While I agree that the officiating didn’t make “the” difference in this game, I do think it was ever present. There were !many! overly-physical clear-outs that went uncalled, many fouls on us while shooting that went uncalled, etc. It set a tone for a very physical game that we don’t play well.
And, is it just me or did it seem that Pitt was a PG and a bunch of 3s on the floor at all times?
Great post. Do we really have to reach the semis though to go dancing? ESPN Analytics had us at an interesting 29.5% chance despite the loss, and I would figure that number would make sense for winning the next 3. Winning 4 in a row, especially if we get the 8-9 seed which would end up being duke in the quarterfinals, seems almost impossible. As bad as this loss is, wouldn't ~5-6 quad 1 wins (depending on the shakeups of those wins) and some favorable losses from bubble teams around us, be a more realistic path?
I don't think so - too many other bubble teams hanging around the hoop. Losing at WF would have been ok relatively speaking. This is a disaster because it is at home against a terrible opponent.
It's often the games you least suspect. I couldn't watch due to my location, but the problems were evident in the gamecast (and also the stats).
NIT was the primary growth goal this year but, man, it would have been so nice to be in the Big Dance. Still hoping for a miracle.
While I agree that the officiating didn’t make “the” difference in this game, I do think it was ever present. There were !many! overly-physical clear-outs that went uncalled, many fouls on us while shooting that went uncalled, etc. It set a tone for a very physical game that we don’t play well.
And, is it just me or did it seem that Pitt was a PG and a bunch of 3s on the floor at all times?
You tell me at the beginning of the year were an NIT team, I’d have been happy.
Cal still somehow managed to make that fact completely disappointing and underwhelming with this awful effort. Wild.
Clear progress in year 3 is nice. Now what happens in year 4, tho, with what is likely another completely rebuilt roster?
Great post. Do we really have to reach the semis though to go dancing? ESPN Analytics had us at an interesting 29.5% chance despite the loss, and I would figure that number would make sense for winning the next 3. Winning 4 in a row, especially if we get the 8-9 seed which would end up being duke in the quarterfinals, seems almost impossible. As bad as this loss is, wouldn't ~5-6 quad 1 wins (depending on the shakeups of those wins) and some favorable losses from bubble teams around us, be a more realistic path?
I don't think so - too many other bubble teams hanging around the hoop. Losing at WF would have been ok relatively speaking. This is a disaster because it is at home against a terrible opponent.
You now have to win the next 2, AND win a quality ACCT game, AND get help.
This was the 1 game they could not afford to lose - a Q3 at home. Blown out - never led.
Not a Tournament team, despite what Capel said. When shots aren’t falling there’s no ability to score.
A very disappointing loss.