Spring Break
Omaha, here they come
Flashes hope prior experience will come in handy in Tournament
Doug Gulasy
Issue date: 3/14/08 Section: News
The Flashes may need that experience in their tournament opener, Thursday at 2:55 p.m. in Omaha, Neb, because their opponent, UNLV (26-7), has experience too.
Last season the Rebels advanced to the Sweet 16 after defeating Georgia Tech and Wisconsin in the first two rounds.
"(They're) a team very similar to ours," Christian said. "They're an outstanding defensive team, holding teams to right around 40 percent (shooting) for the year. (They) have two very, very good guards, almost four double-figure scorers and you know they're going to be well-prepared."
When the Flashes lost to Pittsburgh two years ago, it was mainly because the Panthers caused matchup problems with 7-foot center Aaron Gray.
The Rebels don't have a 7-foot player, but they can cause problems with other players. Guard Wink Adams leads them with 16.6 points per game and is shooting 36.1 percent from 3-point range. As a team, UNLV averages 7.7 3-pointers a game.
In recent games, the Flashes' perimeter defense has been strong. In the past five games, the Flashes have held opponents to 13-of-72 (18.1 percent) shooting from behind the arc.
"We want to take teams out of the things that they do," junior guard Al Fisher said. "We don't want to let them come down and run their sets and plays that they want to run, especially 3-point shooting teams. We want to get them out, pressure them and have them like a little scared to run things.
"We just try to get out there, pressure the ball and make them change things that they usually do."
Scott has talked all season about the goals the team has kept. With a few, including winning the MAC, accomplished, winning their NCAA Tournament game becomes the next goal.
Scott said as much after Saturday's game, receiving a response of "Good answer" from Christian.
And his tournament experience and that of his teammates could be what helps the team accomplish that goal.
"I'm really looking forward to the challenge to play in (the tournament) again," Scott said. "After having the experience my sophomore year, I think it's definitely going to help the team out. Being here once before, it wa great, and being here again as a senior, it's wonderful. But we definitely have more to do, more goals to accomplish."
Contact sports reporter Doug Gulasy at dgulasy@kent.edu.
Last season the Rebels advanced to the Sweet 16 after defeating Georgia Tech and Wisconsin in the first two rounds.
"(They're) a team very similar to ours," Christian said. "They're an outstanding defensive team, holding teams to right around 40 percent (shooting) for the year. (They) have two very, very good guards, almost four double-figure scorers and you know they're going to be well-prepared."
When the Flashes lost to Pittsburgh two years ago, it was mainly because the Panthers caused matchup problems with 7-foot center Aaron Gray.
The Rebels don't have a 7-foot player, but they can cause problems with other players. Guard Wink Adams leads them with 16.6 points per game and is shooting 36.1 percent from 3-point range. As a team, UNLV averages 7.7 3-pointers a game.
In recent games, the Flashes' perimeter defense has been strong. In the past five games, the Flashes have held opponents to 13-of-72 (18.1 percent) shooting from behind the arc.
"We want to take teams out of the things that they do," junior guard Al Fisher said. "We don't want to let them come down and run their sets and plays that they want to run, especially 3-point shooting teams. We want to get them out, pressure them and have them like a little scared to run things.
"We just try to get out there, pressure the ball and make them change things that they usually do."
Scott has talked all season about the goals the team has kept. With a few, including winning the MAC, accomplished, winning their NCAA Tournament game becomes the next goal.
Scott said as much after Saturday's game, receiving a response of "Good answer" from Christian.
And his tournament experience and that of his teammates could be what helps the team accomplish that goal.
"I'm really looking forward to the challenge to play in (the tournament) again," Scott said. "After having the experience my sophomore year, I think it's definitely going to help the team out. Being here once before, it wa great, and being here again as a senior, it's wonderful. But we definitely have more to do, more goals to accomplish."
Contact sports reporter Doug Gulasy at dgulasy@kent.edu.
Be the first to comment on this story