Revisiting NCAAs, Buffalo

[pressvirginia]

Dog days of summer. Rewatched Buffalo game. How important was Devin Williams in his first appearance in the Big Dance?

T.Phillip is credited for the game-clinching shot - and indeed it was sweet - but it was Williams who drew the foul & hit 2/2 FTs that put the good guys up for good immediately after Buffalo had finally tied it at 62.

Next possession, Williams was thrown down by Moss, but got up and rebounded Moss' missed lay-up. Then Devin dove to the floor & saved the following possession with an offensive board & a timeout was called.

On the possession where Phillip erupted clutch, it was Williams ball screening for Staten who got to the foul line area drawing in the D for enough space to assist Phillip's improbable long ball.

When the dust settled, Williams had what I would call a near perfect game minus his turnovers -- 28 mins, 17 points on 5-6 FGs, 7-9 FTs, 9 boards, an assist, steal & only 3 fouls.

Guy flat out knows how to play & willed the 'Eers to victory. So glad he didn't hurt his ankle there in 2nd half too. Big things to come from the big man.

 

[EnginEER 89]

One of the best parts of Devin's game is that, toward the end of the season, he consistently made free throws late in the game. That is huge and hard to find in a solid big man.

LGM!

 

[pressvirginia]

No doubt. Bob Knight says the same in I think every broadcast he ever did. Bigs who can hit FTs can stay in for D & rebounding. Although in Williams' case, anything but a liability on O.

Buffalo game was a slug fest. Even though WV controlled all 40 minutes & never trailed, anything but easy.

I attribute NCAA wins to that of a bowl win. No matter what happened later against UK, the season would've been spoiled a bit had Buffalo sprang the upset.

Interesting to me how Hurley spring boarded from Buffalo to Ariz State following the game/season. Must have to do with his playing career & possible potential as a coach. As it stands now, he's pretty green.

If I recall correctly, Buffalo didn't win the MAC & needed to win their conference tourney to get in the Big Dance. Credited for playing UK & Wisconsin decently for a half early in the year before being blown out.

Most coaches have to have a deep tourney run to get a promotion or years of proven, sustained success before a P5 team offers. Going from NY/NJ & Tobacco Road roots to Tempe, Ariz may not prove to be easy in establishing recruiting in-roads either. Plus there's that premier program just 2 hours south to deal with twice a year.

 

[xWVU2010x]

Im from NJ and the Hurleys are high school basketball royalty here. His father will undoubtedly be sending his top players from St. Anthony's which is one of, if not the top HS program in the area, and sometimes the nation, now that one of his sons is at a Power 5 school, other players who did not get to play for St. Anthony's from this area will also take notice that a Hurley is coaching at ASU, which like WVU is already a destination school for NJ kids looking to go out of state.

Bobby basically went to Buffalo on a coaching internship, if he succeeded a P5 school would undoubtedly jump at him and they did. He will be a menace on the recruiting trail, and IMO the location of the school isnt a factor, unlike football.

 

[Chazz Michael Michaels]

Tarik Phillip is due for a good year. Guy was clutch when put into critical situations. Will be interesting to see who will get more floor time between him and Page. Page sometimes took himself out of games when he got frustrated and then forced some shots. I like them both but I think Phillip's a little more versatile.

Hoping Devin can dominate this year. The big improvement in his FT shooting shows he must be a hard worker.

Dog days of summer. Rewatched Buffalo game. How important was Devin Williams in his first appearance in the Big Dance?

T.Phillip is credited for the game-clinching shot - and indeed it was sweet - but it was Williams who drew the foul & hit 2/2 FTs that put the good guys up for good immediately after Buffalo had finally tied it at 62.

Next possession, Williams was thrown down by Moss, but got up and rebounded Moss' missed lay-up. Then Devin dove to the floor & saved the following possession with an offensive board & a timeout was called.

On the possession where Phillip erupted clutch, it was Williams ball screening for Staten who got to the foul line area drawing in the D for enough space to assist Phillip's improbable long ball.

When the dust settled, Williams had what I would call a near perfect game minus his turnovers -- 28 mins, 17 points on 5-6 FGs, 7-9 FTs, 9 boards, an assist, steal & only 3 fouls.

Guy flat out knows how to play & willed the 'Eers to victory. So glad he didn't hurt his ankle there in 2nd half too. Big things to come from the big man.