Buzz Post Game - Shot Selection

[Niv Berkowitz]

Look, I don't blame Buzz for the loss. Anyone that saw the game knows that execution at the end was terrible. McNeal's D at the end was abominable and he drove too soon. Buzz doesn't do that, the players do.

My point, however, was that I don't like the strategy of what Buzz wanted to do. It allows a couple seconds too long I think. BUT....if McNeal would have listened to Buzz and drove at five seconds left - precious seconds as we saw - 'nova would have had a totally different shot.

I TOTALLY agree that the three pointer on the previous possession was horrible.

Perhaps McNeal was thinking of Syracuse when he waited too long and chucked up a bad three to try to win.

Either way, as much as I love McNeal, he can still be such an enigma from a shot-selection/ball control standpoint in big games.

[NavinRJohnson]

Who are we going to face in the first weekend that is as tough as what the last 6 games of the BE put us through?

Michigan, then Michigan State. 

[Niv Berkowitz]

MUSig...
Everyone on this board is a huge MU fan and all want success. And I would like to think that everyone who watched the game loved the heart the team showed today (and during the last five games). But the point of frustration for some is that with such close games, it all comes down to crunch time execution.

In my case, I'm definitely aware that Buzz doesn't take the shots or play the D. But he does put the team in a position to succeed. There's been some times in the last minutes of some key games where IMHO he could have done some things differently that MIGHT have helped the team. I think I'm right, I may be wrong. It's blogging. Who the hell knows. But I'm an MU fan through and through and like 90% of the people on these boards...I'm p!ssed off and feeling sorry for myself for what might have been.

[WellsstreetWanderer]

Poor execution at end of games we could (should) win is becoming a habit.
Coaching is just as much to blame as performance.

[StillWarriors]

Then DJ went down and the margin for error vanished. For this team now to beat a quality opponent, they need to play at a very high level for 40 minutes .... and even that may not be enough.

I thought this would likely turn out to be an accurate statement when Buzz made it, but it really isn't true. We had extended rough patches against UConn (after DJ went down), Pitt, Cuse and Nova, and we had chances to win them all, certainly Cuse and Nova. Surprisingly we don't have to play perfect, we have just demonstrated horrible decision making the last two games down the stretch. Earlier this year we were winning games down the stretch--Providence and ND come to mind in particular. Now we are executing poorly. I hope if we get in that situation again the game isn't placed squarely in McNeal's hands. Unfortunately, he hasn't shown the ability to make the right decisions time and time again. I don't mind him taking the last shot, but preferably after a pass and some motion. He really hasn't earned the right to go iso and have it all in his hands. Sure liked having the ball in DJ's hands in the clutch...not that he was perfect, but this year he was a playmaker first, and with Wes, JM and Lazar he had a lot of option.

Hopefully we'll get a chance and get it right in the Tourney.

[Warrior Forever]

Situation is this:

40 seconds left in the game. 35 seconds on the shot clock.

The question is this:  Why not drain the clock to the last second possible before firing a shot?

1) If you hit rim, the rebound takes 2-3 seconds and Villanova is looking at a desperation shot at best.

2) Even if you get a clock shot violation, you only leave them 5 seconds.

If you look at the replay, it almost appears as if the defense was set up trying to lure someone to attack the basket.  Heck, I still think their guard was trying to take a foul on McNeal with about 25 seconds left out near half court.

I don't know if McNeal disobeyed orders or not, but when teams do not execute, the coach is going to get blame and rightfully so.

Having said all that, I think Buzz has done a solid job this year and look forward to many more successful campaigns.

Go Warriors. Come on 7 seed or better.

[MUSig54]

I still think we are an easy take to the Sweet 16. Who will we be playing in the first 2 rounds that are nearly as good as who we have played? Assuming we don't get the 8/9 and have UNC in the 2nd round... but even still with the heart this team shows, that isn't a gimme.

[CTWarrior]

I still think we are an easy take to the Sweet 16. Who will we be playing in the first 2 rounds that are nearly as good as who we have played? Assuming we don't get the 8/9 and have UNC in the 2nd round... but even still with the heart this team shows, that isn't a gimme.

Round 2 we will play a better team than Villanova, either a 1, 2 or 3 seed.  Think UNC, Oklahoma, Duke, Michigan State, somebody like that.

[GGGG]

Look, Jerel's problem is completely in his head.  He didn't see his teammates lead a comeback and think "I've gotta get mine!"  And Buzz shouldn't pull him because that will likely make it worse.

He's pressing.  He's thinking too much out there.  When NBA players go through stretches like this, they usually go out after a game and get massively drunk to clear their head.  I am not suggesting that he should do this, but a few days off will do him a lot of good.

[ATWizJr]

Warrior Forever - +1  no matter what, we should have run a few more seconds off the clock and with 5 seconds to go and no timeouts, well, I like our chances.

[muwarrior69]

Hey guys quit your whinning! Give the team and Buzz a break. We are plying our best. That is more than Notre Dame and Georgetown can say with all their Mr. Basketballs and 5 star recruits. I hear no one calling for Brey's or JT III's head. Those team were probably over rated, but the reason they were over rated is because they all under acheived. Maybe one goes to he NIT. Let's count our blessings and cheer the team in the big dance.

[slingkong]

As for snatching defeat from victory ... that's an interesting to way to look at nearly pulling off the biggest comeback in BET history.

MU had the lead with under 30 seconds.  The comeback win was complete and in hand.  A shot too early in the clock and a terrible defensive lapse resulted in a loss.  That is the definition of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.