BYU could not play uptempo with Iona
Seth Davis said it best on the pre-game show when he said that Iona would press the Cougars, and the game would be dictated on how BYU point guard Matt Carlino would handle the pressure.
That was an understatement.
Iona's guards jumped all over Carlino in the first half, casuing turnovers, bad decisions, and fast break points. Iona had 29 fast break points in the first half...29!
Carlino refused to slow the game down and control the tempo, throwing full court passes to big men Davies and Hartsock, which played right into what Iona wanted. They had 2 players waiting for the pass to strip the ball away and push the ball back up the court.
After the turnovers, BYU could not keep up with the athletic backcourt of Iona as they were unable to get back on defense and contest open jumpers. Iona was 5-10 from behind the arc in the first half, all uncontested. BYU coudn't match speed in man defense, so BYU was forced to play zone most of the game. Playing zone wasn't a bad decision (as we saw in the 2nd half) but when the rotations to shooters were as slow as they were, you get exposed.
Iona couldn't play with BYU in a half court game
BYU fans should thank Craig Cusick. He was a huge reason the Cougars were able to come back and win, but sadly, he won't get the credit he deserves.
He didn't score a single point in the game, but he didn't have to. He brought order back to the game in the second half, controlling the tempo by walking the ball up the floor, which virtually parylized Iona's offense. He had one turnover for the entire game, and he got the ball to BYU's biggest weapons in Hartsock and Davies.
Once the game turned into a half court game, BYU had the advantage inside with Hartsock and Davies. Iona's tallest player is listed at 6'7" and was no match for the Cougars inside.
I'm still trying to figure out where Iona's pressure went in the second half. Instead of going for the kill, the Gaels dropped back into a half court zone defense with ZERO pressure of the point guard. Fatigue was obviously a factor for this decision, but they played that way for the entire half! The zone helped slow the tempo, and the lack of pressure let BYU off the hook big time and allowed them to make a comeback.
The Cougars never could get into their zone in the first half, because Iona had the ball across half court in no time. Their rotations were bad and it was very helter skelter. The second half was a whole other story. Because of the tempo change, BYU was able to get back on defense, set their zone, and their rotations were crisp and quick. Every Iona shooter had a hand in their face and shots were challenged with much more effort.
Dave Rose heard me screaming through the TV to put DeMarcus Harrison in the game
4-6 shooting from the field, 12 points. You're welcome.
President Obama didn't stick around to see the game
His possible future competition is a Mormon. You don't think that had anything to do with it!?
You live and die by the 3-Pointer
Iona was on fire in the first half going 5-10 from the 3 point line, however, they shot only 1-15 from distance in the second half, which proved fatal for the Gaels.
BYU shot 12 more free throws than Iona, once they started to play from the inside-out. Iona only shot 8 free throws in the game, mostly because they settled for jump shots and didn't attack the basket. Hot shooting won't last forever, and when Iona went cold they should have attacked to get easier shots, or at least get to the free throw line. That is on the coach.
Noah Hartsock is the heart and soul of BYU
At the beginning of the year everyone was talking about Brandon Davies coming back and leading this Cougar team.
They were wrong.
Davies is an important piece to the Cougars, but it's the "bald eagle" Noah Hartsock that is the most important player on the team. Without Hartsock, there is no way BYU is in the tournament. Noah has been great all season and has carried this team to where they are right now. Hartsock MUST have a big game if the Cougars want to get past Marquette tomorrow.
All the bracketologists and experts on ESPN, CBS, etc. have "chalk" all through their brackets. Here are some teams to watch that could make some noise in the Tournament.
Under the radar teams to watch in the Tournament
Florida State
This is my sleeper Final Four team. They are the #3 seed in the East region, but Florida State isn't being talked about by anybody. This team beat North Carolina (twice, and once handily by 33 and the other for the ACC Tournament Title), Duke (twice), Virginia (twice), and NC State. The Seminoles' strength is their defense, especially from their big man Bernard James who averages 2.3 BPG. They are not a great shooting team, so they are vulnerable to a zone defense, but barring any epic cold shooting nights, the Noles can get deep into the second weekend, if not further.
Baylor
A lot of people are down on Baylor because of their losses down the stretch of the season. Let me put their losses into perspective...Kansas, Missouri, Iowa State, and Kansas State (all Tournament teams, two are #2 Seeds in the Tournament.) None of those are bad losses, not to mention they beat Kansas and Kansas State to get to the Big 12 Title Game where they eventually lost to Missouri. With one of the biggest and best frontcourts in the country, led by Perry Jones III and Quincy Acy, they can match up with anybody inside. If Pierre Jackson and Brady Heslip get hot from the outside, opening up the middle for the bigs, Baylor will be an extremely tough out in the South region.
Long Beach State
An experienced team with a starting line up made up of four seniors, led by guard Casper Ware who averages 17.4 PPG, and one junior, the 49ers have what it takes to make a run in the tournament. Long Beach had a brutal schedule playing North Carolina, Kansas, Kansas St, Pittsburgh, Louisville, San Diego St, Xavier, and Creighton, so they are no stranger to the big stage or a power opponent. They open the tournament against Mountain West Tournament Champ New Mexico, if they get past them I think they can get to the sweet 16.
Murray State
It wouldn't be a surprise if Murray State made a deep run this March. The only weakness on this team is rebounding. They rank 237th in defensive rebounding and could prove fatal if they don't focus on crashing the boards in the tournament. The Racers finished the regular season with a 30-1 record and won the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament. Their star, Isaiah Canaan (This year's Jimmer Fredette, if you have seen him play at all, then you know what I mean) should be a first team All-American averaging 19.2 PPG and is shooting 47% from distance. When Canaan crosses half court, he is in shooting range and he is the heart and soul of this Racers team. Expect Murray State to go as far as Canaan will take them.
For part 1: The top 5 Backcourts in the NBA CLICK HERE
For more info on what PER is CLICK HERE
TIE 5. Los Angeles Clippers
Oklahoma City Thunder
Caron Butler 13.9 PPG 4.0 RPG 1.5 APG 13.35 PER
Blake Griffin 21.7 PPG 11.2 RPG 3.0 APG 23.63 PER
DeAndre Jordan 8.2 PPG 9.2 RPG 2.6 BPG 17.65 PER
Kevin Durant 27.7 PPG 7.9 RPG 3.4 APG 27.49 PER
Serge Ibaka 8.3 PPG 7.7 RPG 3.2 BPG 17.55 PER
Kendrick Perkins 4.4 PPG 6.2 RPG 1.2 BPG 7.11 PER
Both of these teams have great frontcourts, and I couldn't put one in front of the other.
The Clippers are "sexier" on paper with Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, but I think the "blue collar" play of Perkins and Ibaka in Oklahoma City gets overlooked with most of the spotlight going to All-Stars Durant and Westbrook.
Kendrick Perkins brings Championship experience from the Boston Celtics, and Serge Ibaka leads the NBA in blocks and has become one of the elite defenders in the league. There is no doubt that the Thunder wouldn't be where they are without their two big men in the middle.
The Clippers are one of the most entertaining teams to watch in the league, living up to their "lob city" nickname. However, I think they will need to be more "fundamental city" if they want to be serious contenders in the West. Griffin and Jordan can jump out of the gym, but one day reality will set in and they will need to replace alley-oops and highlight dunks with lock down defense and execution.
4. New York Knicks
Carmelo Anthony 21.5 PPG 5.8 RPG 4.1 APG 19.37 PER
Amare Stoudemire 17.4 PPG 7.9 RPG 1.3 APG 16.12 PER
Tyson Chandler 11.7 PPG 9.7 RPG 1.4 BPG 19.77 PER
Best way to describe the Knicks' frontcourt would be - underachievers. A group of great players that don't live up to their potential because of lack of effort on defense (with exception to Chandler who has anchored the D all season). On paper this trio should be top 2, or even the best in the league, however, on the court when the ball is tipped is a different story.
Carmelo Anthony is the most overrated player in the league. That's a bold statement, but I stand by it. How can Melo be considered an elite player along with Kobe, LeBron, Howard, Paul, etc. when he doesn't put in any effort on the defensive end? Sure he can score in bunches, but it doesn't do his team any good when he gives up just as many due to his lack of effort. To be considered a "superstar" you must play hard on both ends of the floor. Image how good he could be if he didn't have the Randy Moss attitude.
Just like Stockton made Malone, Nash made Amare. He hasn't put up the same numbers since he left Phoenix, but he's still the same great player, just not as good of a point guard feeding him the ball. There was talk about the Knicks trying to acquire Nash, but then that "Linsanity" thing happened. Amare says the right things to the public, but is secretly screaming obscenities inside his head.
Alot of people were critical of Mark Cuban for not re-signing Tyson Chandler, a critical piece to the Mavs Championship run, during the off-season. I'm sure that will stop when he signs Deron Williams and/or Dwight Howard this coming off-season because of the cap space Chandler freed up. Good news for the Knicks, a defensive minded center fell right into their laps. He is limited on the offensive end, but he is the heart and soul of the New York defense and does so many things that don't show up in the box score.
3. Chicago Bulls
Luol Deng 15.6 PPG 7.1 RPG 3.2 APG 15.50 PER
Carlos Boozer 15.5 PPG 8.2 RPG 1.7 APG 20.08 PER
Joakim Noah 9.7 PPG 10.2 RPG 1.3 BPG 19.19 PER
I had to witness Carlos Boozer play basketball for years in Utah. I have nothing good to say about him...he yells "and 1" a lot...lets move on.
Luol Deng made his first All-Star appearance this year, and has become a great complement to Derrick Rose. Deng is a great defender, he can score on the offensive end, and he has range to go along with it.
Who wouldn't want Joakim Noah on their team? Not only that, but who wouldn't want to hang out with Noah for a day? If there was a enter-to-win-a-day-with-Joakim-Noah contest I would enter. I guarantee it would be the craziest, weirdest day of your life. And that pony tail/bun...what a thing of beauty. Noah does the dirty work for Chicago. He plays great D in the low post, rebounds, blocks shots, sets screens to free up his teammates, and brings energy to the team.
2. Los Angeles Lakers
Metta World Peace 5.0 PPG 2.8 RPG 2.0 APG 7.49 PER
Pau Gasol 16.9 PPG 10.5 RPG 1.3 BPG 21.18 PER
Andrew Bynum 16.2 PPG 12.8 RPG 2.1 BPG 21.98 PER
Isn't it ironic that Ron Artest, the guy that is famous for going into the stands and laying a beat down on some fans is now called Metta World Peace. With the crappy season he is having that is all we will say about him.
Gasol and Bynum are the best power forward-center combo in the West...when they are healthy. Together they give the Lakers some unbelievable length and size that other teams struggle to match up against.
Bynum has struggled his whole career with injuries, but he seems to be on the upswing as he is having a great season and was named a starter on the All-Star team this season in Orlando.
Pau Gasol looks like he was raised by a pack of Alpacas and like he hasn't showered in weeks. Having said that, he is one of the most skilled big men in the league. His name has been involved in trade rumors all season, first in the Chris Paul deal that was shot down by David Stern, and now in a rumored deal for Orlando's Dwight Howard. I believe Pau will be with the Lakers through the end of the season now that the Nets' Brook Lopez is healthy, who was the original trade target for Orlando.
1. Miami Heat
LeBron James 27.4 PPG 8.1 RPG 6.8 APG 32.41 PER
Chris Bosh 18.4 PPG 8.3 RPG 2.0 APG 19.74 PER
Joel Anthony 3.0 PPG 4.3 RPG 1.2 BPG 8.97 PER
The Heat take the top spot because of LeBron James. It doesn't matter if you love him or hate him, LeBron is the most complete player in the NBA. He can score at will, he is an excellent facilitator when he needs to be, and he consistently rebounds the ball. He is a triple double threat every time he steps onto the floor.
Against Portland on March 1st, LeBron did something that hasn't been done in the history of the NBA. He played 41 minutes, had 38 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 steals, 1 block, and 0...yes ZERO turnovers. That is downright ridiculous. No one else has done that...not even Michael. (In no way am I saying LeBron is better than Jordan...I'm just saying)
The third Heetle, Chris Bosh, takes a lot of unwarranted criticism in my opinion. He is a "star" on a team with two "superstars" so naturally he has to take a backseat to LeBron and Wade, but I will take Bosh as my 3rd best player any day of the week. It was a sad day when he left the Raptors, because he could be a player and the mascot at the same time. oh well.
The Miami players don't pass to Joel Anthony. As a matter of fact, if they did pass to him I don't think he would know what to do with the ball when he got it. Anthony is the living definition of "blue collar" player. He doesn't get any credit or any of the spotlight, but he works his butt off every night on defense, getting the All-Stars open, which unfortunately for him doesn't show up in a box score. He is a very underrated player in my mind that deserves a lot more credit than he is getting.
