Finding ways to win

[randy]

Mar 23, 2010: (5) #12 Rice (30-5, 15-3) vs (1) #1 Xavier (30-2, 15-1)

Pregame Notes

• Key Players
  
  1. Fr SF Demond Marshall (18.1 ppg, 5.0 spg - #1 Nat'l, #3 recruit)
  2. Jr C Rasheed Barksdale (11.3 ppg, 9.5 rpg)
  3. Fr SG Donta Emerson (10.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg)
• How they got here
  
  1. Finished 1st A-10; Champion A-10 Tournament
  2. (Rd 64) Def Cornell, 70-52 (Marshall 17 pts, 8 stls)
  3. (Rd 32) Def Texas Tech, 73-55 (Emerson 18 pts)
• Strengths
  
  1. Defense: 54.4 opp ppg (#3 Nat'l), 11.8 spg (#1 Nat'l), 20.0 opp topg (#1 Nat'l)
  2. Rebounding: 34.5 rpg
• Weaknesses
  
  1. 3PT shooting: 31.1% 3PT (#12 A-10)
  2. Turn overs: 15.4 topg
  3. It would take an outstanding offense to break Xavier's defense. If you manage to get pass their wing defenders led by Marshall, they have someone like Barksdale (2.2 bpg) to protect the middle. We may try to force XAV to shoot from the outside; they are just 8-34 3PT (24%) in the 2 tournament games

Tip off

We gambled, and let XAV shoot from the outside by playing 2-3 zone. XAV did connect 5-12 3PT (4 from SF Demond Marshal who has 14 pts), but the rest of their perimeter shots are not falling (28% FG). We shot a little better with 41% FG in this low scoring game. SF Andre McFadden led our scoring with 9 pts off the bench


Halftime, Up 25-23
Close game, but we're executing our game plan. If we can take care of the ball better (11 turn overs in the 1st half) we have a chance of pulling this one


Start of 2nd half

XAV's SF Demond Marshall has been a one-man wrecking crew, scoring all of XAV 10 pts in the 2nd half, and 24 of their 33 pts overall. We are just hoping he will cool down, and try to stay ahead with our balanced scoring
13:32, Up 35-33

A flurry of exchanges. XAV's SF Demond Marshall now has 31 pts (8 3s). We also hits some 3s as well. Atmosphere in the arena has been rocking, as the crowd is witnessing a very good game here.
7:50, Tied at 47

We decided to change our defense and switch to m2m, double on Marshall. We made some stops, but had 4 consecutive passing errors. We have 18 turn overs now.
4:16, Down 49-51

We came away with 2 blocks in the last 2 defensive sequence. C Curtis Harper got an inside basket to tie; Harper has played the entire game, 16 pts, 18 rebs. Had a chance to take the lead, but SF Andre McFadden called for steps. Damn!
2:53, Tied at 51

MEM missed. SF Desmond Marshall wasn't able t touch the ball during that possession. On our possession, SF Ross Brown drives. Missed. XAV gets the ball back. XAV's C Rasheed Barksdale has the ball beyond the 3pt line. C Curtis Harper called for the hand check! I complained; got a warning. We're in the penalty. 1-and-1 FT for Barksdale. Hits the 1st. Missed teh 2nd. Timeout
1:58, Down 51-52

SF Andre McFadden drives. Missed. SF Ross Brown gets the off rebound. PG Jovan Barker attempts his 1st shot of the game. Missed. XAV with the ball. We're playing denial defense on XAV's SF Desmond Marshall. SG Donta Emerson takes a shot. Emerson is currently scoreless and 0-5 FG. Emerson scores his 1st basket of the game! Timeout
1:21, Down 51-54

We have a tired team on the floor. But our season could be on the line here. SF Andre McFadden missed again. McFadden with the rebound. Pass to PG Jovan Barker. Barker missed his shot also. XAV turns the ball over. Timeout
0:48, Down 51-54

Still a chance here. Either SF Ross Brown or C Curtis Harper has to touch the ball and go for it. We dont necessarily need a 3 yet. SF Ross Ross Brown gets the pass. But he's hounded. We rotated the ball. SF Andre McFadden found himself momentarily open for a corner 3. McFadden takes the shot. Missed! 0:29. We have to foul. We fouled XAV's Rasheed Barksdale who earlier split his FTs. But he makes both this time. Last timeout
0:24, Down 51-56

We have to go for a 3. SF Andre McFadden nails it!
0:16, Down 54-56

We still have a chance. We foul XAV's PG Todd Williams. 1-and-1 for Williams. Williams (0 pts, 0-2 FG) has not been to the line today. Williams missed the front end. But XAV's PF Sam Scott (10 rebs) gets a huge offensive rebound. We foul right away. Scott to shoot 2 FTs. Oh man, that was a crucial play. Scott hits the 1st. Down 3. Scott can put this game away if he makes the next. Scott missed. We secure the rebound. Outlet to SG Jimmy Young. Young puts up a 3 from top of the arc. Good line. Missed! XAV with the ball. Game over

XAV's SF Desmond Marshall finished with 31 pts, but was scoreless the last 8 mins. His team mates stepped up, and contributed a little bit of something towards the end.


Final Score: Rice - 54, Xavier - 57
We gave the nation's #1 team all they could handle. Can't complain with the players' efforts. Everyone will be back next season, plus a good scoring freshman SG. One more year for C Curtis Harper and SF Ross Brown. We should try to have a good regular season, and hopefully get a higher seed in the NCAA tournament


Box Scores
[INDENT]McFadden 19, 6, 1, 5 tos
Harper 16, 19, 2
Brown 11, 12, 0, 5 tos
Piatowski 6, 4, 1, 2 stls
Young 2, 0, 0
Tiggs 0, 4, 1
Barker 0, 2, 5, fouled out
Richard 0, 1, 0
Evans 0, 0, 2
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 33-33%
REB: +14 (+11 off)
TO: +4
Pts in paint: +20
2nd chance: +5
Fast break: +6
[/INDENT]

[randy]

NCAA

• #10 Brigham Young def #4 Arkansas, 79-38, and win their 1st national title

[randy]

All-American 2nd Team

• Jr SF Ross Brown

CUSA 1st Team All-Conference

• Jr SF Ross Brown
• Jr C Curtis Harper

CUSA 2nd Team All-Conference

• So SF Andre McFadden

I won my 3rd CUSA COY. MEM's SF Bryan Perry won CUSA's POY and DPOY

[randy]

If applicable: (National Rank, Conference Rank; NR = Not Ranked)


Points

1. SF Ross Brown - 17.7 ppg (#48, #3)
2. C Curtis Harper - 14.0
3. SF Andre McFadden - 13.0
4. PF Sam Piatowski - 7.8
5. PF Kevin Tiggs - 6.0
6. SG Jimmy Young - 6.0
7. C Scott Fountain - 5.5
8. C Brent Phillips - 3.4
9. PG Jovan Barker - 3.0
10. PG Brent Evans - 2.6
11. SG Ray Richard - 2.3
12. PG Hayllets Johnson - 1.2
13. SF Deaundra Fast - 1.1

Rebounds

1. C Curtis Harper - 7.8 rpg (#20, #3)
2. SF Ross Brown - 5.4
3. PF Sam Piatowski - 4.2
4. C Scott Fountain - 4.0
5. SF Andre McFadden - 3.8
6. PF Kevin Tiggs - 3.7
7. C Brent Phillips - 2.4
8. SG Jimmy Young - 2.1
9. PG Brent Evans - 1.7
10. PG Jovan Barker - 1.1

Assists

1. PG Brent Evans - 3.8 apg
2. PG Jovan Barker - 3.6
3. SG Jimmy Young - 1.7
4. SF Ross Brown - 1.4
5. SF Andre McFadden - 1.3
6. SG Ray Richard - 1.1
7. C Curtis Harper - 1.1

Steals

1. C Curtis Harper - 1.3 spg
2. SF Ross Brown - 1.1

Blocks

1. C Curtis Harper - 2.3 bpg (#1, #1)
2. SF Ross Brown - 2.0 (#4, #2)

3PM

1. SF Ross Brown - 60
2. SF Andre McFadden - 34
3. SG Jimmy Young - 24
4. SG Ray Richard - 17
5. PG Brent Evans - 12
6. PG Hayllets Johnson - 4
7. PG Jovan Barker - 3

Turnovers

1. PG Jovan Barker - 1.8 topg
2. SF Ross Brown - 1.7
3. PG Brent Evans - 1.5
4. SF Andre McFadden - 1.5
5. SG Jimmy Young - 1.2

FG% (min 30 FGA)

1. PF Sam Piatowski - 64.7%
2. C Curtis Harper - 62.0
3. C Brent Phillips - 56.4
4. C Scott Fountain - 54.4
5. PG Jovan Barker - 53.0
6. PF Kevin Tiggs - 51.8
7. SG Jimmy Young - 44.6
8. SF Ross Brown - 40.1
9. SF Andre McFadden - 38.3
10. PG Brent Evans - 33.8
11. SG Ray Richard - 32.1

FT% (min 20 FTA)

1. PG Jovan Barker - 92.6% (25 of 27)
2. SF Ross Brown - 92.5
3. PG Brent Evans - 87.5
4. SG Jimmy Young - 85.2
5. C Curtis Harper - 84.5
6. SF Andre McFadden - 81.9
7. PF Sam Piatowski - 76.2
8. C Scott Fountain - 67.7
9. PF Kevin Tiggs - 67.2
10. C Brent Phillips - 60.0

3PT% (min 10 3PTA)

1. SG Jimmy Young - 42.9% (24 of 56)
2. SF Andre McFadden - 35.1
3. SF Ross Brown - 34.7
4. PG Hayllets Johnson - 33.3
5. SG Ray Richard - 32.1
6. PG Jovan Barker - 30.0
7. PG Brent Evans - 21.1

Minutes

1. SF Ross Brown - 28.0 mpg
2. C Curtis Harper - 24.9
3. SF Andre McFadden - 23.5
4. PF Sam Piatowski - 19.9
5. SG Jimmy Young - 18.1
6. PF Kevin Tiggs - 18.0
7. PG Brent Evans - 18.0
8. PG Jovan Barker - 17.7
9. C Scott Fountain - 14.9
10. C Brent Phillips - 8.7
11. SG Ray Richard - 7.8
12. PG Hayllets Johnson - 5.9
13. SF Deaundra Fast - 1.9

[randy]

If applicable: (+/- from last season, National Rank, Conference Rank)


Team Stats (per game)

1. Points: 77.4 (-0.9, #1, #1)
2. Rebounds: 35.1 (+1.1, #18, #2)
3. Assists: 16.3 (-0.8, #14, #1)
4. Steals: 6.4 (-1.1, #107, #3)
   
5. Blocks: 5.0 (-1.0, #2, #1)
   
6. Turnovers: 11.3 (-0.7, #3, #1)
7. FG%: 0.466 (-0.015, #29, #1)
   [color="Red"]
8. 3PT%: 0.333 (-0.036, #227, #7)[/color]
   
9. FT%: 0.819 (-0.120, #2, #1)

Opp Team Stats (per game)

1. Opp Points: 63.8 (-2.3, #73, #3)
2. Opp Turnovers: 15.4 (-0.9, #89, #3)
3. Opp FG%: 0.402 (-0.008, #18, #3)
4. Opp 3PT%: 0.352 (+0.021, #220, #8)

Metrics (Offense)

1. OEff: 55.8 (-1.7, #3, #1)
2. OeFG%: 47.0 (-1.5, NR, #1)
3. OTO%: 13.7 (-0.9, #1, #1)
4. OR% 31.8 (+2.2, #15, #1)
5. OFTRate: 31.8 (+3.3, NR, #9)
6. Tempo: 72.1 (-1.3, NR, #3)

Metrics (Defense)

1. DEff: 46.0 (-2.5, NR, #4)
2. DeFG%: 40.7 (-0.8, NR, #3)
3. DTO%: 19.6 (-0.6, NR, #3)
4. DR%: 76.0 (+2.0, NR, #2)
5. DFTRate: 34.6 (-3.3, NR, #8)

What we did well

1. Significant improvement in defense and rebounding.
2. Slight decrease in scoring due to slower pace, but we remain as one of the most efficient offensive team in the country
3. Harper and Brown one of the best blocking combo
4. FT shooting

Areas of improvement

1. Defending the 3PT shot. We started practicing some zone defenses (e.g. 3-2) to address this next season

[randy]

Offense: 77 (+7)
Defense: 75 (+7)
Recruiting: 67 (+4)
Scouting: 33 (-1)
Development: 75 (+7)
Reputation: 55 (+5)

Record: 291-47 (0.861)

[randy]

HS Seniors

1. SG David Williams (#42); SCR: A, OUT: B, ATH: A, OVR: A

[randy]

Starting Lineup

• 1: Jr PG Brent Evans, 6-3, 2.0/4.0 (Allen, TX)
• 2: Fr SG David Williams, 6-2, 3.0/4.0 (Whiting, IN)
• 3: Sr SF Ross Brown, 6-8, 4.0/4.5 (Memphis, TN) (*)
• 4: Sr PF Kevin Tiggs, 6-9, 3.0/4.0 (Big Lake, TX)
• 5: Sr C Curtis Harper, 7-3, 4.5/4.5 (Iowa, LA) (*)
  
  

Bench

• 2/3: Jr SF Andre McFadden, 6-8, 4.0/5.0 (St. Johnsbury, VT)
• 4/5: Jr PF Sam Piatowski, 6-11, 2.5/2.5 (Oakman, AL)
• 1/2: Jr SG Jimmy Young, 6-1, 2.0/4.0 (Jacksonville, NC)
• 4/5: Jr C Scott Fountain, 6-10, 2.0/3.0 (Hood River, OR)
• 1/2: Jr PG Jovan Barker, 6-5, 1.5/3.0 (Dallas, TX)
• 4/5: So C Brent Phillips, 6-10, 3.5/4.0 (Selfridge, ND)
• 1/2: So SG Ray Richard, 6-3, 1.5/4.0 (Monticello, KY)
• 1/2: So PG Hayletts Johnson, 6-4, 1.5/4.0 (Addison, IL)

Walk-ons

• 2/3: Sr SF Deaundra Fast, 6-4, 1.0/1.0 (Brenham, TX)
• 3/4: Sr PF Rico Boone, 6-6, 1.5/1.5 (Plano, TX)

(*) Norton candidate

[randy]

Nov 15, 2010: Rice (0-0) @ Stephen F Austin (1-0)


Tip off

We are very active in defense, reading the passing lanes well, and getting 9 steals. We had 16 fast break pts. One problem we had last season was outside shooting. Freshman SG David Williams connected on 3 triples early in the 1st half, and has 11 pts. C Curtis Harper leads all scorers with 13 pts.


Halftime, Up 52-33


Start of 2nd half

What an impressive debut by SG David Williams. Everybody was clicking on offense, and we were scoring on a variety of ways (outside, inside, drives, fast break). SFA shot 12-25 3PT, but still wasn't enough to match our offensive firepower today


Final Score: Rice - 98, Stephen F Austin - 76


Box Scores
[INDENT]Williams 26, 2, 3, 4 stls, 6-11 3PT (*)
Harper 21, 6, 0, 2 blks, 3 tos, 8-9 FG
McFadden 15, 1, 2, 3 stls
Brown 14, 9, 0
Fountain 6, 4, 1
Piatkowski 6, 3, 0, 2 stls
Tiggs 6, 3, 0
Evans 2, 1, 9, 3 stls, 3 tos
Barker 2, 0, 2
Young 0, 0, 0
Phillips 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 57-49%
REB: +1
TO: -15 (SFA: 24)
Pts in paint: +42
2nd chance: +2
Fast break: +11
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Nov 18, 2010: Georgetown (0-1) @ Rice (1-0)


Tip off

SG David Williams picked up where he left from the last game, hitting his 1st 4 attempts from 3. We raced to an early 18 pt lead. But GEORG with a big comeback, and even took the lead, getting pts from the outside and also from the line (11-12 FT). We recovered towards the end of the 1st half.


Halftime, Up 46-42
We switched to a 3-2 zone towards the end of the 1st half. We will use more of that formation during the 2nd half.


Start of 2nd half

Our change in defense somewhat effective, as we begin to get more steals. But we still keep on throwing the ball away on offense. SG David Williams now with 21 pts, all from beyond the arc (7).
13:58, Up 55-50

GEORG missing a lot of their shots here in the 2nd half. SG David Williams got his 8th and 9th 3 of the game, and we started creating some separation now
8:27, Up 69-55

SG David Williams with getting 10th 3 .... 11th 3 .... 12th 3. Our home crowd is rocking. This kid can flat out shoot! 18 pt lead with less than 4 mins remaining. Still a long way to go, but you can sense from GEORG's players' faces the feeling of disbelief.


Final Score: Georgetown - 71, Rice - 96


Box Scores
[INDENT]Williams 36, 0, 2, 2 stls, 12-22 3PT (*)
McFadden 20, 9, 0
Harper 13, 9, 1, 2 stls, 5 blks
Tiggs 9, 3, 1, 3 tos
Piatowski 6, 3, 0
Brown 4, 7, 3, 3 stls
Evans 4, 4, 9, 3 tos
Fountain 4, 3, 0
Barker 0, 1, 6
Phillips 0, 1, 0
Young 0, 0, 0
Johnson 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 52-39%
REB: +14
TO: -1
Pts in paint: +28
2nd chance: +8
Fast break: +21
[/INDENT]