What happened to our offense at the end?

[Letsroll1200]

This team when way farther that it should have without a true point guard. Barford, Macon & Hannahs had 14 turnovers. Yes, Barford and Macon were gassed but Arkansas needs a really good point guard in the worst way in order to run its offense. Imagine how much better Barford and Macon will be next year if they have somebody to get them the ball instead of having to create their own shots?

Mike Anderson is working on it. It's the biggest recruiting need he has and he knows it.

This team is in need of a Durham type point guard. Great job by Mike to get this team to be competitive without a point guard and a true low post scoring threat.

[Rbill]

This team when way farther that it should have without a true point guard. Barford, Macon & Hannahs had 14 turnovers. Yes, Barford and Macon were gassed but Arkansas needs a really good point guard in the worst way in order to run its offense. Imagine how much better Barford and Macon will be next year if they have somebody to get them the ball instead of having to create their own shots?

Mike Anderson is working on it. It's the biggest recruiting need he has and he knows it.

What we needed was our point guard Trey Thompson down the stretch. Don't get me wrong I'm not dogging on Bailey or anything. But why in the world wasn't it Thompson down the stretch while we were blowing it. I'll never figure out Mike.

[ricepig]

If he finds someone who doesn't come back or am I wrong about Arkansas scholarships being full?

We have 1 left.

[Youngsta71701]

I know there was some bad calls but we had 3 possessions that we did nothing.

I don't understand...no movement, no passes, its like we froze.

What's the old saying? We started playing not to lose instead of playing to win. When we got up 65-60 we started trying to run the clock instead of keep running our offense. Should have gone 1/5 pick and roll down the stretch with Macon and Kingsley.

[Youngsta71701]

What we needed was our point guard Trey Thompson down the stretch. Don't get me wrong I'm not dogging on Bailey or anything. But why in the world wasn't it Thompson down the stretch while we were blowing it. I'll never figure out Mike.

Because Bailey was one of the main reasons we came back. But I agree you go with Thompson down the stretch. His passing could have gotten us some easy baskets.

[tophawg19]

The last 4 minutes UNC mugged our ball handlers . especially Hannah and was going over the back on rebounds . the difference in fouls called and free throws tells the story . We beat UNC just not the other 3 . Even Roy Williams said they were ''Lucky''

[porknbeans]

The answer most people won't accept is that UNC simply played incredible defense like the #1 seed they are. Everywhere we turned there was a defender in their face. We do that to teams at time, even did it tonight at times. They did it to us. Really really good defense makes any offense look bad. That's nothing to be ashamed of.

Agreed, that's what I saw. Was on the phone with a friend when I noted to him that Carolina had really picked up their defensive intensity and wasn't allowing us anything. The same thing that we had done to them beginning with the our run at the end of the first half and throughout the second half, they bowed up and did the same thing to us...and we weren't able to respond...

[tophawg19]

What's the old saying? We started playing not to lose instead of playing to win. When we got up 65-60 we started trying to run the clock instead of keep running our offense. Should have gone 1/5 pick and roll down the stretch with Macon and Kingsley.

Had to all 3 of our best ball handlers were cramping up and the kept mugging Hannah

[Youngsta71701]

Had to all 3 of our best ball handlers were cramping up and the kept mugging Hannah

That too...The cramping certainly didn't help. I couldn't believe we were the ones that were cramping. Kind of ironic huh...

[Locutus_of_Boar]

I know there was some bad calls but we had 3 possessions that we did nothing.

I don't understand...no movement, no passes, its like we froze.

Even in Nolan's heyday he never ran his team all out for 40 minutes preferring shorter 5 minute long spurts mixed with easier spells.  When the NCAA raises the roster size to 18 players what Arkansas did today might work reliably.  Otherwise, playing all out for a full game will run the team into the ground sooner or later.  On the CBS postgame they noted that Williams seemed to be baiting Anderson into an all out run game from the beginning and they were a little surprised he took the bait.  That seems to be the book on Arkansas for talented teams that can run.  The strategy almost backfired on Williams due to UNC's own poor shooting but at the end of the game they were obviously doing better than the Hogs who were at the point of exhaustion.   With more experience playing Arkansas Cal usually starts UK slower and gradually increase the speed of the game for just this reason.

[Rbill]

Because Bailey was one of the main reasons we came back. But I agree you go with Thompson down the stretch. His passing could have gotten us some easy baskets.

That's why I'm saying nothing against Bailey I love his upside. It just seems like Thompson would be an obvious decision down the stretch with what he does for us. Plenty of timely steals and assists. But we can't get it out of our head that Moses and Trey can't be on the floor at the same time. Heaven forbid. Just like Moses and Portis.

[WorfHog]

That too...The cramping certainly didn't help. I couldn't believe we were the ones that were cramping. Kind of ironic huh...

UNC is a cheating wasteland of a program that SHOULD have received some kind of NCAA punishment. NOTHING EVER HAPPENED. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_North_Carolina_academic-athletic_scandal

[azhog10]

What's the old saying? We started playing not to lose instead of playing to win. When we got up 65-60 we started trying to run the clock instead of keep running our offense. Should have gone 1/5 pick and roll down the stretch with Macon and Kingsley.

The problem was Macon was out during a good part of that stretch. Macon was doing well with the high ball screen but he got injured and was out till about the two or three minute mark.

[code red]

I'm not sure it was intentional. Players got tight. They mentally overthought everything and couldn't see the court. They didn't get the ball to Dusty for a dagger a couple times when he was wide open and could have put us up eight. In other words, we fell apart, largely due to our lack of experience in these situations. We outplayed them, but made a few mental mistakes down the stretch.

Sucks to lose this way, but it was a great effort, and I think CMA can use this season to help bring in the recruits he wants.

We had kids open.  Some players dribbled too long looking for a 3 when all we needed was dribble drive.

[tophawg19]

That too...The cramping certainly didn't help. I couldn't believe we were the ones that were cramping. Kind of ironic huh...

never saw that coming for sure

[ErieHog]

UNC is a cheating wasteland of a program that SHOULD have received some kind of NCAA punishment. NOTHING EVER HAPPENED. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_North_Carolina_academic-athletic_scandal

The punishment phase won't be for another 3 years or so;  they just dropped the 3rd letter of allegations in December on them.

[Rbill]

We had kids open.  Some players dribbled too long looking for a 3 when all we needed was dribble drive.

And Thompson feeding it down low.

[WorfHog]

The punishment phase won't be for another 3 years or so;  they just dropped the 3rd letter of allegations in December on them.

They've have us nailed to the wall before the nail gun reloaded. 

[The_Iceman]

Say what you want...

...but it was UNC's defense that stopped us down the stretch. They were smothering with their length, size, and quickness.

[twistitup]

Macon cramped- thats what happened...he was on fire

[ShadowHawg]

Macon cramped- thats what happened

[Razor_back]

UNC defense that could play without fear of fouling. They smothered us.

[Soooie21]

This team when way farther that it should have without a true point guard. Barford, Macon & Hannahs had 14 turnovers. Yes, Barford and Macon were gassed but Arkansas needs a really good point guard in the worst way in order to run its offense. Imagine how much better Barford and Macon will be next year if they have somebody to get them the ball instead of having to create their own shots?

Mike Anderson is working on it. It's the biggest recruiting need he has and he knows it.

This is what I told my wife...they need a true point..

[ChicoHog]

Completely panicked and froze up. Dribbled around for 30 seconds and chucked 3s.

Barford and Hannahs were ineffective tonight due to UNC's length. Their drives to the hoop were automatic turnovers. Combined, they were 7/21 with 11 TOs.

Pretty amazing that we were able to keep it close. Macon used his quickness to get around their length and was hot from the field.

Best answer I have seen in this entire thread.  And we also should have tried to pound it inside a little more. 

[Youngsta71701]

Completely panicked and froze up. Dribbled around for 30 seconds and chucked 3s.

Barford and Hannahs were ineffective tonight due to UNC's length. Their drives to the hoop were automatic turnovers. Combined, they were 7/21 with 11 TOs.

Pretty amazing that we were able to keep it close. Macon used his quickness to get around their length and was hot from the field.

Macon played a smart game. He simply took what the defense gave him. Dusty had a bad game because he forced a lot of drives taking tough shots in the lane and turning the ball over instead of taking some open 3's and mid-range shots when coming off the screens. He should have recognized early in the game that unless Carolina mugged him they were not going to call a foul.

[Oklahawg]

Game was about 90 seconds too long. We were gassed.

We were gassed and didn't have that extra surge to get around the corner off of the dribble - force UNC to risk a foul inside (I know they weren't getting called most of the game but put pressure on them nonetheless). Didn't have that extra surge to beat their man around the corner off a screen. Didn't have the extra oomph that translates to touch passes, give-n-go plays, etc.

A big part of that is the energy it takes to come back from so far down.

A bigger part of that is how good UNC's defense was down the stretch.

Set plays are overrated in an era of limited practice time. You win all year by letting playmakers/scorers do their thing - why stop now? The shots folks are complaining about went down all year long - why stop now? Moses has been up/down all year - why expect it to change now? Dusty and Barford are cocky mugs, believing they can score at any time on any opposing player - why stop now?

If the game magically is 90 seconds shorter we just might be talking about Butler, and arguing about whether it is inappropriate to look ahead to KY.

A true PG will solve so many problems.

Regarding Bailey - when a player is playing lights out you don't sit them for fear they'll remember they aren't supposed to play that well. Leave him in. And, uh hum, call a ball possession foul on the charge or push-off (pick one) that was an easy putback at the end. Different ballgame, right? Hey, Moses hitting two FTs at the end = different ballgame, too. We have been money at the line this year - FTs become a challenge when your legs are gone because it is now between your ears.

Tip of the hat to UNC, but hats off for the Hogs. Great game, great season. It is so nice to have Hawgball back!

[WorfHog]

UNC defense that could play without fear of fouling. They smothered us.

THIS! +1

[HawgnCorona]

This team when way farther that it should have without a true point guard. Barford, Macon & Hannahs had 14 turnovers. Yes, Barford and Macon were gassed but Arkansas needs a really good point guard in the worst way in order to run its offense. Imagine how much better Barford and Macon will be next year if they have somebody to get them the ball instead of having to create their own shots?

Mike Anderson is working on it. It's the biggest recruiting need he has and he knows it.

Im sold Mike ... My mind is set on a true PG. I hope we get one or Glasper is good as gold next yr.

[Youngsta71701]

Im sold Mike ... My mind is set on a true PG. I hope we get one or Glasper is good as gold next yr.

I really think Glasper is going to surprise some people. Macon made some good passes in this ball game also. Seems like he may be more of a PG than Barford or Beard.

[hogsanity]

Say what you want...

...but it was UNC's defense that stopped us down the stretch. They were smothering with their length, size, and quickness.

Last 3:30 was just like the 1st 12 mins of the game. The hogs dictated the middle 23 minutes.

[MountieDawg]

We didn't have Barford st 100% and that out of bounds call was a killer.

The out of bounds call was awful completely awful but there would have only been 1 second on the shot clock.  Moses missed 2 free throws, his and Beards unnecessary 3 point attempts and zero ball movement until late in the shot clock hurt too. I think the last 4 minutes they played not too lose instead of playing for the big upset. Without the horrendous calls the hogs win... If they executed down the stretch they still win.

[RacinRazorback]

It looked like we stopped playing to win and started playing not to lose, and that will bite you every time. Give the Heels credit, they, with help from the refs, played better down the stretch than we did! Proud of this team, after the Mizzou meltdown I couldn't see this team ever making it to the point they have. WPS! CMA and the team have a chance to be pretty damn special next season! WPS!!! Go Hogs!

[Youngsta71701]

The out of bounds call was awful completely awful but there would have only been 1 second on the shot clock.  Moses missed 2 free throws, his and Beards unnecessary 3 point attempts and zero ball movement until late in the shot clock hurt too. I think the last 4 minutes they played not too lose instead of playing for the big upset. Without the horrendous calls the hogs win... If they executed down the stretch they still win.

There were 2 seconds left on the shot clock when the ball hit the out of bounds line. 2 seconds would have been plenty of time to get a decent shot off. Maybe an alley hoop.

[Youngsta71701]

It looked like we stopped playing to win and started playing not to lose, and that will bite you every time. Give the Heels credit, they, with help from the refs, played better down the stretch than we did! Proud of this team, after the Mizzou meltdown I couldn't see this team ever making it to the point they have. WPS! CMA and the team have a chance to be pretty damn special next season! WPS!!! Go Hogs!

+1, Gotta keep attacking until you can't attack anymore. Especially against a team that's as good as North Carolina. Can't give them hope. Gotta put them and the stripes away.