In a game that left much to be desired, the team struggled defensively while their opponents excelled. The opposition's bigs dominated inside, and their guards found little resistance, moving with ease and dictating the pace. It was a classic case of defensive rebounding woes and letting the guards have their way.
Reflecting on the minus-11 rebound margin, the team was simply outmuscled and out-hustled, playing a softer game than usual. While there wasn't a lack of energy per se, the enthusiasm and spark were noticeably absent, reminiscent of a previous tough outing against Utah.
Dismissing the notion of underestimating their opponents, the focus was on the lack of consistent energy. Facing an NCAA Tournament-caliber team, the players needed to match their intensity but fell short.
Tiller and the bigs didn't impose themselves as expected. Across the board, no one stood out, and the defensive intensity was lacking. It's easy to focus on offensive stats, but defensively, the team failed to disrupt the opponent's rhythm.
Cincinnati's defense was formidable, with their length and rim protection causing problems. Melvin, usually reliable, found it challenging against towering defenders. The opponent's ability to switch and disguise defenses kept the team off balance.
Looking ahead, the message is clear: regroup and stay united. The players are talented, but competitiveness was missing. If the team can't disrupt opponents' play, it will be a tough road ahead.
Houston's defense looms large, boasting even better numbers than Cincinnati's. As for Darryn, there was a silver lining in his movement, but the overall team effort lacked cohesion. Rebounding was an issue, with too many loose balls slipping away.
The opponent's unexpected three-point success added to the challenges. Harris, shooting just 17% from deep, connected, and the bigs, not known for their range, hit four threes, punishing any lapse in the scouting report.
Offensively, the team stagnated in the second half. Unable to keep pace, they struggled to execute against a disciplined defense. Screening and movement were lacking, and there’s a need to improve execution against such sound defensive teams.