Comments on: A Shootout To Remember

By: Muncie

Muncie — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:04:34 +0000

I was at the game and I could not have put into words as well as you did the experience of the game. Great Job.

By: PMThor

PMThor — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 05:02:33 +0000

While this was an absolutely great game, in terms of impact, I still would put the two game Xavier bested the #1 ranked UC teams as the best in recent memory. Or Jumpin’ Jamals last second winner…or the no handshake game…

Dangit. It keeps happening, every couple of years or so a Shootout becomes one of legend, and there are just so many legends surrounding this series. If only everyone could get to experience it…

By: Xpectations

Xpectations — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 01:27:36 +0000

Terrific job! You really made me feel like I was there. Granted, I was there. But you made me feel like I was there all over again.

By: Snipe

Snipe — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:45:09 +0000

Great article. That game pumped me up. The Crosstown Shootout is an American classic. I love your description of our student section.

By: Ledgewood

Ledgewood — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 22:37:32 +0000

This is an awesome write up. I’m glad you got to witness the greatness that is the Crosstown Shootout for yourself. Now go eat some chili!

By: jstevrtc

jstevrtc — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:21:15 +0000

Hey, Scott. Thanks for reading and for the kind words.

As far as that strategy you’re talking about, I thought putting Parker in at that point was a tad risky, since
he hadn’t played much (got a total of 3 minutes) and I’m not sure of the virtues of putting a guy in cold and not in the flow of the game. But maybe Cronin knows something about him we don’t, or he had seen something in practice recently that made him think Parker would be able to do the job. I wasn’t aware of anything like this before the game, but maybe he considers Parker his defensive stopper (not likely, since he only played those 3 mins). It’s tough to second-guess any coach in that spot, but you definitely have a point.

This might sound strange, but the guy I would have let beat me is Crawford. I know he had 16 pts, but he didn’t shoot well at all and he had been playing more and more out of control from the start. I think he was still trying to “prove himself” after coming off the bench (he didn’t start, and Chris Mack wouldn’t comment much when asked about this after the game), and if he hits a shot to win it at least I can say I got beat by, presumably, their best player. But that’s me. Again, though, coaches don’t really roll the dice much in these spots, putting their best team out there for a given game situation. If Cronin thought Parker was the man to guard Holloway on Sunday, he’d probably do it again and again if the situation arose.

Thanks for reading! Come back anytime, man.

John Stevens
RTC

By: Scott

Scott — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 07:58:21 +0000

Excellent write up. I was just wondering what your thoughts were about Cronin putting in Parker to guard Holloway at the end of regulation? The fact he fouled for the tying points not withstanding, I think it was a terrible move. I suppose you have to keep it honest and put Stephenson on Crawford, and Dixon on whoever, but I thought Mick really blew it there