ha!) on many deep runs until retirement and this debate is no longer oneOkay I shouldn’t have said terrible. He’s underperformed.
And I believe if there’s enough of a sample size of a coach you can judge him based on his tournament abilities.
You know Rick Barnes hasn’t won a tournament conference title since 1994? He’s only made 3 S16 in the last 15 years despite making the tournament 12 times in that span? Is that luck? Or maybe Barnes isn’t good in those situations. I’d choose the latter.
Look UT could’ve won that game. But New Mexico State could’ve won their game by making just one more shot. Then Auburn is knocked out in the first round and Bruce is still thought of as a “bad tourney coach” (a sentiment I saw on here). Instead, he’s taken two different programs (at least, could be more, but def UT and Auburn) further than they’ve ever been in the tourney, and he’s a FF coach. I’m sure you could find some instance that Auburn could’ve gotten called for a foul and didn’t, and had they, NMS would’ve won. Because it’s just that fickle.