MBB NCAAT R32: #5 Oregon vs #4 Arizona (Mar. 23, Sun 6:10 PM TBS)

[OregonFan4Life]

To me the team lacked an emotional leader, the energy completely died off when they were up 19-4 and from that point on Zona outhustled Oregon and played more physical. Felt like the Oregon players got complacent and lost any sense of urgency until the very end. To me a true emotional leader like Dillon Brooks would NEVER let his team get away with that. Somebody, whether it’s Shelstad, Bittle, or someone else like Evans, needs to be a gym rat this offseason and challenge the team. Remember when Aaron Brooks did that before his senior year? Got everyone to run at the track with him? That’s the type of leadership this team really seems to be lacking.

What’s really frustrating is they would’ve had that if the corrupt NCAA gave Dante another year, cause Dante is that type of leader.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[droop10]

I think people vastly overanalyze the leadership thing in sports. We have no idea what guys are saying in the huddle, or doing in practice or outside of the gym. Basketball is a game of runs. Not every bad run is a result of complacency or lack of urgency. I suspect Bamba is exactly the type of guy you're looking for, and we've heard before about Tracey being a leader for the team. They could have given in when they fell down 13 in the second half, but in the end had a chance to tie the game in the last minute, so they fought hard. Sometimes, Caleb Love actually shoots the ball well, and it's not your night. Arizona has a more athletic team, and used that to their advantage.

[StevensTechU]

I'd say the bigger issue was the energy died at the 3:30-4:00 minute mark late in the game. Despite having momentum, offensive movement and defensive energy just fell off a clip. The timeout about a minute later was desperately needed. They could've won if they had their legs hadn't died on them.

[droop10]

I'd say the bigger issue was the energy died at the 3:30-4:00 minute mark late in the game. Despite having momentum, offensive movement and defensive energy just fell off a clip. The timeout about a minute later was desperately needed. They could've won if they had their legs hadn't died on them.

Arizona played at a blistering pace, and it's fair that with the limited rotation the Ducks were playing with that they could have tired legs toward the end. I do think sometimes the short rotations can be a hindrance, particularly when it's an up and down game like yesterday. I can only imagine how playing that many minutes at that pace impacts a guy like Bamba with Ramadan happening, and having fasted all day.

[UOducksTK1]

Sounds like Oregon will for sure have Shelstad, Evans, Tracey, and Phillips returning. It feels like Bittle is leaning towards coming back. Probably expect Cook, Lindsay, and the Ukrainian project to be back as well. With only one recruit for sure coming in, they'll be major players in the portal. Losing now may actually help them get a jump on some top transfers.

Embedded Tweet

Hope we go after Josh Dix and Tucker Devries. Both guys that shoot at very high percentages, and give us a true 2nd or 3rd scorer with Bittle/Shelstad.

[droop10]

Sounds like Oregon will for sure have Shelstad, Evans, Tracey, and Phillips returning. It feels like Bittle is leaning towards coming back. Probably expect Cook, Lindsay, and the Ukrainian project to be back as well. With only one recruit for sure coming in, they'll be major players in the portal. Losing now may actually help them get a jump on some top transfers.

Embedded Tweet

Hope we go after Josh Dix and Tucker Devries. Both guys that shoot at very high percentages, and give us a true 2nd or 3rd scorer with Bittle/Shelstad.

I can't imagine any scenario where Devries doesn't end up in Bloomington with his dad. I'm pretty sure he entered the portal with a DO NOT CONTACT tag, so it's pretty much a given at this point. Dix would be an interesting pickup. I don't have anyone in mind yet without knowing who will be out there, but my personal wish list would include a big, as they don't have much height on the squad next year, and having more depth at the 5 is critical in the B1G. Might be tough to get a top tier guy if Bittle comes back though, so I'd just take a nice depth piece.

[UOducksTK1]

Oh true, forgot Devries did that when his dad went WVU last year. Oh wells.

Yes, big man, scorer at G/F, and another ball handler.