Give it time!

[campbest]

Absolutely no one has denied that our play down the stretch contributed to our defeat.

Limit your focus if you wish, but I prefer to explore all the various factors that played a role in the loss, including but not limited to the poor officiating. Those missed free throws didn't cost us the game any more (or less) than the terrible calls and non-calls in the final minute of the game did.

If Wright had been called for traveling on his drive that, with the plus-one, gave Cincy the lead, we'd have had the ball with the lead. Or if, on the ensuing play, they'd called the foul that was undeniably committed against Osby on his scoring play, we might well have won, as his free throw, if good, would have given us a two-point lead, and the Bearcats would only have tied the game with their final basket.

Again, no one's denying that Neal's missed free throws hurt or that our defensive failings in the final couple of minutes played a role. But no more so than the lousy officiating.

The difference is, of course, our performance was within our own control -- it's the factor(s) we can do something about -- but we're still fully entitled to call out the officiating. It helped Cincy get on a roll they otherwise would not have gotten on. A young team on the road is already having to deal with a team playing on its home court and a hostile crowd. When the officials decide to side with the home team, too, that's a recipe for disaster, as we saw.

We overcame the consistently poor officiating for most of the game, but eventually Cincy's press (which was aided by the lack of whistles) and the suddenly rowdy crowd rattled us. We obviously have to get to the point that that doesn't happen.

lol, my limited focus? Your last 11 posts in multiple threads have been complaining about the officiating.

Definitely a walk on Wright, that's the only one that really bothered me because it was so obvious. The Blair foul irked me a little, but more disappointed in him not being funadmentally sound and closing out properly.

 

[skyvue]

lol, my limited focus? Your last 11 posts in multiple threads have been complaining about the officiating.

Definitely a walk on Wright, that's the only one that really bothered me because it was so obvious. The Blair foul irked me a little, but more disappointed in him not being funadmentally sound and closing out properly.

You're the one who said you preferred to focus on just one aspect of the game. That's what I was referring to.

Osby was fouled just as blatantly as Wright was (on the play after which Wright traveled without a whistle). So Cincy got three points they shouldn't have, and we lost one point we deserved (though admittedly one can't assume Osby would have hit the free-throw). That's a potential four-point turnaround in the final minute that is entirely on the officials.

And yet it always happens after games like this that the mere mention of the role officiating might have played in the game brings out the self-righteous tell-it-like-is (or so they fancy themselves) types who insist we didn't deserve to win the game and mock anyone who dares mention the officials.

One can say that a team that plays poor defense down the stretch and misses key free throws doesn't deserve to win, sure. But one could also say that a team that is playing before a home crowd on its second home court, shoots 28 percent overall and 23 percent from behind the arc, is outrebounded by a wide margin, and wins by just one point after receiving help from the officials throughout the game (and especially in the closing minutes) didn't deserve to win the game.

But that doesn't sound as tough-minded and uncompromising and manly, I guess.

Even if it's every bit as true.

 

[DenverSooner]

My personal take is the call was very bad but OU has to learn to not allow a bad call make the difference in the game. In this case, had OU simply played smarter down the stretch, it would not have been an issue. I completely agree if the travel is called, OU wins the game.

I also think if Grooms hits Blair on atleast two occassions in the final 5 or 6 minutes for wide open shots he knocks down one of them and OU wins. I am not blaming Grooms for the loss (or any one person) but mistakes were made and OU will learn from them. I really like the fact that OU can watch the tape and see that some really little things could turn that loss into a win. It should motivate the team to work harder.

 

[campbest]

You're the one who said you preferred to focus on just one aspect of the game. That's what I was referring to.

I just mentioned the free throws, could have gone into the inability to break a press, defensive lapse on the final possessions, etc etc.

Osby was fouled just as blatantly as Wright was (on the play after which Wright traveled without a whistle). So Cincy got three points they shouldn't have, and we lost one point we deserved (though admittedly one can't assume Osby would have hit the free-throw). That's a potential four-point turnaround in the final minute that is entirely on the officials.

Would like to see footage of that play, thinking back nothing struck me as a blatant foul as you make it, but could be wrong. Also wouldn't be suprised if your crimson glasses say something that wasn't there.

And yet it always happens after games like this that the mere mention of the role officiating might have played in the game brings out the self-righteous tell-it-like-is (or so they fancy themselves) types who insist we didn't deserve to win the game and mock anyone who dares mention the officials.

It's ok to disagree with the officials or a call, but at some point (between posts 1-11) it's ok to take a step back and be concerned with things that are under our control.

One can say that a team that plays poor defense down the stretch and misses key free throws doesn't deserve to win, sure. But one could also say that a team that is playing before a home crowd on its second home court, shoots 28 percent overall and 23 percent from behind the arc, is outrebounded by a wide margin, and wins by just one point after receiving help from the officials throughout the game (and especially in the closing minutes) didn't deserve to win the game.

You are right...it's called accountability, while you could point the fingers at the officials guarantee Kruger and the players aren't. Why should we be any different?

But that doesn't sound as tough-minded and uncompromising and manly, I guess.

Even if it's every bit as true.

Sorry, but this "we were the victims" mentality is just as pathetic. Been in a lot of locker rooms, that stance is not widely accepted. As I have stated, the no-travel call was big...however that situation could have been easily avoided.

 

[campbest]

My personal take is the call was very bad but OU has to learn to not allow a bad call make the difference in the game. In this case, had OU simply played smarter down the stretch, it would not have been an issue. I completely agree if the travel is called, OU wins the game.

I also think if Grooms hits Blair on atleast two occassions in the final 5 or 6 minutes for wide open shots he knocks down one of them and OU wins. I am not blaming Grooms for the loss (or any one person) but mistakes were made and OU will learn from them. I really like the fact that OU can watch the tape and see that some really little things could turn that loss into a win. It should motivate the team to work harder.

Great post.

 

[skyvue]

it's called accountability, while you could point the fingers at the officials guarantee Kruger and the players aren't. Why should we be any different?

Really? You expect fans to behave exactly as players and coaches do following a loss?

Good luck with that.

I love that our coaches and players generally avoid explanations that might be viewed by the press and the public as excuses, even when there are legitimate ones to be offered, and of course they should focus on what the team needs to do to improve.

But I didn't figure I really needed to call out our team here (though I mentioned their failings down the stretch in several of my posts); there are always plenty of people eager to do that.

Sometimes lousy calls deserve to get called out, even if it's just by a fan on a web board. I don't think my expressions of dissatisfaction have had much of an impact on our players and coaches (nor, sadly, on the inept officials who gave Cincy a boost they didn't deserve).

As for the Osby non-call, it wasn't crimson glasses. It was a replay shot from the other end of the court. It was clear he got thwapped on the head while shooting. But if you feel better for having gotten in your little dig, great.