(03-21-2024 09:21 AM)Coog Engineer Wrote: (03-21-2024 05:13 AM)doss2 Wrote: UC defeated the San Fransissy Dons 73-72 in OT.
As usual UC could not close in OT by blowing a 9 point lead with 2:30 to play.
What do y'all UC fans see happening in those final minutes to keep UC from either taking a lead or losing it like that? I've lost count of how many games UC lost by ~5 points or so... seems like games that close are winnable unless the team is deliberately doing something that prevents them from scoring, or getting stops. By keeping the game close, Cincy has already demonstrated they can limit the other team from running away with the game, so it feels like the defense is there.
Is coach Wes just not running good offense or is it turnovers near the end of the game, or what?
Just seems like once UC figures that out you'll be over that "hump" and winning all those close games.
Honestly, it's just been a combination of things. Sometimes they do things right and the other team just makes some plays.
I thought the first Houston game was a great example of this. Down 10 with 4:04 to go, UC battled back, made some huge plays. Get it to 61 to 59. I thought UC had one of their best defensiv possessions of the game immediately following that, but L.J Cryer just makes an awesome running hook shot from about 12 feet at the end of the shot clock. Houston got it back to 4 with 1:13 left...Jizzle missed a layup inside of a minute and Houston closed.
Texas is another example. Simas hits two huge shots on back to back possessions to go up 3 in the final minute. Texas hits a contested baseline jumper that bounces on every part of the rim. Newman misses the front end of the one and one. Abmas travels (uncalled) then hits another contested mid range jumper that bounces on every part of the rim and falls. UC misses a despearation shot at the buzzer.
At Baylor, UC executed great late to cut the lead from 9 to 1. Skillings misses a layup off a great inbounds set. UC gets the ball back as it goes off Baylor. Simas misses an open 3, has to foul, Baylor makes both and UC misses a desperation 3.
Sometimes they just don't make good decisions (like at WVU and last night, though thankfully they got the win)
It feels like the inexperience of the guards and not really having a second ball handler (2 guard) hurts as your trying to wind clock and get something late in the shot clock OR as in last night when you get sped up, have great chances to execute and expand the lead (or pull the ball out and run clock) and make bad plays.
Against Oklahoma State, Oklahoma State just went scorching hot down the stretch. They made 3 threes and were fouled shooting a 3, making all three free throws. The Bearcats were like 1.5 points per possession the last 8 minutes, but Oklahoma State was over 2 points per possession.
If the team makes the leap I expect next year, a couple bad breaks just make the games closer, don't end up losses.
