Blog
Disappointing Loss in Nevada
Feeling any better now? Sometimes a day or two will help. I’m usually pretty even keeled about sports. That wasn’t always the case in my younger days. I used to get very upset and depressed when my team fell short.
Now, for the most part, I get over losses soon after I turn off the flat screen. Life for me is too important to stop living because the ball didn’t bounce our way.
Please don’t get me wrong. I consider myself to be a passionate fan and watching a losing effort isn’t on my list of favorite things to do. I will yell at the television. It doesn’t seem to matter to the players and coaches, but there is certainly something very therapeutic about it for me. I didn’t pay for a seat at the game, but I’m paying for Dish and the electric company, so that gives me the right to raise my voice from my living room chair...so I have rationalized.
There’s a well-known sports proverb that goes something like this:
“It’s better to get blown out than lose a heartbreaker.”
Personally, I think the guy that coined this phrase had one too many. A loss is a loss. Losing – no matter by what amount – just stinks!
So, why did the dawgs lose this game? I think the comments made by Dawg53 are spot on (from the premium basketball board):
“So, I’ve cooled down from last night and really started thinking about what it is this team is lacking, and the conclusion I've come to (other than just more experience), which is probably going to haunt us for the rest of the season, is the lack of scoring capability from our big men down low.”
I’m obviously not an expert on college basketball. I’m a fan who knows just enough about the game to get me in trouble. Likely, the majority of folks that visit this site are in the same boat. So, with that in mind, I take some stabs at what went wrong.
Besides what Dawg53 observed, I these observations:
Stubling out of the gate. True, the dawgs managed to regain the lead by the half, but a dozen turnovers did not help their cause. There is still a lack of focus early on.
Taking care of the ball. There was a total of twenty-one turnovers. Unacceptable.
More experience. Well, I lied. I have to mention it again. This is not a veteran group. This team feeds off the energy of the home crowd well. On the road, at times, they lack energy and focus. They have yet to find “the fire within” to make their own warrior mentality – to show no fear, take on the world, and smile all the while. I wish they could bottle a little of Deonte Burton's fire. THAT is what I mean by "warrior mentality." Other players feed off of that energy, and it carried Nevada to victory.
One key player that needs to grow up quickly is Wroten. I was pleased that he has decided lay off the Twitter feed and has concentrate upon improving his game. I was also pleased that he really looked comfortable at the FT line last night and shot the ball well. The biggest adjustments for him are mental.
It has been said by everyone who has seen him play – Tony needs to not try for the home run every time when a single will do the trick. He must understand that by now. I thought he was more under control last night, at least on the offensive side.
…but there are more bad habits to unlearn. Tony is obviously an exceptionally gifted athlete. As such, in high school, he had the luxury of not needing absolute focus against his opponents. At the college level, he’s discovering that he needs to step it up. The “matador defense” he displayed at the end of regulation time is a prime example. He needs to grow his game, and I believe he will…but it takes time.
I’m hopeful that Scott Suggs makes a return to the team on this road trip. What UW needs is veteran leadership. Suggs should provide exactly that. Will it be enough to be able to turn matters around on the road? It can’t hurt!
Tinkering. Romar has made adjustments since the loss to SLU. In that game, the first half was a disaster. There was little patience. On offense, the shot went up too quickly. In response, and in preparation for Nevada, UW practiced patiently moving the ball around to find an open shot. If memory serves, I can’t remember the last time a Romar-coached team went to this degree of patience. Somehow, for me, the pendulum swung too far in the other direction. They often seemed “too patient.” Passing on the parameter seemed too predictable and often served only to milk the clock than find an open man. Isn’t there some happy medium to this?
The contest against Nevada was the most winnable of the three road games. Now that the most winnable game has been lost…still…I hope for a smile on my face as I turn off the television for at least one of the two upcoming games.
If not, I still look forward to the next game. I love the game. I root for my Dawgs.
« Back to all Blogs | Print This Article
Add Your Comment:
Want to have your say? Login or Become A Member to comment on this article!
Blog
Husky Hoops Update: Blackwell coming to UW
First Look: Spring Practice Day 1
Forum
Here's your place to sound off about UW sports. Find your old favorite boards like Inside the Tunnel and Romarville, as well as our new boards.
Let's hear what you have to say!
About Realdawg.com
Realdawg.com has been covering the Huskies since 2000. We are an accredited news organization and have maintained our independence despite having already been a part of a large network. We have been first on the scene with major breaking stories, including hundreds of commit reports, the hiring of Steve Sarkisian, the commitment of Jake Locker, and many more... [view more]
DisclaimerSite-specific editorial/photos ©2012 Realdawg.com. All rights reserved. This website is an officially and independently operated source of news and information not affiliated with the University of Washington Huskies or any school or team.
