Path to the Hall of Fame

[randy]

3/1/94

Texas San Antonio - 57, Texas Arlington - 71
(SF Pat Williams, UTA, 19 pts)

Texas St - 77, Central Arkansas - 71
(SG Lou McCullough, TEXST, 23 pts 6 rebs)


3/2/94

Texas St - 70, Texas A&M CC - 78
(SG Jimmy Taylor, TXAMCC, 16 pts off the bench, TXAMCC shot 8-20 3PTs)

Texas Arlington - 73, Lamar - 82
(SG Donald Blossom, LAM, 15 pts, 7 rebs; LAM shot 34-42 FTs)


3/3/94

Texas A&M CC - 49, Nicholls St - 51
(SG Austin Coleman, NIC, 14 pts; NIC 32 pts in the paint)

Lamar vs #21 Sam Houston St

[randy]

Final score: Lamar - 51, #17 Sam Houston St - 79
They beat us by 21 the last time, we beat them by 28 this time. Maybe another meeting in the conference tournament will settle the score?

Well, guess what? The score will be settled on our next game, during the Conference Tournament semifinals.

If in case we manage to get past Lamar, we will be facing (in the finals) another team that split the season series with us, Nicholls St. Forget about our record, RPI, national rankings, etc. If we want to win the conference tournament title this year, we have to do it against 2 very tough teams.

[randy]

3/3/94: Lamar (15-13, 7-7) @ #21 Sam Houston St (22-5, 12-2)

Pre-game Notes
[INDENT]1. No additional scouting necessary. Lamar's high-octane offense is fueled by their outside shooters. They shot 56% FG and 9-11 3PT during the first meeting when we lost; we limited them to 39% FG when we won during the 2nd round. If we play good perimeter defense, then we'll win. It's that simple
[/INDENT]
Initial instructions
[INDENT]1. Offense Sets / Freedom: Auto / 65%
2. Defense Sets / Intensity: man / 8 (double on everyone, except PG)
3. Press Sets / Frequency: HC Trap / 9
4. Off/Def Reb Intensity: 9/10
5. Off Pace / Focus: 3 / Heavy Inside
[/INDENT]


[B]Tip off (1st Half)

15:42, Up 15-7
Good start for us offensively (6-8 FG) and defensively (Lamar is shooting 1-5). We eed to improve on our def rebounding though; Lamar has already grabbed 3 off rebs

11:48, Up 21-9
Lamar already committed 6 turn overs (we have only 1).

7:32, Up 30-14
9 turn overs already for Lamar, while their shooting continues to struggle at 27% FG.

3:48, Up 40-20


Halftime, Up 48-24
I wouldn't want to be in Lamar's dressing room right now. Committing 14 turnovers and allowing us to score 32 pts in the paint, in just 20 mins, would make any coach lose his temper.
Majerus leads our balanced attack with 14 pts; it doesn't matter that Carr has yet to score.


Start of 2nd Half

18:48, Up 52-29

11:39 Up 58-34
Majerus and Coulibaly making sure we're not going to have any 2nd half meltdown


Final score: Lamar - 54, #21 Sam Houston St - 74
Lead went as high as 30, but we cooled off a bit in the end; doesn't matter.


Box Score

[INDENT]Cook 20, 11, 3 (*)
Majerus 18, 2, 1, 9-11 FG
Coulibaly 14, 2, 0, 3 stls
Granville 7, 3, 5
Johnson 5, 2, 6, 3 stls
Carr 4, 3, 4
Belton 4, 0, 0
Griffin 2, 2, 0
Smith 0, 1, 1
Thomas 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Team Stats Comparisons

[INDENT]FG: 56-43%
REB: -1
TO: -10 (13-23)
Paint: +24 (44-20)
2nd Chance : +5
Fast Break: +12
[/INDENT]


Other Notes

[INDENT]1. Our "double teaming" defense was the major difference again, not only in generating turn overs but also forcing them to take bad shots from the outside.
2. ISR = 1.6
[/INDENT]

[Wayne23]

Well done, Coach!

[randy]

3/4/94: Nicholls St (17-11, 8-6) @ #21 Sam Houston St (23-5, 12-2)

Pre-game Notes
[INDENT]1. Nicholls St is the complete opposite of Lamar; they don't score a lot of points but neither they don't don't give a lot. In our last meeting against them, we lost 52-66.
2. In their tournament semi finals game against Texas A&M CC, they shot 34% FG and 27% 3PT, but they still managed to hack out a 51-49 victory. If we don't shoot well, this will be a tough game
[/INDENT]
Initial instructions
[INDENT]1. Offense Sets / Freedom: Auto / 65%
2. Defense Sets / Intensity: man / 8 (double on everyone, except PG)
3. Press Sets / Frequency: HC Trap / 9
4. Off/Def Reb Intensity: 9/10
5. Off Pace / Focus: 3 / Heavy Inside
[/INDENT]


[B]Tip off (1st Half)

15:53, Up 8-5
We have forced 3 turn overs against them, but we committed 2 traveling violations on our end.

9:43, Up 16-10
Turn over advantage still in our favor at 4-8, but I feel we haven't taken advantage of it.

1:36, Up 28-16
I went with a 3 guard lineup after Cook and Majerus got 2 fouls each. We went on 12-4 run since then.


Halftime, Up 30-16
What an excellent defensive effort by the entire team. NIC managed to put up only 15 FGAs, making 6.
The turn over party continues; we committed 8, but they had 15.
Coulibaly lead us with 12 pts


Start of 2nd Half

15:25, Up 34-25
Not happy with the way we started; they had a mini 9-4 run. This game is far from over.

11:36, Up 40-27
Coulibaly is keeping NIC at bay, with 16 pts

7:28, Up 40-32
We're scoreless for the last 4 mins

5:28, Up 40-32
We're 7 mins without a point!

2:52, Up 47-37
Lead was down to 7, but Johnson converted on a 3 pt play.

2:29, Up 49-37
We forced them yet to another turn over (steal), and Johnson scored on a fast break

They missed a jumper. Cook grabs the rebound. 1:33. We'll slow things down

They committed a foul. They are on the penalty

Coulibaly missed the front end of a 1-1, but Griffin grabbed the offensive rebound

Their C just fouled out

1:21, Up 51-37
Griffin converts both FTs

Another turn over for NIC. On our ensuing fast break play, Carr was called for a charge

Another turn over (traveling) for NIC. 0:52. Still up by 14

They foul

0:47, Up 53-37
Johnson sinks both FTs

They hit a quick 3.

And another foul. NIC's starting SG now out with 5 fouls

0:33, Up 55-40
Coulibaly adds 2 more FTs

Johnson fouls. We're on the penalty. They converted both FTs

And yet another foul on NIC. It's their 3rd player who's going out on 5 fouls

0:13, Up 57-42
Johnson converts both FTs

They missed a 3 and we rebound. Southland conference tournament champions!


Final score: Nicholls St - 42, #21 Sam Houston St - 57
As expected, it was a defensive battle the entire game. It was much closer that the final score indicates; only the late FTs have padded our lead


Box Score

[INDENT]Coulibaly 20, 6, 1, 3 stls (*)
Johnson 9, 1, 5, 4 stls
Griffin 8, 8, 0
Carr 6, 4, 3, 5 stls
Cook 6, 4, 1, 4 tos
Majerus 6, 2, 1
Granville 2, 3, 1
Belton 0, 0, 1
[/INDENT]
Team Stats Comparisons

[INDENT]FG: 43-39% (we didn't shoot well in the 2nd half)
REB: +4
TO: -12 (15-27)
Paint: +14
2nd Chance : +4
Fast Break: +7
[/INDENT]


Other Notes

[INDENT]1. That was a painful game to watch. 42 total turnovers, 34 fouls (mostly in the end)
2. We grabbed 15 steals
3. ISR = 1.1
[/INDENT]

[randy]

We will be in San Antonio

3/17/94: (7) #21 Sam Houston St (24-5, 12-2) vs (10) Bradley (19-11, 10-6)

#1 Seeds
- Georgia Tech
- Arkansas
- Michigan
- Iowa

[randy]

3/17/94: (10) Bradley (19-11, 10-6) @ (7) #21 Sam Houston St (24-5, 12-2)


Pre-game Notes
[INDENT]1. Bradley finished third on their conference, but they won their conference to book a trip to the NCAA. A middle-of-the pack team in terms of team stats within the Missouri Valley conference, but during their current 5 game winning streak, they have limited their opponents to just 62 ppg

2. A match up of two defensive-minded teams. We need to stay focus for the entire 40 mins. Bradley is no slouch; they have a team prestige of 56; ours is 4.
[/INDENT]
Initial instructions
[INDENT]1. Offense Sets / Freedom: Auto / 65%
2. Defense Sets / Intensity: man / 8 (double on everyone, except PG)
3. Press Sets / Frequency: HC Trap / 9
4. Off/Def Reb Intensity: 9/10
5. Off Pace / Focus: 3 / Heavy Inside
[/INDENT]


Tip off (1st Half)

15:54, Down 4-6
They are a tough team to crack. We have forced only 1 turn over on them. FG shooting comparison stands at 20-28%

15:23, Tied at 6
Carr called for his 2nd foul

10:59, Up 15-10
Our pressure double team defense is beginning to get results; 4 turn overs on Bradley.

8:06, Tied at 17
We committed 3 turn overs since the last media timeout, allowing them to come back. I called time out, and I let the team know of my disappointment during the huddle

7:20, Tied at 19
Cook now has 2 fouls also. He and Carr are both on the bench. We need others to step up

6:06, Down 19-24
They hit 2 consecutive outside shots (1 was a 3). All of a sudden, we're down by 5

Down by 7. I had no choice but to bring back Carr

Down by 9. Cook is in as well

2:40, Down 23-34
Cook called for his 3rd

And then Carr commits his 3rd


Halftime, Down 26-35
We are somehow "lucky" to get the lead down to single digits. Fouls are 11-6 on their favor, and they rewarded 16 FTAs.
We continue to shoot poorly at 33% FG
We're not out of this yet. If we manage to keep our key players in the court, we still have a chance


Start of 2nd Half

15:32, Down 36-44
They always have an answer whenever we come up with a little momentum. I'm hoping to just keep this close, and have a chance to win in the end.

14:16, Down 41-44
Coulibaly hits a jumper plus a foul. Converted the FT

11:36, Up 47-46
Took the lead after a Majerus hits a tough shot in traffic

7:12, Down 55-57
Carr commits his 4th. Bradley converted on both FTs

6:08, Tied at 57
Bradley now on the penalty

5:37, Up 5957
They miss. We rebound. Majerus puts it on the floor. Majerus's shot is good

Griffin had a block. Cook recovers the ball. They foul Griffin. 1-1 situation.

Griffin hits the 1st. Misses the 2nd, but Cook grabs the offensive board. Cook shoots. And he gets it to fall

4:53, Up 62-57

Their PF goes for a pull up jumper. It's good. Up 3

They foul Johnson from way beyond the 3 pt line. 1-1

Johnson hits both. Up 5

I'll give Majerus a breather. Carr is back in, with 4 fouls

They turned it over. Turn over 14 for Bradley

Coulibaly missed. Their PF hits another jumper. Up 3. 3:51

Carr puts up a shot. Missed, but he got fouled. 2 FTs

Missed the 1st. Hits the 2nd. Up 4. I bring back Majerus for Griffin. Now my entire starting lineup is on the floor up to the finish

Johnson fouls. Not in the act of shooting. It's only our 3rd team foul

They miss a jumper. But they grabbed the offensive rebound. They pass to their C at about 17 feet from the basket. Puts up a jumper. The shot hits the iron, bounces up and in! Plus a foul on Cook. His 4th

Hits the bonus FT

2:56, Up 65-64

They foul Johnson again. 2 FTs

Johnson calmly sinks both

2:47, Up 67-64

Their PF pulls up another jumper. Miss, but a foul is called on Majerus. 2 FTs

Hits both

2:29, Up 67-66

Cook with the ball. Cook puts it on the floor, and drive to the basket. Shoots. It's good. Cook with a great looking bucket there

2:04, Up 69-66

Their SG puts up a long 2. Miss. Majerus pulls down the board. We bring it up on the front court, and called time out

The team is tired, but I told them to hang on. Less than 2 minutes to go. We'll go for a pick on roll between Coulibaly and Cook

Coulibaly puts up a shot. Block!. Cook grabs the board. Carr receives the pass. He passes to Majerus. Majerus is trying to go to the hole. Pull up jumper. It's good!

1:23, Up 71-66

Their PF hits another J.

0:56, Up 71-68
Bradley refuses to go away

Cook gets the pass on the low post. Cook lets one go. Miss, but he gets his own rebound. Cook shoots again. Miss again. Bradley gets the def board. They call a time out

0:38, Up 71-68
I put in Griffin and Belton for Cook and Carr, for defensive purposes and prevent Cook / Carr from picking up their 5th

Their PG hits a long 3! We call another time out. Cook and Carr back in

0:21, Tied at 71
Isolation play called for Cook

Cook shoots a long jumper. Miss. They rebound. 0:14

Their PG puts up a shot. Can't convert. But they grab the rebound. Now its their SF turn to attempt from the side. Swish! They now lead by 2. 0:01 remaining. I call a full timeout

We can't even put up a desperation 3 at the end

Tough pill to swallow. We were up 5 with 1:23 remaining, and tehy went on a 7-0 run to end our season


Final score: (10) Bradley - 73, (7) #21 Sam Houston St - 71


Box Score

[INDENT]Cook 18, 8, 0
Majerus 10, 6, 3
Griffin 10, 4, 3
Coulibaly 10, 2, 1, 3 stls
Carr 9, 3, 1
Johnson 8, 6, 7
Granville 4, 1, 0
Belton 2, 0, 0
Smith 0, 1, 0
[/INDENT]
Team Stats Comparisons

[INDENT]FG: 42-52% (we had 16 more FGAs)
REB: +2 (16-8 on off rebs)
TO: -6
Paint: +16
2nd Chance : +6
Fast Break: -1
[/INDENT]


Other Notes

[INDENT]1. Almost, but not quite. We did some good things on the floor, committing only 8 turn overs, grabbing offensive rebs, converted out FTs (84%) and scored in the paint. Bradley's shooters just found the right time to hit their jumpers.
[/INDENT]

[Wayne23]

The kind of loss that keeps a coach up nights. Tough luck.

[randy]

Other News

3/4/94
Dana Cook named as finalist (#6) for the Norton award

3/19/94
Bradley lost to Kansas St in the 2nd round, 45-64

[randy]

Points (per game)
#1 Dana Cook, 17.8 (#39 national)
#4 Jason Carr, 13.3
#6 David Coulibaly, 12.7

Rebounds (per game)
#1 Dana Cook, 8.9 (#12 national)

Assists (per game)
#1 Osei Granville, 4.5 (tied #41 national)
#4 Brian Johnson, 3.7

Steals (total)
#1 David Coulibaly, 42
#3 Dana Cook, 34
#5 Jason Carr, 32
#6 Osei Granville, 31

Blocks (total)
#1 Dana Cook, 25
#4 Joe Majerus, 21

3P made (total)
#15 (tied) Jason Carr, 28

Turnovers (per game)
#8 Osei Granville, 2.5