Thoughts...(Stauskas/Albrecht)
OK, so now it is the day after and we have had some time to digest this game and ruminate on what could have been.
First, congratulations to Coach Beilein and this team. I'm really proud of these guys and they are one of my favorite Michigan teams of all time in any sport.
I'm not trying to second-guess Coach B but I wanted to get the board's opinion - was it weird Stauskas wasn't in the game down the stretch? I would have liked to see him in there as a threat and to stretch Louisville's D. Was he hurt or have foul trouble? Or did Beilein not like how he matched up against them? I was a little perplexed at that.
Also, did we get a little too reliant on Spike in the first half. Admittedly he had the hot hand, but I think Burke should have come back at the end of the half, especially when Louisville went on that run and closed the gap. Spike was fantastic as a third or fourth option and he made the best of his opportunities. But, at the end of the half when he appeared to be the main option, L'ville was able to key in on him.
Thoughts?
Once again, great effort, great run and I'm proud of our guys...
(I was going to mention the Burke block and overall officiating, but that's been covered. Additionally, we're Michigan and we're smart and reasonable and don't blame the refs for a game we could have won. But, that must be one of the worst calls in NCAA championship history - yeesh. Also Hancock made NCAA history by being the first player with 11 personal fouls to not foul out of a game)
The more I watch the replay, the madder I get today about the blown Burke block!
I was at the game and even the Louisville fans were saying how bad the call was!
We have been too nice today about the bad officiating that at least changed the
momentum in the last 5 minutes of the game, and maybe the outcome. The NCAA
for integrity's sake needs to come out and officially state how they missed a couple
calls, goal tend and blocked shot. The officials can go to the sideline to give .1 more
seconds, but can't review a call that is that pivotal in a big game? That makes no
sense! Maybe give each coach one challenge each half to challenge such an
important call to get it right. I looked up the officials from last night and found interesting
that Tony Greene the guy that made the Burke block foul is a Big East and SEC official . . .
hmm. John Cahill was also a Big East and SEC official and the third John Higgins,
was a Big 12 and Miss. Valley official. No Big Ten officials officiating with 2 of the 3
from the Big East. This seems wrong to me with Louisville from the Big East!