Georgetown won, and the Hoyas are to be congratulated. Not the final chapter in this saga, however. Louisville wins the best two out of three if both teams are still around this time next week.
U of L showed in this loss that it can take a punch, dig deep, come back clawing and scratching. You make a mistake, relax or nodd off, the Cards will make you pay. Still, Georgetown managed to hang on for a win, an unconvincing win, but a win nevertheless.
Can’t win ’em all. At least one loss is inevitable for every team but one from here on out. This loss may have come at the best possible time. Undivided attention for the great motivator.
David Padgett, Terrence Williams, Jerry Smith and company will put this one behind them, learn from the experience. They’ve had a taste of winning, and will come out hungry.
Hundreds of practice free throws must come first. Emphasize it, put blindfolds on them if you have to, until they can hit them with their eyes closed. No excuse for people who spend 85 percent of their waking hours on a basketball court to continue missing so many free shots.
Jerry Smith, missing all seven three-point shots and hitting one of two free throws, getting a terrible shooting game out of his system, proving he’s not perfect. Smith will pump those fists again this season, count on it.
The four turnovers by Earl Clark costly, but making up for them with 10 rebounds. The lazy pass by Edgar Sosa more costly. Clark’s continuing miscues must be corrected, usually unforced, no rhyme or reason for them. Every possession too valuable at this juncture.
Terrence Williams with 14 points, five rebounds, three assists, the best player on the floor. Bottled up by the Hoyas, no opportunities, not even close, for even one of his thunder dunks today, you know, the kind that demoralize, spell doom for the opposition.
David Padgett, zero rebounds. That’s the last time that will happen.
The Cards still have a blowout win in their system, long overdue, somebody will pay soon, hopefully Seton Hall, most deserving.
Madison Square Garden, neutral court, straight ahead.
I certainly remember that game, one of the most frustrating games ever, hopelessly out of it from the beginning. Also remember the Xavier loss by 40 in 1955-56 when we went on to win college basketball’s then most prestigious tournament at the end of the year.
Anyone remember Iona, Ruland and 1980?
Deja vu?
We were on an 18 game tear when we strutted into the Garden in our last regular season game ranked #2…
and had our head handed to us by Mr. Ruland 77-60.
But…after that loss, Griff and the guys just put on the afterburners.
Will this team?
On to the Garden….
with the knowledge (and anxiety) that there is a HUGE statistical difference between being a
# 3 or #4 seed in the NCAA. (Ck it out.)
Thanks,
Frank
http://hellinthehall.wordpress.com/
Right on the mark!
We won the second half by 2–even when we got out-shot and out-rebounded badly. D did it.