UCF 2/5 7:00 CBS Sports Network

[leeraymond]

We finally had a good offensive game in conference, scoring 1.23 points per possession. We scored 44 points at the rim and even converted a solid 11 of 18 from midrange. 67% from inside the arc. The defense was pretty good too, holding a top half offense to 1.1 points per possession on their own floor. Before the game I said keeping them off the stripe was key, and we ended up with a higher free throw rate than UCF. Hall led them in scoring as expected but we turned him into a negative impact player - he posted a team worst negative 2.4 net points. He turned it over 6 times and needed 18 shots to score 17 points from the field.

Day Day was player of the game, putting up 4.1 net points and a team best 7.0 offensive BPM. He was 4 of 5 at the rim, 4 of 8 from midrange, 1 of 2 from three, and added 6 assists and just one turnover. Aziz was just behind with 3.9 net points. He went 7 of 8 from the floor and added 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and a block. Jizzle was our best player during his time on the floor, posting a 12.7 BPM in 18 minutes thanks to a game best 8.1 defensive BPM. Mitchell and Betsey also had good games.

Reed had the worst performance with negative 3.3 net points in just 10 minutes. He had 4 fouls and zero positive offensive statistics. Skillings was next worst, turning it over three times and posting a negative 1.4 defensive BPM. Fredrick and Simas also had bad games.

The knocks on our team's effort and toughness will probably pause now even though we just got outrebounded by 12 and gave up the most points of the season. The key was facing an opponent that attacks with an open game. We responded with the same style. UCF dictated the pace - that's exactly how they want to play. There were 76 possessions - the first time we've seen over 70 since the season opener against Pine Bluff. It's normal for UCF though - they've played at least 76 in more than half of their conference games including each of their last 3. All our worst games were played at a slow pace - our five slowest games were Villanova, Baylor, Kansas, BYU, and West Virginia - each uncompetitive losses with 62 or fewer possessions. Our best games - Georgia Tech, Xavier, Colorado, and UCF - had at least 70 possessions. The difference is stark. Somehow we have to find a way to assert that style in the rest of our games and not let opponents dictate the pace. We have a roster that's built for tempo.

To piggyback on that analysis, in UC's 3 wins in conference play, it got off an average of 61.1 shots a game. In UC's conference losses, it got off just 56.8 shots per game. Last night, UC got off 65 shots. Wow! Maybe UC has rediscovered something with Thomas in the starting lineup. Of course, UCF's defense was somewhat lacking. The point is, UC should push the pace and dictate tempo for the rest of the season. Stop throwing the ball around the perimeter and attack the paint. Set the pace and attack.

[bearcatbret]

So what's up with Huggs and UC? He attends the WVU game and the CF game. BTW, I think an annoucement of his attendance in Cincy should have been made on the PA at halftime. Would at least have given the fans something to cheer about.

He was wearing UC gear at the game. Bob actually looks pretty good.

[KevMan1976]

The point is, UC should push the pace and dictate tempo for the rest of the season. Stop throwing the ball around the perimeter and attack the paint. Set the pace and attack.

THIS. Attack the rim, baby!!!

[Rufus]

THIS. Attack the rim, baby!!!

Wasn't something posted after the WVU loss about the players not liking the deliberate half court style CWM has tried so far. It's kinda stupid to have a bunch of racehorses and expect them to play like Clydesdales. Lets get back to running the floor.

[swilsonsp4]

So what's up with Huggs and UC? He attends the WVU game and the CF game. BTW, I think an annoucement of his attendance in Cincy should have been made on the PA at halftime. Would at least have given the fans something to cheer about.

Huggins has a home in Florida and decided to attend. I don't know if he was invited or just came on his own. He was wearing an older UC pullover with the original "C Paw" on the front.

[KevMan1976]

Wasn't something posted after the WVU loss about the players not liking the deliberate half court style CWM has tried so far. It's kinda stupid to have a bunch of racehorses and expect them to play like Clydesdales. Lets get back to running the floor.

If I recall correctly, Miller himself preached an open court brand of basketball when he was hired. Running and gunning. I could be wrong though.

[GoBearcats31]

If I recall correctly, Miller himself preached an open court brand of basketball when he was hired. Running and gunning. I could be wrong though.

Everyone says they will play fast/with pace (see classic video from 5 seasons ago -- sorry if anyone gets triggered by CJB https://x.com/hoopvision68/status/1118531627670487042)

Even Mick had teams where he would say preseason they'd get up and down the court and then it was the same rock fights in the Big East.

[Rufus]

Right CWM did advocate an up and down style when he was hired and to recruit players. But as noted in a previous post he rarely ever employs a full court press or going to a zone defense. And for the most part his style was such that allowed players to create shots. But when we got to the conference schedule it seemed the team whether by design or other factors, seemed to be more deliberate and choreographed. Even the announcers last night made a comment that they didn't expect CWM's team to stay with the UCF. And maybe it's like CWM said that the team was playing too tight apprehensive and overthinking things.

[sedz]

Wes did play fast when he first got into coaching. His first year at UNCG they were 6th fastest in the country. But by year 6 he was all the way down to #319. He hasn't had a team in the top 100 since 2014.

[Stevefingerman]

Did I miss something on where Page was last night? I believe he brings an offensive presence in the front court that Aziz doesn’t.

[leeraymond]

Wasn't something posted after the WVU loss about the players not liking the deliberate half court style CWM has tried so far. It's kinda stupid to have a bunch of racehorses and expect them to play like Clydesdales. Lets get back to running the floor.

Ha ha ha. Good one Rufus.

[CatCane]

Just got back from the trip to Orlando and it was a real joy to see the Cats actually putting great effort into the game. There was a pretty good contingent of Bearcat fans there, I imagine many have either retired to Florida or vacation there in the winter. I must be good luck for the team, I've been to 5 games over the years (2 FB games at USF, 2 BB games at USF and Wednesday night at UCF.- we've won all of them when I've been there. Also had season Tickets for the U in FB and saw the Canes beat UCF at the Bounce House. 2 1/2- 3 hour drive to each place.

[SKell82155]

Just got back from the trip to Orlando and it was a real joy to see the Cats actually putting great effort into the game. There was a pretty good contingent of Bearcat fans there, I imagine many have either retired to Florida or vacation there in the winter. I must be good luck for the team, I've been to 5 games over the years (2 FB games at USF, 2 BB games at USF and Wednesday night at UCF.- we've won all of them when I've been there. Also had season Tickets for the U in FB and saw the Canes beat UCF at the Bounce House. 2 1/2- 3 hour drive to each place.

Keep going CatCane, lol !