My Fiver on WVU's loss to BYU last night at the Coliseum:
1. https://media.tenor.com/ZykYfxEeGBUAAAAM/****-lackey.gif
2. We really needed Jevon Small to dominate the ball down the stretch, and he just wasn't involved enough. I get that 9 assists vs. 2 TO in 35 minutes to go along with 9 points is fine enough. But, when 62-56 turned into 62-62 with 5 and a half to go, I would've called a TO and essentially ISO'd Javon from here on out. He would've absolutely dominated the ball, for better or for worse, like we used to do with Juwan Staten down the stretch. Instead, we had to rely upon Joseph Yesufu, Jon Powell and Toby Okani and we see where we land. It's time for Small to become a little bit more selfish on offense.
3. That turnover in the WVU backcourt by Sincere Harris against no pressure with subsequent foul with 6 minutes to go and WVU leading 62-59 was probably our worst sequence of the season.
4. Eduardo Andre had such a big size advantage on BYU's bigs, I am shocked we did not go to him more on the post. The one time we did, he scored so easily over 6'8" Keba Keita, it looked like a high school center scoring over a little kid. Surprised at how little he played given the size advantage.
5. We're a year away. The good news is that, in today's game, fortunes can change quickly in college basketball. If Tucker DeVries and Jayden Stone were available, then you are looking at a team who is competing for a Big 12 title and easily a 2nd weekend NCAA Tournament squad. But, alas, WVU happened and here we are. I just don't see a realistic path to 19 wins after last night. Prove me wrong, please. But, these losses to Arizona State, TCU and BYU are mounting up, opportunities wasted away, and NCAA Tournament teams don't lose those games. I think we'll still be bubblicious, but most likely "out" - because I just can't find the wins on our schedule. I love our incoming freshman class, and I like the idea of Tucker DeVries returning with hopefully the remainder of this crew. Darian DeVries has proven that he is a top notch coach, and barring any unforeseen injuries next year, we will be a damn good squad. That said, this late season swoon is painful to endure, and maddening.
1. https://media.tenor.com/ZykYfxEeGBUAAAAM/****-lackey.gif
2. We really needed Jevon Small to dominate the ball down the stretch, and he just wasn't involved enough. I get that 9 assists vs. 2 TO in 35 minutes to go along with 9 points is fine enough. But, when 62-56 turned into 62-62 with 5 and a half to go, I would've called a TO and essentially ISO'd Javon from here on out. He would've absolutely dominated the ball, for better or for worse, like we used to do with Juwan Staten down the stretch. Instead, we had to rely upon Joseph Yesufu, Jon Powell and Toby Okani and we see where we land. It's time for Small to become a little bit more selfish on offense.
3. That turnover in the WVU backcourt by Sincere Harris against no pressure with subsequent foul with 6 minutes to go and WVU leading 62-59 was probably our worst sequence of the season.
4. Eduardo Andre had such a big size advantage on BYU's bigs, I am shocked we did not go to him more on the post. The one time we did, he scored so easily over 6'8" Keba Keita, it looked like a high school center scoring over a little kid. Surprised at how little he played given the size advantage.
5. We're a year away. The good news is that, in today's game, fortunes can change quickly in college basketball. If Tucker DeVries and Jayden Stone were available, then you are looking at a team who is competing for a Big 12 title and easily a 2nd weekend NCAA Tournament squad. But, alas, WVU happened and here we are. I just don't see a realistic path to 19 wins after last night. Prove me wrong, please. But, these losses to Arizona State, TCU and BYU are mounting up, opportunities wasted away, and NCAA Tournament teams don't lose those games. I think we'll still be bubblicious, but most likely "out" - because I just can't find the wins on our schedule. I love our incoming freshman class, and I like the idea of Tucker DeVries returning with hopefully the remainder of this crew. Darian DeVries has proven that he is a top notch coach, and barring any unforeseen injuries next year, we will be a damn good squad. That said, this late season swoon is painful to endure, and maddening.
