- Thread starter
- #1
CatsTopPac
Well-Known Member
If we had beaten ASU and looked like that, I would actually have a very, very bad feeling about this road trip (like splitting would be a blessing). But after such a bitter, bitter, loss, I feel like like we have a much better chance this weekend of splitting being the worse-case scenario.
It was a massive dose of reality, that free throws and turnovers will cost us against a team we should otherwise beat handily. We can't hide behind behind wins anymore in order to avoid facing our weaknesses. Much better to get this lesson now, than to squeak by every week, and have it hit us in the first weekend of March, and not know what hit us, until it ends our season. Now it's time to face the music, and take that shit very seriously.
Utah will be sold out, and the Huntsman Center holds 15,000 fans. It will be by far our toughest road environment of the year, and against a very solid team.
If AZ comes out with a chip on our shoulder from last night, I feel sorry for Utah. But the bottom line is that we need to play like we have a point to prove, not like we are trying to just get by.
Nick Johnson needs to focus on his shots, and get pissed off. Same with AG and his FTs (as well as his ability to knock down a 3 and spread the defense). We can say whatever we want about Miller and his lack of emphasis toward offense, but at least half of our offensive woes must rest on the players. AZ has shot a dismal 25-98 from 3 in our last 7 games. Obviously, that is just less than 25%. No one is going to get out on the perimeter to guard us (and allow us to spread the defense to better execute the offense), unless we can make some 3s. When we are making 3s, we can beat zones, pass better, and just find open men in general. But teams are staying in the post, because we are not forcing them to do anything but. And that's not on Miller. There is no offense in the world that works if you can't hit more than 25% from the perimeter. Passing lanes get clogged, and there are no high percentage shots inside. These are facts. no amount of passing, or screens, or even tip ins will work when there are always more defensive bodies in the paint.
And it doesn't get any easier against Utah with Loveridge and Bachynski. If we can't get those guys--along with Wright--away from the basket, it will be another long night.
It's nothing more than poise and focus. These guys' confidence has been really tested, and it happened long before ASU, or Ashley's injury. We have to find that edge, and not lose it again. Our defense is always great. That has been our one constant. But we need to pick defenses apart, and always, always attack. Every possession needs to be a specific well orchestrated attack. Absolutely no wasted possessions. Complete focus in every action. Anything less will equal a loss from here on out. @ UTah, @ CU, Cal, Stan, @ OSU, @ UO, then right into the P12 tourney, and then the dance. Every team will play their best to beat us, and nothing less than our best will suffice. This is the stretch that separates the good teams from the great teams. Not saying that we can't lose again or the season is over, but the bottom line is that we shouldn't lose again until Dallas (if then). Plain and simple. In the next month, we will find out exactly who this team is.
It was a massive dose of reality, that free throws and turnovers will cost us against a team we should otherwise beat handily. We can't hide behind behind wins anymore in order to avoid facing our weaknesses. Much better to get this lesson now, than to squeak by every week, and have it hit us in the first weekend of March, and not know what hit us, until it ends our season. Now it's time to face the music, and take that shit very seriously.
Utah will be sold out, and the Huntsman Center holds 15,000 fans. It will be by far our toughest road environment of the year, and against a very solid team.
If AZ comes out with a chip on our shoulder from last night, I feel sorry for Utah. But the bottom line is that we need to play like we have a point to prove, not like we are trying to just get by.
Nick Johnson needs to focus on his shots, and get pissed off. Same with AG and his FTs (as well as his ability to knock down a 3 and spread the defense). We can say whatever we want about Miller and his lack of emphasis toward offense, but at least half of our offensive woes must rest on the players. AZ has shot a dismal 25-98 from 3 in our last 7 games. Obviously, that is just less than 25%. No one is going to get out on the perimeter to guard us (and allow us to spread the defense to better execute the offense), unless we can make some 3s. When we are making 3s, we can beat zones, pass better, and just find open men in general. But teams are staying in the post, because we are not forcing them to do anything but. And that's not on Miller. There is no offense in the world that works if you can't hit more than 25% from the perimeter. Passing lanes get clogged, and there are no high percentage shots inside. These are facts. no amount of passing, or screens, or even tip ins will work when there are always more defensive bodies in the paint.
And it doesn't get any easier against Utah with Loveridge and Bachynski. If we can't get those guys--along with Wright--away from the basket, it will be another long night.
It's nothing more than poise and focus. These guys' confidence has been really tested, and it happened long before ASU, or Ashley's injury. We have to find that edge, and not lose it again. Our defense is always great. That has been our one constant. But we need to pick defenses apart, and always, always attack. Every possession needs to be a specific well orchestrated attack. Absolutely no wasted possessions. Complete focus in every action. Anything less will equal a loss from here on out. @ UTah, @ CU, Cal, Stan, @ OSU, @ UO, then right into the P12 tourney, and then the dance. Every team will play their best to beat us, and nothing less than our best will suffice. This is the stretch that separates the good teams from the great teams. Not saying that we can't lose again or the season is over, but the bottom line is that we shouldn't lose again until Dallas (if then). Plain and simple. In the next month, we will find out exactly who this team is.