HOOPS: My take on the UNM game.
Posted By: shoeless
<jwj@lanl.gov>
Date: Tuesday, 22 January 2002, at 12:00 p.m.
From my vantage point the game came down to a few factors: Coaching, Team Unity, Conditioning and Recruiting.
Coaching:
UNM seemed unprepared and surprised by what Utah threw at them. UNM was unable to handle the fact the Britton could pound them underneath and then pop out and hit a 3-pointer. I think UNM had concluded that because Utah is so tall they must be slow. Boy were they wrong.Utah on the other hand was VERY prepared. We knew Parmer has a problem going right so the boys would force him that way and then trap him with a trailer. We switched early to a man defense that kept them away from the basket and off balance. We had a trump card ready for their every ace.
Team Unity:
UNM has had a lot of discord amongst the players recently and when they encountered the high-motion hard-working teamwork of the Utes their internal problems seemed to explode. Marlon Parmer was recently suspended for a week for his lack of teamwork. He was back in the Air Force game but had NOTHING in the Utah game. During one time out Chad Bell had his back to the team huddle, his arms folded and was scanning the crowd. On one play, Patrick Denehey (SIC) rebounded and looked for a pass. His only option was Sinque Carry (SIC)so he opted to dribble through the block. When he got in trouble he tried to force the pass to Sinque and it got stolen. this lack of teamwork led UNM to flat give up in the second half.Utah kept it's poise and worked together throughout the game. Despite going 1 for 12 at the start of the game, including missing 5 easy layups, the team stuck together. I saw Majerus yelling at people but I didn't see any players get after each other.
Conditioning:
I've heard talk about the gruelling workouts and watching the redshirts workout before the game proved those statements aren't exaggerations. The upside of those workouts was obvious in the UNM game. On both offense and defense, Utah was swarming, running, cutting and fighting throughout the game with no sign of slowing down. UNM was wasted with little or no motion away from the ball by the second half. The boys just wore them down.Recruiting:
Utah has sought out boys with heart and commitment. UNM has looked for flash and individual ability. The result is that UNM has significant individual ego problems and players who seem to think they're only biding their time 'til they jump to the NBA. For the most part our boys are here to work and learn. I'm sure they harbor NBA dreams but their attitude seems to be that they'll make it if they work hard enough and learn everything Majerus has to teach. Utah has players suspended because the coach thinks they pulled a face in practice. UNM has guys thrown off for domestic battery, criminal acts and unethical behavior in school. These differences have their root in the types of players recruited.
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