I have to miss the UConn-ND game so the wife can get some TV time, and I get the computer. I am more curious about the Villanova-Providence game, anyways.
VT-Pitt: I came away from this game very, very impressed with Virginia Tech. Pitt had more talent and stronger personnel, but VT never gave up. They kept making runs at Pitt. They shot nearly 45% for the game, despite their best player, Matthews limited to only 30 minutes because of foul problems and fouling out with nearly 7 minutes left in the game. Their second best player, Gordon, shot better than 50% for 14 points, 6 assists and 7 rebounds despite his own foul troubles and a bum ankle. I’m actually going to wish the basketball team well in the ACC.
Offensively, Pitt looked pretty good. They shot better than 50% from the field. Page had a solid game. You could see some real spring in his jump. Maybe he was being honest, when he said he was just tired (Though if that’s so, maybe Dixon should not have let him play 37 minutes when there’s another game tomorrow?). Troutman and Krauser both had their typically solid games. Jaron Brown was the scoring leader with 20 points (including an impressive 7-9 from the free throw line). Taft looked great everywhere except at the free throw line where he was an abysmal 0-6. Take out his Free throws and Pitt was about 72% from the line. Pitt definitely looked more for the inside baskets, to take pressure off of Page, Krauser and Brown. The only red flag was that Pitt was outrebounded by VT 34-32. VT had been outrebounded the previous day by Rutgers 39-23. Pitt wasn’t just slower to the ball, it seemed that Troutman and Taft were having trouble getting positioned properly on the offensive end because they were trying to score more.
Post game quotes from both sides. VT Coach Seth Greenberg was highly complimentary to Jaron Brown. Pitt Coach Jamie Dixon refused to take credit for Pitt’s big run to start the second half.
BC-Syracuse: As I said, “This should be a great game. I give the edge to Syracuse, but a BC win wouldn’t be a shock.” I hedged, but stuck with the favorite. Some were a little cockier.
he post season is finally here, and Syracuse’s defense of the 2003 NCAA National Championship now begins in earnest. Step one is getting past the surging Boston College Eagles and advancing in the Big East Tournament. Look for the poise and savvy of the more experienced Orangemen to win out over the youthful enthusiasm of the Eagles today, and for Syracuse to send BC off to the ACC once and for all with their tail feathers tucked between their legs.
Factual error: BC still has one more year in the Big East before slinking away from the Big East. Other errors were on the slight exuberance of fans.
Early in the game, it looked like BC would have no chance against Syracuse. Syracuse was hot at both ends. They were pushing the ball, passing, in total control. The defense had BC flustered and confused. At halftime, Syracues had a 32-23 lead. Many could be excused for thinking it would only get worse in the second half.
A funny thing happened. Syracuse only scored 22 points in the second half. Unfortunately, right now I can’t find a box score that shows the splits from first to second half. The Official one from BC is wrong. There are no first half numbers, and the second half numbers are the totals. For the game, BC was held to just over 35% shooting, and 0-9 from 3-point range. I’m pretty sure though that there is a skew. The big thing for BC was that they got to the free throw line, and made their shots. They went 17-24 at the line. ‘Cuse only got there 13 times and made 8. Of course, Syracuse shot almost 44% for the game and 4-10 from 3-point. BC also out rebounded Syracuse 32-25, which was a surprise.
In the post-game interviews, BC head coach Al Skinner refused to say anything about Pitt. Referring back to my post a couple days ago with Smizik and the Big East Tourney not mattering, let’s read how Syracuse coach Boeheim addresses that sort of stupidity
Q. Tough to lose the game, but do you like the rest, to have some rest to get ready for the NCAAs at all?
COACH JIM BOEHEIM: Stupid question. Next question.
Yeah, I like to lose. Yeah, I like to lose. Next question.
You haven’t asked a question… Go back to Syracuse, will you, please.
Somehow the transcript doesn’t capture his feelings completely.
Finally, I note that UConn beat ND 66-58.
