Watching Purdue’s solid 67-63 W over rival Indiana last night in Assembly Hall, to surprisingly sweep the season series, I saw the future of Louisville basketball.
And, no, I don’t expect to be the next Cards coach, as John Landau became The Boss’s manager, after writing an article, declaring “he’d seen the future of rock and roll and its name is Bruce Springsteen.”
Watching the Boilermakers’ backup pivot, 7’+ Isaac Haas, lay 12 points on the Hoosiers, while grabbing 9 boards in just a dozen minutes of action, all points generated within a step of the hoop, here’s what I envision next season and beyond in the Yum!. Quinton Snider from the point, or Anas Mahmoud or Chinanu Onuaku at the high post, feeding Matz Stockman for easy buckets from the semi circle.
Rick Pitino is not only not afraid to run his offense through a big, posting low, I believe he’s inclined to prefer it. When the Cards had Wildcat transfer Marvin Stone, they did it all the time, including, to winning effect, about the first dozen offensive possessions in the one game Stone played in red and black against the Big Blue.
Anyhow, Purdue’s plan worked to victory against shorter IU.
As it will for the Cards in the future.
Remember where you heard it first.
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Here’s something I’d prefer never to hear again.
Rick Pitino rip a player publicly the way he did Shaqquan Aaron Wednesday night.
Pitino’s words, when used in a public setting, were, one guy’s opinion, emotionally abusive. Totally uncalled for. Totally unacceptable.
Aaron’s an 18 year old kid, in a strange city, a couple of thousand miles from his home and family.
You want to try and inspire him through harsh words, which is Pitino’s default method, do it in private.
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While I’m ranting, here’s something else I hope never to see or hear again.
In game interviews with the coaches.
It started with the SEC. And there it was last night. Tom Crean talking with a reporter, during a timeout in a closely fought conference game against an arch rival.
Nothing of import is ever revealed.
While there are many reasons to criticize Mike Krzyzewski’s oft haughty persona, I’ve always admired that he never talks to reporters during the parameters of a game. While Greg Popovich comes across as an asshole, while being interviewed in game, his attitude is legit.
That said, oh how I would cherish watching Jeannine Edwards, just one time, attempting to chat up Adolph Rupp during a timeout. It would be a SportsCenter Top Ten Moment for the Ages.
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Did you have a clue that Duke was going to be playing North Carolina Wednesday night?
How was a guy supposed to know?
Just happened upon it by chance, during a break in the overhyped Iowa State/ Okie State tilt on the U.
The Blue Devils come from behind W in OT was pretty exciting. Just wish I’d have known about the battle ahead of time, so I could have watched from the opening tip.
A bit more advance notice from the alleged World Wide Leader would be appreciated.
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Am I the only one curious to see the shoulders and biceps of the fellow/ gal inside the St. Joseph’s Hawk mascot outfit?
Tradition dictates the Hawk flap its wings from tip off to final buzzer.
A quaint ritual indeed.
Hopefully the student gets a full scholly for the work.
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Today’s Final Four: Kentucky, Duke, Wisconsin, Oklahoma.
— Seedy K
Did you the technical foul Purdue’s A.J. Hammons drew midway through the second? I hope Louisville never gets to play with those officials. MH would be disqualified in the first half if he’s getting the ball down low.
Seedy, you’re right on regarding Pitino and his public smackdown of Shaqquan Aaron. As the father of two college kids, I couldn’t agree with you more, well said.
As for your Final Four, I think you’ve got Duke right. But, that’s it. The Cats are most excellent. If they run the table to NCAA tourney time–and it appears they will–I think there’s going to be way too much pressure on those kids to win it all.
I’ve been a fan of Pomeroy, but there’s something weird going on with his data-crunching this year. The Cards with the No. 7 defense in the country? If that’s the case, I’m beginning to think that his offensive rankings will more closely reflect those teams that make a deep run in this year’s tourney.
Seedy: As a parent of college age children, I wouldn’t appreciate a coach a coach calling out my son in the media. However, I’m not convinced Shaqquan ever heard the comments. If he’s like most of his age group he doesn’t read the paper or watch the local news or listen to the post game radio show. I would venture to guess that Mr Aaron doesn’t know Fred Cowgill from Fred Flintstone.
Where this will come back to bite Pitino is on the recruiting trail.
I can hardly watch NBA games until the playoffs and much prefer college hoops. But did you happen to catch the GS – Spurs game last night?
After watching our offensively challenged group struggle to put up 60 points against relatively pedestrian competition, I marveled at the skill and action provided by these 2 top teams who play beautiful basketball. As I watched, I wondered why a college team couldn’t run the sets, motion, etc. that these 2 teams employ. Sure, the players are magnificent, but then again, they are playing against other tremendous players.
I can only hope that CRP returns to his previous mindset and uses his defense to score rather than merely run clock, wear down teams or whatever he is trying to do, which recently appears to include tearing down the egos of our young players. Sure, long time great coaches love to be in control, but there comes a time when the greatest efficiencies revolve around setting a framework and then just letting the players play.
I know we don’t have a Steph Curry or Klay T, and neitherTony Parker or Tim Duncan is walking through the door, we do have some talent. Let’s go down fighting rather than struggling to stay within the lines with our crayons today!
Beat Miami, today and finish on a roll with 5 in a row….go Cards!
Saw only the beginning of that game. But, wrote extensively about Spurs on their run to title last season. A lot of those guys shoot so accurately, it’s almost stunning when they miss.
I didn’t see the game Greg is talking about, but another way you can see basketball played the way it is supposed to be played is to watch any two of the best women’s teams play against one another. There are more assists in one half of those games than in two men’s games. Ricky P should get some advice from Jeff Walz about how to get his players to pass effectively and run plays. It’s normal for these teams to get assists on two thirds or more of their baskets.
David, like you I am a woman’s season ticket holder. The women do run pretty sets and nice plays. Unfortunately, they often aren’t strong enough to finish inside once the good pass is made. Kinda reminds me of Anas…