That was a really fun road win. I have no idea if it was part of the gameplan or not, but it seemed like we gave ASU a lot of real easy layups in the first half, which on the surface your like "come on guys." However, perhaps if you give them open layups, they aren't bombing threes and swinging the momentum, getting the crowd involved, etc. Again, hard to imagine that was actually the gameplan, but it worked really well in the second half.
Seems like the light has gone on for Jayce Johnson, and Barefiled in the second half last night looked like the Barefield we saw in his debut during the Diamond Head Classic last year. I think he needs a little more freedom to fill it up.
It will be interesting to see how the league treats Hurley & his team moving forward. They very clearly have a gameplan to push the edge as far as in-game behavior goes. The double tech on Bibbins and Evans last night was a direct result of them giving ASU a lot of leeway.
Now we head to Tuscon with house money! After the next two on the road, the Utes will finish with 5 of 7 at home, and can certainly finish in that 4-5-6 range if they can step it up. If they can nab another road win or two, they probably move themselves on to the bubble. First thing's first though. Arizona.