If Idaho coach Bryan Gates would have given a post game interview, I have no doubt it would have...

If Idaho coach Bryan Gates would have given a post game interview, I have no doubt it would have looked eerily similar to that. The lead was 98-81 with 8 minutes left in the game, but Austin (read: Marcus Williams with a bit of Malik Hairston) battled back.
Game changer: Taking Lance Allred out for Austin's last offensive possession in regulation was a bad idea. Same with sitting him on the bench the first 7 minutes of the 4th until the big lead was nearly gone.
Allred's been a horse for Gates for the past three seasons. If he'd have been in on the final play, I don't think Williams gets the second opportunity. Just my $0.02.

9 months ago Scott Schroeder 1 comment 0 recs |

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Gates

More game changers:

Not having Lanny Smith in there for most of the 4th quarter. Lanny was very instrumental offensively and defensively in creating that 19-point lead. I don’t think he returned to the game until very late in the 4th when the lead had dwindled to about 6.

The lead escaped them because Gates put in guys who were not “on” at all last night for much of the 4th quarter. He also put in guys who were very careless with the ball—or at least careless with the clock. Why Tatum was taking shots with 20 seconds on the shot clock when they were up by 4-6 with 2 mins to go is not smart—and Tatum didn’t play smart all night. Why did Gates choose Tatum to take the shot? Lanny or KB should have made that last move.

I agree with you that taking Allred out on that last possession was a factor—but Jones would have went over his back, too. That was a classic no-call at home for the Toros.

My one liner on why they lost: The personnel decisions of Bryan Gates.

by flustermon on Apr 16, 2009 12:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs