Since we don't have a woman's basketball post - just some notes from yesterday's loss against #18 Arizona.
- Nick has been pessimistic about the state of CWBBall's defense, and I've been more optimistic with the additions of Tuitile and Martin, and the improvement of Michelle Onyiah. We've been beaten pretty handily by any of the top 100 teams we've played so fa - Notre Dame, SMU and Stanford - but I would argue that Notre Dame and Stanford outclassed us pretty badly on the talent end - and we hung with them until the last few minutes. Losing to SMU and giving up some high shooting percentages against teams we've beaten - left Nick feeling down about the state of the defense.
- We hung in there against Arizona - even without Peanut Tuitile. We were down as many as 13, and both Jayda and Evelein were really misfiring. And even though we gave up a bunch of transition buckets - we dug in defensively - and relied on scoring from Lei and Kemery to keep us close. We got within 3 at one point, but just couldn't hit the shot to tie or go ahead.
- Charmin drew up this absolutely beautiful SLOB play that was a lob from Kemery to Evelein in the opposite corner and then had Jayda coming around a top of the key screen for the 3. Such a sweet play - alas, Jayda missed the shot.
I was at the game, so saw the whole thing. Was very pleasantly surprised. As I noted in the post-game thread, Fox should be gone (last night's game be damned). I'd say the win had nothing to do with him. The offense (altho inappropriate to use that word here) was stagnant per usual, but the late-in-the-shot-clock shots just happened to go in. Yes, and Joel had some great drives. And Grant Newell was vacuuming up boards (and ended with a double double).
"The best part about the Colorado game was how much fun the Bears looked like they were having."
I was behind the bench, so was hard to see that. But none of the joy was coming from Fox. He was stomping and yelling at them even when the Bears were up 21 (with 6 minutes to go). What an unpleasant person he must be to play for.
"the silliest futile garbage time runs I’ve ever seen"
Not sure if by "silliest" you meant "surreal" or "unexpectedly effective". It seemed silly at the start, until everyone realized that Fox had seemingly never prepped the team on how to beat a press. The Buffs were one missed 3 (with about 25 secs left) from tying the game.
As far as when to fire him, I agree that the now or March might not really matter. Besides just getting the search process started sooner. And letting the players know that there is accountability.
If memory serves, Campanelli was fired mid-season and replaced with Bozeman. To great success (at least that season, and until more was learned about his process). But that was a team with great talent that blossomed with the change. I think a firing now doesn't change results, but shows a decision being made. Versus "covid, injuries, etc."
I guess this game is payback for the football team losing last October. At least Buff fans know what it is like to lose to the worst team in college basketball, just like we found out what it was like to lose to the worst team in college football. Sigh.......
Good post, Nick. I think the stars all aligned for this game. This is the sort of season where we really can't expect any win so have to take pleasure in the bright spots when they happen. Congrats to Joel for his fantastic performance.
(And, yes, Fox needs to be gone either at the end of the season or before. I think Knowlton also needs the boot but will probably get to see a trial year of Spavital.)
Since we don't have a woman's basketball post - just some notes from yesterday's loss against #18 Arizona.
- Nick has been pessimistic about the state of CWBBall's defense, and I've been more optimistic with the additions of Tuitile and Martin, and the improvement of Michelle Onyiah. We've been beaten pretty handily by any of the top 100 teams we've played so fa - Notre Dame, SMU and Stanford - but I would argue that Notre Dame and Stanford outclassed us pretty badly on the talent end - and we hung with them until the last few minutes. Losing to SMU and giving up some high shooting percentages against teams we've beaten - left Nick feeling down about the state of the defense.
- We hung in there against Arizona - even without Peanut Tuitile. We were down as many as 13, and both Jayda and Evelein were really misfiring. And even though we gave up a bunch of transition buckets - we dug in defensively - and relied on scoring from Lei and Kemery to keep us close. We got within 3 at one point, but just couldn't hit the shot to tie or go ahead.
- Charmin drew up this absolutely beautiful SLOB play that was a lob from Kemery to Evelein in the opposite corner and then had Jayda coming around a top of the key screen for the 3. Such a sweet play - alas, Jayda missed the shot.
Let's see how we do tomorrow against ASU
I was at the game, so saw the whole thing. Was very pleasantly surprised. As I noted in the post-game thread, Fox should be gone (last night's game be damned). I'd say the win had nothing to do with him. The offense (altho inappropriate to use that word here) was stagnant per usual, but the late-in-the-shot-clock shots just happened to go in. Yes, and Joel had some great drives. And Grant Newell was vacuuming up boards (and ended with a double double).
"The best part about the Colorado game was how much fun the Bears looked like they were having."
I was behind the bench, so was hard to see that. But none of the joy was coming from Fox. He was stomping and yelling at them even when the Bears were up 21 (with 6 minutes to go). What an unpleasant person he must be to play for.
"the silliest futile garbage time runs I’ve ever seen"
Not sure if by "silliest" you meant "surreal" or "unexpectedly effective". It seemed silly at the start, until everyone realized that Fox had seemingly never prepped the team on how to beat a press. The Buffs were one missed 3 (with about 25 secs left) from tying the game.
As far as when to fire him, I agree that the now or March might not really matter. Besides just getting the search process started sooner. And letting the players know that there is accountability.
If memory serves, Campanelli was fired mid-season and replaced with Bozeman. To great success (at least that season, and until more was learned about his process). But that was a team with great talent that blossomed with the change. I think a firing now doesn't change results, but shows a decision being made. Versus "covid, injuries, etc."
I guess this game is payback for the football team losing last October. At least Buff fans know what it is like to lose to the worst team in college basketball, just like we found out what it was like to lose to the worst team in college football. Sigh.......
Good post, Nick. I think the stars all aligned for this game. This is the sort of season where we really can't expect any win so have to take pleasure in the bright spots when they happen. Congrats to Joel for his fantastic performance.
(And, yes, Fox needs to be gone either at the end of the season or before. I think Knowlton also needs the boot but will probably get to see a trial year of Spavital.)
Thanks Nick!! They’re totally fixed. Just shoot 60% from the field and we’re golden!!
Extend Fox.
;-)
So what you're saying is it's time for another extension?
Anyone else worried that we win just enough games to give Knowlton the opportunity to make some ridiculous argument for keeping Fox?