Tough to watch, but as everyone is point out: it's better to win ugly than to lose. And I think it's true that there's a different feeling in these games compared to years past: I never felt like we would lose tonight.
A couple of quick observations
- The blocked shots are great, but something is seriously wrong with our defensive positioning. Whether we are in man or zone, guys are getting to the basket far too easily. Our strategy can't be to block everything from behind. That won't work when we play Big East teams that are more athletic.
- Sanchez might be a wing player after this season, in his pro career overseas. But for us, he's a post-player. I can live with the occasional 3, but he's hoisting up too many right now, and he's a liability bringing the ball up as often as he does. I know it helps us push the tempo when our rebounder can take the ball and run, but he's making some ill-advised decisions on the break. After the rebound he's got to simply give an outlet pass to one of the guards.
- Pointer and Branch need to be given a green light to shoot. They play big minutes, they handle the ball, and defenses sag off of them. They're passing up both wide open looks and the opportunity to take their man off the dribble.
It's fine that the offense runs through Harrison and Sampson, but the other guys still have to be more aggressive. If they have space - take the shot or drive to the rim.
- Neither here nor there, but coach should go back to wearing a suit. Being compared to Bob Huggins is almost never a good thing.