11/14: 85-65. We haven’t fully jelled yet and we’re still working on our sub pattern. We took an early lead and never let it go. 12, 14, 3, 1, 5 blocks for Redd, 15, 4, 6 for Hort, 15, 6 for Monn, 12, 5 for Prin, 8, 6, 7 for Winn. We owned the paint. 9-31 on threes. Last season we won it all despite the three point strategy not because of it. We’ll see if we shoot the three better this season.
#9 seed Dayton, 1-0, in the quarter finals.
11/16: We take the lead right away and expand it. Up 12 after 10. 54-37 at halftime. Not happy with the D but everything else looked good. 13, 7 for Redd, 13, 2, 3 for Kell.
Holding the lead. Up 23 with 10 to go.
103-87. 24, 14 for Redd; again, I have no idea why he’s not on the Norton list. 19, 12 for Loux, 11, 1, 3, 6 for Hort but 7 TOs; we spoke about it. 13, 2, 5 for Kell, 16 for Monn.
#4 seed, #2 ranked Wisconsin, 2-0, in the semifinals. They can play especially on D, but I’m not sure they can score enough points to keep up with us. Interesting to have #1 vs. #2 this early in the season!
11/18: We take the lead right away. They come back. Up 1 after 10. A late run puts us up 55-38 at the half. 25, 3 for Hort, who is on fire; 7 threes. We’re winning the battle inside and holding them to 32.4%. Monn has 3 fouls.
We get the lead to 20 then they come back some. Up 20 after 10 as we answer.
96-81. A comfortable win over #2! 34, 5, 5, 3 blocks for Hort, 14, 13 for Loux, 11, 7, 10 for Winn, 16, 4 for Prin.
I’m thinking of switching Winn to PG and Hort to SG. Not ready to do it yet though.
It’s #2 seed, #3 ranked Gonzaga, 3-0, in the title game. We had a war in the national championship game last season. They have a very good SG, but so do we!
Interestingly enough, Gonzaga is at our place in the first game after this tourney.
Unbelievably, we fall to #2 in the polls. Makes no sense!
11/20: Fast start for both teams. Up 6 after 10. Then we go on a run. They come back. We answer. 54-46 in a very fast paced first half. 11, 2, 6 for Hort, 11 each for Loux, Brow, and Kell. Winn has 3 fouls. +16 in the paint. Redd committed 2 fouls in the first 2 minutes and sat for the rest of the half.
It’s a battle early in the 2nd. Up 5 with 10 to play. Then we go on a big run.
108-82 and the title. 22, 6, 10, 3 for Hort, 24, 4 for Kell, who is looking terrific. 13, 11 for Loux, 15, 5 for Prin, 11 each for Monn and Brow. Redd was never a factor and we still crushed them!
A rematch with Gonzaga at our place is next.