RE: Official Game Thread: Florida Gulf Coast (W 89-81)
Just when you’re about ready to give up on this Bucs team, they turn around and give us the best game of the season since Stephen F. Austin against a talented FGCU team, and help erase the sting of the second half collapse against USCU.
They posted strong numbers, even in areas that are usually problems. Like 17 assists (tied for second highest of the season) against only 9 turnovers (tied for second lowest of the season). Like grabbing 48 rebounds, their highest total of the season, to outrebound the much taller FGCU team 48-40. They also did well in their strong points, grabbing 11 steals, and sticking the Golden Eagles with 15 turnovers. And they did it without one of their key players as KGG sat out the game nursing an injured knee.
Nobody exemplified the turnaround better than Hunter Harris, who broke out of a 4 game slump with a double-double – 14 points on 5-10 shooting, 12 rebounds against the 6-9, 6-9, 6-8 and 6-10 front line of FGCU, with 3 blocks and 3 steals. He owned the middle against Dunk City. To put this game in perspective, he totaled more points, more rebounds, more steals and more blocks than he had in the previous 4 games put together. We really have to have him playing like this for the vertically challenged Bucs to be competitive against Mercer, USCU or FGCU.
A.J. Merriweather, whose string of fine games was broken after a nasty fall and blow to the head against USCU, returned to form in a big way with his own double-double with 11 rebounds against the tall trees of FGCU, 10 points on 4-8 from the field, and terrific defense with a block and 3 steals. If only A.J. had not been injured – could his energy have helped avoid the second half power shortage against USCU?
Lester Wilson nearly got a double-double as well with 7 rebounds and 18 points on 6-15 from 3. His late 3 in the second half blunted the FGCU comeback and secured the game for the Bucs. But even when the 3’s weren’t falling, Lester kept hustling, on the boards, and on defense, corralling 3 steals. Lester started in place of KGG, who sat out with an injured knee.
Rashawn Rembert got a season high 31 points on 10-20 from the field, 6-12 from 3 and 5-6 from the line. He’s closing in on the ETSU season record for made 3’s in a season. But this was a solid all around game for Rashawn, who also played good defense (though only credited with 1 steal) and took it strong to the hoop.
Lester and Rashawn were redhot in the first half. Jalen Riley was not. But Jalen was strong in the second half, controlling the ball, getting a stellar 6 assists and only 1 turnover, grabbing 3 rebounds, and getting most of his 11 points when the other Bucs were struggling to get scores down the stretch. Even though his shot was not falling, Jalen found ways to make a difference.
Petey McClain was also big without scoring. 8 big assists with only 2 turnovers, pushing the ball hard up the court to create transition opportunities, and snagging 2 steals. And when he went to the line late, he sank both free throws..
Even Lukas Poderis contributed with 6 BIG rebounds, and 3 points on 3-4 from the line, with some big late free throws.
Murry stuck with more man-to-man than I remember seeing all season, which was very effective in creating steals, turnovers and transition opportunities. It may also have helped us be in better position to grab all those rebounds. Then he went to a little 1-3-1 late when Cvjeticanin and Thompson started finding 3 point range from the top of the key. It’s an effective way to interfere with those open 3’s.
The second half against USCU left such a bad taste, that I was not hopeful against FGCU – especially with KGG out. But when the Bucs are rebounding, defending and shooting like this, they can beat anyone in the ASun. I wonder what that second half would have looked like against USCU with Hunter clicking on all cylinders and A.J. not injured? Glad I didn’t let the weather (and disappointment over the 2nd half with USCU) make me miss this one.
Here’s hoping for the same effort on the floor versus Stetson.
(This post was last modified: 02-14-2014 07:43 AM by swvabucsfan.)
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