[NU Sports] 'Cats Tonight

[neonrye at aol.com]

Our lack of (a) a stud rebounder and (b) an inside shot-blocking (or at least intimidating) presence was never more glaring than tonight.  Rhode Island slashed to the basket like the partiers I saw in NYC today rushing headlong towards every Irish (and non-Irish) tavern in sight.   I think Carmody did a very good job this year overall, but a recent post calling for him to get a good defensive-minded assistant was right on the mark.  Perhaps our 1-3-1 didn't work without Luka in the middle, although he is not exactly the second coming of Bill Russell or Nate Thrumond in the paint.   Whatever it was, the Rams got easy layups and put-backs, and, even more, spent half the night at the charity stripe.  Thats' where they really won the game.  Their margin on free throws was overwhelming.  In addition to Coble's return, we must recruit a big man who can hit the glass (and actually come down with the ball) and occasionally block a shot--without fouling in the process.  Don't mean to go all negative here, but I know what I see.  As an old Knicks fan (of the great teams with Reed, Frazier, DeBuschere, Bradley and Barnett/Monroe), I value defense over offense.  You can win games with "D", even if you are not shooting well, but if you don't defend, then you are probably destined to lose close games unless you are hot all game as a team from the outside, which is hard to sustain.

Having said all that, I want to make one final comment about our Head Coach.  Carmody seemed more positive this year in his body language and his talks with the players.  He will never be a buoyant personality on the bench, but he seemed to make more of an effort to be a "kindler and gentler" coach.  I would like to see him applaud effort a little more and yell a litttle more encouragement, but at least he's trying to be more upbeat.

Disappointing but we got 20.  So we have to look to the horizon with some hope to go "Dancin' with the Stars" next March.

Paul Levinson