What do you think?
Some of my thoughts about our team:
1. We match up real well against UAB. They're small like us and guys like Davis and Gomez were actually getting rebounds by going over their guys. That's why we've beaten them so many times over the last 2.5 years.
2. We're much better on when we run. Our transition offense is actually pretty good whereas our halfcourt offense is usually stagnant.
3. Finney should stick to the rotation he used most of last night. Kinzer, Rochestie, Stith, Davis, Gomez, Wheaton, Tatarunas, and Benfield (if he hustles and is hitting 3's). Smaller, but quicker and can run. In my opinion, Ivan, Castine, Moore, and Louisme should be permanent fixtures on the bench.
4. What was the final decision on Camper? He was in street clothes again.
5. Gomez and Tatarunas should mainly rebound. Gomez doesn't really have an outside shot and Tatarunas has been off on his shot the whole year. (Actually I think Tatarunas should go out for the football team)

Improvement or anomaly; that's the 64,000 question, ain't it HoTW?

I was at the game last night and had more fun than I've had in Fogelman in too long. Crowd was pretty decent although the students waited until about 10 seconds left in regulation to get on their feet and enjoy themselves. At least they were there. I hope the excitement of that game brings them back. It's a lot easier for our guys to win home games when there's a little fan support, especially from their fellow students.

I think in most games this year we've been a Jeckyl/Hyde team as far as being competitive and in the game at half time but wilting in the second half. Last night I kept waiting for the second half wilt and it never happened. Well, between two and three minutes left we let up some, took some fouls, and let them back take a lead. But they didn't fold.

I don't know if they've found themselves or just got lucky. I've got nothing personal against Finney because I don't know him personally but I can't take much more of basketball in the way it has been before last night's game. I don't care who the coach is as long as he's running a program worthy of Tulane and we WIN. If the team can put forth more games this season like the one they played last night, Finney ain't going nowhere (he might not be going anywhere anyway).

1ndabag Wrote:Improvement or anomaly; that's the 64,000 question, ain't it HoTW?

I was at the game last night and had more fun than I've had in Fogelman in too long. Crowd was pretty decent although the students waited until about 10 seconds left in regulation to get on their feet and enjoy themselves. At least they were there. I hope the excitement of that game brings them back. It's a lot easier for our guys to win home games when there's a little fan support, especially from their fellow students.

I think in most games this year we've been a Jeckyl/Hyde team as far as being competitive and in the game at half time but wilting in the second half. Last night I kept waiting for the second half wilt and it never happened. Well, between two and three minutes left we let up some, took some fouls, and let them back take a lead. But they didn't fold.

I don't know if they've found themselves or just got lucky. I've got nothing personal against Finney because I don't know him personally but I can't take much more of basketball in the way it has been before last night's game. I don't care who the coach is as long as he's running a program worthy of Tulane and we WIN. If the team can put forth more games this season like the one they played last night, Finney ain't going nowhere (he might not be going anywhere anyway).

1. Hope I'm wrong, but I think it was an anomaly. It's just that we match up well against UAB. But we'll get our answer soon. I hope the admin doesn't see this one game as the improvement they're looking as an excuse to keep Finney.
2. My only (slim) hope for this team is to stay with a small lineup and run, run, run.
3. I'm with you on the crowd. Waiting for disaster. But I was suprised with the size of the crowd, considering the performance of the team to this point. It shows what a difference a few hundred students can make.
4. I also hate to say this, but I know some Tulane fans were secretly hoping we weren't going to win because they want Finney gone. Nothing against Finney personally, they just think he's a terrible coach.
5. Up to now, my take on the "staying with teams for a half" is that it's more a function of how the other team is playing. In other words, the other team only puts out enough effort to pull away in the second half when necessary. Otherwise they're just coasting. Just my opinion.
6. I've been saying for over a month that Finney may not be going anywhere.

I didn't want to be the turd in the punch bowl but I'm inclined to agree with you that it was an anomaly. I'm no basketball expert by any stretch but it has seemed to me, and not only this season, that there are certain things that can't really be blamed on youthful players. You mentioned our half court offense and I agree. It's infuriating sometimes to watch them standing around waiting for something to happen. Also, we couldn't break a press if our name was break a press. We struggled with UAB's press all night. I'd personally like to see a fresh start in the new league with a new coach next season.

Anyway, I don't want to carp and moan after a nice win. All will be revealed soon enough as the rest of the season unfolds.