What I mean by that is this: that game was a microcosm of Auburn's season in every way. Falling behind early. Mounting a furious second-half come-back. Falling short because the team can't hit crucial free throws. Not only does that describe several of Auburn's losses, but also the season as a whole.
We all knew it would come down to free throws, one way or another - whether it be last night or the next game or the finals. Quite simply, you can't win a championship if you can't hit free throws. And if you can't rebound to boot, forget about it.
That said, Auburn players played their hearts out last night, at least, that is, in the second half of the second half. The team did a good job keeping it close the entire game and played well in the first half, answering each Baylor run with an equal and opposite run. Then appeared to just coast through the first ten minutes of the second half.
I can't count the number of Auburn players I didn't see in the paint going for offensive rebounds. If you're Jeff Lebo, that has to be infuriating. I know I was yelling at a few players. Guys would pull up and shoot a three, then back off like they knew it was going in - the only problem was that most of them didn't go in. Which brings up another problem: why couldn't Auburn feed the ball into the paint for some inside scoring?
Now, I know Baylor played great defense last night and their 2-3 zone gave Auburn fits. But the way to beat that is to drive to the basket. Where were Frankie Sullivan, Dwayne Reed and Rasheem Barrett early in the second half? These are guys that have to have a presence. Especially Sully and Reed when the play PG. Drive the basket and if there's no shot, kick it out for the open three.
Now let's talk specifics.
The last three minutes of that game were some of the most exciting that i've seen in Auburn basketball. To be down by seven that late and come back to have the chance to win the game on it's final shot - without fouling - was spectacular.
Quantez Robertson earned his defensive reputation in the final 30 seconds.
I believe Reed played very well when the game was basically on the line (save for his two missed free throws with 8 seconds left that would have tied the game). The way he drove the basket and put Auburn within 2, then drove again, drawing the foul to give himself that opportunity... that was awesome. I'll bet you nobody spends more time this offseason shooting free throws than Dwayne Reed. If it were me, that sort of things could change my whole career. Just think if someone with his ability to make plays could be accountable at the charity stripe.....
This brings us to the final two possessions.
Who would have thought Auburn would force two turnovers, capitalize on one to bring the game to within 1, then have a Baylor guard who shoots 87 percent from the line miss his final shot to give us a chance to win? Certainly not me.
Robertson got the rebound on that miss, drove the court and dished to Barret, who stepped around Robertson and another guy who created a screen, to finally put up a potential game-winning three. Of course, he missed. But you have to give him a little credit for taking the shot. After all, he was the hottest guy on the court in those last five minutes. Not one whole minute before that shot, he brought the Tigers to within three when he sunk a three.
But here's my question: wouldn't you like to have seen him try to get inside and pull one of his classic "jump inside, stop, jump and fade away" shots from the free throw line? I just know he would have made it - as usual - and it would have sent the game to OT.
Do I like our chances in OT? Yes. After Auburn got going and began playing like we know we all know they're capable of, there would have been no stopping them. I think just the accomplishment of sending that game to OT would have sparked the team to greatness.
But that's all moot. Plus, how much can you expect of a team when they only have 6 seconds to get the ball down the court and get off a shot?
All-in-all, I'm very proud of this team. I just hope they take it upon themselves to develop some consistency in shooting free throws during the offseason.
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