Game Haiku
UConn controlled game
Gators survive & advance
Gators Sweet Sixteen
Praises:
* Martin keeping Gators afloat in 1st half & big punch out on missed FT at end
* D keeping UConn w/o FG made in critical 4 min segment when game was on the line and UF took lead
* Walt making big shots in crunch time
* Golden for staying emotionally in control and beliveing in this time to stay the course (loved the TO's in the 2nd half after made baskets right before TV time outs to give his team a mental reset, when UConn could've opened the game even further)
* Rueben was the best big man - especially on D
Postulates:
When the brackets came out - I was immediately worried about having UConn in our bracket- this is how 2x champions play with a HOF coach in Hurley. I knew this will be the toughest game on the road to the final four and it was going to be a battle of wills - mentally and physically.
As I said in the timeline - when most were concerned, frustrated and starting to feel helpless - I believed... I was positive... why - because of players like Alijah Martin and Reuben - they have elevated our physicality and with Alijah - he's been there before and is the team's compass for faith and resolve.
This was a game for UConn to take - it was played to their style both in pace and officiating (despite Hurley's remarks to Baylor), they completely took Condon and Clayton out of the game until 4 min remaining and yet with 4 min to go - I was loving where we were - and it takes a champion to knock out a champion... this last 4 minutes will be reflected on very fondly if UF can win the 4 remaining games.
I know "showtime" is part of this team's DNA (especially Martin) - I thought there were several opportunities to make the easy, fundamental basket instead of making SC Top 10 - that created the rock fight the Gators were drawn into... Instead of landing the KO - it was a TO fest early and Martin's missed thunder dunk (which lead to Reuben's 4th foul) were lessons to be learned... sometimes it's better to be poison and let them die slowly and painfully than samurai slash to the neck. BTW - the officials got that play right - there was no foul on Alijah.
An underrated moment in the comeback - was the Gators finally not forcing shots from 3 and instead taking shots in the voided 2pt region - the dreaded midzone. When trading baskets and keeping it a 2 possession game - this was important as the penetration then opened up the slip screen which led to the 3 pointers at the end.
Most improved player - Haugh - did a tremendous job getting critical rebounds late and is our best FT shooter from the big men - his play was very much under the radar today - but he made plenty of winning plays.
Will Richard - another herculean effort - even if the stat sheet doesn't show it... just a winner.
I believe this is the last game you'll see Urban play - unless the big 3 get into foul trouble or the lead is 20+ points for a couple of reasons...
> He's been exposed late on D. (couple of poor fouls on 3 point shots), plus not making any impact on offense
> With TV Time outs being longer (30 seconds for each 4 min segment) - less actual game time of rest needed
> Shrinking rotation allow more PT for Denzel - who has wild card ability - which will be needed - especially if Maryland is our next opponent.
UF won despited being outrebounded, below 75% FT %, lost the assist battle and points in the paint... think how great this team is to still be victorious.
UConn did a great job knowing UF gets it's emotional juice from Clayton logo shots, Condon runouts and the front court as a whole getting 2nd chance opportunities... UConn looked like us on offense - with the 2nd chance points (offense rebounds 14-11 UConn). Condon was limited to 5 total points and had Walt as a liability on D, getting burned numerous times on weak side action.
Here is where Golden taught Pitino a lesson - with Walt struggling - especially on D - he took him out briefly to regain his composure and put him back in - making sure he was ready for crunch time... Pitino let Ruiz wilt and stew on the bench in crunch time... granted I didn't see St Johns play before yesterday - but if you're a 2nd team AA and BE player of the year - how do you let that happen.
Not often the 2nd unit or front court gets outplayed and outscored (another reason for the tight game)
Front court - outscored - 21-15
2nd unit - outscored 15-10
Love the postgame interview with Tracy - having the TEAM all together to celebrate... it was hard fought - now exhale, enjoy the victory and load up your favorite playlist for the 5 hour flight to SF... Here's a couple of suggestions
UConn controlled game
Gators survive & advance
Gators Sweet Sixteen
Praises:
* Martin keeping Gators afloat in 1st half & big punch out on missed FT at end
* D keeping UConn w/o FG made in critical 4 min segment when game was on the line and UF took lead
* Walt making big shots in crunch time
* Golden for staying emotionally in control and beliveing in this time to stay the course (loved the TO's in the 2nd half after made baskets right before TV time outs to give his team a mental reset, when UConn could've opened the game even further)
* Rueben was the best big man - especially on D
Postulates:
When the brackets came out - I was immediately worried about having UConn in our bracket- this is how 2x champions play with a HOF coach in Hurley. I knew this will be the toughest game on the road to the final four and it was going to be a battle of wills - mentally and physically.
As I said in the timeline - when most were concerned, frustrated and starting to feel helpless - I believed... I was positive... why - because of players like Alijah Martin and Reuben - they have elevated our physicality and with Alijah - he's been there before and is the team's compass for faith and resolve.
This was a game for UConn to take - it was played to their style both in pace and officiating (despite Hurley's remarks to Baylor), they completely took Condon and Clayton out of the game until 4 min remaining and yet with 4 min to go - I was loving where we were - and it takes a champion to knock out a champion... this last 4 minutes will be reflected on very fondly if UF can win the 4 remaining games.
I know "showtime" is part of this team's DNA (especially Martin) - I thought there were several opportunities to make the easy, fundamental basket instead of making SC Top 10 - that created the rock fight the Gators were drawn into... Instead of landing the KO - it was a TO fest early and Martin's missed thunder dunk (which lead to Reuben's 4th foul) were lessons to be learned... sometimes it's better to be poison and let them die slowly and painfully than samurai slash to the neck. BTW - the officials got that play right - there was no foul on Alijah.
An underrated moment in the comeback - was the Gators finally not forcing shots from 3 and instead taking shots in the voided 2pt region - the dreaded midzone. When trading baskets and keeping it a 2 possession game - this was important as the penetration then opened up the slip screen which led to the 3 pointers at the end.
Most improved player - Haugh - did a tremendous job getting critical rebounds late and is our best FT shooter from the big men - his play was very much under the radar today - but he made plenty of winning plays.
Will Richard - another herculean effort - even if the stat sheet doesn't show it... just a winner.
I believe this is the last game you'll see Urban play - unless the big 3 get into foul trouble or the lead is 20+ points for a couple of reasons...
> He's been exposed late on D. (couple of poor fouls on 3 point shots), plus not making any impact on offense
> With TV Time outs being longer (30 seconds for each 4 min segment) - less actual game time of rest needed
> Shrinking rotation allow more PT for Denzel - who has wild card ability - which will be needed - especially if Maryland is our next opponent.
UF won despited being outrebounded, below 75% FT %, lost the assist battle and points in the paint... think how great this team is to still be victorious.
UConn did a great job knowing UF gets it's emotional juice from Clayton logo shots, Condon runouts and the front court as a whole getting 2nd chance opportunities... UConn looked like us on offense - with the 2nd chance points (offense rebounds 14-11 UConn). Condon was limited to 5 total points and had Walt as a liability on D, getting burned numerous times on weak side action.
Here is where Golden taught Pitino a lesson - with Walt struggling - especially on D - he took him out briefly to regain his composure and put him back in - making sure he was ready for crunch time... Pitino let Ruiz wilt and stew on the bench in crunch time... granted I didn't see St Johns play before yesterday - but if you're a 2nd team AA and BE player of the year - how do you let that happen.
Not often the 2nd unit or front court gets outplayed and outscored (another reason for the tight game)
Front court - outscored - 21-15
2nd unit - outscored 15-10
Love the postgame interview with Tracy - having the TEAM all together to celebrate... it was hard fought - now exhale, enjoy the victory and load up your favorite playlist for the 5 hour flight to SF... Here's a couple of suggestions
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