I apologize for missing the last game. I’ve been busy lately, but venting about a loss like this is something I can always make time for.
South Florida 70, Cleveland State 55
There are so many issues that I’m not sure where to begin. I’m just gonna think out loud and make a list of how bad this loss was for our beloved Vikings.
1. Shooting Woes: CSU had two players who shot the ball well, Anton Grady (5-5) and Timmy Kamczyc (6-9; 2-3 from three). The rest of the team was atrocious, stinking it up by shooting a combined 11-51 for 21.6 percent. I would like to blame that fact that it was finals week, but the shooting woes were not present for USF, which leads me to…
2. Defensive Problems: CSU did prevent Augustus Gilchrist from getting into a shooting rhythm, but even if you throw out his stats, USF shot almost 52% from the field. They also shot really well from the free throw line, shooting 19-22 from the stripe. This leads me to my next issue…
3. The Foul Mismatch: 20 fouls called on the Vikings and 22 free throw attempts for the Bulls while CSU shot only six free throws on seven USF fouls. I believe there was a strong home-court advantage in Southern Florida, but this is just ridiculous because that free throw margin turned this from a close game to an easy win for the home team. This foul mismatch is given, but this far apart is just nuts.
4. Size: A Big East team will always have a size and strength advantage over a mid-major. This leads to slower players who are forced to committ fouls just to keep up. That leads to a small foul mismatch, though not as large as tonight. But I digress because of the…
5. Foul Trouble: Anton Grady stepped up with 10 points and 9 rebounds off the bench, but he played so much because of only 16 minutes from starting Center Aaron Pogue. He had four fouls, four points, and only two rebounds in that short period of time. The foul trouble, however, would not have been as big of an issue if it weren’t for the…
6.Terrible Shooting: You cannot win if you shoot under 35% from the field. ‘Nuff Said.
Going Forward
So this loss stings, badly. At least the next game is against a mid-major, Sam Houston State, Thursday night at 7 at the Wolstein Center. I hope to see plenty of fans at the game. Oh, and ten bonus points to whoever can name the last NFL Quarterback to graduate from Sam Houston State.
