Offensive Rebounds Leave Everybody Feeling Frustrated
So much for the theory about center Luke Nevill establishing himself as a premier postseason player.
Nevill seemed to come out strong and confidence for the Utes in their 61-55 loss to UNLV in the semifinals of the Mountain West Conference tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center on Friday night. But as the game wore on, he seemed to get frustrated with the Rebel double-teams and officiating calls that went against him.
And, of course, by the end, he turned (again) into a target for frustration by allowing UNLV's Rene Rougeau to grab two crucial offensive rebounds on the same possession that essentially allowed the Rebels to win the game.
"I personally just couldn't get a body on him," Nevill said. "He had a nice running start to get rebounds and I just wasn't able to hit him and cut him out, especially at the end of the game ... Ton of rebounds, he got them. Got them extra possessions at the end of the game and that was crucial for their win."
Even his own teammates could hardly hide their frustration, with forward Shaun Green yelling at Nevill after the play, and guard Lawrence Borha imploring coach Jim Boylen to get Nevill out of the game.
And he did, if only for a moment.
But while Nevill was the scapegoat at the finish, his teammates did not all do a great job the rest of the time. Though he played exceptional defense, Green again was atrocious against the Rebels offensively -- he shot 3-for-17 against them in three games this season -- guard Carlon Brown continued a rough introduction to tournament play with another invisible offensive performance, and only Borha and guard Johnnie Bryant reached double-figures in scoring with 10 points apiece.
In all, it was simply not enough.
Nevill seemed to come out strong and confidence for the Utes in their 61-55 loss to UNLV in the semifinals of the Mountain West Conference tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center on Friday night. But as the game wore on, he seemed to get frustrated with the Rebel double-teams and officiating calls that went against him.
And, of course, by the end, he turned (again) into a target for frustration by allowing UNLV's Rene Rougeau to grab two crucial offensive rebounds on the same possession that essentially allowed the Rebels to win the game.
"I personally just couldn't get a body on him," Nevill said. "He had a nice running start to get rebounds and I just wasn't able to hit him and cut him out, especially at the end of the game ... Ton of rebounds, he got them. Got them extra possessions at the end of the game and that was crucial for their win."
Even his own teammates could hardly hide their frustration, with forward Shaun Green yelling at Nevill after the play, and guard Lawrence Borha imploring coach Jim Boylen to get Nevill out of the game.
And he did, if only for a moment.
But while Nevill was the scapegoat at the finish, his teammates did not all do a great job the rest of the time. Though he played exceptional defense, Green again was atrocious against the Rebels offensively -- he shot 3-for-17 against them in three games this season -- guard Carlon Brown continued a rough introduction to tournament play with another invisible offensive performance, and only Borha and guard Johnnie Bryant reached double-figures in scoring with 10 points apiece.
In all, it was simply not enough.
posted by www.sltrib.com @ 1:17 AM |
7 Comments:
Just got back from the game. For the record, the ball did not touch Borha when it went out of bounds and was given to the Rebels. I was 10 feet from that play. It was the turning point in the final minute. Why this couldn't be reviewed to ensure the right call was made is so disappointing.
This home court advantage for the Rebels is REAL and NOT FAIR at all. Having spent the past two days in the stands, I saw countless times Rebel fans harrassing fellow conference fans. I mean to take nothing away from the Rebels and their successful season, they are a decent team in a semi-average league and probably would have done well on a neutral site. But it appears we all find it acceptable to hand the automatic bid to UNLV each year because Las Vegas is the destination of choice.
The only way I see in sending a real message that this is not acceptable is for fans to not buy tickets for this event. We need to stop attending the MWC tourney. I spent $60 and saw the two games UNLV played in have some very controversial calls that went for the home team.
Congrats to the Utes for making a mini-run in the tourney. If the NIT comes calling, I think we accept. But to stoop to playing in the "Were #98" tourney is a step down for the program, please don't accept this bid. GO UTES!
Hey BigUteFan ...
Thanks for the report, and your perspective of the Borha play. I was way down at the other end of the floor, and along the same sideline, so I had a rotten angle. And yeah, you're right, the Rebs won both games so far with at least a little help from calls that went their way (unfairly or not, I'm still not sure). But thanks for checking in and posting so quickly ...
Mike
I agree with you bigutefan, I was right down by the play and the ball was last touched by the UNLV player. I tivoed it at the condo we were staying at and after reviewing it it did touch Bohras leg but then the UNLV palyer touched it after. It was a bad call.
Here is the thing I am upset with about our team. Shawn Green to me is not a good player. Sure he played good D but his shot was HORRIBLE and couldnt make a thing. I hope he sees less and less time next year with the guys we have coming in.
I also agree, DO NOT accept the invote to the CBI if it comes. That would be a flat out embarrassment.
Come on - it's just basketball. Take the bid to the CBI. I like Utah basketball enough to want to keep watching/listening to it. If we can extend the season a game or two, I'm all for it. Pride is not a good reason to decline when there's still a chance of ending the season with a win.
More troublesome than the bad call (which really hurt) is the fact that the team broke down on Neville after he screwed up. Borha has no right to criticize a teammate and neither does Green. That time of thing happened under Giac all the time, and it is poison for a team.
I agree Jefe. Green especially has no right to rip on Nevill after his disappearing act in this tourney. If Green would actually make a shot instead of clanging it off the iron over and over and over than I dont think we are in that position. Green has really really disappointed this season.
Home court, bad calls or not, we should have one this game. If we do not make the NIT, please do not accept anythng else. I can barely speak today after yelling box out Luke, box out!! After last night I really don't want to see Luke Nevill play again, he waits to be doubled teamed before even making a move, if he's not going to get the rebound at least put a body on someone so they can't get it. I wanted to run on the floor and shake the hell out of him, you let Matt Shaw 6 inches shorter and 50lbs lighter push you off the block all night long.
If the NIT doesn't call, I'm looking forwarded to a better UTAH team next year.
Let's save our money and perhaps upgrade the band. Utah had the smallest pep band at the tourney. You could hardly hear them. I am really tired of not being able to clap to "Utah Man" because I can't hear the beat at football and basketball games. Football is the worse. Our band is smaller than most high schools. Most schools have figured out that in order for the band to be heard they have purchased microphones to surround the band area so the song projects loud enough to hear. Also, the band director did a horrible job at the MWC tourney. I think I heard "UTAH MAN" maybe 5 times in two days. The pep song, fight song, blue brothers, hey baby, anything with an uptempo peppy beat was left home. Just when the Utes would be gaining some momentum a time out would be called, fans would rise to get ready to sing Utah Man and the band director leads the mini pep band to the theme from The Color Purple. Every time out we heard some lame halftime football song that was slow and melancholy. Anybody else notice this......I haven't heard 3/4ths of the songs the mini pep band played. The Rebel fans out chanted our band. Save the money from the "were #98 tourney" and buy the band some microphones and a few more scholarships so we don't look like we rent out East High School's band. I do believe our band is quality most of the time, but the QUANTITY is lacking big time.
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