BYU lost because they didn't have an answer for Landale
(I first posted this on CB)
Rose had an interesting strategy. Try not to double Landale. Use Worthington and Dastrup to guard him. Don't use Yoeli to guard him until the final 9 minutes or so. In order to prevent Childs from getting into foul trouble, and to save Childs' legs.
On the other hand, Randy Bennett put Landale on BYU's best player in this game, Childs. Best on best.
The idea was that Landale would get some points. But they would be 2 pointers. And maybe he shoots 60%. They'll live with that. The problem was that Landale was essentially incapable of missing as he bullied his way to the rim. In the first half when help came, and Landale kicked it out, St. Mary's couldn't capitalize. It was not likely that they would continue to do so poorly in the 2nd half. And that turned out to be true. Some of their shots started falling. And Worthington and Dastrup couldn't do anything on defense against Landale. I know that Dastrup had a couple of possessions in the 1st half where he made some good defensive plays. But you look at his overall body of work on Landale, and he was getting torched. That's why Rose couldn't go to him at the end of the game. And Bennett wasn't going to have Landale guarding Dastrup at the 3. He would have Landale guarding Yoeli. And a small on Dastrup at the 3 point line.
How would the game played out if Yoeli had guarded Landale for a larger part of the game? I think Rose is right. Childs would have gotten into foul trouble and would have only been marginally more effective. The fact is Yoeli doesn't have an answer for Landale either.
The 3rd most efficient player in the country torched BYU. That's why BYU lost.
|