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Post by aztecfred on Mar 30, 2024 7:44:32 GMT -8
Every time I watched U Conn grab on offensive rebound all I could think of was how much I miss Josh Davis. I was hoping Pal might be that guy but he just doesn't have the physical ability to bang down low. Hoping we recruit...err...pay a big time rebounder. Hard to rebound with 4 or 5 guys standing at 3 pt line when it's chucked up. Plus you gotta want it. Just don't/didn't see that much this season. |
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Post by aztecfred on Mar 30, 2024 7:46:11 GMT -8
Every time I watched U Conn grab on offensive rebound all I could think of was how much I miss Josh Davis. I was hoping Pal might be that guy but he just doesn't have the physical ability to bang down low. Hoping we recruit...err...pay a big time rebounder. Josh Davis might not have gotten the most rebounds in a year when he was here, but as best as I can remember in my 60+ seasons of watching Aztec basketball, he was the best at rebounding and put backs. So, his rebounds were especially valuable. Next to Cage? |
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Post by sdsustoner on Mar 30, 2024 7:57:34 GMT -8
Josh Davis might not have gotten the most rebounds in a year when he was here, but as best as I can remember in my 60+ seasons of watching Aztec basketball, he was the best at rebounding and put backs. So, his rebounds were especially valuable. Actually, early on and for a good chunk of the season he was bad at putbacks. He was unbelievable at his prior school (Tulane?), but for us he missed a ton. Couldn’t buy one. I remember everybody was frustrated. It was like he was in a hellaciously bad shooting slump, except it was with putbacks. Late that season, it was like a switch was flipped, he started making them at a high rate - almost automatic. From there, he was a critical piece of our run to the Sweet 16. That was a great year, a fun, talented, high BBIQ team. X is probably in my top 5 all time Aztecs. Davis might be too. LeDee is #1 on my list Loved Brandon Heath too |
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Post by sdsustoner on Mar 30, 2024 8:01:52 GMT -8
Reese Waters. That dude epitomizes heart & soul. He played half the season on two bad ankles. Outstanding post. Thank you, thank you for posting this. People on here have been questioning Waters for most of the season. The only thing wrong with Waters is his TWO bad ankles. He didn't take any time off, and he wanted so badly to contribute to this team. Unfortunately, he was battling TWO bad ankles. I can't even walk on a bad ankle, let alone running up and down a basketball court, stop and pivoting, or doing a jump shot on it. Waters was doing all that on TWO bad ankles. Like you said he epitomizes all heart and soul. I am grateful we have him, and he is coming back next year. Mark my words, next year you will see what a healthy Waters can do and that means trouble for opposing teams. Thank you Everyone saw when he was MVP of that thing in OC and averaging almost 15 a game with two good ankles. Then he was doing pretty well with one good ankle. When he blew his second wheel, and unfortunately that's when his game dropped off. I can't wait to see Waters with two good ankles. He can be one of those alpha scorers at guard we've had here in the past who lit it up as seniors. |
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Post by NCAztec82 on Mar 30, 2024 8:05:41 GMT -8
I know nobody likes to hear excuses and Dutcher certainly didn't take the bait, but let's be realistic. We were slow to the loose ball all night. Our shots were off at least in some part due to fatigue. Here is the reality. We played the last game on Sunday and then played within 30 minutes of the first game on Thursday. We flew 1250 miles and got home at 4am Monday after playing the late Sunday game. We then were groggy all day Monday and had an afternoon walk thru. Tuesday we had a practice and then flew 3K miles and lost 3 hours flying West to East. They dove 85 miles for a HOME game. I know on our best day maybe we wouldn't have been able to hang. However, we were within 4 with a minute to go in the first half. They hit a three and we missed so down 9 at half. No disgrace there. Then in the 2nd half fatigued we tried to summon up one last charge. However, although adrenaline got us through the first half the 20 minute break isn't always the greatest thing. We could not replicate that same energy. This I think was a HUGE factor in the rebound differential. I know, I know everyone said all year we didn't have a 5 so we got what was expected but a 59-29 rebound edge is inexplicable. We haven't always been a great rebounding team but never like this. It also led to a weaker defensive effort in the 2nd half and shots not falling. Love that Dutcher and the guys didn't make any excuses but I will for them. If the game had been in LA and a day later I would have loved to see this again. I know the LA regional played yesterday too. Not sure why Friday/Sunday teams have to play Thur/SAT and fly across the country. And don't tell me Clemson had to do it. They played 3 hours earlier in Tennessee and were asleep in their warm beds still in the Eastern time zone by 10pm Sunday night. Then when they went East to West they played for them a 7:10pm EST game against Arizona. That's not the same. I'm proud of our guys. We were out manned and UCONN is the superior team. I'd just like to see it be a little fairer. On another note, I thought the refs called it pretty fair last night. I'm already excited to see what Dutcher will do next season. Every MWC team loses a lot next year except for maybe Boise St. so it should be wide open and fun again. Go Aztecs!! The real deal. |
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Post by AzTex on Mar 30, 2024 9:14:33 GMT -8
Josh Davis might not have gotten the most rebounds in a year when he was here, but as best as I can remember in my 60+ seasons of watching Aztec basketball, he was the best at rebounding and put backs. So, his rebounds were especially valuable. Next to Cage? I remember Cage's rebounding, but I don't remember what he did with the ball afterwards. I just vividly remember Davis rebounding and going right back up with the ball to score. Obviously Cage was a better total rebounder.
But actually, Al Skalecky was an even better at rebounding than Cage. Cage has more rebounds after playing 4 years, but Skalecky, playing only 3 years averaged more rebounds per game than cage. 13.3 rpg for Al and 11.8 for Michael.
All of them were great Aztecs. I would happily take any of them in their prime back to play for the Aztecs. I believe they would still be starters today.
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Post by aztech on Mar 30, 2024 10:25:23 GMT -8
Outstanding post. Thank you, thank you for posting this. People on here have been questioning Waters for most of the season. The only thing wrong with Waters is his TWO bad ankles. He didn't take any time off, and he wanted so badly to contribute to this team. Unfortunately, he was battling TWO bad ankles. I can't even walk on a bad ankle, let alone running up and down a basketball court, stop and pivoting, or doing a jump shot on it. Waters was doing all that on TWO bad ankles. Like you said he epitomizes all heart and soul. I am grateful we have him, and he is coming back next year. Mark my words, next year you will see what a healthy Waters can do and that means trouble for opposing teams. Thank you Everyone saw when he was MVP of that thing in OC and averaging almost 15 a game with two good ankles. Then he was doing pretty well with one good ankle. When he blew his second wheel, and unfortunately that's when his game dropped off. I can't wait to see Waters with two good ankles. He can be one of those alpha scorers at guard we've had here in the past who lit it up as seniors. Didn't he injure his ankles when shooting jumpers then landing on a defender's foot? That is a serious no no in the NBA for that reason. The defender has to allow the shooter open space to land on. Another reason why these idiotic MWC refs are clueless. |
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Post by aztecfred on Mar 30, 2024 13:11:42 GMT -8
I remember Cage's rebounding, but I don't remember what he did with the ball afterwards. I just vividly remember Davis rebounding and going right back up with the ball to score. Obviously Cage was a better total rebounder. But actually, Al Skalecky was an even better at rebounding than Cage. Cage has more rebounds after playing 4 years, but Skalecky, playing only 3 years averaged more rebounds per game than cage. 13.3 rpg for Al and 11.8 for Michael. All of them were great Aztecs. I would happily take any of them in their prime back to play for the Aztecs. I believe they would still be starters today.
Cage averaged almost 17 pts per game as an Aztec, 19pts and 24pts his Jr n Senior years. Doubt he shot from farther than 12 ft. He was always in the paint and could score inside almost at will. Pretty sure he got more than his share of put backs. I'm not sure I saw or remember seeing Skalecky, but stats don't lie. |
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Post by AzTex on Mar 30, 2024 13:52:26 GMT -8
I remember Cage's rebounding, but I don't remember what he did with the ball afterwards. I just vividly remember Davis rebounding and going right back up with the ball to score. Obviously Cage was a better total rebounder. But actually, Al Skalecky was an even better at rebounding than Cage. Cage has more rebounds after playing 4 years, but Skalecky, playing only 3 years averaged more rebounds per game than cage. 13.3 rpg for Al and 11.8 for Michael. All of them were great Aztecs. I would happily take any of them in their prime back to play for the Aztecs. I believe they would still be starters today.
Cage averaged almost 17 pts per game as an Aztec, 19pts and 24pts his Jr n Senior years. Doubt he shot from farther than 12 ft. He was always in the paint and could score inside almost at will. Pretty sure he got more than his share of put backs. I'm not sure I saw or remember seeing Skalecky, but stats don't lie. There's no way I intended to suggest that Davis was better than, or even as good as, Cage. As I remember Davis' entire game was rebound/putback. Cage had a much more complete game. You're right, he owned the inside game. He might have been a good shot from further out, but why bother when you're as good as he was inside?
Cage would have more success today than Skalecky because of the his bulk. Al was skinny but very effective.
Of the three I'd prefer to have Cage, but I'd take any of them in their prime.
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Post by aztecfred on Mar 30, 2024 13:54:29 GMT -8
Cage averaged almost 17 pts per game as an Aztec, 19pts and 24pts his Jr n Senior years. Doubt he shot from farther than 12 ft. He was always in the paint and could score inside almost at will. Pretty sure he got more than his share of put backs. I'm not sure I saw or remember seeing Skalecky, but stats don't lie. There's no way I intended to suggest that Davis was better than, or even as good as, Cage. As I remember Davis' entire game was rebound/putback. Cage had a much more complete game. You're right, he owned the inside game. He might have been a good shot from further out, but why bother when you're as good as he was inside? Cage would have more success today than Skalecky because of the his bulk. Al was skinny but very effective. Of the three I'd prefer to have Cage, but I'd take any of them in their prime.
loved Davis! Was lucky to watch both. |
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Post by junior on Mar 30, 2024 15:42:02 GMT -8
UConn's gonna hang another 30 point spread on Illinois today. 20-0 run. Looks just like the Aztecs game. Close first half, complete implosion by Illinois in the 2nd half. Unbelievable. Illinois did not score a point for 15 minutes.
Holy Cow.
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