No sense of urgency throughout doomed us

[Niv Berkowitz]

I'll give Cinci some credit for making us Jimmy-dimensional tonight. But, we were sluggish from the start I thought with no focus or sense of urgency. It took until Vander came in to light a spark. The first half turnovers were brutal.

Under three to go, however, down 5, and we passed up three-four open looks at threes from Buycks and DJO. THen, we proceeded to run down the clock to 10 seconds left when we needed to get a good look up and crash the boards.

All that said, if anyone on this board were to say three games ago at 7-7, "hey, does MU get in finishing out 3-1?" THe answer was 'hell yes'. Win Saturday. Get on w/life and the tourneys.

[Doris Burkes Thong]

Yeah, I thought the same thing. I didn't see that edge or "do or die" attitude tonight like we had against UCONN. Let's face it these kids see the bracketology crap and a lot of the stuff on t.v. and the last few days everyone has had MU in the tourney. It's just human nature to not play as desperate when you see your name now in the tourney where as it was out of it before UCONN game.

[ecompt]

I could not believe when, down 5 in the final three minutes, we twice ran the shot clock inside 10 seconds while passing up 3-point opportunities. It's like Buycks and DJO were afraid to take the shot.

[mu_hilltopper]

I was tearing my hair out for the first ~25 seconds of every possession.  It was like they had no idea they were down 5-9 points and it was a complete certainty the clock was their enemy.  Quite maddening. 

Hell, after 20-30 seconds of "trying to find a good shot" they shot like crap anyhow.  Why not cut to the chase quickly?

[brewcity77]

I could not believe when, down 5 in the final three minutes, we twice ran the shot clock inside 10 seconds while passing up 3-point opportunities. It's like Buycks and DJO were afraid to take the shot.

It was baffling. Everyone in my section was screaming "shoot, shoot, shoot". And of course, we end up getting more desperation heaves from Buycks at the end of the shot clock. It seemed the only guys willing to try the three were Vander and Cadougan, which isn't exactly the guys I want trying to snipe us to victory at the end of a game.

[rocky_warrior]

Hell, after 20-30 seconds of "trying to find a good shot" they shot like crap anyhow.  Why not cut to the chase quickly?

That may be the most frustrating part.  All so hesitant to shoot that they're passing up good shots to get great shots, but then end up with a bad shot.

[mu_hilltopper]

If you're going to fail, fail quickly. 

[Dawson Rental]

That may be the most frustrating part.  All so hesitant to shoot that they're passing up good shots to get great shots, but then end up with a bad shot.

Especially when you're going against the best defensive team in the BE, and there are not a lot of "great" shots to be had.  I don't blame the players though...  I think the coaches needed to tell the team that the situation at the end of the game required running a quicker offense.

[Henry Sugar]

Especially when you're going against the FOURTH best defensive team in the BE...

fixed

[Dawson Rental]

fixed

I was going by pomery's stats for Adj defense which I obviously hadn't visited in a while because he now had Cincinnati (#13) ranked third in the BE behind Louisville (#6 When did that happen?  Must have started with the last five minutes of our game with them.) and Seton Hall (#11).

Fact checking keeps the discussion on the board real.  Thanks for doing the legwork, Henry Sugar.