What did we just watch? College basketball, friends. We watched college basketball.
A lot of college basketball these days isn’t really college basketball. The ACC has one good team. Journalists aren’t vaguely threatening coaches with jail time. Some fans would rather watch their team recruit than watch their team play games.
Tonight was a college basketball night. And we get another one tomorrow.
Chattanooga 67, Bradley 65
Bradley came out hot. The shots were falling. Carver Arena was rocking. The Braves led by sixteen. But the shooting flipped in the second half, and for all the dastardliness to Duke Deen’s game-tying three, you don’t want to get into a dastardly–three–pointer contest with the Chattanooga Mocs. Trey Bonham. Twice. Who else?
I will say: I understand that fouling up three is smart and helps teams win. I wish teams wouldn’t foul up three. There’s an easy fix, and it’s to both bring back intentional fouls and enforce them. At least make these guys go for the steal. We deserved to see Bradley hunting an open look for Deen on that last possession. The NIT deserved it. Humanity deserved it. We don’t blame Chattanooga, but we wish we got overtime in that game. We weren’t ready for it to end.
Other notes from this one:
- Demarion Burch continued to flourish. The Milwaukee kid was great.
- The ESPN2 crew was ruthless when it came to Bash Wieland’s struggles to find the hoop. Derek Jones and Perry Clark seem like such nice guys, too! Wieland gives off the vibe that he embraces fair criticism, but it got kind of funny. Here’s Bash Wieland, I’d hear them say. He’s letting his entire family down tonight, and we—we, personally—are deeply disappointed.
- Bradley’s a tragic figure right now. I don’t like it. It always looks dark in Carver when I watch Bradley on TV. Can we get a ghosthunter on the case?
- Chattanooga is a vibe wagon. Moc the world.
- Honor Huff was, of course, a menace in the second half.
- I can’t wait to see the Mocs at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Also can’t wait to find out who they’ll play.
North Texas 61, Oklahoma State 59
It’s kind of funny that after Sunday, we kept saying, “Wow, North Texas, so composed even when things go poorly,” and then North Texas said, “Hey you idiots watch how poorly we can make things go,” and then North Texas made things go VERY poorly and then ope whaddayaknow North Texas survived in Stillwater. I’m trying to piece those last two minutes back together in my head. I’m still flabbergasted. Was the shot that Steve Lutz stopped with the timeout even released before the buzzer? I’m all for obstructed camera angles, but they sure leave a guy with a lot of questions.
Before all that happened: Not the prettiest game. But you don’t have to be pretty to be beautiful. People forget that Oklahoma State once won an NIT third-place game 23 to 22. That was before people would make fun of us for that! This was tenacity. This was physicality. This was—ok maybe Steve Lutz tightened the rims a little bit too much this morning after shootaround. But it was good basketball. If you want something different, the NBA’s right over there. Don’t forget your coat. You and your cold heart will need it.
Credit to Atin Wright for taking on the offensive responsibilities. Credit to Moulaye Sissoko for keeping Abou Ousmane in check. Credit to Sissoko also for managing to grab nine rebounds without scoring a single point. That’s blue-collar work right there.
More thoughts:
- This was sad for Oklahoma State, but not as sad as Bradley’s loss was for Bradley. Bradley was going to win. Aside from a moment here and there, Oklahoma State was not. Bradley’s in a tough position in the landscape, fighting things out in the MVC, a little isolated. Oklahoma State’s got the Big 12 all around it and plenty of positive momentum going into next year. Bradley’s arena is very dark. Gallagher-Iba is bright. Did we mention this? We are concerned about the lighting in Carver Arena.
- Per the North Texas Eagle, Ross Hodge didn’t say much after the game when asked about the West Virginia job. That doesn’t mean he’s taking it, and hopefully he stays in Denton, but he’d be a great hire for WVU. A lucky one, potentially, given who else they could’ve gotten. Hopefully North Texas has another stud coach magically waiting in the wings like it did last time.
- Keep an eye on Arturo Dean. Motor. Hopefully he stays in Stillwater, but wherever he plays next year: Motor.
- In case Hodge does leave and doesn’t have a great successor lined up, let’s enjoy this next week, UNT. It means a lot to have you back.
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