Positives from Providence game

[netty24]

-Obviously Todd was fantastic down the stretch, he was the only one who was penetrating, had some clutch rebounds, and was huge at the line and from deep. Very excited for him next year.

-Thought Derrick's D on Cotton was very solid for most of the game.

-Jamil was pretty solid on the boards and had a sense of urgency for stretches of the game, which I haven't seen in a while

-More flashes of Deonte's potential. Love his ability to absorb contact and finish. Will be a great one. Also, love his length/anticipation

-Great team defense in the last ten minutes of regulation to get us back in the game

Any other positive thoughts?

[Afroman]

Derrick Wilson is a game closer to exhausting his college eligibility?

[MUeng]

I really enjoyed the lack of whistles in the first half.  overtime games are always fun as well.  As far as the team goes, Deonte.  He played well and deserves significant minutes.

[MUfan12]

This season is one game closer to being over.

[jesmu84]

Derrick Wilson is a game closer to exhausting his college eligibility?

i'm glad you've come out of the woodwork now. you're a freaking joke. go back to your hole.

[DCWarriors04]

This NIGHTMARE OF A season is one game closer to being over.

+1000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

[Dienerfor3]

Positives: MAYO MAYO MAYO MAYO MAYO MAYO (minus the fouls on the 3s)

Was awesome offensively and great on the ball defensively. And didn't seem to have any lack of buying into the "team" idea. A full season of that Mayo next year (even if shots don't always fall) will go a long way towards a good season

[netty24]

Positives: MAYO MAYO MAYO MAYO MAYO MAYO (minus the fouls on the 3s)

Was awesome offensively and great on the ball defensively. And didn't seem to have any lack of buying into the "team" idea. A full season of that Mayo next year (even if shots don't always fall) will go a long way towards a good season

I really am hopeful that he gets a shot at the starting PG spot next year. He has shown flashes that he possesses some of  the tools to be a PG: ability to penetrate, can make difficult passes, can stretch the defense. Over the off-season he just needs to work on game management and eliminating bad/lazy passes. If he can improve in those areas, there is no reason to at least try him out at PG against the cupcakes and see how it goes from there.

[Spaniel with a Short Tail]

+1000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

WOW...just WOW. It's a college basketball game. The team gave a good effort and acquitted themselves well. There were great plays and boneheaded plays for sure, but in many ways that's what makes NCAABB so much better than the NBA. From all accounts it was an enjoyable game to watch. Get over it and move on to the next game. You may want to think about getting a little less emotionally involved in the outcome and enjoy the diversion from real life in the playing of the game.

[jesmu84]

nm

[keefe]

[ATWizJr]

-Obviously Todd was fantastic down the stretch, he was the only one who was penetrating, had some clutch rebounds, and was huge at the line and from deep. Very excited for him next year.

-Thought Derrick's D on Cotton was very solid for most of the game.

-Jamil was pretty solid on the boards and had a sense of urgency for stretches of the game, which I haven't seen in a while

-More flashes of Deonte's potential. Love his ability to absorb contact and finish. Will be a great one. Also, love his length/anticipation

-Great team defense in the last ten minutes of regulation to get us back in the game

Any other positive thoughts?

A corrective one- do you call 25 points, 9 assists and 7 rebounds very solid defense?

[mattyv1908]

A true shut down defensive PG would be Aaron Craft.  His DRtg is 30 pts/100 possessions better than Derrick's.  Buzz is blowing smoke when he says that Derrick is the best defender he's ever coached and if he's serious than we have bigger problems within our basketball program.

[netty24]

A corrective one- do you call 25 points, 9 assists and 7 rebounds very solid defense?

First of all, his rebound stats are completely irrelevant to Derrick's defensive effort. Cotton was held to 31% shooting, lower than his 42% on the season. Derrick was all over and frustrating Cotton all night long, and the announcers mentioned that fact numerous times. Cotton did most of his work by getting to the FT line, making 13-15, some of which were not fouls on Derrick. Lastly, Cotton played the full 50 minutes, so his numbers are going to look a little inflated in comparison to a normal, 40-minute stat line. I hate Derrick's offensive game and his terrible foul at the end of the game as much as anyone, but his defense tonight was very solid.

[ATWizJr]

First of all, his rebound stats are completely irrelevant to Derrick's defensive effort. Cotton was held to 31% shooting, lower than his 42% on the season. Derrick was all over and frustrating Cotton all night long, and the announcers mentioned that fact numerous times. Cotton did most of his work by getting to the FT line, making 13-15, some of which were not fouls on Derrick. Lastly, Cotton played the full 50 minutes, so his numbers are going to look a little inflated in comparison to a normal, 40-minute stat line. I hate Derrick's offensive game and his terrible foul at the end of the game as much as anyone, but his defense tonight was very solid.

Good points all, however, I was there and suspect, not having heard the announcers, that they were creating drama where none existed.  Cotton is one cool customer and slippery, too.  He could have taken our shut down defender at will and often did.  He was at the line so often because either DW fouled him, and eventually fouled out, or the defender who was forced to pick him up had to step in and foul.  So, yeah, if defending him into a near triple double is what you mean, then we done good!

[MU82]

I really am hopeful that he gets a shot at the starting PG spot next year. He has shown flashes that he possesses some of  the tools to be a PG: ability to penetrate, can make difficult passes, can stretch the defense. Over the off-season he just needs to work on game management and eliminating bad/lazy passes. If he can improve in those areas, there is no reason to at least try him out at PG against the cupcakes and see how it goes from there.

Mayo needs to have a much surer handle and be a better decision-maker to be a true PG, but he'd be a vast improvement over what we have. There's nothing wrong with a scoring PG, a poor-man's Russell Westbrook. Mayo's not that good, of course (since Westbrook is one of the best in the world), but he could have a similar game.

IMHO, a more ideal situation would be Duane or Dawson beating out Derrick next season and starting alongside Mayo, with Derrick returning to his 10-15 mpg role as defensive stopper. That might be VERY wishful thinking, though.

[chapman]

-The game was entertaining as hell.  Best game to watch all season.

-Mayo might have to get Cotton minutes next year.  As long as he stops giving up four point plays, we're worse off anytime he's off the floor.

[CTWarrior]

Any other positive thoughts?

Excellent job on the offensive boards.

The team left it all on the floor.  Great effort.

Some clutch shooting at crucial times from Thomas, in addition to Mayo. 

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

-The game was entertaining as hell.  Best game to watch all season.

-Mayo might have to get Cotton minutes next year.  As long as he stops giving up four point plays, we're worse off anytime he's off the floor.

+1. Love what I saw from Mayo. If he can improve his handle, he could be our starting PG.

[BM1090]

A corrective one- do you call 25 points, 9 assists and 7 rebounds very solid defense?

When it comes on 5-16 shooting, yeah.