Blog with Bryan Smithson

Last year they got us by 20......I had a horrible game and so did the rest of my teammates.  This year, once again I was having a poor shooting night.  The difference was I got the rest of my teammates involved and it gave them confidence which ultimately gave me even more confidence about our abilities to compete, and sparked a comeback with 3 minutes left down by 7.  We held them scoreless over the final 3 minutes to pull off a 61-58 win and probably the best win in the program since the tournament appearance in 2003.  I had 7 points and only 3 until this final 3 minutes.  We cut the lead to 58-55 when we turned up the pressure on Defense and forced a turnover.  I got the ball on the wing and called for a ball screen.  USC switched a forward onto me so I dragged him out and took it into the paint for a floater off the glass.  58-57.  They came down and made another crucial mistake as they threw the ball out of bounds. We drove down and ran the same ball screen from the wing but this time I took a penetrating dribble and hit Kenny George inside and he dunked it home.  26 seconds left.  They came down and Devan Downey attempted a three point shot that fell short and Kenny got the rebound hit me and they fouled.  We got to run a little clock off because they had to give 2 more fouls in order to put us on the line.  So they did, and with 6 seconds left they fouled me and sent me to the line.  I drained both free throws and they gave it to Downey who is extremely quick.  Before we was able to gain a full head of steam I fouled him at half court because we still had 3 fouls to give.  2 seconds left.  We denied the inbounds and they fired a half court shot that fell short. 

I can't speak for everybody on my team but I do know that the win was emotional for me for a couple reasons.  One- it is my senior year and every game carries a ton of emotion for me.  2- I was happy for our seniors who have worked so hard in the offseason to get a win like this.  3- Our coaches deserved this win because they work hard and play by the rules ( I don't think every team does).  4- Our young guys were able to experience beating an SEC team which can prove to be invaluable experience. 

We enjoyed the win Sat night and Sunday but then we got right to work Sunday night in order to get ready for the number 1 team in the nation UNC.  The game is going to be extremely tough, but is not an impossible win like most in the country think.  We do not have to play perfect, but we do have to play hard, tough, and smart.  Their talent level is extremely high and they use it well.  We have to control tempo as much as possible and limit their transition looks.  I have been in a bit of a shooting slump, but its not the first time and won't be the last.  I'm going to keep shooting and I'll be ready.        O and by the way we are #22 in the mid major poll last time I checked.  So, all of you that doubted us for so long--- Thanks, your a part of our success!!!