Let's not sugarcoat it, this was a game USC coulda and shoulda won. This makes them 1-5 in 5 point games this year and the common malady of FT differential in 4 of the 5 losses. USC couldn't get them, and couldn’t hit them. This one in particular stood out for that reason. USC had 6 total FTs and missed all of them (a potential 12 points). They got hit for 15 FTs in 19 attempts by the Beavers. 3 of those 15 fouls were intentional in catch-up time at the end of the game. About 5K attendees. Trampoline dunking acrobats at halftime. The Student section about 60% full.
So here's my rant. . After attending the game…, I reviewed it on DVR. OSU had shot only 3 FTS in the UCLA game and Coach Tinkle was on the refs from the begging. He instigated a weird replay request on a foul NOT called in this game. In fact Nic Rakocevic was fouled and USC had the ball when the timeout was requested. The refs looked at it twice over a 6-7 minute game stoppage and found that Nic in heading upon court was bodied up by an OSU player and he reached out and pushed back…too high. The second review ended in a Technical call and Nic's second foul in the game. The first was a miscalled foul on a blocked ball by Nic. The score wasn’t affected except Nic (USCs second leading scorer, and top rebounder) got but 10 minutes of playing time in the game. He ended with 4 points, 1 rebound , 5 fouls. Maybe someone can tell me how a non call can be challenged and changed? The games will last about 4 hours if that’s the case.
Overall USC through bad shooting allowed Oregon State to control with their slow down tempo. And 7 footer Kelly controlled the paint causing shots inside to be blocked or altered. Thornton had some 4-5 shots altered. Two bright spots, Aaron in likely his last home game (NIT?) played well (12 pts, 7 boards, 5 assists) [particularly in the first half. Kevin Porter Jr (11 pts,10 rebs, 3 steals) showed his talent and almost led USC back from a double digit deficit with a great second half.
An opportunity missed and now down to 3 away games where USC is 2-5. But they play UCLA and Utah ahead of them. They need both of these games to get a first day bye to the PAC12 playoffs. To Date #1 UW, #2T- OSU and ASU at 4 GB. #4 Utah at 4.5 GB, USC and UCLA at 5.5GB.
So here's my rant. . After attending the game…, I reviewed it on DVR. OSU had shot only 3 FTS in the UCLA game and Coach Tinkle was on the refs from the begging. He instigated a weird replay request on a foul NOT called in this game. In fact Nic Rakocevic was fouled and USC had the ball when the timeout was requested. The refs looked at it twice over a 6-7 minute game stoppage and found that Nic in heading upon court was bodied up by an OSU player and he reached out and pushed back…too high. The second review ended in a Technical call and Nic's second foul in the game. The first was a miscalled foul on a blocked ball by Nic. The score wasn’t affected except Nic (USCs second leading scorer, and top rebounder) got but 10 minutes of playing time in the game. He ended with 4 points, 1 rebound , 5 fouls. Maybe someone can tell me how a non call can be challenged and changed? The games will last about 4 hours if that’s the case.
Overall USC through bad shooting allowed Oregon State to control with their slow down tempo. And 7 footer Kelly controlled the paint causing shots inside to be blocked or altered. Thornton had some 4-5 shots altered. Two bright spots, Aaron in likely his last home game (NIT?) played well (12 pts, 7 boards, 5 assists) [particularly in the first half. Kevin Porter Jr (11 pts,10 rebs, 3 steals) showed his talent and almost led USC back from a double digit deficit with a great second half.
An opportunity missed and now down to 3 away games where USC is 2-5. But they play UCLA and Utah ahead of them. They need both of these games to get a first day bye to the PAC12 playoffs. To Date #1 UW, #2T- OSU and ASU at 4 GB. #4 Utah at 4.5 GB, USC and UCLA at 5.5GB.
