...before I'll call him a good coach. He definitely makes a lot of questionable decisions. Like having Black on the floor with two fouls late in the first half, for example. A bigger mistake, and in my opinion, one that cost him the game, was his defense down the stretch. Arizona struggled mightily against the Memphis zone. Their offense was discombobulated and they couldn't get into a flow. When Memphis went back to man, they got more into the flow and got Williams more involved. I was surprised that Pastner stayed in man to man down the stretch of that game. I would've gone back to the zone and made them prove that they could score consistently against it. The zone was also helping Memphis on the boards, and it was helping them get out in transition on missed shots. I think that turned out to be the difference in the game.
That said, if all these players return next year for Memphis, in addition to the Thomas kid they have coming in, look out. They are mighty talented.