In Reply to: After watching that end of game out of bounds play several times posted by traprh on February 01, 2026 at 17:09:45
Coach Wooden always preferred to play a zone on OOB plays. Lots of people - media - criticized him but he stuck to his guns over and over again. A zone necessarily leaves openings that can be exploited for an open shot.
Maybe, with so little time remaining, it might have been a better choice., But Cronin did have a defense designed and called and Booker didn't do his part, didn't shift to protect a feed into the paint. They had been crashing a man to the hoop the whole game. It was Bailey and he was out but you had to figure they'd try for it - get a shorter shot if they could just get the ball in and perhaps at least draw a foul with the action inside.
I don't know. Interesting to see your thoughts, traprh. But poor Booker just is such a neophyte at playing post defense. Have also seen a criticism that we should have subbed Jammerson in for Booker because he's far better on defense. But he's also very foul prone. And at least Booker can jump up and down and guard the inbounds pass. He just didn't adjust when Indiana started their action.
Instincdts. Cronin recruited better offensive players but it hurt our ability to play defense,.We blew it at the end. A real shame - such a great game,.