There are a couple of things Lon has changed in the post season. One is that James is getting more playing time. We were headed in that direction six weeks ago, when James got hurt. I think he only missed one game, but they've been nursing his minutes since. He is a really good player. He makes the occasional bonehead freshman play, like jacking up a three, after four seconds of the shot clock with a high teen lead. Okay, I know he made it on the previous trip, but under four minutes, you don't do that back to back. And his defense is occasionally, uh, sub standard. But he's getting there. And for 6-4, he's a really solid rebounder.
I think the biggest decision Lon has made is then when we're up a little or down a little in the last four minutes, Lattin is watching. I believe part of the deal is keeping him off the free throw line at the end. It's a one or two or maybe three point game, they'll keep him on the floor I suspect. But tonight, for the second time in the tournament, it was four guards and Spangler. The four were James, Buddy, Woodard and Cousins. The opponent still has two to foul. But Cousins is shooting free throws better in the tournament.
Lon also made another big change tonight. He seems to have decided that the extra time that James is getting means that Walker is going to play less. He only got in the game briefly when we went with four guards and they were pressing full court. But it was brief. I like James in the game a lot more. Apparently now, Lon does too.
I wonder if Spangler has something wrong with a hand or a wrist. He's shooting some shots the look dreadful. But he made some plays tonight offensively, mostly with good feeds in the little foot circle.
The other thing that Lon is doing is getting Lattin some early resting time, no matter his foul situation. Khadeem just doesn't seem to understand that even if you get all ball, when the ball hasn't left the shooters hand, that they're going to call fouls on you if you reach in from the side, and sometimes even when you're right in front. He just can't resist. It means he's going to sit anyway, why not have him be free to get after it the first 15 minutes after the half. It's working so far.
Woodard's confidence is up. He's playing well, except for his lob from midcourt with three minutes left. Jordan, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!
Jamuni played his best post season game. How we play Saturday is going to be about poise. Having all that starting experience together is really nice. But these seniors are bound to start feeling a little bit about their last shot. I think we can play with both Oregon and Duke. I think I'd rather play Phil Knight U, mostly because I want Duke OUT.
