I question the wisdom of fouling a 94% free throw shooter, up by 3, with 20 seconds or so left. Then again, seconds later. Then again, seconds later.
Make no mistake, I do want to avoid giving up a 3, but giving up 2 points without running clock seems a recipe for disaster. One turnover and we lose. Leal almost turned it over catching an inbounds pass in the corner. Ditto Mbako, if the foul for a push (a good call) had not been made. Malik even caught an inbounds pass in he corner but fortunately was tripped and the right call was made. One more missed FT by IU would also have put the outcome in doubt. Or the ref holding his whistle on one of those foul calls.
I would not foul, I would guard the 3 point line (they were 4-22), make then run clock, then if they get even a layup after running off 10+ seconds, then so be it. If it's under 5 seconds, sure, you foul before they get off a 3.
I am glad we won but I thought we were quite fortunate that it worked out.
Make no mistake, I do want to avoid giving up a 3, but giving up 2 points without running clock seems a recipe for disaster. One turnover and we lose. Leal almost turned it over catching an inbounds pass in the corner. Ditto Mbako, if the foul for a push (a good call) had not been made. Malik even caught an inbounds pass in he corner but fortunately was tripped and the right call was made. One more missed FT by IU would also have put the outcome in doubt. Or the ref holding his whistle on one of those foul calls.
I would not foul, I would guard the 3 point line (they were 4-22), make then run clock, then if they get even a layup after running off 10+ seconds, then so be it. If it's under 5 seconds, sure, you foul before they get off a 3.
I am glad we won but I thought we were quite fortunate that it worked out.
