Ugly Win

Here's what I didn't like about last night's win over Bonaventure. We got out hustled, out rebounded, and even pushed around in the first half, by an inspired Bonnies team that was looking for a big win over their formal instate rival. Once upon a time, or to use current terminology, back in the day, Cuse and Bonaventure had a fierce rivalry, and often met in the ECAC prelims that were play-in games for the tournament. Although the Orange have eclipsed the Bonnies of late, these games are never blowouts, and last night was no exception. Even so, Cuse came out flat, and stood around for much of the first half, allowing the smaller and less talented Bonnies to keep the game close, and even lead late in the first half. I thought Johnson especially was flat, as did the coach, who sat him for much of the first twenty minutes.

I also didn't like that we shot the ball poorly from the free throw line. After the bigs hit their first four, including 2 for 2 by AO, everyone went cold. Even Johnson and Rautins were missing. It didn't matter in the long run, but it will when we start Big East play. And I didn't like how we turned the ball over on the break. A few times steals led to fast break opportunities that were quickly wasted when someone tossed the ball away.

Having said all that, what I did like was how we fought back, particularly in the second half. Used to be that the first five minutes of the second half was our most vulnerable time, almost as if the guys had taken tranquilizers in the locker room over half time. This year, however, the team has looked very good coming out of the locker room. Perhaps the coach is firing them up; perhaps the defense is making adjustments. Whatever it is, and last night fit the current pattern, we've had close games decided in the first five minutes of the second half as the Orange have gone on runs coming out of the locker room.

Another thing I liked was the play of Kris Joseph, who got over 30 minutes, first when Johnson sat in the first half, and later when AO stayed on the bench with a bruised thigh, for all of the second half. Joseph is playing more assertively this year, taking the ball to the hoop effectively, and his production is way up. Last night he came within one point of becoming the seventh player to lead the Orange in scoring this year. Now if we can only get Mookie in the flow of the offense as well.

And lastly, I didn't like how the Orange failed the put the Bonnies away when they had a chance. The Bonnie center, who was their leading scorer, was tossed in the second half after he intentionally hit Rautins in the balls. The flagrant foul gave Rautins two free throws, and then possession to Cuse. But he missed both free throws; Cuse failed to score; Bonaventure came back and scored; and it was a twelve point game instead of a runaway.

Nevertheless, team is 11-0, with eleven double digit wins, with seven guys making big contributions, and with a good chance to start conference play undefeated.

Now I know that I've been neglecting all the hot stove news, with Granderson and Lackey moving into the AL East. But as we still have time before the season starts, in fact plenty of time before spring training, all that will have to wait. With one exception: I was astonished that the Yankees let Matsui go. For a franchise that prides itself on class and character, that was the wrong thing to do. I know it's a business; I know the guy is old and his knees are gone; but hey, he just won the World Series MVP. Not to mention that he is as classy a guy as one can find anywhere in professional athletics. For all the damage he's inflicted over the years, I could never manage to hate on Matsui. The only thing I hated was to see him step into the batter's box, especially in a late inning. Danny says the old guy would never have let Matsui go. Not that he went that far; he'll step into the Vlad Guerrero role out in LA - you know, the DH who can barely get around the bases after hitting one out.

But back to matters at hand. From now through March, it's going to be mostly Orange here on MannyMontaigne. Red and Blue will have to wait until the snow melts.