Well, that was a nail-biter. Really, really pleased with the win tonight; I thought the team showed a great deal of poise, coming back to get the win after falling behind two or three times late on in the second half. So, without further ado:
The Good:
1. 49 rebounds (19 offensive). Last year it would normally take Vanderbilt at least 4-5 games to get that many offensive boards, and they got that many in one game tonight. Rebounding improved over the Winthrop game, but...(see "the bad" below for the rest of the story).
2. Joe Toye. Excellent game for him tonight, and just missed a double/double. VU does not win that game tonight without him, particularly when both Garland and Shittu were on the bench with four fouls. VU lost the lead during that stretch, but never fell behind by more than two points in the second half, and much of that was due to Toye's play.
3. Shittu is just ridiculous. Not much more to say there.
4. Good production from Naismith tonight, as well as Brown (for the most part).
5. With apologies to those of you who don't believe in "clutch", but clutch, clutch free throw shooting down the stretch to seal the deal (14-16 to close out the game).
6. Garland again showed why will be going very high in the draft. Excellent vision of the court, which will dictate his moves.
7. Bill Walton; more than fair in his assessments during the game, and really spoke highly of Vanderbilt.
The Bad:
1. Giving up 47 boards (21 offensive).
2. Garland's turnovers vs his assists (6 turnovers to one assist).
3. Lee's offensive struggles; just couldn't find the range tonight; a major plus that the team still won with him having this kind of night.
The Ugly
1. 46 fouls called in the game.
The Good:
1. 49 rebounds (19 offensive). Last year it would normally take Vanderbilt at least 4-5 games to get that many offensive boards, and they got that many in one game tonight. Rebounding improved over the Winthrop game, but...(see "the bad" below for the rest of the story).
2. Joe Toye. Excellent game for him tonight, and just missed a double/double. VU does not win that game tonight without him, particularly when both Garland and Shittu were on the bench with four fouls. VU lost the lead during that stretch, but never fell behind by more than two points in the second half, and much of that was due to Toye's play.
3. Shittu is just ridiculous. Not much more to say there.
4. Good production from Naismith tonight, as well as Brown (for the most part).
5. With apologies to those of you who don't believe in "clutch", but clutch, clutch free throw shooting down the stretch to seal the deal (14-16 to close out the game).
6. Garland again showed why will be going very high in the draft. Excellent vision of the court, which will dictate his moves.
7. Bill Walton; more than fair in his assessments during the game, and really spoke highly of Vanderbilt.
The Bad:
1. Giving up 47 boards (21 offensive).
2. Garland's turnovers vs his assists (6 turnovers to one assist).
3. Lee's offensive struggles; just couldn't find the range tonight; a major plus that the team still won with him having this kind of night.
The Ugly
1. 46 fouls called in the game.
