Not James finest moment down the stretch there

[MUFanInGreenBay]

He really played with very poor basketball IQ.

-fouls G. Wallace on a 3-pointer with two minutes to go  - result 2/3 free throws

-fouls G. Wallace again on 3 pointer with 2.8 seconds left while up 3. -  results in tie game heading into overtime. (James shouldn't be reaching like that. He needed to keep the arms straight up. You can't give the refs any chance to make a call there, He's plenty quick enough to stay with Wallace and force a bad shot. What a killer that was.)

-turns the ball over down 3 with  5 seconds left in overtime  - game over

Why was he taking his jolly ol' time just dribbling up the court like they had all day? On the other hand, McNeal and Matthews played very well. Hayward couldn't hit a dam thing though today. That hurt us. He again had trouble like he did against UofL in shooting over Gtown's length inside. He missed some bunnies around the rim.

[romey]

I agree on James nonchalance coming up the court on the last possession.  What was that about?

[chapman]

The bad fouls and slowness at the end aren't as bad as missing free throws.  Someone said there would be a game where not being able to hit our free throws would kill us, and unfortunately that person was right today.

[CTWarrior]

About James two fouls on the three point shooters. 

The first call bothered me a lot more than the second one.  While he certainly did foul the first shooter it was well after the shot was released and did not effect the shot in any way.  They almost always let that one go.

I suppose if you look at the second one (AKA "The win killer") with slo mo on your HD TV it may not have been a foul, that's a foul call that is almost always called, especially when you consider the refs on the floor don't always have the best angle.

[romey]

About James two fouls on the three point shooters. 

The first call bothered me a lot more than the second one.  While he certainly did foul the first shooter it was well after the shot was released and did not effect the shot in any way.  They almost always let that one go.

I suppose if you look at the second one (AKA "The win killer") with slo mo on your HD TV it may not have been a foul, that's a foul call that is almost always called, especially when you consider the refs on the floor don't always have the best angle.

I agree on the first one.  How about the announcers saying something like "even the slightest contact is going to affect the shooting motion" but not admitting that it was AFTER the ball was released?  The flight of that ball and his shooting motion before the release was not affected at all.

[Warrior Forever]

The play by James at the end of regulation was pure stupidity.  You can not reach in that situation.  You either foul as soon as Georgetown crosses half court (the preferred choice) or you play hands in the air, straight defense.

That play (plus horrendous free throw shooting) gave this game away.  Your "experienced, floor leader" can not make that play.

Terrible.

[77fan88warrior]

It was ridiculous that he didn't pass off to Matthews to his right at the end of OT. WE only needed two to tie and there ended up being three defenders in James vicinity.

[NavinRJohnson]

I agree on James nonchalance coming up the court on the last possession.  What was that about?

I actually think this is what he is coached to do, as it seems to be our approach in similar situations at the end of any half, game, etc. I think the plan is to take that time to look over the defense, pick his spot/commit to pass or shoot, and go. I don't know that's the case. Just my observation, as I have thought this before the game the other day.

[Big Papi]

There is an interesting photo of that last play on Dodds sight that links to IWB photos.  Looks all ball.  Also, this wasn't the only time we swiped at the ball at the end of a very close game.  THis team does it regularly but this was the first time it was called against us.


http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=415#s=415&f=2850&t=2131412

[Big Papi]

I agree on James nonchalance coming up the court on the last possession.  What was that about?

I actually think this is what he is coached to do, as it seems to be our approach in similar situations at the end of any half, game, etc. I think the plan is to take that time to look over the defense, pick his spot/commit to pass or shoot, and go. I don't know that's the case. Just my observation, as I have thought this before the game the other day.

A couple of things about that last play.  First, TC had called for a pick at halfcourt.  That did not happen.  Second, DJ was bracketed by 2 defenders as he was heading up the court.  Third, I don't believe any of the players were in position to accept the pass right away from DJ.  Hayward had his back turned for much of the 4-5 seconds as was going to one side of the court and a defender was close to McNeal on the other.  I don't recall where Matthews during the play.  DJ needed to do one of two things, either use his quickness and try to split the bracketing GT players or pass the ball to McNeal just before he crossed half court as their was an opening at that point in time.  My guess is that DJ was waiting for a screen at halfcourt and it didn't happen which made the final seconds of the game a lot more difficult.

[21Jumpstreet]

As much as I was disappointed in James and his three key mistakes, I have to say I was impressed with one thing.  On several occasions he faked the three, took one dribble, and nailed a 15 footer.  That was very good to see.  He also hit a huge three. 

I was more po'd at the guy that wouldn't let me in the line to get out of the parking lot.

It was deflating, but not totally disappointing.

[CTWarrior]

There is an interesting photo of that last play on Dodds sight that links to IWB photos.  Looks all ball.  Also, this wasn't the only time we swiped at the ball at the end of a very close game.  THis team does it regularly but this was the first time it was called against us.


http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=415#s=415&f=2850&t=2131412

In the picture it looks to me like his hand is directly above the shooters wrist, not the ball.  I have a DVR player and a big screen plasma HD TV and watched it several times frame by frame.  He clearly fouled the guy on the left wrist/forearm.  The issue is not the call but why we risked fouling a guy about to launch a prayer.

[bartmiller#1]

I agree on James nonchalance coming up the court on the last possession.  What was that about?

I actually think this is what he is coached to do, as it seems to be our approach in similar situations at the end of any half, game, etc. I think the plan is to take that time to look over the defense, pick his spot/commit to pass or shoot, and go. I don't know that's the case. Just my observation, as I have thought this before the game the other day.

A couple of things about that last play.  First, TC had called for a pick at halfcourt.  That did not happen.  Second, DJ was bracketed by 2 defenders as he was heading up the court.  Third, I don't believe any of the players were in position to accept the pass right away from DJ.  Hayward had his back turned for much of the 4-5 seconds as was going to one side of the court and a defender was close to McNeal on the other.  I don't recall where Matthews during the play.  DJ needed to do one of two things, either use his quickness and try to split the bracketing GT players or pass the ball to McNeal just before he crossed half court as their was an opening at that point in time.  My guess is that DJ was waiting for a screen at halfcourt and it didn't happen which made the final seconds of the game a lot more difficult.

The way I read Crean's comments, he had called for a ball-screen at halfcourt off a make, not a miss. 

I think the problem was that they didn't know what to do off a miss-- which is why none of them appeared to be ready for a pass or in position to shoot. 

As it was, it was a really crappy last possession to a tough game.  Tough one to lose. 

We had time to get a very good shot to tie or win.  I don't think DJ was too slow in bringing it up-- there was still time for a good pass and shot when he turned it over.  The problem is that no one knew what was going on. 

[DAtruth]

dj fouling a 3 point shooter twice was  ..every1 talks about how many games kids play now (aau and such) ..the first one was almost forgivable the second..not so much..i still dont believe this cost us the win..dj taking the ball up like there isnt a shot clock.. let alone a game clock..i thought dj was looking for a quik outlet when he got the ball..all he seen were hoya arms and names on the back of mu jerseys..but i kind of understand fastest way down the court is a pass..however when that didnt work he continued looking for the pass..big mistake..long athletic hoyas and mu players running to a spot and sentin up a 5 second tent..isnt going to work..when the outlet didnt work he should have tried to get to the rim ..then make the pass - shoot decision..thats justy my opinion on what i Seen and how i think it could b corrected..with that said i dont think that cost us a win either..lazar- 0pts, 5rbs, 4s,3to's,30 mins..ous and lazar combine for 6 rebs, 6 to's and 4 pts..throw burke(4 rebs) in there and 3 bigs combine to pull down 2 more rebs than jm (8)..jm shoots 5-21..21 shots  ..that along with dj's mistakes is why we lost..i mean its HARD to almost force double the amount of to's u committ and still lose!!!