Rapid Reaction IU vs Northern Florida

[mdn82 25,743]

That was more like it.  I am not talking about the final score.  I am talking about the effort.  The intensity.  On Tuesday, we played like a team expecting to lose.  Tonight, we played like a team expecting to handle another cupcake.  We had some truly solid games from Jeremy, Evan, and Stan.  I could go on and on with Luke, Noah, and Hanner.  It was truly a team effort.  Hopefully this is a springboard game towards consistent effort.  Someone needs to tell the kids they have to bring this intensity against a name opponent to win.  

 

As a team it was mostly solid.  For the first and maybe the last time this year we had more assists (17) than turnovers (11).  We also had 9 steals and 4 blocks as a team.  The steals more times than not led to breakouts.   The blocks led to breaks.  The assists were more times than not at the rim.  Stan had a couple in the 2nd half that were truly beautiful.  He made plays we expect Yogi to make that for whatever reason has not happened.  I know I normally bring up individual performances next, but a big part of this game, and this team effort was from the effort Evan and Jeremy brought throughout this game.  They are normally content with being in the background, but brought an effort we haven't seen.  This effort was very infectious for a team looking for a reason to play with some enthusiasm.  

 

All year long we have been waiting for Will to be that 3rd scorer behind Yogi and Noah.  Tonight we were able to see Evan Gordon put in his best game of the year with 15 points and 4 boards while going to the rim with a purpose.  Coach Crean made it a point to get Jeremy going running the offense through him a few times early in the game.  It worked.  He was active.  He dove on the ground for loose balls.  He was aggressive defensively.  He scored 12 points.  Yogi wasn't efficient, but had 14 points and 7 assists.  Noah had his typical double-double with 13 and 11.  Is it too early to coin the phrase, "Vintage Noah"?  Hanner had a very solid game with 8 points.  Still would like to see more out of a Senior Will "Tom" Sheehey.  He scored 6 points, but was virtually non-existent for the most part.  Maybe I expected too much out of him, and this is the real Will Sheehey.  I hope not.  After 3 years of rooting hard for him, I hope he makes that big play that just infuriates the other team like he has for the last few seasons.  

 

All in all, you have to start somewhere.  The season is a large puzzle, and hopefully we have placed the first piece in a consistent puzzle.  With a team as young as ours, we will find games like Tuesday.   Then follow it up with games like this.  I think at this point we need a team with a name where we bring this effort.  In both of the UConn and Syracuse games it seemed we were scared of the name across from us.  We need to carry this effort forward.  Lets hope Oakland is the 2nd piece to a consistent puzzle that leads us to the B1G schedule on the right foot and erase the memory of a lifeless team at Syracuse.  

[mdn82 25,743]

Oh, and I love the changes made to my profile.  Lol

[FortWayneHoosier 6,365]

great write up! i agree that sheheey needs to step it up or move over

[BrownCoEagle 8]

i just don't think Will has figured out his role yet. he's not used to starting and being a "go to" guy. he is used to filling a role and being a second unit energy guy. I would like to see CTC at least try a different lineup for a change and see what happens. I think Gordon should start. we need his ballhandling and leadership out there, imo.

BTW, anyone know what the status is of Davis? looked like he tweaked an ankle or something.

[mdn82 25,743]

i just don't think Will has figured out his role yet. he's not used to starting and being a "go to" guy. he is used to filling a role and being a second unit energy guy. I would like to see CTC at least try a different lineup for a change and see what happens. I think Gordon should start. we need his ballhandling and leadership out there, imo.

BTW, anyone know what the status is of Davis? looked like he tweaked an ankle or something.

 

Sounds like Davis is doubtful for tomorrow, and Coach Crean says he hasn't thought about Sheehey coming off of the bench.  I disagree with that, but it is not my team.