Coach's Comments

Ultimately, we will benefit from playing the biggest team we will see all year as well as possibly the best team we will see all year. Despite shooting 48% on two point shots and 36% on three point shots and 6 of 8 from the foul line, the game was not close. Individually we had some outstanding performances as our  two sophomore guards, the Isiahs, either each scored 17 points as one box score had it or one scored 18 and the other 16 as the other box score had it. Nate had 12 points despite being guarded all game by their big man who was being scouted by Coach Calipari who flew in after his Kentucky team won their afternoon game. Despite foul trouble, Dave led us with 7 rebounds. Jett was a scoring threat from three point line. Kudos to Jared for battling the big men on defense despite giving away so many pounds and inches.

Games like this in December will make our team better later in the year. At SA we have never been afraid to play anybody, and our schedule this year gives us plenty of future opportunities to be tested. It is one thing to play so well together as a team as we did on Friday in the friendly confines of the Events Center; it is another to do the same on a playoff floor in front of many of the area's most ardent basketball fans against a very talented collection of talent. We could not have made our incredible comeback in Hershey last year without similar experiences last year. We will have fun making that progression because our young men are committed to learning how to improve individually and collectively!

Go Panthers!