Monday, February 7, 2011

Postgame: Flirtin' With Disaster

I don't know if I'm angry or just in shock, but I am very much of whichever it is.

"Disaster" is the only word I can think of to describe the 55-54 loss in DeLand. It's a disaster because they blew a ten-point lead to a team with four wins in conference play. It's a disaster because the team didn't score for the last 5:38 of the contest. It's a disaster because they were collectively worse than Shaq at the free throw line (46.7%). It's a disaster because it will take a miracle for them to catch Belmont now.

There are probably more than a few fans that feel Sheldon Cooley should be left in DeLand for the last-second offensive foul that cost the Bucs any shot at overtime, and it's obvious why they would be mad, but he's not the only player at fault. In fact, Cooley was the only player that did anything off the bench, with Poderis and Ward taking all of two total field goals in 28 combined minutes. Tubbs didn't score a single point, mustered one rebound, three turnovers and three fouls in 22 minutes. Sollazzo went 3-7 from the line and had 5-6-4 night. He doesn't have the opportunities to drive against a team that's strong in the post like Stetson, but he should be eating them alive with jumpers. He has the range, but didn't take a three point shot all night. Williams redeemed himself in the second half, but was a no-show for the opening 20.

It's not like the team didn't defend well, either. The Hatters shot 39% from the field, and they struggled at the charity stripe just like the Bucs did (40%). The sole responsibility for the outcome of this game can be rested on a near-complete lack of offense.

This loss puts this team in a must-win game against Jacksonville on Friday. If they don't, the Dolphins could very easily pass the Bucs for second, and then you can kiss postseason basketball goodbye.

And for one of the best senior classes Murry Bartow will probably ever have, that would be a disaster.

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