Was at the game. Not much of a voice left. I think Cash had a ton on his shoulders today. First, Cronin said he didn't practice until Friday to try to get Cash's shoulder to heal. Second, he was breaking a press the entire game without much help. Third, he was guarding the other teams best player. They did not move enough on offense, which led him to dribbling a ton of the game, even in the half court. Literally no movement on offense. I didn't see many screens off the ball at all (I actually can't remember one)...they were just spread out and going with all on-ball screens...interesting approach. I mean you gotta set screens for SK when he doesn't have the bal. I can't tell if the spread/lack of movement was Mick or if that was just our players standing still but clearly we need to move the ball more, and have players move without the ball. Mick said after the game that this was a problem, and it led to Alabama never being out of position which made it hard for us to get open shops, and also helped them dominate on the boards. He clearly knows what the problem was but needs to get that point across to the team.
Observations:
-Alabama is really good. I think that's a top 20-25 team.
-I could be in the minority...but Rubles is infuriating. I might be missing something but he looks completely out of control to me. I'm guessing he lights it up in practice b/c Cronin lets him keep going. By the end of the game, I really was fed up with him and hoping Mick would sit him down altogther. At one point with 3 minutes left, he got the ball at the top of the key, and you could hear a meaningful amount of fans say "Nooo." With the 3 amigos, I think it's pretty assumptive for him to be going 1-on-1 so much and forcing shots. Anyone else feel this way?
-The ref with the gray hair was horrible. The other one was good but we definitely got jobbed on a few calls.
-Cheik was strong today
-I thought G-lawn gave some good minutes. He's gotta keep working on those handles for next season though.
Altogether, a dog fight against a really tough team. I wish our offense would have been more sound with ball movement and we would break the press easier but, we stuck it out against a solid team and found a way to win. Mick will have plenty to work on which is good...gotta keep getting better.
7-0 baby! 3 more and Santa shaves his head...
