So close but yet so far. This was an awesome game. If you are a college basketball fan I hope you got to see it. It came down to one play. Aztecs down 1 with the ball. Tapley gets a screen and drives to the basket for a potential game winning basket:
Awesome play by Johnson of Arizona. 2 things to point out. First, the screen up high by Spencer to free Tapley. If Spencer stays with the screen and stays between Johnson and Tapley than there is no block. Spencer is a frosh who hopefully will learn from this. 2nd, the phenomenal play by Johnson didn't end with the original block with his right hand. As the ball comes off the backboard he deflects the ball with his left hand. If he doesn't do that Jamaal Franklin was right there for the put back. Just an amazing play by Johnson.
Despite the loss I learned that the Aztecs are as good as Arizona. Is Arizona worthy of a #3 ranking? I'm not sure. I do know there is a lot of parity in college hoops so there isn't a whole lot of difference between #3 and #15.
The Aztecs should continue to get better as the season goes on. Shepard has improved in every game. Spencer is getting better. The only player I was disappointed in last night was Rahon. Not a good game for him.
One more cupcake (Cal Bakersfield) before conference play starts on Jan. 9th. Damn, only 1 crappy game for 2 weeks.