That was one ugly game. Yes, OU beat BG (or BGSU, if you please) by ten, 90 – 80. Yes, the losing streak came to an end. However, outside of Johnathon Jones’ career best 31 point effort and the final score, I really didn’t like much at all about this game.
The first half, in particular, was brutal. There was no flow to the game at all. The up-tempo offense the Grizzlies are supposed to be playing was still in the lockeroom. It was a half filled with missed open looks, horrible, horrible decision making, fouls-a-plenty and just generally lousy basketball.
The final stanza was better, if for no other reason than the game ended with OU scoring more points, but some of the problems persisted all game long.
The Falcons’ ability to pass the ball on the interior with such ease was almost shocking. At times, it looked like BG was running a passing drill in the paint. How can you make that many uncontested passes in such a small space?
And dribble penetration? Please. The Falcons just walked right past OU defenders. Needless to say, BG had plenty of lay-ups and very, very short jumpers.
That didn’t stop until about midway through the last half when Coach Kampe employed a zone defense which led to a few easy baskets via BG turnovers.
I also think it’s fairly obvious that whatever is wrong with Erik Kangas isn’t corrected. He may be able to play, but it’s still bothering him (3 of 11 from the floor in 23 minutes).
I can’t help it, but OU won, scored 90 and I still think it was a disappointing performance. The good news is, of course, that in spite of a disappointing performance, the Golden Grizzlies won. There isn’t a separate column for disappointing wins, just wins and losses and the Grizzlies needed a “W” badly.
On the bright side, Jones gets all the love for his career best scoring night. He hit threes, drove past the Falcons defenders for lay-ups, hit free throws and, basically, carried the team on his back. Very Isiah Thomas-like.
Certainly the better free throw percentage (28 -33 for 84.8%) was a positive. The Grizzlies finally made some freebies and it helped.
Finally, the zone defense that finally cracked the game open for OU. It took a while, but the zone finally slowed down BG’s interior game, forced turnovers, created odd-man advantages and free throw opportunities.
Other observations:
* Derick Nelson had another double – double (11 points, 11 boards), but continues his recent struggle from the field. He hit only one of eight from the floor.
* I like Mario Impemba and Rick Mahorn, who provided the commentary for Fox Sports Detroit, but let’s just say we didn’t watch the same game.
* Was that a basketball broadcast or a recruiting film? Hey, don’t get me wrong, if it lands a few more players, I’m in. (Although, I’m worried if any prospects watched this game it might count as an in-home visit.)
* My favorite t-shirt in the crowd: Who’s Your Grizzly?
* The “JJ is Dyn-O-Mite” t-shirts can’t be far off. You can’t get more 70’s retro than that, can you?
* Did OU start the smack talk or did BG? If it was the Grizzlies, why on Earth is a 2-4 (now 3-4) team talking smack? Seriously, how can you talk after the Duquesne and Xavier games?
* BG’s Chris Knight (11-16 for 23 pts.) and Nate Miller (7-13 for 21 pts.) ate OU up.
* I didn’t realize that Louis Orr was Bowling Green’s head coach. I remember the Louis (Orr) and (Roosevelt) Bowie Show when the coach was a star player at Syracuse. Oh, how old both Coach Orr and I have gotten.
* The official Oakland recap is here.
Conference play begins Thursday night when the Kangaroos of UMKC arrive at The O’Rena. I believe we’ve got a 7pm jump. Hopefully, a few days off and some more practice and the Grizzlies will be sharp by late next week. Go Grizzlies!
Tags: Erik Kangas, Derick Nelson, Brandon Cassise, Greg Kampe, Bowling Green, UMKC, Johnathon Jones
