Well-coached teams don't give up 95 points.Not even young teams.
Despite what you will hear from the mouths of coaches.
Accountability has to come into play at some point.
If teams truly win -- and lose -- as a group then coaches win or lose the same way. No double standards accepted here.
CU gets crushed 95-74 by Texas Tech in Lubbock in a game Red Raiders' coach Bobby Knight knew was in the bag before tip-off.
Horrible on defense for most of the season, the Buffs lost despite hitting almost 60 percent of its' shots from the field. That just doesn't make sense.
Jarrius Jackson and Martin Zeno played for the girls and pro scouts, combining for 52 points in the win. The Buffs did show balance in the loss as four players finished in double figures, led by the 17 points from Richard Roby (pictured). Jermyl Jackson-Wilson scored 15, Xavier Silas had 14 and Dominique Coleman finished with 11.
The interesting thing is if CU would have won this game head coach Ricardo Patton would be ecstatic but something tells me Knight is furious for his team's terrible defensive effort.
Black and Gold Truth: This game was no surprise. Patton admires Knight but is nothing like him and its' doubtful Knight much respects Patton's leadership. This team is rudderless and has been for too long. No talk of "the good ole' days" provides relief from the present. This is not Coach K or Jim Calhoun having some down years or even slipping after being national powerhouses. This is a program that has had blips of moderate success sandwiched around a whole lotta mediocrity.
The encouraging signs were seeing Roby fight through the yo-yo coaching mind games he's been put through, Jackson-Wilson finally flashing production again, Silas and Coleman scoring. But 20 turnovers? Only four steals? A complete lack of understanding of defensive principles and execution? Earning only 10 trips to the foul line?
For the record, CU has given up 80 points or more on eight occasions this season, including two 100-point gifts and three presents of 95 or more points. In all eight of those games listed, the Buffs record is 2-6. Maybe if you play in the NBA you can win games in that fashion but not in college basketball.
Word is the end of the season will not be the end of this fireball. Sources say the divorce coming between CU and Patton will not result in something akin to "let's be friends." Speculation is it will be highly acrimonious. Like most breakups, the finger-pointing will be at the other party as to the blame for the failure.
Trippin' the Big 12
As expected, sixth-ranked Texas A & M had to grind out a win over host Oklahoma, 56-49. Joseph Jones imposed his will on the Sooners inside with 21 points and nine rebounds and guard Acie Law, one of the most clutch players in the conference, had a dominant all-around floor game with 21 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. He also finished with three steals. OU stars Nate Carter and Longar Longar didn't get the job done, combining for but 14 points.
BGT: A & M did what it had to do, what good teams do. It also showed how far defense will take you. As for the Sooners, that they were even close despite shooting 34 percent from the field shows how hard they compete. OU, despite its' record might be the most feared team in the Big 12 to the big boys. The Sooners are dangerous.
Ninth-ranked Kansas destroyed visiting Nebraska, 92-39, hitting 58 percent of its' shots in the rout. Five Jayhawks scored in double figures and KU now has 23 wins in what seems a less-than-dominating season for them.
BGT: Will say this now -- on paper, the Jayhawks look wonderful and ask around and everybody loves them but KU is known to choke come postseason when they have great teams. This group doesn't lack ability and play with almost anyone but, at the same time, seems extremely vulnerable. Husker star center Alexs Maric had 14 points but missed most of the second half after a collision. Talk about a bad day at the office for UNL.
No. 18 Oklahoma State once was a great story this season with Sean Sutton replacing his father as head coach and Mario Boggan and JamesOn Curry lighting up the scoreboard. The Cowboys have, however, become just another team in conference play and have now lost four of five and five of eight as Missouri did in the Pokes, 75-64. Freshman guard Keon Lawrence is going to be a player for the Tigers. He had 18 against OSU and is averaging 15.7 over his last six games.
BGT: Missouri is proof that coaching can make a difference quickly. Mike Anderson has Missouri, without a roster littered with All-Americans, at 16-9. Yes, their 5-7 record in conference play means more but the enthusiasm is back in Columbia and you can bet Anderson's style of play and his reputation around the country are going to allow him to recruit talent. Oklahoma State continues to look like easy pickins' come the postseason despite players that suggest success. Chemistry is lacking in Stillwater.
Texas eased by Baylor, 68-67, in Waco, behind the strength of their size as Kevin Durant went for 20 points and 14 rebounds and Connor Atchley's added 15 points and eight boards.
BGT: The only surprise in this game is that the Longhorns had to work so hard. The Bears do have players but have not been tough-minded since conference play started. UT gets a scare and a lesson -- play hard all the time.
Kansas State wore down Iowa State in Manhattan, 65-47, as David Hoskins and Cartier Martin combined for 37 points in the victory.
BGT: The Wildcats played defense and took care of business. Saw Seth Davis of CNNSI.com say Kansas State is not in the NCAA Tournament. Bull. The Cats are going to make it in Bob Huggins' first season, which is something CU fans should pay attention to -- as the difference coaching can make out of the gate.
BGT note: Catch the big Sunday Truth column tomorrow for the rest of the conversation with Adam Munsterteiger on the Buffs' recruiting. There is more football, more basketball, and lists on tap.
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