Two years ago, we lost to Gonzaga in the Sweet 16.
http://www.wolverinestudios.com/forum/showpost.php?p=155603&postcount=41
We get the chance to even the score, and this time the stakes are higher as the winner gets the chance to play for the national championship. Gonzaga still has some players that we played against, including one of the country's top big man, SR C Victor Prince
Apr 1, 2003: (3) #5 Towson (35-0, 18-0) @ (3) #9 Gonzaga (27-6, 12-4)
Scouting Report
- Primary defense: M2M
- Offense focus: Balanced (fast)
- Key players:
- Sr C Victor Prince (16.4 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 2.8 bpg, 52% FG, Conf POY, 3-time Conf DPOY, 3-time All-Conf, #35 class rank)
- So SG Shannon Clyburn (18.4 ppg, All-Conf, #23 class rank)
- Strengths:
- Rebounding: 35.1 rpg (#2 WCC, #22 Nat'l)
- Offense: 73.3 ppg (#1 WCC, #16 Nat'l), 46.0% FG (#2 WCC, #44 Nat'l)
- Ball handling: 13.3 topg (#1 WCC, #53 Nat'l)
- Weaknesses:
- 3PT shooting: 35.0% 3PT (#4 WCC, #155 Nat'l)
- How they got here:
- Finished 2nd WCC; Lost Conference Tournament Semi Finals
- (Round 64) Def Yale, 76-47 (Clyburn 41 pts, 13-22 3PT)
- (Round 32) Def Oregon, 69-60 (Prince 15 pts, 11 rebs)
- (Sweet 16) Def #7 Temple, 81-78 (Clyburn 29 pts, 6-11 3PT)
- (Elite 8) Def #17 Brigham Young, 85-78 (Clyburn 22 pts; Prince 19 pts, 12 rebs)
Strategies- It's a matter of "picking your poison". Do we focus on stopping their inside game focusing on Prince, or try to limit the production of Clyburn. Clyburn has been on a tear during this year's tournament. Clyburn's lowest output was against Oregon during Round 2, where he struggled for 3-18 FG (0-2 3PT). We will then try to hound Clyburn, double team him every time, and force him to give up the ball.
- We will be forced to alter our defensive sequence should we fail to stop Prince inside.
- On offense, we'll start with a favor inside focus, with the hopes of getting Prince into foul trouble
- Limiting our turn overs and playing good transition becomes very important gain. Gonzaga might have lost their game against Oregon if not for the 20 fast break pts they scored (and they won by only 9). Temple did a better job limiting Gonzaga to only 4 fast break pts; the reason why Gonzaga still won is because Clyburn had a big game. In summary, if we can stop Clyburn at all cost, and prevent Gonzaga from running the break, we'll have a chance
Start of 1st halfWe're doing a good job defensive on ZAGA's SG Shannon Clyburn, as he is clearly bothered by our constant double team, 0-3 FG, 2 tos. On offense, SF Mike Mason (6 pts) had 2 successful scoring, and a fast break finish.
Up 8-3, 15:29. Clyburn however, began to heat up converting 3 straight outside shots including two 3s; all of those shots were in fron t of a double team.
Down 12-13, 11:10.
Our shots not falling, 0-5 3PT. SF Terrell Wallace is scoreless and SG Cain Ward only with 2 pts. Despite the freeze in our offense, we did not allow ZAGA to have big lead. During the timeout, I voiced out my concern to PG Doug Price, as he has committed 3 passing errors already.
Down 14-16, 7:33.
SG Cain Ward buried his 1st triple of the game, and we reclaimed the lead. Both teams exchanging scores since, not wanting the other make a big run. Ward picked up his 3rd foul, and I have no choice but to put him in the bench for the rest of the 1st half. I had enough of PG Doug Price, as he committed his 4th turn over, the last one giving GONZ an easy basket on the break; I'll be using 3rd string PG Nick Granger as the backup PG for PG Udonis Dement.
Down 22-25, 2:27. SF Mike Mason (13 pts) has done a good job keeping us in the game, always trying to take it strong to the hoop. SF Terrell Wallace finally got his 1st FG to fall, a 3 pointer, which was enough to tie the game.
Halftime, Tied at 31.
Key stats / Notes (Halftime)- Pts in paint: TOW 14, ZAGA 10
- FT shooting: TOW 3-3, ZAGA 7-10
- The rest of the stats are almost dead even, which explains the tied score at the end of the 1st half
- ZAGA taking advantage of their dual options on offense. Since SG Shannon Clyburn is struggling, they went to C Victor Prince (11 pts) to carry their offense.
- Not only SF Mike Mason was our most consistent scorer (13 pts, 5-8 FG), he is also the most effective defender against ZAGA's SG Shannon Clyburn. Clyburn went scoreless when Mason is guarding him, and exploded with 8 when other defenders take their turn. Mason will definitely have to play more minutes in the 2nd half
- The performances of our PGs so far: PG Udonis Dement 11 mins, 5 asts, 0 tos; PG Doug Price 6 mins, 0 asts, 4 tos. Therefore, a key factor in the 2nd half would be how will I be able to maximize the playing time of both Dement and Mason
Start of 2nd halfNo team has scored for more than 2 minutes. SG Cain Ward picked up his 4th foul; a very bad gamble on my part. ZAGA's Victor Prince scored an inside basket, and then their PF Erwin Monroe getting 2 pts on an off rebound put back. Our only FG during the 1st 5 mins of play is a jumper by SF Terrel Wallace, who is playing primarily on the 2 due to the absence of Ward (on the bench, 4 fouls). ZAGA has intensified their defense, adding 3 more blocks (total of 7 in the game).
Down 33-35, 14:58.
SF Terrell Wallace (8 pts) hits his 2nd 3pt shot of the game, and just like that, we go up by 1. A couple of stops later, PF Aaron Wise (6 pts) scoring inside. Up 3. Backup PG Nick Granger (5'5") blocks the shot of ZAGA's PG Steve Latham (6'3"); ZAGA resets their play and C Victor Prince (13 pts) scoring again. Up 1. We miss a shot. On ZAGA's next possession, our double team was late on SG Shannon Clyburn, and Clyburn buries a 3pt shot (his 3rd of the game). A lapse in defense o our part. Down 2. SF Terrel Wallace answers back with a jumper. Tied game. ZAGA went back to Clyburn; this time the double team is there and Clyburn (11 pts, 4-20 FG) missed his shot. On our next play, Wallace drives to the basket; counted plus a foul! Wallace missed the bonus FT.
Up 42-40, 10:57.
ZAGA's C Victor Prince taking a rest on the bench. With the absence of Prince, we crashed the offensive board 3 times on our possession; 4 attempts, can't convert. After a ZAGA turn over, our leading scorer SF Mike Mason (15 pts) scores his 1st basket of the 2nd half. Up 4. A steal by Mason on the other end; pass was intended to ZAGA's SG Shannon Clyburn. Mason on the break and takes it all the way for a slam. Up 6. Clyburn gets the pass on ZAGA's next possession, but we continue to hound him on our double team. Clyburn forced to pass, and SF Terrell Wallace picks off the pass. Another fast break, and Wallace's finishes it off!
Up 48-40, 9:11.
Clyburn attempts a shot. Missed again but the refs called a foul. Clyburn can only come up with a split. Up 7. We give it to Wallace on the next possession. We want to take advantage that ZAGA doesn't have C Victor Prince on the floor. Wallace with a strong drive, leaves his man, and slam dunk! ZAGA has seen enough, and they call a timeout.
Up 50-41, 8:50. Game was tied at 40 less than 4 mins ago, and we made this run with our our best player SG Cain Ward sitting on the bench with 4 fouls
With SG Shannon Clyburn shackled by our defense, ZAGA can't find anyone to score. The miss again. It's a puzzle why their C Victor Prince is still on the bench; Prince only has 1 foul. On our next possession, SF Terrell Wallace able to pick up the 3rd foul on Clyburn while attempting a shot. Clyburn heads to the bench, and it also gives me time to rest his defender, SF Mike Mason. Wallace splits his charities. Up 10. We got called for a foul. ZAGA splits as well. Up 9. Teams traded misses. On our next play, C Herbert Desmond shoots an inside basket, got it to fall, plus a foul! Desmond missed the FT.
Up 53-42, 7:26. ZAGA's C Victor Prince (15 pts, 10 rebs) back in the game.
ZAGA clearly going to C Victor Prince on every opportunity. We have shifted our double team on him, but Prince was able to fist 2 successive fouls on C Herbert Desmond. We're in the penalty already. Prince splits his FTs. Up 10. SF Terrell Wallace hits a tough corner shot in traffic. Up 12. ZAGA's backup SG answers with an outside shot. Up 10. SF Terrell Wallace wants the ball; he knows he is feeling it. Wallace gets the ball, outs up a 3 pt shot, and it's good! Wallace is in the zone, 22 pts.
Up 58-45, 6:25.
We were called for a foul again. ZAGA hits both. Up 11. We miss a 3, but ZAGA turns the ball over on their next possession. ZAGA bringing back SG Shannon Clyburn. I bring back SF Mike Mason, and we'll shift back our defensive focus on Clyburn. I'll give SF Terrell Wallace a short breather and brought back SG Cain Ward (5 pts, 4 fouls).
Up 58-47, 5:29.
We turn it over. ZAGA missed. On our next play, C Kelley able Brown able to challenge the defense of ZAGA's C Victor Prince, and Brown scores. Up 13 again. ZAGA answers back with a score on the drive. On our end, we opted to go back to Brown again. Brown makes his move inside; ZAGA made a switch, but Brown able to drop off a pass to PF Aaron Wise, and Wise scores! Great interior passing by Brown.
Up 62-49, 4:08.
No break being given to ZAGA's SG Shannon Clyburn, as 2 bodies are always in front of him. Clyburn passed to Prince, but Prince missed his shot from the low post. We get the ball. Out of nowhere, SG Cain Ward puts up a 3 pt shot, and hit nothing but the bottom of the net! And we are up by 16! But don't count out ZAGA yet, as Clyburn hits a tough 3 pt shot, with 2 pairs of hands in front of his face.
Up 65-52, 3:21.
We'll try slow down the game. PG Udonis Dement committed his 1st turn over of the game. ZAGA able to isolate SG Shannon Clyburn again, ans he is facing on 1 defender for the moment. That's all Clyburn needed as he drained another 3 pt shot. Clyburn with 5 3s, 18 pts. I call a timeout.
Up 65-55, 2:33.
We just need to settle down. ZAGA called for a foul; only their 6th team foul. More importantly, shot clock reset to 30. SG Cain Ward shoots (too early in the shot clock!) but fortunately, PF Aaron Wise with the off rebound. Kill some clock guys! SF Mike Mason drives. Miss gain. ZAGA gets the ball. ZAGA going to SG Shannon Clyburn again. Clyburn is inside the arc; he shoots over the double team, and missed this time. We secure the rebound. Timeout.
Up 65-55, 1:39.
Lowest off freedom, and slowest pace. No need to shoot early! ZAGA fouls. Penalty. PG Udonis Dement hits both FTs. Up 12. ZAGA's SG Shannon Clyburn buries another 3 pt shot; the Bulldogs refuse to quit.
Up 67-58, 1:04. Another ZAGA foul. Dement splits his FTs. Up 10. ZAGA can't get it to Clyburn, and their PF forces a 3. They miss. We get the rebound and another foul by ZAGA; it's the 5th foul of Clyburn. SG Cain Ward nails both FTs. Up 70-58, 0:47. That should do it
We're playing for a the national title, and a possible undefeated season!
Final Score: Towson - 70, Gonzaga - 61Box Scores[INDENT]Wallace 22, 6, 1, 3 stls (*)
Mason 17, 3, 0
Ward 10, 5, 3
Wise 8, 6, 0
Brown 6, 7, 1, 2 blks
Dement 3, 1, 7
Morton 2, 8, 0, 2 blks
Desmond 2, 1, 0
Price 0, 1, 0, 4 tos
Granger 0, 0, 5, 2 blks
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison[INDENT]FG: 42-35%
REB: +1
TO: -4
Pts in paint: +12
2nd chance: -3
Fast break: +1
[/INDENT]
Notes- It was a fantastic game, as both teams clearly wanting to win and gave it their all. We were able to engineer a 10-1 run during sometime during the middle of the 2nd half, and that was the crucial moment of the game. We were able to hang on, and it was too late for ZAGA when they began hitting their outside shots.
- Half of SF Mike Mason's contributions today can't be seen in the box score. The job he did in shadowing SG Shannon Clyburn deserves recognition.
- In the other Final Four game, it was an all-SEC affair, and #14 LSU upsets #1 Georgia