Feels odd to even be discussing basketball tonight, but here we are.
- This could be a game to build on for Capel. Sometimes there are just games that can catapult a program to something better. I don't think Syracuse is that good, but to come from 14 down at half and pull that off on the road, there is a chance. I did not think this team had that effort in them at this point. The first half is about how I expected the game to go. But they decided at half time that they just weren't going to take it. This wasn't pretty or about making a bunch of threes. They just came together and made winning plays. Even though Syracuse answered several times throughout the second half. Big time and very impressive. Just unfortunate that Justin is on the sidelines. This team should be 3-0.
- When I picked Femi as my biggest impact for the freshmen, this is what I anticipated. He had a few sloppy plays and lapses, but he is fearless and can do things that you can't teach. That one drive and finish in the first half was a pro move. He has so much work to do but for now, he does so many little things that lead to winning. His emergence has also seemed to settle Xavier down a little.
- I have been critical of Ithiel, but he deserves credit again. He still didn't shoot it well, but he never lost confidence. That is a big development for this team. I have seen some games this year where he just crawled into a shell after a couple of misses. Not tonight, and they needed his deep makes desperately.
- Au'diese took some time to get back into rhythm, but I thought he looked really good from a physical standpoint. He actually looked extra springy to me. His vertical seems to be energized from the time off, which is good to see. Once he settled down, he was dominant. The 14 rebounds were needed big time, and the 3 assists were all critical in a three point game. He battled the entire time and deserved that tip. All he does is stay quiet and perform.
- Xavier didn't play all that well either, but the 7 assists to 1 turnover ratio is going to lead to wins. The shot selection could have been better, but those late threes were clutch. As were the three steals. Even if he isn't making shots, this team still has a chance when he goes 7:1.
- Terrell was basically all but done it seemed, but came up with that second half. Good for him, as he produced several big time winning plays. As the theme of the night went, miss an easy lay up but then come back and finish an alley oop.
- William also deserves credit. It wasn't a big night, but he was poised inside the zone as a freshman. The shot he made was a tough one, and he didn't force anything. Not many kids his age could navigate that 2-3 zone in the middle like that. Deserves a ton of credit for all 8 rebounds.
That was the story of the game. Every single player faced adversity and struggled for stretches, but they all came back and responded. A total team effort. The defense was not good at all for most of the game, but they also tightened that up late. It reminded me of experienced and winning teams that just turn it on and reverse the momentum of a game. I'm not saying they are there yet, but this one may go a long way in them figuring it out.
Now when will they play again?
- This could be a game to build on for Capel. Sometimes there are just games that can catapult a program to something better. I don't think Syracuse is that good, but to come from 14 down at half and pull that off on the road, there is a chance. I did not think this team had that effort in them at this point. The first half is about how I expected the game to go. But they decided at half time that they just weren't going to take it. This wasn't pretty or about making a bunch of threes. They just came together and made winning plays. Even though Syracuse answered several times throughout the second half. Big time and very impressive. Just unfortunate that Justin is on the sidelines. This team should be 3-0.
- When I picked Femi as my biggest impact for the freshmen, this is what I anticipated. He had a few sloppy plays and lapses, but he is fearless and can do things that you can't teach. That one drive and finish in the first half was a pro move. He has so much work to do but for now, he does so many little things that lead to winning. His emergence has also seemed to settle Xavier down a little.
- I have been critical of Ithiel, but he deserves credit again. He still didn't shoot it well, but he never lost confidence. That is a big development for this team. I have seen some games this year where he just crawled into a shell after a couple of misses. Not tonight, and they needed his deep makes desperately.
- Au'diese took some time to get back into rhythm, but I thought he looked really good from a physical standpoint. He actually looked extra springy to me. His vertical seems to be energized from the time off, which is good to see. Once he settled down, he was dominant. The 14 rebounds were needed big time, and the 3 assists were all critical in a three point game. He battled the entire time and deserved that tip. All he does is stay quiet and perform.
- Xavier didn't play all that well either, but the 7 assists to 1 turnover ratio is going to lead to wins. The shot selection could have been better, but those late threes were clutch. As were the three steals. Even if he isn't making shots, this team still has a chance when he goes 7:1.
- Terrell was basically all but done it seemed, but came up with that second half. Good for him, as he produced several big time winning plays. As the theme of the night went, miss an easy lay up but then come back and finish an alley oop.
- William also deserves credit. It wasn't a big night, but he was poised inside the zone as a freshman. The shot he made was a tough one, and he didn't force anything. Not many kids his age could navigate that 2-3 zone in the middle like that. Deserves a ton of credit for all 8 rebounds.
That was the story of the game. Every single player faced adversity and struggled for stretches, but they all came back and responded. A total team effort. The defense was not good at all for most of the game, but they also tightened that up late. It reminded me of experienced and winning teams that just turn it on and reverse the momentum of a game. I'm not saying they are there yet, but this one may go a long way in them figuring it out.
Now when will they play again?
