Jackets roll again - beat Alabama A&M 74-41

More great defense as the Jackets roll. At one point the score was 53-15, so they put things away early. Sounded like things got sloppy in the 2nd half (listened on the net), as clean-up time was extended extra long. The team definitely needs to think about how to maintain concentration for the entire game, because it seemed to disappear in the 2nd half of this game. In fact, this was the first time we have been outscored in a half. Just shows how strong our first half was as we still won by 33.

1. Forced 28 turnovers and got 20 steals and held A&M to 25% shooting. OUTSTANDING and once again the building block for the win.

2. Offensively, it sounded like we weren't exactly lighting things up. We ended up shooting 45% and 29% from 3-pt range. Jack and Elder combined for 0-7 from 3-pt range. For a strange stat, notice that Luke was the only player in double figures scoring. In fact, Nystom and Lewis ended with 8 each, as our 2nd leading scorer. The minutes were spread around. Nine guys with at least 15 minutes. Seven guys with at least 20 minutes, and none more than 26.

3. We actually turned the ball over 18 times, which is too many against a team like this. No doubt a handful of those happened during cleanup time, so we'll cut some slack. In fact there were 12 turnovers in the 2nd half.

4. LUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUKKKKKKKKKKKKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE..... is the man!!! Scores 22 points (10-14), grabs 5 boards, 3 steals. Nice going!!!! In fact, he was interviewed after the game. First time I have heard him with the Aussie accent. Very modest about how his teammates made the shots easy for him.

5. A little concerned with Jack's play the last two games, although we have done what needed to be done. Jack ended with 4 points (1-7), 6 boards, 5 assists, 6 steals, 7 to's. Obviously the to's concern me, but it is hard to judge a performance on the radio against a team like this. But this game is not characteristic of Jack's play. Is it pure coincidence that both games were the first for Bynum. I want to believe there is no link, but we will have to keep our eyes open.

6. Free throw shooting SUCKED. 12-26 for the game. Isma'il was 1-8, Bynum 1-4, Luke 2-5, This will lose us some games in ACC play if we don't tighten up here!!

7. Bynum gets 20 minutes in the game and starts to show us what we have heard about. He hits two key 3-pt shots early that really break the game open. He also shows his ability to break down a guy off the dribble. After the game, Hewitt has positive things to say about Bynum. The only negative was his rusty dribbling, which has been a little lose the last couple of games. But that should tighten up just fine.

8. Outrebounded them 45-37. Another good sign, but when ACC play rolls around, this will mean a lot more.

Overall another blowout win. I am worried about the concentration level, but that is part of the learning process. Nice victory for the Jackets.