Finding ways to win

[randy]

Mar 9, 2011: (2) #16 Memphis (24-8, 13-5) vs (1) #1 Rice (32-0, 18-0)


Tip off

4th consecutive year we will be facing MEM in the conference tournament finals. We're 6-0 against MEM the last 6 meetings, but it was close during the last game where we beat them by just 2 pts. Round 2 between SG David Williams and MEM's PG Ryan Watson, who scored 39 and 28 pts respectively during our last meeting

What a flying start for SG David Williams, scoring 16 of our 1st 20 pts, to give us a 20-8 early lead. MEM had no answer to Williams the entire 1st half, as he finished with 30 pts (8 triples). SF Andre McFadden even connected on 3 shots from downtown. Still, MEM played good enough offense to keep themselves within striking distance. MEM's PG Ryan Watson with 12 pts.


Halftime, Up 51-36


Start of 2nd half

If MEM is going to get back in this game, it will be because of their defense. And MEM is indeed playing better defense at the start of the 2nd half
12:44, Up 60-48

It is MEM's turn to wax hot from the perimeter, and hit 3 straight triples. I also had to sit down SG David Williams because of 3 fouls. I was forced to call an early timeout
10:53, Up 63-57

We turned the ball over 3x during our last trips on offense. Fortunately, MEM wasn't able to capitalize.
7:24, Up 65-59

I bring back SG David Williams. A couple of plays later, Williams was called for a charge; his 4th foul. Williams has to sit again. Both teams trading turn overs, and offenses on both sides went cold. Tense moment, as whoever can come up even with a small run would have a big momentum shift.
4:40, Up 65-59

Finally SF Andre McFadden breaks the silence with a FG. Up 8. MEM answers back. McFadden turns the ball over the next play, and MEM scores on transition. Timeout
3:47, Up 67-63

SG David Williams is back (4 fouls). Williams immediately hits a jumper (38 pts). Up 6. MEM's PG Ryan Watson drives string to the hoop. Blocked by C Curtis Harper, and loose ball in our favor. Big defensive play by Harper there. On the other end, we went to Harper down low, and Harper scores!
2:20, Up 71-63

We got called for a foul, and we enter penalty. MEM splits. Up 7. SG David Williams drives, pulls up a jumper, and its good. Williams with 40 pts. Up 9. MEM's PG Ryan Watson gets his own jumper to go in as well. Watson with 21 pts. Up 7. Williams missed this time, but C Curtis Harper with a big offensive rebound, and Harper able to put it back for another 2 pts.
1:21, Up 73-64

MEM missed. I instructed the team to slow down, and hang on for the win.

4-peat CUSA Tournament Champions!


Final Score: Memphis - 68, Rice - 79


Box Scores
[INDENT]Williams 40, 4, 3, 2 stls, 5 tos, 10-20 3PT (*)
McFadden 15, 6, 0, 5 tos
Harper 12, 7, 2, 2 stls, 2 blks, 3 tos
Brown 8, 5, 0, 3 tos
Evans 2, 2, 10, 2 stls
Fountain 2, 0, 0
Barker 0, 3, 3
Tiggs 0, 3, 1
Piatowski 0, 3, 0, 2 stls
Young 0, 0, 0
Phillips 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 52-46%
REB: +5
TO: +2
Pts in paint: +10
2nd chance: +3
Fast break: +4
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Our RPI is 1, and ranked #1

We're in the East Regionals (Greensboro)

1st round matchup:
(1) Rice vs (16) Bryant

Teams in the East Regionals

• (1) #1 Rice
• (2) #12 Kentucky, 5 Nat'l Titles, 10 Final Fours
• (3) #9 Seton Hall, 1 Nat'l Title, 8 Final Fours
• (4) #19 North Carolina, 3 Final Fours
• (5) #14 Pittsburgh, 2 Nat'l Titles, 12 Final Fours
• (6) #21 Oklahoma, 3 Nat'l Titles, 7 Final Fours
• (7) #18 UNLV, 3 Final Fours
• (8) Duke, 2 Nat'l Titles, 6 Final Fours
• (9) Central Florida
• (10) Iowa, 3 Nat'l Titles, 7 Final Fours
• (11) Pepperdine, 3 Final Fours
• (12) Florida A&M
• (13) Pacific
• (14) Denver
• (15) Louisiana Tech
• (16) Bryant

Other Ranked Teams

Midwest

• (1) #2 Kansas
• (2) #3 Xavier
• (3) #8 Michigan
• (4) #16 Butler
• (5) #24 Michigan St
• (6) #13 Memphis

South

• (1) #4 LSU
• (2) #7 Brigham Young
• (3) #17 North Carolina St
• (4) #10 Gonzaga
• (5) #11 Southern Illinois
• (6) #25 Florida

West

• (1) #6 St John's
• (2) #5 Arizona
• (3) #20 Georgia Tech
• (4) #23 Auburn
• (5) #22 Oklahoma St
• (6) #15 Toledo

On Probation

[randy]

Mar 16, 2011: (16) Bryant (14-17, 8-6) vs (1) #1 Rice (33-0, 18-0)

Pregame Notes

• Key Players
  
  1. Fr SG Kyle Dement (13.5 ppg, 35% 3PT)
  2. So SG Jeremiah Hansen (11.1 ppg, 2,9 apg)
• How they got here
  
  1. Finished 3rd NAC; Champion NAC Tournament
  2. (Play In) Def Montana, 71-61 (Hansen 24 pts, 6-10 3PT)
• Strengths
  
  1. Defense: 64.3 opp ppg
• Weaknesses
  
  1. Experience: 3 starters are freshmen
  2. Shooting: 42.4% FG (#286 Nat'l)
• Strategies
  
  1. BRY likes to play slow down. Their guards can wax hot from the outside if left unchecked. We'll guard m2m

Tip off

BRY did a good job hitting their outside shots, 8-17 3PT. But their interior defense is something we have exploited, outscoring them in the paint 32-2. SG David Williams with 15 pts (3 triples), while his fellow freshman counterpart BRY SG Kyle Dement with 12 pts (4 triples)


Halftime, Up 47-34


Start of 2nd half

BRY hit 2 straight shots to reduce our lead to single-digits. But an ensuing 10-0 run put us ahead by 19. Just as when we are about to put this game away for good, BRY recovered and got to within 11 pts.
14:06, Up 62-51

BRY's offense starting to struggle, not making their outside shots now.
7:11, Up 71-55

BRY's shooting percentage continues to drop. I pulled out my starters with 3 mins left and a 23 pt lead. It was a gallant effort by BRY, led by SG Kyle Dement (25 pts, 7 3s)


Final Score: Bryant - 67, Rice - 88
We only had 3 turn overs the entire game. What we didn't do well is rebounding, allowing BRY 11 offensive rebounds.


Box Scores
[INDENT]Williams 36, 3, 3, 3 stls, 8-18 3PT (*)
McFadden 12, 3, 1
Brown 10, 8, 1, 2 blks
Harper 6, 6, 2, 3 stls, 3 blks
Fountain 6, 3, 1, 2 stls
Piatowski 6, 2, 0
Tiggs 5, 1, 0
Young 3, 0, 1
Barker 2, 1, 4
Phillips 2, 0, 0
Evans 0, 0, 5
Johnson 0, 0, 1
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 54-40%
REB: -8 (-7 off)
TO: -14
Pts in paint: +46 (48-2!)
2nd chance: -1
Fast break: +10
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Mar 18, 2011: (8) Duke (19-12, 11-7) vs (1) #1 Rice (34-0, 18-0)

Pregame Notes

• Key Players
  
  1. Sr SG Mark Price (17.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg)
  2. Sr SG Jeff Galloway (11.7 ppg, 3.8 apg)
• How they got here
  
  1. Finished 5th ACC; Quarter Finals ACC Tournament
  2. (Rd 64) Def Central Florida, 69-59 (Price 32 pts, 7 rebs)
• Strengths
  
  1. Defense: 59.5 ppg
  2. Rebounding: 34.2 rpg (#1 ACC)
• Weaknesses
  
  1. Shooting: 41.6% FG, 30.1% 3PT (both ranked last ACC)
• Strategies
  
  1. We would like to test their interior defense as much as possible.
  2. On defense, if they are not making their outside shots, we can afford to clog the lane with our zone defense
  3. DUKE sometimes put up a 3-guard lineup, so we can switch to a taller player (SFs Ross Brown / Andre McFadden) to guard Price

Tip off

Good defense in the 1st half, esp against DUKE's SG Mark Price (2 pts, 1-5 FG) as he can't get good looks against a taller defender. DUKE already with 14 turn overs. We could use some improvements on offense (36% FG); we missed quite a number of shots inside the paint


Halftime, Up 35-21


Start of 2nd half

We have missed countless of shots at point blank range. Good thing our defense remains solid. DUKE already with 20 turn overs
13:51, Up 43-28

DUKE on an 8-0 run. I called an early timeout. We will switch to using m2m defense full time
10:53, Up 43-36

DUKE reduced our lead further down to 4, after converting a 3pt play opportunity. We broke our silence with a small 4-0 run. After an exchange of baskets, SG David Williams missed 4 straight shots; Williams has struggled so far, 5-19 FG for the game. DUKE is threatening once again
5:16, Up 49-46

DUKE got into penalty. Our last 4 pts came from the line. But we made 2 crucial turn overs leading to DUKE baskets. Timeout
3:25, Up 53-50

Another miss by SG David Williams. DUKE also missing what could have been a game-tying 3. Williams has the ball again, but this time he gets closer and scores on a pull up jumper. Clutch basket. Up 5. We stepped on the gas and applied more defensive pressure DUKE with a bad pass, their 24 turn over of the game. We went to C Curtis Harper down low. Harper makes a move. Traveling!
2:20, Up 55-50

DUKE puts up a shot. Missed. They get the long offensive rebound. Another attempt. Missed again. We finally secure the ball. Foul called on DUKE. 1-and-1 for PG Brent Evans. Evans get both FTs.
1:50, Up 57-50

DUKE's SG Mike Price had 2 opportunities to shoot but he passed the ball away. Price must have lost his confidence, with only 8 pts, 3-10 FG and 7 turn overs. Price receives the pass again. This time Price shoots. Missed. DUKE with another offensive rebound. They give it to Price again. Price takes another shot. Another miss by Price (3-12 FG). We finally get the ball
1:02, Up 57-50

I signaled to the team that we can now slow down. DUKE no choice but to foul. 2 more FTs, a steal, and finally we can breathe a sigh of relief. That was a close one. We limited DUKE with only 1 pt in the last 3-and-a-half mins of the game


Final Score: Duke - 51, Rice - 64


Box Scores
[INDENT]Williams 16, 7, 1, 8 stls (*)
Brown 12, 5, 0, 3 tos
Evans 9, 2, 2, 9-10 FT
Harper 8, 7, 0
McFadden 7, 7, 1, 3 tos
Piatowski 6, 2, 0, 2 stls
Fountain 4, 3, 0
Tiggs 2, 5, 1
Barker 0, 0, 2, 2 stls
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 32-34%
REB: +1
TO: -11 (DUKE: 25)
Pts in paint: +4
2nd chance: +4
Fast break: -4
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Mar 23, 2011: (4) #19 North Carolina (24-9, 12-6) vs (1) #1 Rice (35-0, 18-0)

Pregame Notes

• Key Players
  
  1. Sr C Lance Kraft (10.8 ppg, 6.1 rpg)
  2. Sr SG Shyrone Ilver (10.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg)
• How they got here
  
  1. Finished 3rd ACC; Semi Finals ACC Tournament
  2. (Rd 64) Def Pacific, 76-59 (Ilver 19 pts, 3-5 3PT)
  3. (Rd 32) Def #14 Pittsburgh, 76-68 (PITT 38% FG)
• Strengths
  
  1. Outside shooting: 36.4% 3PT
  2. Defense: 40.5% opp FG, 32.0% opp 3PT (both #1 ACC)
• Weaknesses
  
  1. Size: Tallest starter is Kraft at 6-8. They play 3-guard lineup due to lack of depth up front
• Strategies
  
  1. Exploit our height advantage, and get the ball inside
  2. Harass and pressure UNC's shooters

Tip off

We executed our game plan to almost absolute perfection. We got at least 6 steals on UNC's back court because of our pressure defense, and hounded their 3 starting guards (combined 2-15 FG). Our height advantage also got us 8 blks (5 by SF Ross Brown). On offense, we scored 30 pts inside the paint. The 4 triples we had were a bonus. SG David Williams with 19 pts (3 triples)


Halftime, Up 51-22


Start of 2nd half

A 41 pt lead with 13 mins to go. Still mathematically possible, but even the most loyal UNC fans here in Greensboro realize their season is over. I've seen enough, and rested my starters.


Final Score: North Carolina - 51, Rice - 96


Box Scores
[INDENT]Williams 30, 3, 2, 6 stls, 4-7 3PT (*)
Brown 13, 3, 2, 3 stls, 5 blks
Fountain 10, 3, 1
Piatowski 8, 4, 0
Harper 8, 3, 0, 3 tos
Evans 7, 2, 6
McFadden 5, 5, 2
Young 5, 1, 2
Barker 4, 3, 3, 3 tos
Tiggs 2, 2, 0
Phillips 2, 2, 0
Johnson 2, 0, 4
Richard 0, 1, 1
Boone 0, 2, 0
Fast 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 63-29%
REB: +6
TO: -5
Pts in paint: +40
2nd chance: -1
Fast break: +9
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Mar 25, 2011: (2) #12 Kentucky (27-6, 12-4) vs (1) #1 Rice (36-0, 18-0)

Pregame Notes

• Key Players
  
  1. Jr PG Maurice Finger (11.9 ppg, 4.7 apg)
  2. Sr C Colin Shin (9.7 ppg, 10.5 rpg - #5 Nat'l)
• How they got here
  
  1. Finished 2nd SEC; Runner Up SECTournament
  2. (Rd 64) Def Louisiana Tech, 60-45 (Shin 13 rebs)
  3. (Rd 32) Def Iowa, 76-69 (Shin 18 pts, 10-12 FT)
  4. (Rd 16) Def #21 Oklahoma, 66-65 (Finger 21 pts, 7 3s)
• Strengths
  
  1. 
     Outside shooting: 36.4% 3PT
  2. Defense: 55.6 opp ppg (#4 Nat'l), 38.7% opp FG (#9 Nat'l)
  3. Rebounding: 35.5 rpg is very good for a team that plays slow-paced
• Weaknesses
  
  1. Scoring: 65.7 ppg
• Strategies
  
  1. UK will try to shorten the game, and win by their defense. We have to get them to commit turn overs, so we can run and speed up the tempo
  2. We'll use balanced offense, to counter UK's 2-3 zone defense. We'll have a big advantage if we can knock down our outside shots

Tip off

UK got the better start offensively, and we played catch up almost the entire 1st quarter. Outside shooting of SG David Williams (22 pts, 6 triples) got us back. Despite William's contributions, our shooting wasn't that good at 39% FG (UK had 46% FG).


Halftime, Up 34-30
UK had 11 turn overs, but we haven't taken advantage of it much. We only had 6 fast break pts in the 1st half. If we can improve on this number, we can create some separation from UK. We switched to m2m defense late in the 1st half in order to contain the offense of UK. We'll continue with that defensive game plan here in the 2nd


Start of 2nd half

In a blink of an eye, SG David Williams has scored 17 of our 1st 19 pts of the 2nd half - all in a span just under 4 mins! Williams scored on 3s, drives, and layups coming off steals in UK's back court. Suddenly were up 19
16:03, Up 53-34

Both teams have relatively slowed down from that frantic pace we initiated at the start of the 2nd half. But SG David Williams still keeps on scoring, adding 10 more pts to up his tally to 49 pts! Williams is just getting his 1st rest of the 2nd half now; this kid can play forever.
8:20, Up 65-42

Uk shot well the rest of the way, but every time they build a little momentum, we get to score as well. A legendary performance by SG David Williams, one that will be talked about for years to come

We're going to the Final 4!


Final Score: Kentucky - 62, Rice - 81


Box Scores
[INDENT]Williams 52, 3, 0, 7 stls, 4 tos, 12-26 3PT (*)
Brown 11, 3, 1, 2 stls
McFadden 5, 1, 2
Piatowski 4, 0, 0, 2 blks
Evans 3, 3, 6
Fountain 2, 3, 0
Tiggs 2, 2, 0
Harper 1, 8, 0
Barker 1, 4, 8
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 46-42%
REB: -8 (-7 off)
TO: -10 (UK: 20)
Pts in paint: +4
2nd chance: -2
Fast break: +6
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Apr 1, 2011: (6) #13 Memphis (28-9, 13-5) vs (1) #1 Rice (37-0, 18-0)

We face a familiar foe. A 7-game win streak against MEM seems irrelevant, as they get a chance to erase all of those losses should the Tigers win. We feel that MEM has nothing to lose, and everything to gain heading to this game; and that makes them a very dangerous opponent


Pregame Notes

• Key Players
  
  1. Jr PG Ryan Watson (19.9 ppg, 4.1 apg, 1-time All American)
  2. Sr SF Brian Perry (13.5 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 2-time All American)
• How they got here
  
  1. Finished 2nd CUSA; Runner Up CUSA Tournament
  2. (Rd 64) Def Furman, 93-86 (Perry 22 pts, 13 rebs)
  3. (Rd 32) Def #8 Michigan, 62-34 (Perry 16 pts, 15 rebs)
  4. (Rd 16) Def Arkansas, 80-69 (Watson 24 pts, 6 3s)
  5. (Rd 8) Def #24 Michigan St, 58-55 (Watson 21 pts, 4 3s)
• Strengths
  
  1. Defense: 55.6 opp ppg, 37.6% opp FG (both #3 Nat'l)
  2. Rebounding: 36.2 rpg (#7 Nat'l)
• Weaknesses
  
  1. Turn overs: 13.9 topg
• Strategies
  
  1. PG Ryan Watson is always going to score, no matter who we put against him. The key to the 2 wins we had over MEM this season was limiting SF Brian Perry (5 ppg on those 2 games).
  2. We always had difficulty scoring against MEM's half court defense, so creating turn overs and scoring transition would be necessary components of our game plan.

Tip off

SG David Williams off to a good start, scoring all of our pts so far. Both teams with 3 turn overs
14:22, Up 10-6

Williams gets another 3. And then we stole the ball on MEM's consecutive possessions, and Williams scored both times in transition. Williams still with all of our pts.
10:24, Up 17-8

Williams drains triple #4. MEM's turn overs beginning to pile up (8). Williams having the hot hand as we continue to feed him, and he gets another 3 to go in! One play later, Williams drives and scores on a pull up jumper. Williams now with 27 pts, and that's our entire output! MEM calling their 2nd timeout of the 1st half
8:09, Up 27-9

Williams picked up his 2nd foul, and it's a good time to give him some rest. No Williams, no problem. SF Andre McFadden and SF Ross Brown scored 16 of our last 18 pts, which allowed me to rest Williams for the rest of the 1st half.

MEM stars PG Ryan Watson (3 pts) and SF Brian Perry (3 pts) combined for just 2-14 FG. MEM got most of its offense from the line, 13-17 FT


Halftime, Up 45-23
20 mins left. Lots of things can still happen. We cat be over confident


Start of 2nd half

SG David Williams missed his 1st 2 shots, but connected on his next 2, both from 3PT territory. Williams now with 33 pts (7 3s)
14:43, Up 55-30

SG David Williams adding 2 more 3s to go with his 39 pts (9 3s). MEM shooters starting to heat up from the outside, esp PG Ryan Watson who has scored 12 of his 15 pts (4 3s) in the 2nd half. I called a timeout just to make sure we don't allow MEM to get an extended run
9:03, Up 65-46

We haven't scored much the past few minutes, but we slowed down MEM as well. More importantly, time is quickly running for MEM to earse their deficit
4:23, Up 71-50

Our defense continue to frustrate MEM, as they tried desperately to shoot their way back. They are tired right now. More than a minute left, leading by 23, I pulled out my starters. On to the national finals!

MEM's PG Ryan Watson hitting a meaningless 3 in the last minute, to up his total to a team-high 18 pts. A slightly better 2nd half for SF Brian Perry who finished with 9 pts, 10 rebs, but shot only 4-17 FG. This is Perry's last collegiate game; he's had a good 4 years, but we always found a way to stop him


Final Score: Memphis - 55, Rice - 79


Box Scores
[INDENT]Williams 41, 1, 0, 3 stls, 3 tos, 9-22 3PT
McFadden 19, 2, 0, 3 tos
Brown 7, 4, 2, 2 stls, 3 blks
Piatowski 6, 10, 0
Harper 2, 11, 1, 2 blks
Tiggs 2, 1, 0
Barker 2, 0, 4
Evans 0, 3, 7, 2 stls
Fountain 0, 3, 0
Phillips 0, 1, 0
Young 0, 0, 1
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 53-33%
REB: +6
TO: -3
Pts in paint: +24
2nd chance: +3
Fast break: +13
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Apr 3, 2011: (1) #4 LSU (31-5, 12-4) vs (1) #1 Rice (38-0, 18-0)

Pregame Notes

• Key Players
  
  1. So SG Dewayne Clagget (Tournament stats: 26.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg)
  2. Jr(R) PG Jabari Adams (Tournament stats: 13.6 ppg, 4.0 apg)
• How they got here
  
  1. Finished 1st SEC; Champion SEC Tournament
  2. (Rd 64) Def Arkansas St, 77-52 (Clagget 15 pts, 5 stls)
  3. (Rd 32) Def Ohio St, 68-61 (Clagget 19 pts, 5 asts)
  4. (Rd 16) Def #10 Gonzaga, 84-68 (36 pts, 11-18 FG, 11-15 FT)
  5. (Rd 8) Def #25 Florida, 76-59 (Clagget 39 pts, 12 rebs, 17-20 FT)
  6. (Rd 4) Def #22 Oklahoma St, 79-60 (Clagget 24 pts, 6 stls)
• Strengths
  
  1. Forcing turn overs: 20.4 topg (#1 Nat'l)
  2. Offense: 72.7 ppg, 46.4% FG (#1 SEC)
• Weaknesses
  
  1. Scoring depth: Top 3 scorers n teh tournament account for almost 70% of their offense
  2. Size: 2 undersized PFs comprised their starting "big" man
• Strategies
  
  1. It is easy to regard this match as a scoring battle between SG David Williams and LSU's SG Dewayne Clagget. But how we exploit our advantage up front could be the key
  2. Clagget is averaging more than 10 FTAs per game, which means he is being fouled a lot. We'll switch SFs Ross Brown/Andre McFadden to Clagget, so SG David Williams won't need to guard him and avoid getting into foul trouble

Tip off

We called up 3 plays for PF Kevin Tiggs on the low post, and Tiggs able to score every time
15:18, Up 10-4

Both teams making lots of turn overs; LSU with 6, and we have 7 all made by our PGs (PG Jovan Barker with 5!)/ We have also maximized our def rebounding intensity, as LSU already with 5 offensive rebs
10:19, Up 21-16

We have no problems making our shots (55% FG), but the issue is we didn't took many of them because of our 13 turn overs. LSU shot 35% FG in the 1st half. LSU's PG Jabari Adams (13 pts) and SG Dewayne Clagget are the games top 2 scorers so far, while we had a more balanced box score. SG David Williams relatively quiet, 8 pts (2 3s)


Halftime, Up 40-39
The problem is LSU has anticipated many of our passes inside. While we are usually successful whenever we get the ball to our bigs inside, it is also the source of our many turn overs. We'll adjust to a more balanced offense in the 2nd half. Plus, we have to do a better job cleaning up the defensive glass; LSU already with 12 offensive rebounds


Start of 2nd half

SG David Williams starting to get more active on offense, scoring 10 of his 18 pts here in the 2nd half. We still have the same issues, i.e. 18 turn overs (5 in the 2nd half) and LSU getting 5 more offensive rebounds (total of 17)
11:23, Tied at 58

SG David Williams earlier had 2 steals on LSU's back court and scored both time on layups. Williams also added another 3, for his game-high total of 25 pts (5 3s). But this game is too close to call now. I have to give Williams a brief rest, as he is battling hard at both ends of the court
6:46, Up 71-65

LSU's backup PG Richie Thomas hits 2 straight FGs. Our lead down to 2. C Curtis Harper knocks down 2 FTs. LSU with 6 team fouls. Harper, playing on his last collegiate game, with a double double (12 pts, 11 rebs, 6-6 FT)
4:43, Up 73-69

SF Andre McFadden fouls a jump shooter. LSU hits both FTs. Up 2. McFadden missed a 3. LSU's Dewayne Clagget also missing a 3 that could have given them the lead. SF Ross Brown missed on his drive. LSU's PG Jabari Adams missed, but LSU securing their 19th offensive rebound of the game. Foul called on SF Ross Brown, his 4th. our 4th team foul. The dead ball allowed me to bring back SG David Williams
3:18, Up 73-71

LSU resets their play. SG Dewayne Clagget hesitates on a 3. They try to pass it cross court to PG Jabari Adams. PG Brent Evans anticipates the pass, gets the steal, outlet to SF Andre McFadden and throws down the jam! LSU with 16 turn overs. McFadden with 10 pts
2:33, Up 75-71

Foul on McFadden. Our 5th team foul. PG Jabari Adams drives hard to the lane. Met by C Curtis Harper. Adams missed, but a foul called on Harper. Adams splits. Adams with 20 pts. Timeout. SF Ross Brown (4 fouls) to replace SF Andre McFadden
2:13, Up 75-72

Foul on LSU's PG Jabari Adams. LSU is in the penalty. 1-and-1 for PG Brent Evans, who will make his 1st trip to the line. Adams, normally a reliable FT shooter, missed the front end! LSU with the ball. Evans fouls Adams on the othe end. Adams to shoot 2 FTs, as it was on the act of shooting. Missed the 1st! Missed the 2nd! SF Ross Brown with the defensive rebound. Timeout
1:41, Up 75-72

Evans made a bad pass, and LSU scores on transition.
1:28, Up 75-74

We safely get the ball to SG David Williams, who puts up a 3. Missed. LSU with the ball. They can take the lead on this possession. SG Dewayne Clagget hits a big shot on the right corner. Timeout. Clagget with 20 pts
0:55, Down 75-76

PG Jovan Barker replaces PG Brent Evans. We have to give SG David Williams one more try. From the same spot where he missed earlier, Williams puts up a 3. Williams drains the triple! Timeout LSU. Williams with 28 pts (6 3s)
0:47, Up 78-76

Williams gets a steal, his 7th of the game. I called my last timeout. 1 second differential between game and shot clock
0:33, Up 78-76

We want to take as much shot clock as possible, or even run it out. But PG Jovan Barker makes a bad pass, his 6th turn over. Timeout LSU. Oh man, we're literally throwing this game away.
0:29, Up 78-76

LSU's PG Jabari Adams sets up their play. PG Jovan Parker harassing Adams. Parker forced Adams to throw away the pass! That is Adams' 6th turn over. We have no timeouts left
0:21, Up 78-76

We spaced the floor. Passing the ball around. LSU wanting to foul. But we're able to rotate the ball safely. Less than 2 secs left. SF Ross Brown lets it fly towards the basket. Missed, but it doesn't matter as time expires. We're national champs!


Final Score: LSU - 76, Rice - 78
What a match! It was fitting that the game-winning shot was made by the freshman kid (SG David Williams) who carried us all season long. Our 2 graduating former All-Americans (C Curtis Harper and SF Ross Brown) are ecstatic, as they saw the rise of our program into the national landscape; both Harper and Brown finished in double figures

Both LSU's SG Dewayne Clagget and PG Jabari Adams finished with 20 pts each.


Box Scores
[INDENT]Williams 28, 1, 1, 7 stls, 3 tos, 6-11 3PT (*)
Harper 12, 11, 0
Brown 12, 4, 0, 3 blks, 3 tos
McFadden 10, 2, 2, 2 stls
Tiggs 8, 2, 0
Fountain 6, 5, 0
Johnson 2, 1, 4
Phillips 0, 3, 0
Piatowski 0, 2, 0
Evans 0, 1, 4, 2 stls, 6 tos
Barker 0, 0, 4, 6 tos
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 51-42%
REB: -6 (-9 off)
TO: +5
Pts in paint: +10
2nd chance: -3
Fast break: +10
[/INDENT]

[randy]

National Individual Awards

• NCAA MOP: Fr SG David Williams

Conference Individual Awards

• POY: Fr SG David Williams
• FOY: Fr SG David Williams

CUSA 1st Team All-Conference

• Fr SG David Williams
• Sr C Curtis Harper

CUSA 2nd Team All-Conference

• Sr SF Ross Brown
• Jr SF Andre McFadden

I won another 3rd National COY (1st with Rice) and CUSA COY (4th). MEM's SF Bryan Perry won CUSA's DPOY. Perry and teammate PG Ryan Watson were named All-Americans

[randy]

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


Points

1. SG David Williams - 30.4 ppg (#3, #1); 1002 pts in a single season is tied for 5th best all-time (just 30 pts less than the all-time record; also Williams' 376 FGs made is 3rd best all time
2. C Curtis Harper - 11.6
3. SF Andre McFadden - 11.1
4. SF Ross Brown - 10.4
5. PF Sam Piatowski - 4.9
6. C Scott Fountain - 4.8
7. PF Kevin Tiggs - 4.7
8. PG Brent Evans - 2.6
9. PG Hayllets Johnson - 2.1
10. C Brent Phillips - 1.5
11. SG Jimmy Young - 1.5
12. PG Jovan Barker - 1.3

Rebounds

1. C Curtis Harper - 9.0 rpg (#10, #2)
2. SF Ross Brown - 6.2
3. SF Andre McFadden - 4.2
4. PF Kevin Tiggs - 4.0
5. PF Sam Piatowski - 3.5
6. C Scott Fountain - 3.3
7. SG David Williams - 2.8
8. C Brent Phillips - 2.1
9. PG Brent Evans - 1.3
10. PG Jovan Barker - 1.1

Assists

1. PG Brent Evans - 5.1 apg (#15, #2)
2. PG Jovan Barker - 3.9
3. SF Ross Brown - 1.7
4. SG David Williams - 1.6
5. SF Andre McFadden - 1.4
6. PG Hayllets Johnson - 1.1
7. C Curtis Harper - 1.0

Steals

1. SG David Williams - 3.6 spg (#5, #1)
2. SF Ross Brown - 1.2
3. C Curtis Harper - 1.0

Blocks

1. C Curtis Harper - 2.5 bpg (#4, #1)
2. SF Ross Brown - 1.2 (#19, #2)

3PM

1. SG David Williams - 231 (#1, #1); new NCAA record for most number of 3 pointers made in a single season
2. SF Andre McFadden - 32
3. SF Ross Brown - 24
4. PG Brent Evans - 7
5. PG Hayllets Johnson - 7
6. SG Jimmy Young - 7
7. PG Jovan Barker - 2

Turnovers

1. SG David Williams - 2.1 topg
2. PG Brent Evans - 1.9
3. SF Andre McFadden - 1.5
4. SF Ross Brown - 1.3
5. PG Jovan Barker - 1.3
6. C Curtis Harper - 1.0

FG% (min 30 FGA)

1. PF Sam Piatowski - 62.7%
2. C Curtis Harper - 61.2
3. C Scott Fountain - 57.6
4. SG David Williams - 49.0
5. PG Brent Evans - 46.3
6. PF Kevin Tiggs - 46.1
7. C Brent Phillips - 45.0
8. SF Andre McFadden - 40.3
9. SF Ross Brown - 38.5
10. PG Jovan Barker- 36.8

FT% (min 20 FTA)

1. PF Sam Piatowski - 95.0% (19 of 20)
2. SF Andre McFadden - 91.5
3. SF Ross Brown - 85.2
4. C Curtis Harper - 77.9
5. PG Brent Evans - 77.4
6. C Scott Fountain - 69.2
7. SG David Williams - 65.5
8. PF Kevin Tiggs - 57.1

3PT% (min 10 3PTA)

1. PG Hayllets Johnson - 58.3% (7 of 12)
2. SF Andre McFadden - 44.4
3. SG David Williams - 44.0
4. SG Jimmy Young - 38.9
5. PG Brent Evans - 36.8
6. SF Ross Brown - 30.8

Minutes

1. SG David Williams - 29.4 mpg
2. C Curtis Harper - 27.3
3. SF Ross Brown - 24.6
4. SF Andre McFadden - 21.6
5. PG Brent Evans - 20.0
6. PF Kevin Tiggs - 19.0
7. PG Jovan Barker - 16.4
8. PF Sam Piatowski - 15.3
9. C Scott Fountain - 12.1
10. C Brent Phillips - 6.8
11. PG Hayllets Johnson - 6.0
12. SG Jimmy Young - 4.2