Here's my postgame thoughts
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Not a 'Cup of Coffee' in AF's lose to Wyoming 66-59
Here's my 'two cents' worth of would'a, could'a, should'a on last nights game. Add $1.48 to that plus tax and you might be able to buy a cup of coffee somewhere, and that would be about what my thoughts are worth.
First we must congratulate the Cowboys. Without their coach (sick not there), on the road and down 15 points early in the game, they never deviated from their game-plan and they stayed in the game and came back to win. Nance is the real deal inside although he had some help (see below).
For our Falcons? How do you say you love the excitement and respect you saw in your team in one half?....and then say "You broke my heart and disappeared in the second half!". That was last night. If you watched or listened to the game you know what I mean, if you didn't that is your misfortune (it was on the radio, TV and the Web). I will not recap the game just give you the nuts and bolts.
Full box score at blog
First and foremost AF lost this game in turnovers. Another double digit game with 16 turnovers that Wyoming made into (get that cup of coffer or a whiskey before you read this even at 9am in the morning) 22pts. At the same time Wyoming had only 9 TOs and we got only 6 points off those TOs. How many of these were because of Wyoming's stellar defense? Maybe half. Yes, the pressure of the defense resulted in situations the Falcons had to cope with but decisions at that time were the keys for the TO's plus at least 5 basic ball handling TO's by AF in the game (dribble off the foot, the knee, did not catch a pass). Tough night, we must find our 'hands and heads' team on the floor.
Bench. Two total points off the bench for the Falcons. Let's see: Two, 2, II, zwei...how many ways can you say 'only two' points off the bench in 22 minutes of playing time. Compare that to 19pts off the bench for UW. Unfortunately we also had 3 TO's from one player off the bench. If you cannot help on the floor and then turnover the ball it may be time for another option. Tough decision.
Postgame scout coach and Coach P discussed the mental aspect of how we played in the first half vs the second. What was different? What was missing. Coach took the blame and said he must figure that out. The 'focus' was not there. As Wyoming did some adjustments and played almost (maybe all) exclusively zone in the 2nd, we did not penetrate vs the zone as we did in the first half. I am not saying take all the shots inside but you must go inside-out. It's a given. We relied to much on the 3-ball per the coach and I agree.
I believe coach must find more trust in the bench. Period. Dot. Other teams have players playing the same minutes as our guys BUT these other teams, other players are not Cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy. They do not have the day in day out stress of academics and military that our Falcons do. That in itself is contributing to fatigue. Maybe physical but definitely it brings in the mental fatigue. If the guys on the court continue to turn the ball over them maybe it's time to sit down and let someone else have a chance to succeed or to turn the ball over. One of the biggest losses in Air Force Basketball history was in the NCAA vs North Carolina. Coach Scott blamed himself at the end. We led the game for 30mins but tired down the stretch. He DID NOT GIVE THE BENCH minutes early and then did not want to put fresh guys in who had not played. He blamed himself. We cannot repeat this history lesson.
Ok, Nance. No homer here just facts and if you have the game on DDR (or on your old VHS recorder) check it out. Camping with tent, sleeping bags and Coleman lantern, Nance fell asleep waiting for the ball in the lane last night. Fans (yep, loud mouth me) kept yelling THREE Seconds and not until the middle of the 2nd half did it finally get one called. Not one minute later he was in there at least 5 if not 6 seconds. Very poor execution by the refs in this situation. Ugly and sad might be a better description. Kudo's to Nance as they let him do it and he used it to his advantage and scored.
Good game by Kamryn Williams with 17pts/6rebs but 4 TO's. Tre' with 15pts and Justin with 13 (but 5 TO's).
Nuff said. One week off for the bye then two tough road games at Boise State and Nevada.
GO FALCONS
Postgame newslinks can be found at
http://ricksfalconreview.blogspot.com/
