The pace of college basketball today more closely resembles the 1950s then anything else. All the shooting talent, size, speed, strong benches and still coaches play it so conservatively. I agree with David Underwood's comments below; where is the next UCLA and Coach Wooden. It could almost be described as boring.
It is in truth a team game. Any player who took a free throw and made it, who made the right pass or the right defensive move contributed mightily. All of the commentary suggesting one player made THE difference misses the point of a team game.
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This game was just slow, I do not recall seeing a fast break. When the rebound went to the defense, there was three players still standing around under the basket, instead of being on the run down the floor. Then the player with the ball dribbles to the half court instead of passing to a player further down, this gave the defense time to get set,same of both teams.
Watch replays of the Wooden coached UCLA teams and see how they manage to score so many points, watch Magic Johnson passing on full run, do these guys today have lead in their shoes? I did not see a full court press either, everybody wants to be a star.
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@David Underwood
My mistake Magic did not platy for UCLA, but it was a fast break team, with some really great team players.
@David Underwood You do understand that the lack of fast breaks was a strategy for both coaches, right? Even if one of the teams wanted to push, the other team was hustling back to limit transition opportunities. It's all about limiting the easy buckets and making the other team work as hard as possible to score. Some people actually still appreciate tough defense. Trading lay-ups with no real strategy is way less interesting to people that appreciate the nuances of college basketball. These teams were proof that there is more than one way to play and more than one way to win.
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De Andre Hunter was the leading scorer and shut down Culver on defense. Virginia won largely because he stepped up. Hunter and Culver are both projected lottery picks. Hunter played like a lottery pick. Culver was mediocre.
As for the influence of last year’s loss, I see it mostly in Coach Bennett’s game strategy. He gave virtually no rest to his 3 top players even though the game went into OT. That is dangerous for the players and the team. The coach panicked and was too afraid to lose. Guy never came out. Hunter sat for about one minute. Bennett had these guys going full tilt all the way in an exhausting game. Someone should call him out for what was an unwise strategy that risked serious injury to his players.
@michjas They won 35 games this year, and most importantly, they won the LAST game. I think Tony Bennett knows what he is doing.
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Key was the Guy who made the pieces fit together. And Guy was the Key to beating Auburn. But against Texas Tech they looked to Hunter.
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Don't believe your press clippings, Hoos. The Tar Heels have won five national titles in my lifetime. Congrats on your first.
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@Hollis you can do that if your players don’t have to go to class.
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Naysayers...
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UVa should have never been in the finals. Refs missed the double dribble by Jerome. Oh well, congrats anyway to the Hoo's
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The UVA team and coaches grew from the UMBC debacle. The fan base did not...just look at the comments solicited by the local weekly on UVAs chances prior to the NCAA tournament. Isn’t that why we HAVE sports? Those young men grew up in the context of skills, discipline and coaching. Fans, alas, not so much...
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@skyfiber. I am a rowdy fan. Most of what I say is designed to get a laugh. Some of what I say sounds mean to the uninitiated. But it’s almost always tongue in cheek. And almost all my fellow fans can tell. And those across the aisle are playing the same game. I suspect you’re one of the uninitiated.