Bobcats too much, too good

There isn't really any other way to explain it.

OU is just a lot better than BG.  They are a team that knows how to win.  They are unflappable and poised.  You would never guess they were coming off a gut wrenching loss.  They didn't play with frustration or desperation...they did what they do.  They have a number of good players.  For example, when they are in trouble, they have Walter Offut who can hit a double-covered long-two, as he did.

In contrast. when A'uston Calhoun was double covered and sometimes triple-covered, BG had no one take advantage.

OU relentlessly attacks the basket, placing non-stop pressure on the defense and when they get an open shot, they usually hit it.  Neither statement could be made for BG, though the Falcons did shoot well Saturday.

In a game where you are playing a team that is that strong, you have to play your very best game.  When you make 20 turnovers, that's probably a deal breaker.

I think BG played hard and I don't think they played their worst game of the season or even close.  They just needed their best game.

The first half was a bit of a nightmare.  BG made 14 turnovers in the first half as OU steadily built a lead that hit 10 points with about 7 minutes left and was 13 points with 4 minutes left in the half.  BG then made a little mini-run (10-3) to go into the locker room down 6, which, given all the turnovers was a little bit of a victory.

BG came out hard in the second half (very much to their credit) and actually took the lead 3 minutes into the half.  The game was tied at 42, and then OU went on a 7-0 run, equilibrium was back in place and it was never a one possession game again.  OU steadily built its lead, moving into double digits with 3 minutes left and the game never got into the single digits again.

College Basketball Stats

OU scored 1.13 points per possession, which was BG's 4th worst defensive performance of the year.  BG is 2-16 when they allow more than .93 points per possession, so 1.13 is definitely in the no-fly zone.  OU shot 53% from the field and 36% from beyond the arc for an EFG of 59%.  That is the 3rd worst for BG on the year and the worst in conference.  The final killer is that OU only turned the ball over 8 times in a 69 possession game, the best turnover % for any opponent BG had this year.

Which just means they got a lot of shots and then combined that with making them.

BG did do a very good job on the defensive boards and only committed 12 fouls.

On offense, BG scored .94 points per possession, which is below their season average.  BG shot 48% from the field, which is pretty good, but was 3 of 13 from beyond the arc.  BG still ended up with an EFG of 51%, which is well above their season average.  Problem is, BG did not get enough shots, because they turned the ball over 20 times, nearly one out of 3 possessions.  OU had steals on 1 in 5 BG possessions.

BG was also below its season average in offensive rebounding%.  They did make 14 of 16 free throws and ended with a +8 on free throws and still lost by 13.

NCAA Basketball

Individually, A'uston Calhoun had the kind of game you feel like he is capable of every night.  He scored 24 points on 8 of 14 shooting and had 7 rebounds.  He made shots from different spots, he was decisive and strong.  I thought BG had found a couple new ways to get the ball down there and he started to demand it.  He had a very good game.

It is not an exaggeration to say that OU was triple-teaming him by the time they started their second half run.  You should be able to get open shots under that scenario, but it didn't happen.

Jack Carle asked Coach if it seemed like guys weren't stepping up in this scenario, and Coach actually asked Jack, "what did you see?"  Which, I guess, is the same thing as saying "Yes" if you are a frustrated coach.

Crawford had 7 assists but 6 turnovers.  Chauncey Orr had four turnovers (and a nose-nose conversation with his Father).  Jehvon Clarke had 4 turnovers in 13 minutes.  Calhoun had 3.

Crawford only had 7 points.  OU is doing what everyone does to Jordon now.  They are guarding him with a forward either one on one or in a double team, and they are defending him very physically.  It has definitely impacted Crawford's play.  Teams have recognized that if they can stop Jordon and A'uston, they can take their chances with the rest of the squad.

Craig Sealey had 9 points for BG in 7 minutes.

And so it goes.  I'll have the MAC permutations up in the afternoon, but it was an awful day for BG.  We were the only team in the middle of the conference to lose.  BG is now 12-17 and 6-8 in the MAC and only a very long shot to end up #4.