Finally finished the game:
1) Even though Virginia shot very well in the 1st half, I thought our defense was much improved. I liked the switching. And our rotations were good.
2) This game should not have been as close as it was. Steward missed two wide open threes and three FTs. Clark made two threes as a 30% shooter. We could have won by double digits.
3) I like how every time we got down 4-5, we immediately came up with a couple huge baskets.
4) Moore was great. All his misses were off of late shotclock forced shots. Had seven assists to only one turnover and played some really good defense. He's doing much better at not driving too deep into the lane.
5) Brakefield just knows how to play. That fake dribble handoff is an example of what I mean. He was calling for the ball because he knew he had a mismatch. Then he ran a misdirect. And when he got to the basket he did the reverse layup to avoid getting his shot blocked.
6) Goldwire has had a lot of amazing games for us, but this was one of his best. Four steals, which I believe led to seven points. And he was continually switched onto Huff, and Huff did very little on those possessions. I hope he comes back next year.
7) Roach looks really good when his shot is falling and he's not tasked with too much distribution. Where that leaves his role next year, I'm not sure.
8) I would have liked to see more minutes from Williams, but Brakefield was playing so well you can't too mad at it. Also, can our guards learn how to throw a damn entry pass or hit a roll man? They were missing Williams over and over when he was in.
9) I think this is the most hatable UVA team yet. Between Clark with his stupid ball fake, Huff screaming after he jumped three inches in the air to dunk it, and those walk-ons (team managers?) on the baseline doing the fake CPR and other celebrations, it was a joy to beat them. It should be a rule that if you're on a team as boring as UVA, you're not allowed to celebrate. I bet George Mikan didn't scream and holler after he finger-rolled the ball into a basket to give his team the 12-8 win.
10) I know we still might make the tournament this year, but it's hard not to look forward to next year. I think we might surprise some people with how dominant we are.
11) Bilas sucks.
