Air Force prepared for UNLV’s pressure defense, but it’s hard to simulate in practice.
Not many teams have players as athletic as the Rebels. They turned up the heat on the Falcons in the first half, and Air Force didn’t react to it well. The Falcons scored just four points in the first 10-and-a-half minutes of the game, and 12 of their 23 first-half points came from Kyle Green’s four 3-pointers.
“We backed away a little bit rather than attacking,” Air Force coach Dave Pilipovich said. “We attacked a little more in the second half, we were more aggressive. But they were really good in the first half.”
Air Force did play better in the second half, scoring 35 points, although it did have nine turnovers. Air Force had 12 turnovers in the first half. The Falcons needed some time to settle in on offense, as the Rebels swarmed them early.
“We prepped for it and we were prepared, but the actual pressure early hit us a little bit and backed us on our heels,” Pilipovich said. “The second half was a different team. We were a lot more aggressive.”
Air Force could play UNLV again in the Mountain West tournament, which is also at the Thomas and Mack Center in a couple of weeks. If they have another meeting, the Falcons should be more prepared than they were to start Saturday’s game, and can take the lessons of being too passive in the first half and learn from them.
“We did in the second half what we were supposed to do in the first half,” guard Michael Lyons said.
Proud of our Falcons! Look for a full 40 minute game soon. Our team can play with anyone in the MWC!
It was interesting to see ANOTHER game where the officials “didn’t influence the outcome!” LOL
It would be interesting to know what compelling basketball knowledge Reynolds had to keep Kyle Green on the bench for three seasons? Borderline criminal if you ask me. So sorry for that Kyle! You deserved better.
FPC…not to get into arguements or anything, but I am very glad Kyle did this well and hope that he continues. But one very good game does not mean that their were mistakes in his playing time (and not disrespect to Kyle). He has played in the last 4 games going (from most recent) UNLV FG 6-8/3pt 5-7, TCU 0-2/0-1 3pt, SDSU 0-4/0-2 3pt, Wyo 2-6/0-3 3pt, BSU 3-5/1-3 3pt…..so, like many on our team, he is an up and down player.
I hope he and others can find some consistency to especially include Todd Fletcher (who really had a nice run of shooting but has not scored more than 7 in the last 8 games), MikeFitzgerald who really has the ability to score but only one double figure game in the last 5 and KamWilliams (only 16pts in last 7 games). Hope these guys can get it going! GO FALCONS
Yes, they really ALL need to get in the habit of shooting more, and the points will come, but only if they can commit to rebounding as well. I don’t know if much can develop for the remainder of this season, to be honest. Let’s hope for the best!! Go Falcons!
I definitely didn’t like the Buzzy philosophy of basically playing the same 5 the entire game. But the current practice of going 12-deep every game doesn’t seem to be working either. It seems like we spend the first half each game figuring out who’s going to have the hot hand, but getting badly behind in doing so.
I suppose I can forgive Coach P for experimenting a bit with players and rotations at this point. But I hope we’re building toward a solid 8-man rotation next year with a much higher level of comfort and consistence from who’s on the floor.