BROOKLYN, N.Y. – It’s time for a closer look at the Progressive Legends Classic final night at the Barclays Center.
CONSOLATION:
UCLA 60, Georgia 56
The key statistic here was the free throw rate edge of UCLA. Free throw rate simply divides field goal attempts by free throw attempts. The Bruins had a 67-17% advantage. In raw numbers they shot 20 of 30 compared to the 6 for 10 of Georgia. There is very simple math here: Georgia becoming a perimeter shooting team. That was not conducive as Georgia had a 42% eFG mark largely due to 6 of 23 (26%) shooting from beyond the arc. UCLA was more apt to go to the basket, thus getting to the line.
The pace was in Georgia’s favor at 60 possessions. Offensive efficiency was a 102-93 in favor of the Bruins. Shabazz Muhammad of UCLA led all scorers with 21 points. The freshman forward attempted more free throws than the entire Georgia team, going 8-of-11 from the line. Another UCLA freshman, Kyle Anderson, shut out a night before, scored nine points while grabbing nine rebounds and handing out three assists.
FINAL:
Indiana 82, Georgetown 72 (OT)
For the second straight night, Georgetown shot the ball well while struggling on the glass. That proved the difference as extending possessions, with 8 offensive boards, aided Indiana in compiling a 115 offensive efficiency, contrasted to 98 of the Hoyas.
The Hoosiers had a 30-21 rebounding advantage. Both teams took a number of threes and ht them Indiana was 10 of 17 959%) from downtown while John Thompson III’s Hoyas checked in at 11 of 26 (42%). Facing a liberal amount of zone, both teams utilized ball reversals and settled for perimeter attempts. Thirty five percent of Indiana’s field goal attempts came from three, 44% for Georgetown.
Markel Starks, the Hoyas’ junior guard, had another solid night leading all scorers with 20 points. Indiana put five players in double figures with Cody Zeller and Jordan Hulls scoring 17 points each.
Coach Tom Crean and the Hoosiers came away with the title knowing they were intensely tested. Georgetown as runner up defeated and was right there with another highly ranked opponent. A solid two-day showing by the Hoyas.
We finally meet again. This note is courtesy of Pam Chvotkin, helping her veteran play by play man and dad Rich on the Georgetown radio broadcast. Seems the last time the two teams met was in 1979. The game featured two legends on the sideline, John Thompson of Georgetown and Bobby Knight for Indiana. The Hoosiers prevailed and on that Indiana team were two future NBA head coaches, Randy Wittman and Mike Woodson. The Hoyas were led by future NBA player, Eric “Sleepy” Floyd. It’s amazing that the two teams did not meet in an independent game nor a pre or post season tournament since that time.
