This one has a pronounced “s.”
Read it, don’t read it, I don’t care…just needed to get some things off my chest.
In no particular order of chronology or importance…
On the clock. Old format still. Let’s turn and burn.
EMAIL: mark_filler@hotmail.com
TWITTER: @fillerbuster11
Random thoughts on the championship game (I have decided to not include my FULL journal-you are welcome):
-Starting out CBS’s coverage with Charles Barkley saying Louisville and saying the “s” was absolutely awesome.
-Before the game, people talked a lot less about the basketball part of losing Kevin Ware than I expected. It was all emotional talk. Charles was one of the first people to actually acknowledge the tactical loss. It is also kind of cool the MVP of the Final Four was the kid subbing in for him.
-The game was solid all around, and very fun to watch. It was a good enough game that it seemed that everyone forgot that Chris Webber did finally show up.
-I think Trey Burke is just practicing NBA range three point shots WHILE in college. Dude has crazy range.
-Spike Albrecht averaged 1.8 points going into this game. I noticed he created the Dirk disease at halftime. No one among the analysts was pronouncing his name the same.
-The people who are complaining about Beilein taking out Burke in the 1st half with two fouls are probably the same ones who would complain about Beilein had Burke got his 3rd foul if left in. It is his methodology, and if you want to complain about anything, complain about his not knowing they hadn’t pushed Louisville to the bonus yet late in the game.
-On that note, Pitino coached a perfect game. Every decision seemed to be the right one. In the first half, he left Hancock in with 2 fouls while taking Russ Smith out…like he KNEW he would hit those 4 straight 3’s. I would say the only thing he did wrong the entire evening was think that fireworks for his team were gunfire. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gg65UTbuOH8&feature=youtu.be
-Most people don’t realize what slight fluctuations Pitino makes in his defense every time down the floor. The other team can’t get the hang of it.
-If you are worried about the state of Michigan basketball, know that in the first half of the championship game at one point, they had ALL freshman on the floor.
-I liked the Coke Zero video game commercial.
-I had NO idea that Luke Hancock was on that 2011 George Mason team that knocked out Nova in the second round of the tourney before Larranaga left for Miami.
-It is tough to see because it happens gradually, but Louisville’s 2013 team just simply keeps throwing bodies at you until you wore down.
-Shame to see good ole’ Spike come out of his zone in the second half…
-Putting big man Gorgui Dieng on Burke at times was a great move. Yes, sometime it was because of a switch, but it was pretty effective aside from when he was shooting from mid court. Dieng getting 6 assists in the game was also pretty stellar. AND I saw a hook shot that was more “sky” than “hook.” Dude has been PRACTICING.
-SEVEN offensive rebounds? Chane Behanan didn’t get the pub, but most of us know he pretty much won that thing in the second half with his effort. He was everywhere.
-I liked Beilein playing Burke off the ball in the second half at the two spot. What I failed to understand as to why he didn’t pick on the Hardway-Hancock matchup when it was there.
-Hancock played REALLY smart in getting McGary’s fourth foul on that 3 pointer.
-67-64 and Burke makes an AMAZING block on a Siva breakaway. I am sad to know what kind of fantastic ending we could have had that BS ghost foul not been called.
-I don’t know what the stats say, but just know not many first time Final Four coaches ever win both games. You need one time around so you are more prepped for the next time.
-Why was Russ Smith shooting with 25 seconds on the shot clock up 8 late?
-Why was UL FOULING late in the game?
-Can someone track me down a 2013 Michigan National Champions ball cap?
That is it. I have work to do. I will save all non bball stuff for the rest of the week. Will I blog tomorrow? That is a CLOWN question, bro. Peace.