http://ricksfalconreview.blogspot.com/The framework for this game began in 2012 during out of conference play for the Falcons. Air Force played an out of conference schedule that made them play against Mountain West Conference caliber teams at home and on the road. However, even with the plan for competition, Air Force did not have success during that time either at home or on the road. Air Force played close with Florida (now ranked #4) being within one with 16 left in the game but losing. They lost to now #20 Wichita State at home by 3 points after shooting only 14-25 from the FT line, did get blown out by now 75 RPI Richmond on the road as well as losing on the road to then #24 Colorado in Boulder.
Now fast forward to this game against #22 San Diego State. The #22 Aztec came into Clune arena as both a successful and very physical team. Air Force saw that tonight in 40 minutes of hard fought action. Last year's Mountain West Conference Player of the Year Franklin was everything he was built up to be and proved that on the court by scoring and rebounding. But the lessons learned and the experienced gained in those four OOC loses paid dividends. Air Force kept their composure even when losing the lead to SDSU to finally take and keep the lead to the final buzzer. San Diego never quit and had a tying shot at the buzzer, but it was off the mark and the Falcons beat them for the second year in a row at Clune Arena.
From a guest poster, 72EagleDriver, who summed it up well (with minor editing for this blog)....yeah....72Eagle you got top billing on my blog!!!
(Read 72Eagles post above)
Back to my take on the game (and thanks 72Eagle). I agree 100% that the key to this win was the coaching adjustments along the baseline defense. The last 7 minutes of the first half it was easy shot after easy shot for the Aztecs pulling them back into the game at halftime. They had to work harder in the second half without the easy buckets to find ways to score. No only did the Falcons stop the low block points, they played aggressive defense on the perimeter as well hassling the Aztecs most times whey they shot the three resulting in a 2-19 11% 3pt shooting night. Not always a strength for San Diego, but definitely hurt by the loss of scorer Thames (who did not play), Tapley's sore wrist and the Falcon defense.
Comparisons for the game (
Box Click here)
AF FG 49% FT 88.9% (8-9) 3pt 40% (12-30) Reb 23/5 Ast 20 TO 10 Blk 2 Stl 7 PF 18
Paint 20 Off TO 13 2nd Ch 6 Fast 6 Bench 23
SDSU FG 44% FT 83% (15-18) 3pt 11% (2-19) Reb 37/15 Ast 19 TO 13 Blk 1 Stl 4 PF 19
Paint 38 OffTO 9 2nd Ch 16 Fast 2 Bench 6
In my keys to the game I said we needed to go inside out and how hard it would be against the long and physical Aztecs. Indeed they played tough inside and, even times when we got to the rim we did not always finish. But the Falcons attempted to do that and, of the 12-30 3's made, I believe at least 8 of them came off of passes from inside the lane to an outside shooter. The second key to the game was the depth of both benches and what AF had to do to succeed was to not just get minutes but also get points off the bench. AF played 6 players who outscored SDSU 23-6 off the bench and while giving 57 good offensive and defensive minutes (as compared to SDSU who played 3 off the bench for 36 minutes). I believe that depth and the ill health of Thames and Tapley contributed to the final score.
Great effort by Kam Williams, DeLovell Earls, Mike Fitzgerald, Marek Olesinski and, of course Taylor Broekhuis who all battled in the lane throughout the game. As we attempted to guard Franklin, so did the Aztecs in guarding Mike Lyons who still had 20pts (7-12/3-7/3-3FT/5 rebs) in a very good effort. Todd Fletcher a solid shooting night with 13pts on 5-8/3-6. No other s in double figures so this was a 'team win'.
Lastly, a giant shout out to the cadets of Section 8 and the fans in Clune. The noise level in the arena reminded me of those NCAA and NIT years, when Clune really was 'The Chamber' in cranking up the noise and supporting the Falcons. Biggest crowd this season at 5100 fans (with 6000 being a sold out Arena). One SDSU fan who made the game stated on their forum that he felt it truly was a noisy arena that his team played at. Thanks to all who attended.
Air Force (5-2) is now tied for 2nd in the MWC with CSU (5-2) (as of this writing, looks like UNLV will lose to Boise State so will drop out of the tie for 2nd into a tie for 4/5 with SDSU. Big game for first place on Wednesday when AF plays #20 NM (6-1) at the Pit. Following these teams are Boise St in sixth (3-4), Nevada (2-5), Wyoming (2-6) and Fresno St (1-6).
GO FALCONS
