I thought YSU played real loose in the first half, almost too loose at times, probably could have been up 20. I don't know if they thought Morgan State was just going to mail it in, but the game reminded me of the IUPUI home game. I've said several times, YSU hasn't been the same since halftime of that game.
I don't know if other teams make better adjustments in the 2nd half of games than YSU or what the problem is. YSU is +107 in the first half of games this year & just +8 in the 2nd half & OT. I know Coach said in the post-game on the radio that shots weren't falling and the guys were making the game more difficult than it was. The press totally killed YSU in the 2nd half. It just got them out of sorts and I thought they really looked disoriented on offense. All of the fouls on both sides just killed the rhythm of the game.
Cohill saved the day and Morgan State's inability to make any 3 pointers- that's unreal. I think they had went 178 straight games making at least 1. YSU on the other hand made 5 and did well from the FT line other than blowing 2 front end of 1 & 1's (Long & Dunn). Give Morgan State and their coaches a lot of credit. They had a lot of seniors and it would have been easy to quit down 16 in the 2nd half. Akuchie played well in the first half, but he just didn't seem into the game in the 2nd half.
Coach said he was going to play a lot of guys, but it probably cost him in the first half taking the starters out. Ogoro was the only one that didn't play. Have to wonder if he'll be back next year. Shelton didn't play after getting his nose bloodied.
Surprised Kent State lost; they had the best record in the tournament. Was hoping for a matchup between those two. Florida Gulf Coast and Southern Utah are the only other 2 20+ wins teams, and they both won. Everyone else has a similar or worse record than YSU.