** I think it’s fair to say that it’s not quite a good thing that we witnessed a game this exciting against a team such as Canisius.
** But let’s give our Golden Foes some credit. They played three fourths of this contest like they wanted it a little more than we did. And our Golden Panthers played a little too much they were going through the motions. That is until they finally snapped out of it and got down to business midway through the second half.
** It’s also not quite a good thing that Coach Capel actually needed to make a key defensive adjustment to turn the tide against the Griffins. But let’s give him due credit for making this move because it indeed made all the difference
** Jeff went to the 1-2-2 zone (or 3-2 depending how you want to call it) right around the same time the Panthers went down by seven in the second half. And the zone gave us three straight stops and the lead.
** And I don’t think Canisius would have ever led again if it weren’t for a really poor call from referee Clarence Armstrong that resulted in three foul shots.
** But the basketball gods interceded and allowed Ish to bank in a near corner three to make up the difference.
** While the 1-2-2 zone wasn’t exactly perfect, it was pretty interesting, especially when a team can put three guys up top who are 6-3, 6-5, and 6-11 like the Panthers did for most of its use.
** Jeff did plenty of tinkering with the lineup in this one pushing mostly the buttons that worked. Fede’s struggles continued in the first half so starting GDG in the 2nd half made plenty of sense. And Fede responded with two much needed buckets down the stretch.
** Jaland continues to improve a little more and more. And Jorge may have given the Panthers his best minutes of the year.
** Will finally showed some offense and even turned himself into the 30% shooter from three within one game.
** But let’s also mention Will’s play in this one that mattered most. With three minutes to go, I kind of wondered to myself why Capel went back to Will in place of Jorge as Twin 2’s length was seemingly making a huge difference defensively. Was it possible that Jeff knew he’d need Will’s quickness to hustle down an offensive rebound that led to a Fede Ally-Oop and a nine point lead?
** I’m still having a hard time knowing just what this team’s ceiling really is. Just two games ago, we looked like had no bench to speak of, and just like the WVU game, our extra four were tremendous difference makers.
** Today, they stood in for 71 minutes and 22 points.
** Collectively, they are giving Coach more options and more options are often how teams become the best team they can be.
** Teams are also the best team they can be when their best players play like their best players, and our top trio fit the bill, especially in the second half.
** Of course, I still wish that Bub didn’t seem quite so allergic to contact. I’m not questioning his toughness mind you. But at least twice tonight, he drove the lane and could have tried for a contested finish. But on both occasions, he decided to dish instead to mixed results. So at this point he’s purely a finesse player, and as long as the leads the Panthers to wins, I suppose complains aren’t quite so warranted.
** Meanwhile, everything Blake Hinson seems to be doing right now is leading the Panthers in a winning direction.
** If someone thinks there has been a better player in the Country over the last four games, I challenge them to tell me who that is.
** During this stretch, he’s averaging 26 PPG, 5.8 rebounds, shooting 57% from the floor and unreal 62% from three, while just turning it over 5 times.
** More impressive was his wisdom to drive the basketball this day when the Griffins did everything in their power to plan against him letting the three fly.
** Most impressive was diving on the floor with a little under 4 minutes to go to secure a loose ball that eventually pushed the Panther lead to 9.
** During the open practice in October, I recall wondering who this team’s leader would be, even though we knew Blake was their best player. Blake may not be the same kind of leader that Brandin, Jaron, Levance or Jamarius were for their teams with their demeanor. But at the moment, Blake is every bit their equal as a leader with his play.
** And with this leadership, Panther fans were able to go home happy, regardless of the notion that this game was perhaps a little more exciting than it should have been.
** But let’s give our Golden Foes some credit. They played three fourths of this contest like they wanted it a little more than we did. And our Golden Panthers played a little too much they were going through the motions. That is until they finally snapped out of it and got down to business midway through the second half.
** It’s also not quite a good thing that Coach Capel actually needed to make a key defensive adjustment to turn the tide against the Griffins. But let’s give him due credit for making this move because it indeed made all the difference
** Jeff went to the 1-2-2 zone (or 3-2 depending how you want to call it) right around the same time the Panthers went down by seven in the second half. And the zone gave us three straight stops and the lead.
** And I don’t think Canisius would have ever led again if it weren’t for a really poor call from referee Clarence Armstrong that resulted in three foul shots.
** But the basketball gods interceded and allowed Ish to bank in a near corner three to make up the difference.
** While the 1-2-2 zone wasn’t exactly perfect, it was pretty interesting, especially when a team can put three guys up top who are 6-3, 6-5, and 6-11 like the Panthers did for most of its use.
** Jeff did plenty of tinkering with the lineup in this one pushing mostly the buttons that worked. Fede’s struggles continued in the first half so starting GDG in the 2nd half made plenty of sense. And Fede responded with two much needed buckets down the stretch.
** Jaland continues to improve a little more and more. And Jorge may have given the Panthers his best minutes of the year.
** Will finally showed some offense and even turned himself into the 30% shooter from three within one game.
** But let’s also mention Will’s play in this one that mattered most. With three minutes to go, I kind of wondered to myself why Capel went back to Will in place of Jorge as Twin 2’s length was seemingly making a huge difference defensively. Was it possible that Jeff knew he’d need Will’s quickness to hustle down an offensive rebound that led to a Fede Ally-Oop and a nine point lead?
** I’m still having a hard time knowing just what this team’s ceiling really is. Just two games ago, we looked like had no bench to speak of, and just like the WVU game, our extra four were tremendous difference makers.
** Today, they stood in for 71 minutes and 22 points.
** Collectively, they are giving Coach more options and more options are often how teams become the best team they can be.
** Teams are also the best team they can be when their best players play like their best players, and our top trio fit the bill, especially in the second half.
** Of course, I still wish that Bub didn’t seem quite so allergic to contact. I’m not questioning his toughness mind you. But at least twice tonight, he drove the lane and could have tried for a contested finish. But on both occasions, he decided to dish instead to mixed results. So at this point he’s purely a finesse player, and as long as the leads the Panthers to wins, I suppose complains aren’t quite so warranted.
** Meanwhile, everything Blake Hinson seems to be doing right now is leading the Panthers in a winning direction.
** If someone thinks there has been a better player in the Country over the last four games, I challenge them to tell me who that is.
** During this stretch, he’s averaging 26 PPG, 5.8 rebounds, shooting 57% from the floor and unreal 62% from three, while just turning it over 5 times.
** More impressive was his wisdom to drive the basketball this day when the Griffins did everything in their power to plan against him letting the three fly.
** Most impressive was diving on the floor with a little under 4 minutes to go to secure a loose ball that eventually pushed the Panther lead to 9.
** During the open practice in October, I recall wondering who this team’s leader would be, even though we knew Blake was their best player. Blake may not be the same kind of leader that Brandin, Jaron, Levance or Jamarius were for their teams with their demeanor. But at the moment, Blake is every bit their equal as a leader with his play.
** And with this leadership, Panther fans were able to go home happy, regardless of the notion that this game was perhaps a little more exciting than it should have been.
