[SkiBum80]

Okpara's unforced TO (he drove into a double team) with 1:20 to go was the turning point.  He shouldn't have been in the game.

Today was far from Smith's best coaching job.  Stephen had 4 fouls from 5 minutes on, and we never once targeted him.  Gealer was on the bench for the final couple of minutes.  I'd much rather have Rohosy in the game than Camann near the end, but Rohosy was sitting.  Just a lot of questionable stuff.

Oh, and let's not forget that we finished the game with an unused timeout.

Rohosy was  zero for four from the free shot line and is shooting at a 29% rate from the line this season. You just can’t afford to have him in the game down the stretch. I think this is first time Okorie has seen determined defenders who are quick as he is. He will get used to it but as a freshman , he still needs to make some adjustments . Having him in games like this down the stretch is critical for his development.  You never like to lose but if his development costs you a game it’s a worth while.

I think your other points are valid , though I am more inclined to cut Smith some slack than you are .

Just the other day in a different thread, I said that I liked Smith as coach.  That hasn't changed--this was just a stinker of a game.

Agree, still like the coach, stinker of a game. But if the stinker games continue, I won't like the coach quite so much.
My guess, based on his past elsewhere, and more recent with us, is he is pissed about it too and working on getting out a better game next one up.

[SkiBum80]

Okpara's unforced TO (he drove into a double team) with 1:20 to go was the turning point.  He shouldn't have been in the game.

Today was far from Smith's best coaching job.  Stephen had 4 fouls from 5 minutes on, and we never once targeted him.  Gealer was on the bench for the final couple of minutes.  I'd much rather have Rohosy in the game than Camann near the end, but Rohosy was sitting.  Just a lot of questionable stuff.

Oh, and let's not forget that we finished the game with an unused timeout.

Rohosy was  zero for four from the free shot line and is shooting at a 29% rate from the line this season. You just can’t afford to have him in the game down the stretch. I think this is first time Okorie has seen determined defenders who are quick as he is. He will get used to it but as a freshman , he still needs to make some adjustments . Having him in games like this down the stretch is critical for his development.  You never like to lose but if his development costs you a game it’s a worth while.

I think your other points are valid , though I am more inclined to cut Smith some slack than you are .

Just the other day in a different thread, I said that I liked Smith as coach.  That hasn't changed--this was just a stinker of a game.

Agree, still like the coach, stinker of a game. But if the stinker games continue, I won't like the coach quite so much.
My guess, based on his past elsewhere, and more recent with us, is he is pissed about it too and working on getting out a better game next one up.