When I reflect on why we were able to finish the game last night I think about the plays made by the players that allowed us to get over that hump. These are the plays that the guys weren't making in the previous games which led to us falling short. Below is my list:
1. Free throws. The boys closed the game out at the line. Jordan Murphy is a 60% FT shooter and stepped up along with Mason and King
2. Jordan Murphy wanting the ball more than anyone else once a shot went up. JM literally jumped over 2 guys to keep a possession alive when we were struggling to score. Without him flying in and wanting the ball, we don't score on that possession.
3. Dupree McBrayer's Steal. That steal by Trimble on Mason could have ended us as it was a 3 on 1 and Dupree anticipated the pass and MADE A PLAY! This was by far the play of the game
4. Nate Mason's massive 3 pt shot. We had probably 8 or 9 terrible possessions in a row and we couldn't even sniff a shot as we were stagnant. The shot that Nate took wasn't even a good shot, but he MADE A PLAY and it gave us a bit more breathing room.
5. Our poise. Other than the Mason turnover which led to Dupree's steal, the young gophers handled their pressure with such poise it was impressive. I kept thinking "here comes a bad pass or travel but it didn't happen. Other ways of poise.. the fact that the Terps took the lead and we didn't hang our heads. GROWTH!
6. This one no one might have noticed but Dorsey had a HUGE check on their big when we were only up 1. Dodd crashed hard as Murphy went over to block a driving shot that left his man open and Dorsey came over to check him and contest the rebound. He doesn't rotate, we don't have the lead anymore. This was the play that was reviewed.
These are just the ones down the stretch that I can remember off the top of my head and I'm sure there could be more. Such a fun game to watch.
1. Free throws. The boys closed the game out at the line. Jordan Murphy is a 60% FT shooter and stepped up along with Mason and King
2. Jordan Murphy wanting the ball more than anyone else once a shot went up. JM literally jumped over 2 guys to keep a possession alive when we were struggling to score. Without him flying in and wanting the ball, we don't score on that possession.
3. Dupree McBrayer's Steal. That steal by Trimble on Mason could have ended us as it was a 3 on 1 and Dupree anticipated the pass and MADE A PLAY! This was by far the play of the game
4. Nate Mason's massive 3 pt shot. We had probably 8 or 9 terrible possessions in a row and we couldn't even sniff a shot as we were stagnant. The shot that Nate took wasn't even a good shot, but he MADE A PLAY and it gave us a bit more breathing room.
5. Our poise. Other than the Mason turnover which led to Dupree's steal, the young gophers handled their pressure with such poise it was impressive. I kept thinking "here comes a bad pass or travel but it didn't happen. Other ways of poise.. the fact that the Terps took the lead and we didn't hang our heads. GROWTH!
6. This one no one might have noticed but Dorsey had a HUGE check on their big when we were only up 1. Dodd crashed hard as Murphy went over to block a driving shot that left his man open and Dorsey came over to check him and contest the rebound. He doesn't rotate, we don't have the lead anymore. This was the play that was reviewed.
These are just the ones down the stretch that I can remember off the top of my head and I'm sure there could be more. Such a fun game to watch.
