Who steps up in Livers' absence. The team steps up. Other than some missed free throws and Eli having a forgettable game on offense, the entire rotation was locked in on defense, boxing out on rebounds and running the high IQ offense. FSU's heads were spinning. They were reduced to contested threes on offense and getting dominated in the paint on defense. Perhaps the most striking thing about the result is that points in the paint won the game with only occasional assistance from jump shooting. The foul discrepancy was stark. Double bonus for us; never in the bonus at all for them.
We executed them with our execution at both ends. Our switches were smooth on defense; and they had a hard time driving the ball. We scouted their weaknesses and tendencies and anticipated really well. Hamilton is a mentor to Juwan, but the student out-coached the teacher today.
There was a thread about who on the current roster we'd most want back next season between Smith and Eli. Someone said that Smith was not that great, maybe we should move on. IMO, Smith was MVP today. He was almost flawless against pressure. He was patient, as Juwan wanted, and got us into the offense every time. He made a couple of delicious drives and finishes into the trees. He was a mismatch against their size- in his favor. Too quick, too heady. One commentator at the half pointed out that FSU is accustomed to create turnovers for easy points, but we were disciplined and didn't turn it over often; thanks to Smith.
Brandon Johns was impressive. He attacked the basket, made good cuts at the right time, was a man on the boards and defense. He showed nice touch on a couple of short shots in the lane. He ran hard on the breaks and getting back on defense. He is adept at going straight up against a driver without fouling and forcing a tough shot. Carpe diem. His play in the tournament bodes well for next season.
Franz shuts people down in isolation. He played a complete game today but for three point shooting, but he only took a couple, IIRC. On one play he'll get all the way to the rim and extend those that long arm for finger roll; on the next, he'll hit Hunter with a sweet bounce pass for a dunk. He appears to have mastered the X Simpson running hook shot. He'll bring the ball up against pressure. Chaundee scored at all levels - threes, drives, weak side cuts, offensive rebound put back. His strong drive into the bigs with the up and under finish was nice. And his harassing defensive energy off the bench means that the opponent can't rest. Chaundee was super efficient in his minutes.
Hunter had a little trouble finishing but not much. A couple of times he played volleyball with himself. He and Brandon kept rebounds alive for second and third chances. Neither of their bigs, who were VERY big, had the skill level to match. Along with Hunter's skill is a lot of poise and determination. He's a beast.
The best moment of all was Jace's three point play followed by Juwan's fist pump. And that is fitting, because this game screamed "great coaching." We wore the opponent down MENTALLY. The FSU body language was saying "no mas."
We executed them with our execution at both ends. Our switches were smooth on defense; and they had a hard time driving the ball. We scouted their weaknesses and tendencies and anticipated really well. Hamilton is a mentor to Juwan, but the student out-coached the teacher today.
There was a thread about who on the current roster we'd most want back next season between Smith and Eli. Someone said that Smith was not that great, maybe we should move on. IMO, Smith was MVP today. He was almost flawless against pressure. He was patient, as Juwan wanted, and got us into the offense every time. He made a couple of delicious drives and finishes into the trees. He was a mismatch against their size- in his favor. Too quick, too heady. One commentator at the half pointed out that FSU is accustomed to create turnovers for easy points, but we were disciplined and didn't turn it over often; thanks to Smith.
Brandon Johns was impressive. He attacked the basket, made good cuts at the right time, was a man on the boards and defense. He showed nice touch on a couple of short shots in the lane. He ran hard on the breaks and getting back on defense. He is adept at going straight up against a driver without fouling and forcing a tough shot. Carpe diem. His play in the tournament bodes well for next season.
Franz shuts people down in isolation. He played a complete game today but for three point shooting, but he only took a couple, IIRC. On one play he'll get all the way to the rim and extend those that long arm for finger roll; on the next, he'll hit Hunter with a sweet bounce pass for a dunk. He appears to have mastered the X Simpson running hook shot. He'll bring the ball up against pressure. Chaundee scored at all levels - threes, drives, weak side cuts, offensive rebound put back. His strong drive into the bigs with the up and under finish was nice. And his harassing defensive energy off the bench means that the opponent can't rest. Chaundee was super efficient in his minutes.
Hunter had a little trouble finishing but not much. A couple of times he played volleyball with himself. He and Brandon kept rebounds alive for second and third chances. Neither of their bigs, who were VERY big, had the skill level to match. Along with Hunter's skill is a lot of poise and determination. He's a beast.
The best moment of all was Jace's three point play followed by Juwan's fist pump. And that is fitting, because this game screamed "great coaching." We wore the opponent down MENTALLY. The FSU body language was saying "no mas."
