Golden saved the day

Agreed. The triple team on Williams in the last minute was a direct outcome of a coaching change.

 

In the PC he expounded. He didn't want to double and give up 3s. Take the 2s. In crunch we needed the xtra possessions so put them on the line. Everything we needed to happen did happen. Including 4 clutch 3s by Clayton and Haugh.

 

Coach also mentioned that, saying we were able to cover him up so he couldn't see to pass it out.

 

He also went to a bigger lineup and decided if we were going to be beat it would be from "3" or the foul line

I definitely see Haugh playing the "3" next year

 

For as awesome as Haugh was on offense he was getting abused on defense inside. Not really his fault, it was quite a mismatch

 

I loved this quote from Golden, "obviously he'll be starting for us next year." Referring to Haugh.

 

Clayton hit a 2.
TT scored inside for the last time.
Haugh hit bac-to-back 3's.
TT hit 2 FTs.
TT missed a 3 and was stuffed inside.
Clayton hit back-to-back 3s.
TT missed the front end of two 1 & 1s.
UF made free throws to close the game.

UF went from 10 down to winning by 5 in 4 minutes. It was a terrific comeback.

Charles Barkley said the best team didn't win because TT dominated the inside game, but the other announcers said UF took the game from TT.

Think of it this way, the Gators successfully fought to the end showing they were the tougher team according to the standard set by the TT HC. Compare what UF accomplished to what the Maryland coach did calling no mas with 3 minutes still to play.

I agree with the other announcers not named Charles Barkley. The Gators took the game from TT snatching victory from the jaws of defeat and deserve to be in the Final Four.

I had predicted UF to win by 20; however, win and advance is all that matters.

 

UF was never winning that game by 20 and Barkley was right in that once again in the Tournament, our bigs were pushed around and outplayed. Coach Golden played the odds perfectly though by fouling Tech’s worse free throw shooters late and both times they missed the front ends. Big credit to Haugh and Clayton for making big shots down the stretch to complete the comeback.

Great win and unbelievable job by the staff to lead this team to the Final Four. And the good news is that UF still hasn’t played as well as they can in the Tournament but obviously will have to change in San Antonio.

 

Nobody could stop their big guys, but IMO, Haugh slowed them more effectively than the rest

 

Golden seems determined to almost never double the post. I would guess there is analytics support for this strategy, as long as your team isn’t playing five 6’0” guards. But it can certainly look wrong sometimes to the naked eye.

 

Agreed I don’t think he was abused they just have good bigs. He forced them into difficult shots and they made them.

 

I thought he did a decent job , I thought it was Condon who had more difficulty, but maybe not remembering right.

My question; is there no rule about extending the off arm and pushing g the defender?

Williams did to multiple times.

The no call at the end of the UH/PUR game was the most egregious I’ve ever seen. How can that not be called?

 

I thought that was an interesting quote. Golden could have been caught up in the moment, but I think it's more likely that next year's lineup has already been discussed internally.

I doubt Condon has already informed the staff that he's leaving (i.e., Tommy is not automatically sliding into the starting 4 spot).

If Condon returns, Tommy would be starting at the 3. The big lineup is interesting, but we would need a really dynamic scorer to pair with Aberdeen.

 

Yes, there is a rule, and that is a foul . . . and yet TT was allowed to do that all night on almost every single move to the basket.

 

Donovan did the same thing. Would far rather let his bigs handle the post than allow open threes against the help/rotations. Perfect example was the Ohio State game, which Oden dominated on the blocks.

 

Billy D did exactly the same against Oden. Defended the 3 instead, taking his lumps down low. TG also subbed brilliantly in this game. DA st the point when Clayton was well-defended and then the bigs at the end to make sure they didn't get 2nd shots. Best coaching job I have seen by TFG at just the right time.

 

I actually thought our 5s were very effective on Toppin. He was only 7-19 from two. We forced him to take that little leaner of his much further out. With Williams, he is just a load. Could have easily been called for clearing out with his elbow multiple times, too.

 

Funny. Posted exactly the same thing..