1st thing first...give credit to Grambling State. They brought 100% effort and knocked down every key shot. I told you guys/gals Smith Jr. is a BALLER and he showed it.
Ben was not effective. No other way to say it. They also took him away and no one wanted to make them pay until Jose in the 2nd half. Played like finals week is coming up.
Jose was amazing the 2nd half. But most of the credit goes to his dead leg and Justin Moore. Alvarado was hanging his head and was thinking about his shot too much, and you could see it. Moore got on him instantly and kept Jose going. Then he got that dead leg and he was so focused on his leg that he forgot about shooting form and just let it fly. Straight buckets. I got goose bumps when he was pumping up the crowd before he headed to the free throw line. I wanted Tad to take the last shot for obvious reasons, but I had no problem with Jose taking it. I just wish it was on the other side of the court where he hit all his shots. And if he couldn't get all the way to the rim, take a 3. Not a tough mid-range floater that he had not taken all game.
Another typical Tadric game. Carries us for almost the whole game, but then misses the game winning/tie free throws. It's just the player he is, and something we have to deal with. It all evens out with him.
I haven't seen the replay yet, but I'm sure Haywood feels terrible about tipping the ball in. Besides that crucial mistake I thought he played well. I wish he would be more agresssive. It seems like when he does, it is effective.
AD....he is starting to be a liabilty on offense. So many easy shots that he makes harder by dribbling or making an unnecessary move. He is such a good rim protector on defense, which makes it so frustrating. He is in position to succeed, just needs to take what is given to him by the D.
I would of liked to see some sort of press to try and create some turnovers and easy points in transition since our offense was lacking....it never happened.
This loss has me upset but optimistic about how our freshman guard led us back. Jose Alvarado is the real deal.