The streak had to end. I was waiting for it. Going 6-0 against decent teams in the preseason was just abnormal. In previous years, we’ve had a cupcake preseason schedule – spanking teams until we got to the ACC. But this year we actually have defeated reputable opponents including then ranked #10 Arizona, “in-state rival” Richmond, and Northwestern (although not really a good team). Of course, many UVA students might have jumped on the basketball bandwagon. I mean, football is a lost cause, basketball is ranked #19 in the country, we might have a glory season!
Well, tonight put that all in perspective.
Don’t get me wrong, I believe our team played hard. Iowa State’s stadium was loud, I mean real loud. At times in the second half, Iowa State went up by 14 points and UVA would rally to tie the game. Devin Smith had a phenominal game, scoring 40 points (25 in the first half). It was an honest effort. But we lost a game we shouldn’t have. Anyone watching the game may have seen some of stupid decisions made that cost us the game. Let’s point them out: Jason Clark getting two technical fouls. That’s right, not one, but two. Both were stupid, shoving after the play, I’m-a-tough-guy fouls. He wasn’t the only one, as proven freshmen leader Sean Singletary had 4 fouls early in the second half. But the thing that appals me, absolutely BLOWS my mind (even though it’s expected), is Pete Gillen’s game-time coaching. He called ALL of his second-half timeouts with 8:50 still remaining. Two of which he called 10 seconds before the TV timeout (for those of you who aren’t aware, the team’s are informed when TV timeouts will be called before the game). Did Gillen think he wouldn’t need a timeout near the end of a game? A game that was back and forth, neck and neck, and easily looked to be coming down to the last minute? Right when I saw we were out of timeouts, I looked to Jay and said “We’re going to need a timeout in the last few minutes, and we won’t have one.” Well, we could have used them. With only a minute or two left, Devin Smith jumped on a loose ball and could have called a timeout to keep possession, yet forced a jump ball and gave a crucial possession back to Iowa State. Then, UVA lets Iowa State come down the court (with UVA up by 2) and drains a 3 pointer with 15 seconds left. Again, UVA could have used a timeout to setup their defense. 15 second left, UVA takes the ball down the court and loses it out of bounds. They setup an inbound pass, quickly, and Iowa State forced a turnover. Could have used a timeout there. But we were given yet another chance, as we fouled them with 9 seconds left and the player only converted on 1 of the 2 foul shots. Only down by two with 9 seconds, we had plenty of time to set up a play and get down the court… but we couldn’t think about it. We inbound right to Sean Singletary, he goes coast to coast and makes a spin move to the basket, laying it up too soft. We miss the first tip, then the second, and that’s game. In the last two minutes, there were at least 3 instances where a timeout would have benefited us greatly, giving us a better opportunity to win the game. Gillen should really consider if calling them that early (when a tv timeout was near) was really worth it. I wonder what he said to them during the TV timeout, after had just called a timeout 10 seconds early. I can see it now -> “(during the TV timeout) Ok guys… well, run the same offense we just setup in our timeout…”.. What were his Assistant’s thinking?
I’m not putting down UVA Basketball. I’m optimistic that our players have the skill to surprise people this year and cause a few upsets. But in a conference with superior coaching and programs, I don’t think we can do it. If Gillen continues to make awful game-time decisions, it’ll be a long season for Wahoo basketball fans.
