This may make you infuriated, but there are some positives to take away from Tuesday night’s 67-59 loss at No. 1 Houston. Viktor Lakhin tied for the team lead in scoring with 11 points, the Bearcats out-rebounded Houston 42-30, Jizzle James continues to show why he has such a bright future and the Bearcats were never completely out of it. They made Houston sweat for it at the end. Here are my 12 Big Things from Tuesday night’s game.
12 Big Things
1. After the first game against Houston, I said that I felt better about the Bearcats than I did going into that game. After Tuesday night, I definitely recognize the dire situation the Bearcats have put themselves in. But I’m a glass half full guy, and I’m here to tell you there’s still hope. There is still a chance. Win the next three, or at least two of the next three and make some noise in the Big 12 Tournament and you never know.
2. That said, the Bearcats are in dire straits. This feels like a low point in the season. Now three straight losses, five of six, eight of 11 and 10 of 14. It feels like the win at BYU happened five years ago.
3. I don’t know what to say about the way the Bearcats come out to start games. It’s comical at this point. This is not the 100 meter dash where you can false start and get disqualified. You’re allowed to come out firing when the ball is tipped.
4. It’s one thing to turn the ball over 25 times because the defense is active and has great hands. But it’s another thing to have 19 turnovers and however many of them coming from just making bad passes.
5. That said, I’m not sure how shaken the Bearcats confidence is. But the turnovers of late suggest to me that it might be shaken enough where they’re not making the smart pass or making at least 30 percent of their three-point shots. At some point, the shots not falling and the fight not leading to wins can shake the confidence of these 18-22-year-olds.
