[fullmetal]

A lot of this is Stanford taking what the defense gives them as far as best looks.  As long as the shots are falling, it's great, until the shooters get cold.  I don't know whether Stanford has a talent advantage that allows them to dictate shot selection.

It was a much different game than the February Big Dunk -- this was a game of streaks.  Stanford locked it down when it mattered and made their shots count.  I know, the mid-range jumpers and threes won't always be falling, but we have to learn to play against teams that are good at defending the paint.  When opponents don't defend the paint as well, surely we know what to do.

Stanford's seen Louisville recently, so let's see if they can take those lessons to heart and adapt!

[fullmetal]

A lot of this is Stanford taking what the defense gives them as far as best looks.  As long as the shots are falling, it's great, until the shooters get cold.  I don't know whether Stanford has a talent advantage that allows them to dictate shot selection.

It was a much different game than the February Big Dunk -- this was a game of streaks.  Stanford locked it down when it mattered and made their shots count.  I know, the mid-range jumpers and threes won't always be falling, but we have to learn to play against teams that are good at defending the paint.  When opponents don't defend the paint as well, surely we know what to do.

Stanford's seen Louisville recently, so let's see if they can take those lessons to heart and adapt!

[Nobadeer]

LSJU got outrebounded 34-21. But shot 11 of 21 on threes. (Other than Stoyokovic, Cal was 1 of 11 on threes.)

Reynaud's last minute, full court chase-down block on Stoyokovic was like Igoudala, or LeBron.

And Okpara, 5 pts in the final half minute. Don't think, just go! And he did!

Beat the Cardinals! Wes Unseld, Junior Bridgeman, Pervis Ellison, et al.

[Nobadeer]

LSJU got outrebounded 34-21. But shot 11 of 21 on threes. (Other than Stoyokovic, Cal was 1 of 11 on threes.)

Reynaud's last minute, full court chase-down block on Stoyokovic was like Igoudala, or LeBron.

And Okpara, 5 pts in the final half minute. Don't think, just go! And he did!

Beat the Cardinals! Wes Unseld, Junior Bridgeman, Pervis Ellison, et al.

[Hieronymus]

LSJU got outrebounded 34-21. But shot 11 of 21 on threes. (Other than Stoyokovic, Cal was 1 of 11 on threes.)

Reynaud's last minute, full court chase-down block on Stoyokovic was like Igoudala, or LeBron.

And Okpara, 5 pts in the final half minute. Don't think, just go! And he did!

Beat the Cardinals! Wes Unseld, Junior Bridgeman, Pervis Ellison, et al.

Dreadful, dreadful rebounding performance. Stanford had 14 defensive rebounds vs. 13 offensive for Kal. Just ugh. Also, defense on some dude on Kal was out to lunch much of the night. Fortunately, they did just enough other stuff well to beat a badly depleted Kal team.

[Hieronymus]

LSJU got outrebounded 34-21. But shot 11 of 21 on threes. (Other than Stoyokovic, Cal was 1 of 11 on threes.)

Reynaud's last minute, full court chase-down block on Stoyokovic was like Igoudala, or LeBron.

And Okpara, 5 pts in the final half minute. Don't think, just go! And he did!

Beat the Cardinals! Wes Unseld, Junior Bridgeman, Pervis Ellison, et al.

Dreadful, dreadful rebounding performance. Stanford had 14 defensive rebounds vs. 13 offensive for Kal. Just ugh. Also, defense on some dude on Kal was out to lunch much of the night. Fortunately, they did just enough other stuff well to beat a badly depleted Kal team.

[PVTree]

Watching it live, I thought that was going to be an offensive foul on Okpara instead of "and 1" foul on Stojko.

Benny's late three with the game tied was the play of the game IMHO.

[PVTree]

Watching it live, I thought that was going to be an offensive foul on Okpara instead of "and 1" foul on Stojko.

Benny's late three with the game tied was the play of the game IMHO.

[SkiBum80]

So just wondering, back in the dark period, when the Ghost of Playoffs Past (Coach Haase) was asked to not let the door hit him on the way out,
and half of the team was bolting for the portal, the better half of the team in fact,
and new Coach KS was just coming in, looking like he might have to put a jersey on the team statistician for need of a warm body,
how many of us would have predicted a 20-win season?

[SkiBum80]

So just wondering, back in the dark period, when the Ghost of Playoffs Past (Coach Haase) was asked to not let the door hit him on the way out,
and half of the team was bolting for the portal, the better half of the team in fact,
and new Coach KS was just coming in, looking like he might have to put a jersey on the team statistician for need of a warm body,
how many of us would have predicted a 20-win season?

[SamuelMcF]

So just wondering, back in the dark period, when the Ghost of Playoffs Past (Coach Haase) was asked to not let the door hit him on the way out,
and half of the team was bolting for the portal, the better half of the team in fact,
and new Coach KS was just coming in, looking like he might have to put a jersey on the team statistician for need of a warm body,
how many of us would have predicted a 20-win season?

I certainly wouldn't have, and didn't. Neither did preseason polls, picking us 17th out of 18 in the conference. (We finished 7th!)

Turning an excellent player, 1-2 good players (depending how you define Sellers), and zero depth/a box of misfit toys into a competent team should be considered a major accomplishment for coach Smith in year 1 of what's expected to be a complete down-to-the-studs multi-year rebuild.

[SamuelMcF]

So just wondering, back in the dark period, when the Ghost of Playoffs Past (Coach Haase) was asked to not let the door hit him on the way out,
and half of the team was bolting for the portal, the better half of the team in fact,
and new Coach KS was just coming in, looking like he might have to put a jersey on the team statistician for need of a warm body,
how many of us would have predicted a 20-win season?

I certainly wouldn't have, and didn't. Neither did preseason polls, picking us 17th out of 18 in the conference. (We finished 7th!)

Turning an excellent player, 1-2 good players (depending how you define Sellers), and zero depth/a box of misfit toys into a competent team should be considered a major accomplishment for coach Smith in year 1 of what's expected to be a complete down-to-the-studs multi-year rebuild.

[needle]

At half, Ga. Tech leads Duke, 31-26. Haven't been watching, but this is a true double-take kind of score.

EDIT: Duke ends up pulling away in the second half and wins it, 78-70. I don't think Flagg returned after his first-half injury.

[needle]

At half, Ga. Tech leads Duke, 31-26. Haven't been watching, but this is a true double-take kind of score.

EDIT: Duke ends up pulling away in the second half and wins it, 78-70. I don't think Flagg returned after his first-half injury.

[Jamesy]

At half, Ga. Tech leads Duke, 31-26. Haven't been watching, but this is a true double-take kind of score.

And Cooper Flagg got hurt

[Jamesy]

At half, Ga. Tech leads Duke, 31-26. Haven't been watching, but this is a true double-take kind of score.

And Cooper Flagg got hurt

[Goose]

Turning an excellent player, 1-2 good players (depending how you define Sellers), and zero depth/a box of misfit toys into a competent team should be considered a major accomplishment for coach Smith in year 1 of what's expected to be a complete down-to-the-studs multi-year rebuild.

IMO virtually everyone agrees that this team played vastly better than initial expectations/conventional wisdom would have predicted. Coach Smith certainly was a large part of that. That is the "good" news. As far as a "down to the studs" rebuild goes this year may not have helped that much. That isn't a criticism of coach Smith, as he had no time to recruit the "young talent" necessary for such a rebuild.
 
This year was IMO an "extract maximum benefit from what you have" year, not a "build for the future" year. Every year is a new challenge, but next year will tell us a lot more about where we are in our "rebuild" efforts. We may win fewer games next year while at the same time setting Stanford up to win many more games two or three years from now. Of course, it would be better to be building for the future while winning in the present. That may not be possible next year.

[Goose]

Turning an excellent player, 1-2 good players (depending how you define Sellers), and zero depth/a box of misfit toys into a competent team should be considered a major accomplishment for coach Smith in year 1 of what's expected to be a complete down-to-the-studs multi-year rebuild.

IMO virtually everyone agrees that this team played vastly better than initial expectations/conventional wisdom would have predicted. Coach Smith certainly was a large part of that. That is the "good" news. As far as a "down to the studs" rebuild goes this year may not have helped that much. That isn't a criticism of coach Smith, as he had no time to recruit the "young talent" necessary for such a rebuild.
 
This year was IMO an "extract maximum benefit from what you have" year, not a "build for the future" year. Every year is a new challenge, but next year will tell us a lot more about where we are in our "rebuild" efforts. We may win fewer games next year while at the same time setting Stanford up to win many more games two or three years from now. Of course, it would be better to be building for the future while winning in the present. That may not be possible next year.

[skip75]

One down, three to go!

Beating Cal is always a big deal - beating them 3 times in the same season for the first time in 64 years is something special.  But, regardless of what you think of him, you've got to tip your hat to Andrej Stojakovich - although the cynic in me wonders where he'll be playing next year.  Most of the observations I have were pretty well covered by others of you.  Maxime was his usual self, but a bit short of the double-double.  He was human with 3 TOs and a missed FT, but came up with a spectacular block when it was really needed.  Benny was as reliable as ever - including a key offensive rebound & 3 in the clutch (2-2 from 3).  Jaylen was better than ever - 21 pts, 6 assists/1 TO, 3 steals, 3 rebounds (which inexplicably was 2nd only to Maxime's 8).  And Chisom.  He has gotten so much better as he has played with a bit more control.  A solid line with 12 pts (4-4 on 2s, 1-1 on 3s, 1-1 FT), 1 assist, 1 steal, 0 TOs(!!!), but also 0 rebounds(???).  His drive at the end (with only a 2-3 second difference between the shot & game clocks) was one of those NO,NO,NO,NO,YESSSS! moments.

So now it's on to Louisville.  The Cardinals are favored by 10.5, O/U is 143.5, implied score is 77-66.5.  They beat Stanford 68-48 just 5 days ago.  Here is the preview & game thread from that one: 
https://thecardboard.org/board/showthread.php?tid=25507

They used runs of 13-0 & 14-1 to take a 33-18 lead at halftime lead.  They are experienced (6 of their 8 rotational players are seniors - or beyond) & athletic.  Chucky Hepburn (1st team All-ACC & ACC Defensive PoY) & Terrence Edwards Jr. wreaked havoc at both ends of the floor.  Stanford shot only 10-30 on 2s & 7-26 on 3s (along with 7-13 on FTs!?!) partly due to an off day shooting, but also because they had so much trouble initiating offense against the pressure of Louisville's switching defense.  I would be totally pessimistic about today's game if Stanford had not turned it around a bit in the 2nd half on Saturday.  I'm hoping that was due to some adjustments that they can build on today, and not merely Louisville letting up with a comfortable lead.

A big question going into today's game is the status of Reyne Smith - Louisville's 3pt marksman.  He sat out Saturday's game with an ankle injury and has been called day-to-day.  Not sure if the Louisville message board knows any more than we do, but they are expecting him to be out again - partly to make sure he is fully recovered going into the NCAA tourney (which Louisville would be in even with an upset today).

[skip75]

One down, three to go!

Beating Cal is always a big deal - beating them 3 times in the same season for the first time in 64 years is something special.  But, regardless of what you think of him, you've got to tip your hat to Andrej Stojakovich - although the cynic in me wonders where he'll be playing next year.  Most of the observations I have were pretty well covered by others of you.  Maxime was his usual self, but a bit short of the double-double.  He was human with 3 TOs and a missed FT, but came up with a spectacular block when it was really needed.  Benny was as reliable as ever - including a key offensive rebound & 3 in the clutch (2-2 from 3).  Jaylen was better than ever - 21 pts, 6 assists/1 TO, 3 steals, 3 rebounds (which inexplicably was 2nd only to Maxime's 8).  And Chisom.  He has gotten so much better as he has played with a bit more control.  A solid line with 12 pts (4-4 on 2s, 1-1 on 3s, 1-1 FT), 1 assist, 1 steal, 0 TOs(!!!), but also 0 rebounds(???).  His drive at the end (with only a 2-3 second difference between the shot & game clocks) was one of those NO,NO,NO,NO,YESSSS! moments.

So now it's on to Louisville.  The Cardinals are favored by 10.5, O/U is 143.5, implied score is 77-66.5.  They beat Stanford 68-48 just 5 days ago.  Here is the preview & game thread from that one: 
https://thecardboard.org/board/showthread.php?tid=25507

They used runs of 13-0 & 14-1 to take a 33-18 lead at halftime lead.  They are experienced (6 of their 8 rotational players are seniors - or beyond) & athletic.  Chucky Hepburn (1st team All-ACC & ACC Defensive PoY) & Terrence Edwards Jr. wreaked havoc at both ends of the floor.  Stanford shot only 10-30 on 2s & 7-26 on 3s (along with 7-13 on FTs!?!) partly due to an off day shooting, but also because they had so much trouble initiating offense against the pressure of Louisville's switching defense.  I would be totally pessimistic about today's game if Stanford had not turned it around a bit in the 2nd half on Saturday.  I'm hoping that was due to some adjustments that they can build on today, and not merely Louisville letting up with a comfortable lead.

A big question going into today's game is the status of Reyne Smith - Louisville's 3pt marksman.  He sat out Saturday's game with an ankle injury and has been called day-to-day.  Not sure if the Louisville message board knows any more than we do, but they are expecting him to be out again - partly to make sure he is fully recovered going into the NCAA tourney (which Louisville would be in even with an upset today).

[needle]

Thanks, skip75 for this preview and all of the others. I always look forward to your thoughts on these match-ups.

[needle]

Thanks, skip75 for this preview and all of the others. I always look forward to your thoughts on these match-ups.

[Bampa]

I am not that surprised. Duke's strength of schedule is an issue going forward.

I predict they will not win the NCAA championship.

[Bampa]

I am not that surprised. Duke's strength of schedule is an issue going forward.

I predict they will not win the NCAA championship.

[JohnR34231]

One down, three to go!

Beating Cal is always a big deal - beating them 3 times in the same season for the first time in 64 years is something special.  But, regardless of what you think of him, you've got to tip your hat to Andrej Stojakovich - although the cynic in me wonders where he'll be playing next year.  Most of the observations I have were pretty well covered by others of you.  Maxime was his usual self, but a bit short of the double-double.  He was human with 3 TOs and a missed FT, but came up with a spectacular block when it was really needed.  Benny was as reliable as ever - including a key offensive rebound & 3 in the clutch (2-2 from 3).  Jaylen was better than ever - 21 pts, 6 assists/1 TO, 3 steals, 3 rebounds (which inexplicably was 2nd only to Maxime's 8).  And Chisom.  He has gotten so much better as he has played with a bit more control.  A solid line with 12 pts (4-4 on 2s, 1-1 on 3s, 1-1 FT), 1 assist, 1 steal, 0 TOs(!!!), but also 0 rebounds(???).  His drive at the end (with only a 2-3 second difference between the shot & game clocks) was one of those NO,NO,NO,NO,YESSSS! moments.

So now it's on to Louisville.  The Cardinals are favored by 10.5, O/U is 143.5, implied score is 77-66.5.  They beat Stanford 68-48 just 5 days ago.  Here is the preview & game thread from that one: 
https://thecardboard.org/board/showthread.php?tid=25507

They used runs of 13-0 & 14-1 to take a 33-18 lead at halftime lead.  They are experienced (6 of their 8 rotational players are seniors - or beyond) & athletic.  Chucky Hepburn (1st team All-ACC & ACC Defensive PoY) & Terrence Edwards Jr. wreaked havoc at both ends of the floor.  Stanford shot only 10-30 on 2s & 7-26 on 3s (along with 7-13 on FTs!?!) partly due to an off day shooting, but also because they had so much trouble initiating offense against the pressure of Louisville's switching defense.  I would be totally pessimistic about today's game if Stanford had not turned it around a bit in the 2nd half on Saturday.  I'm hoping that was due to some adjustments that they can build on today, and not merely Louisville letting up with a comfortable lead.

A big question going into today's game is the status of Reyne Smith - Louisville's 3pt marksman.  He sat out Saturday's game with an ankle injury and has been called day-to-day.  Not sure if the Louisville message board knows any more than we do, but they are expecting him to be out again - partly to make sure he is fully recovered going into the NCAA tourney (which Louisville would be in even with an upset today).

Kinda hard to be optimistic about this one.
About all you can say is you never know.

[JohnR34231]

One down, three to go!

Beating Cal is always a big deal - beating them 3 times in the same season for the first time in 64 years is something special.  But, regardless of what you think of him, you've got to tip your hat to Andrej Stojakovich - although the cynic in me wonders where he'll be playing next year.  Most of the observations I have were pretty well covered by others of you.  Maxime was his usual self, but a bit short of the double-double.  He was human with 3 TOs and a missed FT, but came up with a spectacular block when it was really needed.  Benny was as reliable as ever - including a key offensive rebound & 3 in the clutch (2-2 from 3).  Jaylen was better than ever - 21 pts, 6 assists/1 TO, 3 steals, 3 rebounds (which inexplicably was 2nd only to Maxime's 8).  And Chisom.  He has gotten so much better as he has played with a bit more control.  A solid line with 12 pts (4-4 on 2s, 1-1 on 3s, 1-1 FT), 1 assist, 1 steal, 0 TOs(!!!), but also 0 rebounds(???).  His drive at the end (with only a 2-3 second difference between the shot & game clocks) was one of those NO,NO,NO,NO,YESSSS! moments.

So now it's on to Louisville.  The Cardinals are favored by 10.5, O/U is 143.5, implied score is 77-66.5.  They beat Stanford 68-48 just 5 days ago.  Here is the preview & game thread from that one: 
https://thecardboard.org/board/showthread.php?tid=25507

They used runs of 13-0 & 14-1 to take a 33-18 lead at halftime lead.  They are experienced (6 of their 8 rotational players are seniors - or beyond) & athletic.  Chucky Hepburn (1st team All-ACC & ACC Defensive PoY) & Terrence Edwards Jr. wreaked havoc at both ends of the floor.  Stanford shot only 10-30 on 2s & 7-26 on 3s (along with 7-13 on FTs!?!) partly due to an off day shooting, but also because they had so much trouble initiating offense against the pressure of Louisville's switching defense.  I would be totally pessimistic about today's game if Stanford had not turned it around a bit in the 2nd half on Saturday.  I'm hoping that was due to some adjustments that they can build on today, and not merely Louisville letting up with a comfortable lead.

A big question going into today's game is the status of Reyne Smith - Louisville's 3pt marksman.  He sat out Saturday's game with an ankle injury and has been called day-to-day.  Not sure if the Louisville message board knows any more than we do, but they are expecting him to be out again - partly to make sure he is fully recovered going into the NCAA tourney (which Louisville would be in even with an upset today).

Kinda hard to be optimistic about this one.
About all you can say is you never know.

[SkiBum80]

Turning an excellent player, 1-2 good players (depending how you define Sellers), and zero depth/a box of misfit toys into a competent team should be considered a major accomplishment for coach Smith in year 1 of what's expected to be a complete down-to-the-studs multi-year rebuild.

IMO virtually everyone agrees that this team played vastly better than initial expectations/conventional wisdom would have predicted. Coach Smith certainly was a large part of that. That is the "good" news. As far as a "down to the studs" rebuild goes this year may not have helped that much. That isn't a criticism of coach Smith, as he had no time to recruit the "young talent" necessary for such a rebuild.
 
This year was IMO an "extract maximum benefit from what you have" year, not a "build for the future" year. Every year is a new challenge, but next year will tell us a lot more about where we are in our "rebuild" efforts. We may win fewer games next year while at the same time setting Stanford up to win many more games two or three years from now. Of course, it would be better to be building for the future while winning in the present. That may not be possible next year.

You have a point. 
I'm trying to be realistic and yet still subject to partiality to look at the glass a little more half full.
I assume we are losing Raynaud and Blakes for sure after this season. Big gaping holes to fill no doubt.
Hopefully no others?
Coach KS was able to bring in 2 great transfers this year in Blakes and Sellers that were arguably the #2 and #3 of key players this season.
(And arguably his coaching helped give them really good, or their best, seasons)
Can he repeat that transfer magic?
Maybe some good growth next year from Donavin Young and Cameron Grant who showed occasional flashes of talent (among youthful inconsistency)?
I remain more focused on seeing how far this team can go this year, most likely hoping they do some real damage in the NIT as my best guess/most likely hope.
Then will resume the scrutiny for next year ,which I hope remains more hopeful glass half full than half empty.

[SkiBum80]

Turning an excellent player, 1-2 good players (depending how you define Sellers), and zero depth/a box of misfit toys into a competent team should be considered a major accomplishment for coach Smith in year 1 of what's expected to be a complete down-to-the-studs multi-year rebuild.

IMO virtually everyone agrees that this team played vastly better than initial expectations/conventional wisdom would have predicted. Coach Smith certainly was a large part of that. That is the "good" news. As far as a "down to the studs" rebuild goes this year may not have helped that much. That isn't a criticism of coach Smith, as he had no time to recruit the "young talent" necessary for such a rebuild.
 
This year was IMO an "extract maximum benefit from what you have" year, not a "build for the future" year. Every year is a new challenge, but next year will tell us a lot more about where we are in our "rebuild" efforts. We may win fewer games next year while at the same time setting Stanford up to win many more games two or three years from now. Of course, it would be better to be building for the future while winning in the present. That may not be possible next year.

You have a point. 
I'm trying to be realistic and yet still subject to partiality to look at the glass a little more half full.
I assume we are losing Raynaud and Blakes for sure after this season. Big gaping holes to fill no doubt.
Hopefully no others?
Coach KS was able to bring in 2 great transfers this year in Blakes and Sellers that were arguably the #2 and #3 of key players this season.
(And arguably his coaching helped give them really good, or their best, seasons)
Can he repeat that transfer magic?
Maybe some good growth next year from Donavin Young and Cameron Grant who showed occasional flashes of talent (among youthful inconsistency)?
I remain more focused on seeing how far this team can go this year, most likely hoping they do some real damage in the NIT as my best guess/most likely hope.
Then will resume the scrutiny for next year ,which I hope remains more hopeful glass half full than half empty.

[ADPinWDC]

This is a "Show us what you got left in the Tank" game... 
"Gotta leave it all on the court today.  Nothing to lose."  
"On any given Thursday..."  "That is why they play the games".  
"Keep matriculating the ball down the court, boys" 
-- got some cliches out of the way.  

LOUV will play an up tempo game again so that our defense never gets set. 
They got to watch the video also from the last game.  
They might press a bit more and try to get turnovers.  
We can shoot better threes, and make it closer -- but their offense comes from all points on the compass.

[ADPinWDC]

This is a "Show us what you got left in the Tank" game... 
"Gotta leave it all on the court today.  Nothing to lose."  
"On any given Thursday..."  "That is why they play the games".  
"Keep matriculating the ball down the court, boys" 
-- got some cliches out of the way.  

LOUV will play an up tempo game again so that our defense never gets set. 
They got to watch the video also from the last game.  
They might press a bit more and try to get turnovers.  
We can shoot better threes, and make it closer -- but their offense comes from all points on the compass.

[newguy]

today's game has been moved to ESPN2.

[newguy]

today's game has been moved to ESPN2.

[skip75]

Reyne Smith is out, but Noah Waterman opens up doing a good impersonation of him with 2 3s.  Louisville up early 6-4.

[skip75]

Reyne Smith is out, but Noah Waterman opens up doing a good impersonation of him with 2 3s.  Louisville up early 6-4.

[CompSci87]

Wow, we're ahead at halftime 33-30.

[CompSci87]

Wow, we're ahead at halftime 33-30.

[TheFarm07]

We are up 33-30 at the half. We couldn't take advantage of a scoring slump from Louisville early on but both teams started finding the basket later into the half.

Fortunately, Sellers emerged as the primary option outside of Raynaud but we got some timely 3's by Okpara and Agarwal.

Defensively, we gave up a couple alley-oops to Scott and we haven't been able to stop Waterman & Edwards Jr.

33 points the first half is a much better showing so far than our most recent outing against them.

Hopefully, we'll be able to watch Raynaud's two fouls and pull off the victory!

[TheFarm07]

We are up 33-30 at the half. We couldn't take advantage of a scoring slump from Louisville early on but both teams started finding the basket later into the half.

Fortunately, Sellers emerged as the primary option outside of Raynaud but we got some timely 3's by Okpara and Agarwal.

Defensively, we gave up a couple alley-oops to Scott and we haven't been able to stop Waterman & Edwards Jr.

33 points the first half is a much better showing so far than our most recent outing against them.

Hopefully, we'll be able to watch Raynaud's two fouls and pull off the victory!

[JohnR34231]

Wow, we're ahead at halftime 33-30.

Yeah can we end the game now?

[JohnR34231]

Wow, we're ahead at halftime 33-30.

Yeah can we end the game now?