USF - Part II

[lmu2015]

I timed it several times, the 5 second call was 4.3 seconds. The ref started at 1 second but still, don't know how we blew this one.

[golions1444]

don't worry my reverse jinx is working wonders so far....

[lmu2015]

Don't remember last time LMU put up 100 in conference play. Team looked like it had good chemistry on the court, USF has been playing really well and we just flat out outplayed them.

[lmu2015]

Also not too often the team the blows the lead going into OT steps it up like that.

[Deleted]

Not good giving up a 20 point lead but a win is a win. Money was the key in OT - set the tone by playing fearless right away.

[pumpfake]

Whew! Shamar again! Great at both ends of the court. Great to see Haney have a big game. Brown was Brown and Money was Money! And Herman wasn't Herman. I have to say that I am bullish on Herman and think he will be an important cog the next 2 years. It was nice to see the Lions show some grit. Shamar, Haney, and Tutu especially really battled. Finally, McClendon is a work in progress for sure but he brings an element of toughness that we sorely need.

[pumpfake]

Looking at the stats it's worth noting that, in an otherwise forgetful game, Humphries had 10 boards.

[LIONS90045]

Before today’s game, in my mind, the jury still was out on this squad and Dunlap. After today’s OT win, I see a real case for optimism about the future.

Something happens when you know the onus is on your shoulders to perform. With three regulars out, including our star performer, the rest of the guys realized that it was on them to deliver – and they did.

I thought the whole team had an exceptional game today, performing with great energy and grit.

Herman finally might have had his break-out game and could be a changed athlete from here on. He scored well and could have had more points if he can learn not to rush his shots underneath. He has good hands and a real sense of where the missed shots are going to carom.

Johnson now knows he can power to the bucket against smaller defenders. He also clogs up the middle nicely and can pester quicker guards when needed, as he did against Watson today.

Tutu seems to be Dunlap’s key quick defender and a real pest to the opponents on offense.

McClendon plays tough and got some key rebounds while contributing a bit on offense. He still needs to work on his outside shot to get more minutes.

Brown was the motor on offense and scored well. Dons’ fans at the game were shaking their heads in pain after several of Brown’s floaters.

Haney had a good game - a very good game. He needs to develop more consistency on offense to be a real star but when his game is on, he is a terror to the foes. He has size to defend and rebound and toughness when hustling for the ball.

Mornar and Humphries contributed senior leadership, which we will miss next year. Mornar, as noted by others, showed confidence on offense, especially in OT and played well on D. I like Money.

Humphries, as noted by others, had a luke-warm game on offense but pulled down 10 boards and boxes out well underneath. Humphries is a solid player.

With a healthy Jacko, there is reason to hope we can win a game or two (or more) in Vegas this year. And the future looks much brighter after today’s performance.

Go Lions!

[lmu2015]

If Brown plays like he did today, we are a pretty decent team. We only had an average day shooting but when brown attacks off the pick and roll he draws a lot of fouls, which is what happened today. I agree with what you said on Herman, I think him, Jacko, Manuel, and Johnson will be a solid rotation next year down low, Sykes is going to have a tough time getting on the court, especially if Johnson keeps improving and playing like he has these last few games. Haney won't be consistent until he can get to and finish at the rim, or get to the FT line on a regular basis, when every shot you take is a 3 or a contested jump shot you are going to have ups and downs.

There was obviously a bad stretch of offense for a big part of the second half but the ball movement for the most part was fantastic. Instead of passing the ball back and forth 30 feet from the hoop as usual, they really moved it inside and outside, with good ball reversals as well creating a lot of penetration which lead to open shots.

If we play like this we could beat Pepperdine, and we should win vs USD in the 8/9 matchup before Gonzaga brings us back down to earth and leaves us all with a salty taste in our mouths going into the offseason (I hope I'm wrong on that last part). Either way today was great to watch and we really pulled through in OT, hopefully this is a galvanizing win for the team and they carry this into the Pepperdine game and beyond.

[longtimelionfan]

Thursday's loss to Santa Clara hurt and a good argument can be made that the officiating took that game away. Haney was clearly fouled on his made three with 10-12 second left. A made free throw ties game and who knows what happens. Also 25 - 6 in FTAs was ridiculous.

A win Thursday puts Lions in softer middle of conference quarter final game. But, it is what it is. Lions can still get there with a win over Pepperdine and some help so we'll see.

More important, progress is being made. Last three games against SMC, SCU and USF, without Jacko, have shown that to be true. Much more work to do; but progress is being made.

[aussielion]

is it me or is this going the same way as last year the Star player not playing and we seem to get closer or win a game, last year when Evan was missing we seemed to go better, just seems to be we have a dunking machine every one loves and when he scores big we seem to be further away from winning.

[longtimelionfan]

Aussielion, I think it's different this year. Last year the ball went to Evan and rarely returned. I don't sense any issues between Adom and his teammates like I did last year. Indeed, Adom has been a huge cheerleader ion the bench every game.