Finals Sludge?

And then there was Austin Peay.  This could have been a real trap game for mortal teams.  As we look around the Nation, we see several that got caught in traps and some of our SEC brethren are among them.  You can say that finals week shouldn’t matter.  You can say that all the teams are going through it so it should be neutral.  But I think the HOME team is at the disadvantage here as they get to travel and get in game mode since they are way from the school environment. And I also see a team that plays several kids who went through it for the first time so I felt this was certainly a chance to not see the best basketball of all time.  Hints came this week and I thought Call handled it very well, just as I feel he’s handled almost everything well.  To the teams credit, they did just enough to stay 10 points up, and put their foot on the peddle when Austin Peay tried to make a run.  You could see this was like a cat toying with a grasshopper.  And Austin Peay is a very good team. 

Many say that we have parody in college basketball.  Many think there is a defined line between the statuses.  I think there is parody until you reach the elite.  Up to that point, a USC can knock off a UT on any given night.  A GW can knock off a non-elite UK.  But if an elite chooses to impose their will, even in finals week, an elite team can pretty much name their score against a mid major like Austin Peay. 

 

I thought all the Cats had fine moments.  I thought all the Cats had moments we would like to instantly forget.  I thought Liggin played more consistently than any of the Cats, but his consistency is a tad rusty at this point.  He barrowed minutes from Harris, and I thought that was a great plan.  It isn’t that Harris played bad because he led the team in rebounds when he left the game in the first half.  But this team needs to learn to do it on the D end even if he isn’t in there and they need to knos that some other non-post guy is going to have to crash the boards.  Liggins didn’t d that, but Austin Peay will provide a win and tape where they can see.  Liggins did a ton right.  He didn’t force, he actually ran the called plays and was in the right spots.  This is huge stuff.  I remember watching the live practice last year.  Coach drew up a full court play on his board.  Porter ran it first.  Then Liggins ran something that had everyone on the floor scratching their head.  Porter ran it again, then Liggins totally went off the play again.  Yesterday I was sure that things had sunk in with him.  His three was a good three even though it missed.  He needs to hit the boards better, but as this was his first real game actions, SO WHAT. 

 

My last point before closing has to do with Wall.  What the hell is he thinking?  Why was he out of control and risking a season ending injury at mid court for a loose ball against a team that UK could name the score on??  I was seriously pissed at him.  It’s ok to go for the ball but control yourself!!

 

I am very please with how this team has progressed.  I am pleased the staff is getting through.  You can see it in the interviews when the players, like Boogie, echo Cal’s thoughts.  You hear them say they need to get better, then you see them actually do it even if they didn’t play as well as many would like.  You see Boogie maturing right before your eyes and you’ve already seen potential that is out of the arena.  You see an already mature beyond his years Orton, improving his skills on the floor.  You also know that the post presence can not be matched anywhere when they, combined with Patterson, play to their potential..  And then there is Wall..