Post-Game: OSU @ UA

Highlight Video

The Good:

• Chase Budinger gets his second 20+ point game this week, and has signs that his confidence is returning along with his 3-point shot.
• The Wildcats nearly out-rebounded themselves offensively (16)versus defensively (17). I love to see that because it means the ‘Cats aren’t giving up when they’re having an off-shooting night. They’re playing hard on each possession, and exploiting their athleticism and height.
• Coming off the bench, Zane Johnson provided a big boost for the ‘Cats in his second consecutive game. Against the Oregon schools Johnson averaged 8 points, 2.5 assists, and 4 rebounds in 21 minutes. As the season wears on, and the starters get worn out, the ‘Cats will need their bench to keep stepping up and Johnson’s performance is showing vast improvement and usefulness.
• Putting up 64 points in a game that was essentially cut by 25% thanks to the slow-down Beavers’ offense. The ‘Cats could’ve controlled the tempo a lot more, but they didn’t need to. I believe they could’ve scored more, but to score only 10% less than your average when your opportunities are limited by a slowed-down game, I’ll take it.

The Bad:

• Kyle Fogg continues to falter during the games. He continually passes up open looks at the basket, and we’ve seen an increase in the mental lapses which reveal him for the freshman that he is. At this rate, despite being one of the better defenders on the team, he’s going to find himself coming off the bench before another week is out.
• Jamelle Horne was enough to make you pace because of his offensive decisions tonight. Horne took a lot of ill-advised shots tonight, and his 3-9 performance reflects it perfectly. Horne avoids the “ugly” section thanks to his hustle on the glass. Horned had 4 offensive rebounds and 3 defensive to go along with several other plays that forced dead-ball rebounds for Arizona. His efforts gave Arizona second and sometimes third opportunities, and essentially made up for his poor shot selection tonight.

The Ugly:

• Nic Wise found it hard to score tonight, hitting only one shot in nine attempts. Largely because he lacked a lot of aggressiveness on the offensive end and was settling for jump shots all night long. I’m glad Wise was making an effort not to over-penetrate, but this isn’t what the ‘Cats need either. Wise needs to find that middle ground between over-aggressive and settling for the jumper.
• The entire second half - Failed to score in the first five minutes. Shot 2-14 in the first 11 minutes of the second half. Shot 8-26 in the entire second half. Gave up 12 points in the paint to the Beavers… I think you get the point. Whether it’s lack of focus or exhaustion does make a difference, but that was still awful.

Jordan Hill

Player of the Game:

Jordan Hill – Yes, I know Budinger had more points and was everywhere tonight. But Hill carried the team as his 8 offensive rebounds helped direct the team to 17 second-chance points. His efforts kept the possessions alive and in turn the lead over the Beavers.

Cop-Out Coach

 

Oregon State Coach Craig Robinson is tossed with a little over two minutes remaining in an eight-point game. With a game that close, I can’t help but ask myself, “Why on earth did he do that? What was he thinking?!” The Beavers were out-shooting the Wildcats on the night. In fact, the Wildcats were so bad during the second half that during the final 6 minutes of the game they had more points from the free throw line (eight) than from the field (six). So with the Beavers down 8, controlling the tempo of the game, and the Wildcats having a horrible half shooting, why did Robinson get himelf thrown out of the game by complaining about a loose-ball foul? 

What set me off?” said Robinson, repeating a post-game question.

“When my two guys fell down and there was no call, that’s what set me off. … and I think the fouls were 15-4 (OSU had 15) when I left.

“That was the point at which I wanted our guys to know that I wasn’t allowing them to get pushed around any longer. I wanted to sort of stand up for them.”

Okay Coach, I can respect that, especially since the Wildcats had 5 fouls on the night compared to the Beavers’ 16. But it just doesn’t sit right with me. Why? Because when a team has 16 team fouls it means that they aren’t moving their feet, establishing position, and tend to be reaching. In short, they aren’t hustling and are getting beat to loose balls, rebounds, and facing a team that is playing hard.

My suspicion was further confirmed when I read what Daniel Deane had to say about the technicals.

“They (the refs) didn’t call anything, so it wasn’t a push,” he said. “We were playing hard. They were playing hard. It was an intense game. Emotions were flying around. … me and (Johnson) both went hard for the rebound, and a couple of their players went hard, too. That’s about it.”

Bottom line, Robinson’s actions got him kicked out of a close game, and cost the Beavers any chance they had left. Sometimes a coach finding themselves watching the rest of the game from the locker room can ignite a team. If that was his intent, it backfired. The Beavers would not score again after Robinson’s ejection. Next time coach, instead of getting on the refs, try getting on your players a little more about moving their feet and boxing out instead.

All Quotes taken from: Oregon Live - Coach Rob pulls a Rasheed