Wednesday night marked the Jays first trip to Des Moines that I didn't road trip for in five years. When you're only three weeks into a new job, its a little difficult to sneak out early to jump on I-80 for a basketball game, even if you are the Creative Manager. This meant I was stuck with a choice between the radio broadcast and the KMTV broadcast.
I hesitate to complain because I remember vividly the days when there were no games televised, and I appreciate their efforts. But I can't help it anymore. KMTV's production is brutal, with the white balance misadjusted on a majority of their cameras and a half-frame-rate replay system. The former is Videography 101 stuff and is inexcusable; the latter is no doubt a budget issue so I give them a pass -- although it is amusing. Last night seemed particularly rough, though. Nearly every time they went to them, their cameras under the basket were jerking around so wildly that it reminded me of The Blair Witch Project. Its a good thing I hadn't eaten contaminated Peanut Butter or I might have thrown up.
As for the announcers, I think my readers have it all wrong when it comes to my opinion of Travis Justice. I mean, he's my fourth favorite Justice of all time, which is a lot higher than I think most readers assume he'd be. You've got Buford T. Justice from Smokey and the Bandit, you've got David Justice of the Atlanta Braves/Cleveland Indians, you've got Chief Justice Clarence Thomas of the Supreme Court (who got married in Omaha), and then you've got Travis Justice. Its no shame to be fourth on that list, so I don't know where this wild idea about me being a hater comes from. You bet.
I rather like the 15-25 seconds of dead air during the course of a game where no one is saying anything. Especially when the game is being played in a two-thirds full arena. Good times.
*****
I wrote after the Missouri State game that the key to the Jays final eight games would be the play of Justin Carter, and that his toughness seemed to be rubbing off on his teammates. He was becoming the leader this team needed. Wednesday night in Des Moines, Carter and the Jays took another huge step in fulfilling that prophecy.
In Omaha against these same Bulldogs, the Jays were outrebounded by 14, and the worst part of it was that it wasn't a surprising stat given their prior efforts. Last night, the Jays outrebounded the Bulldogs by 10, 36-26, which is the first time they've had a double-digit victory on the boards all season. Yes, even against the dregs of their schedule in December, they never had a double-digit victory on the boards. But last night, on the road in the conference against the defending champion, they dominated the glass.
On defense, there were some lapses where they allowed open looks, but I have to tell you, for the most part they played solid. They were better at cutting off the baseline, they were better at pushing shooters far out beyond the perimeter, and they were better at contesting dribble penetration. Again, they weren't perfect, but I can live with the way they played. In fact, I'll go so far as to say that if that level of effort on the defensive end is around the rest of the month, its going to an awfully interesting seven games.
I can understand someone looking at the stat sheet and questioning my praise of Justin Carter, especially when Booker Woodfox and P'Allen Stinnett are scoring at will. Scoring is nice, but I prefer defense and rebounding. Carter "only" had 9 points and 7 rebounds, but its the attitude he brings that is as important as what his numbers show. Kenton Walker is playing much, much better as Carter has improved, no doubt because with a legit "4" on the floor, his work at the "5" is easier.
Attitude? The Jays haven't had a bad-ass tough guy that other teams feared because he might knock you down for a long time. The sort of player who doesn't just want the rebound, he believes its his and will fight you for it if you try to take it away. The sort of guy who makes you think twice about driving inside. The sort of guy who flexes his muscles to the crowd like Hulk Hogan after drawing a foul attempting to grab an offensive board.
I'm giddy after this game, I'm not going to lie to you. I thought their defensive effort was outstanding, their results on the glass were superb, and both of those led to easy shots on offense -- and a solid road win.
*****
Booker Woodfox's foot must be feeling better, because his shooting last night was the best its been since the injury. Booker was 9-17 from the floor, but more impressively was 5-8 from behind the arc -- and his 23 points led the team. When he's on fire like that from outside, and the big guys are cleaning up the glass inside, Creighton becomes very difficult to beat.
P'Allen Stinnett added 17, with six of his shots coming inside of 15 feet which is where he's most lethal. P also had three assists as he continues to evolve into a more well-rounded player.
Josh Dotzler had 6 assists, no turnovers and 4 steals. There are a lot of Dotzler haters out there because he doesn't score points, but come on, anyone who can't appreciate the kind of game he had on Wednesday just doesn't get it. When your point guard plays 26 minutes without turning it over once on the road against a team pressuring the backcourt, that's important stuff. When he contributes six assists, that's huge. And when he gets two steals in the last two minutes of the game just as your opponent is desperately trying to claw back into the contest, effectively putting his proverbial foot on their proverbial throat, that's unbelievable.
You bet.
*****
Tonight's Polyfro Player of the Game is brought to you by Little Chocolate Donuts. They've got the sugar I need to get me going in the morning, and that's why Little Chocolate Donuts have been on my training table since I was a kid. Little Chocolate Donuts: The Donuts of Champions!
Its tempting to give it to Booker for his explosion for 23 points, but I've been harping on defense and rebounds for so long that it wouldn't be right to reward offensive prowess on a night when the defensive effort was so good. Justin Carter had 9 points, 7 rebounds (4 offensive), 1 assist, 1 block and 1 steal in 27 minutes. His attitude and presence were the big story, as his play lifted others to tougher play. I love it.
You bet.
