Originally published at: https://pistolsfiringblog.com/five-thoughts-on-oklahoma-states-103-95-victory-against-usf/
Five thoughts on an awesome game.
The free throw shooting was very Boyntonesque. Hard to watch em at the line.
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Curry is hard to watch. Just way too many dribbles into the key with no where to go and turn the ball over. Great win. Go Pokes
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Is there a reason they played like they were down by 9 points with 5 minutes left instead of up by 9? Why are they playing fast ball and throwing a shot up in 10-15 seconds when they could burn all 30 seconds on that shot clock? Force USF’s hand and make them play faster on offense and throw up stupid shots. We have good shooters and the defense was playing terrible. You don’t need to play super fast with that lead and timing left.
They improved to 8-10 in the second half which is what matters the most.
We’re 4 - 0 and everyone’s a critic. The team is fun to watch and should only improve over the year.
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I feel the exact same way - he makes me nervous with the ball. BUT…”Clary finished with a 12-point, 11-assist double-double.” That’s lunacy!! This team is going to be TROUBLE!
GO POKES!
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Absolutely! Whoever bill18 is - he knows all things about all sports - I’m sure a PlayStation-savant…
GO POKES!
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I know they improved but 16/26 is nasty work. Can’t have that ever. Very fortunate USF also ate glue on the line.
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I’m glad we’re 5-0. Just wondering what the strategy is when we’re up by 9 with 5 minutes remaining. Seems like we should slow the game down some offensively and burn the clock given we have good shooters.
Lutz’s teams are always about pushing the ball up and down the court, offensively pressing the tempo the entire game. I’m not saying slowing the ball down in the last several minutes with a lead isn’t a bad strategy, but some teams have to just keep playing the style of ball they play. Otherwise they might self-stagnate and ruin their lead. Think about how many times we ALL get upset with how conservative Gundy would call a game. I’d rather see this exciting team lose trying to win then trying not to lose.
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That’s different though. Gundy normally didn’t have a defense that could stop anyone. That’s why he would become so conservative offensively and either lose or nearly lose the game. Because his conservatism led to him punting the ball back and relying on defenses that couldn’t stop a nose bleed.
The basketball team has proven it can buckle down on defense and has enough good shooters to keep ahead the last 5 minutes. Throwing up fast shots just gives USF more opportunities for shots. One scores points and does what’s necessary on defense. The other repeatedly runs through a steel barrier and gives more opportunity to the opposing team to tie or take a lead when it’s too late.
Totally get what you’re saying on both accounts, but momentum is so important in basketball and especially for run and gun offenses. If you don’t practice a slow down offense, you won’t perform it well in a game. If your personnel doesn’t match up with that style, it won’t turn out well in a game. Trust your defense, sure. But also trust the offense that got you the lead in the first place.
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By the way, I’m not for just chucking a shot after one pass every time down the court (I unfortunately didn’t get to see the entire game, so if that’s what’s happening, I get it). I’m saying that this is not a bring the ball up to run through an offense that is designed to take most of the shot clock down to shoot. Lutz tries his shooters to take almost any shot they’re comfortable taking.
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Sorry to reply again, but Gundy wasn’t ONLY conservative on the offense calling when the D was bad. He called the exact same style of offense when we were one of the best defenses in the nation under Jim Knowles.