Tournament Time
Guards, Free-throws, & A Dominant Big-man
March came, with last ditch hopes of getting to the conference tournament. Get hot, then on to an extended season. While others head to the exit, board a plane, or get on a bus and head home. We all understand that the regular season didn’t matter to some teams. Because, it was all about the conference tournament. Where other conferences, who didn’t have a conference tournament, it was all, or nothing. Winning records be damn. Losing records be damn. There’s the first 32 (regular season, tournament), conference winners. Then the next 36(M), 32(W) at-large get their shot to dream, hope for that shining moment. And the rest get what the alphabets allow them to. Somebody has to fill those slots. It’s just that away.
While others took to the road to either watch, or play. The Houston area hosted two college basketball tournaments. Katy’s Merrill Center hosted the Southland, while the Toyota Center hosted the SWAC. Top 8 team’s in one (Southland) and all 10(SWAC) in the other. It was a different environment at both tournaments. While both conferences have a regional distinction. They both bring it when they need to. Talent was what it was, sparingly. They had one or the other. A decent guard or a big-man that did what was needed to get his or her team to the next game and extend the season. Of all the teams that I watched. Guard play was competent. It made me understand why those teams were crowned regular season champions. But, in tournament action, it’s winning or go home. Cut the turnovers to a minimum. Then knock down free-throws at a timely point in the game to win it. That didn’t happen often enough, even though it should have. Basketball IQ hasn’t kept up with the athletes of today’s game. Not enough good guard development going on for these guys to carry to the next level. I’m talking about High school to college. They have enough to get them into school but is it enough to keep them from getting recruited over. It’s just an observation.
Bench play keep’s the dream alive. Depth played a huge roll in Stephan F. Austin winning the Southland. Then depth showed itself again in the NCAA first round. Winning in overtime against VCU 77-75. Just wasn’t enough to take them beyond. Losing the next game to UCLA 77-60. This was a squad that depended on team O/D. Up or down by double digits. Which happened, during the regular season, the conference tournament, and the NCAA’s? As was noticed, by all in the game against VCU. They don’t get rattled.
Where as TSU had the best big man in the region. Aaric Murray proved it when the lights went on. Won Defensive player of the Year in the SWAC. 2014 MVP of the SWAC tournament. And continued that work in the Tigers first round game against Cal-Poly. He just needed more help from others, when he wasn’t on the floor. And in the end it caught up with them in the NCAA’s. What worked for them in the SWAC, didn’t translate over to the NCAA’s. The SWAC Conference coaches have start venturing over to the thought pattern of not just getting to post season tournaments. But, winning games once they get there. A few are starting to push that button. And are tied of just playing in post season tournaments. It’s time to start winning games.
The Northwestern St Lady Demons with Sr, F, Trudy Armstead (12pts/13reb/2blk/3stl) just out worked Stephan F. Austin Lady Jacks in the championship game. Forcing SFA’s Jr, C, Porsha Roberts somewhat beyond her limits. And she mentioned of it, “…I was looking to score and they made it a little more difficult than other teams had made it.” Even though she finished with 14pts/13reb/3ast/2stl. Two years ago this Northwestern St team won only 6 games. A balance of recruiting, coaching, and players buying in to what was needed to move forward. 2014 SLC Champions, a 16 seed, playing #1 seed Louisville Regional Tennessee. That’s all you can ask. Their season ended Saturday 70-46 to Tennessee. Scoring droughts and being able to answer the other teams runs, get’s teams to the next game.
To say I’m disappointed is to put it mildly. I took this personally. That the Lady Tigers haven’t overcome their conference tournament issues with Prairie View. At some point the players have got to overcome. All coach can do, is coach. Players got to play. With that said, all and all, it was a good tournament and some good games. But, this is March and PVAMU WBB understands what the month means to them. WINNING! They pulled off a 63-58 stunner and another SWAC WBB Championship. Four to be exact. As TSU Lady Tigers Coach Johnetta Hayes-Perry, “…they’re winners. They know how to win.” Talking to Coach Brown early in the season she mentioned,”…that the team was needing to find their identity.” And apparently they did. 0-12 going into conference play. 6-4 January, 8-4 February, 2-3 going into conference tournament. Because of the format, 3 games in three days. And PVAMU Lady Panthers headed off to another NCAA Tournament. A 16 seed playing in Storrs, CT against the vaunted #1 over-all seed UCONN Huskies. And alas, put a kibosh on PV’s season. 87-44.
By this time next month, UCONN-ND will have decided the 2014 NCAA Women’s Div 1 Champion. Will Notre Dame stop UCONN from getting #9? In Nashville, TENN, Volunteer country.
It’s good to have good college baseball teams to watch this year in Houston. Pitching has come to the college game around the area. Come out and watch.
