Guest Contributor Ray Floriani: NIT Final

by Ray Floriani

NEW YORK CITY - It wasn't as much a 'shock'. Wichita State defeated Alabama 66-57 to give the Shockers their first NIT championship. For the second straight game the Missouri Valley Conference representative had a surprise marquee player under the bright lights of Madison square Garden.

Outside MSG about two hours before tip off
on a wet, damp day

The pace and efficiency:

		Off.
	Poss.	Eff.
Wichita State	65	102
Alabama	65	88

The Garden floor waits patiently.
About 90 minutes before game time.
Not a player in sight
but the two cheer squads are limbering up.

The Four Factors:

		FTA
	eFG%	FGA	OR%	TO%
Wichita State	58	28	32	29
Alabama	39	23	27	19

The turnover rate stands out for Wichita. Alabama had only a 17-14 edge in points off turnovers. Regardless, surrendering almost one third of your possessions in the TO category could spell disaster against a quality opponent as Alabama.

The Crimson Tide's eFG rate was largely due to a 2 of 14 showing from three point range. More solid defense on the part of Wichita.

Shockers were 7 of 15 (47%) from three and 16 for 31 (52%) from two point range. Both good showings as was their overall scoring balance. The leading scorers for Wichita were J.T. Durley and Graham Hatch, both with a dozen points.

Taking a halftime break from tempo-free charting
to get in a picture with a few Wichita State cheerleaders

Charting Possessions
Kept a long hand record of the possessions. At the half had 35 for each team. The formula gave 36 for each team. Wichita State led 37-34 at the break. The halftime efficiencies (on the 36 per formula):

	Eff.
Wichita State	103
Alabama	94

The second half charting yielded 29 possessions each. For the game that would be 64. Using the formula the second half possessions were also 29. The final total was 65, thus another example of how accurate and useful the possession formula is.

MOP
Most Outstanding Player. Yours truly was in on the voting and have to say it was tough. Good thing the ballots were collected with three minutes to go The All-Tournament team was not as difficult but that outstanding player, another story.

	versus
	Wash. St.	Alabama	Total
Garrett Stutz	35	5	40
Graham Hatch	12	16	28

Taking it on a per minute basis for the two games:

		Eff. per
	Minutes	Minute
Garrett Stutz	47	0.851
Graham Hatch	46	0.609

NIT Selection Chairman C.M. Newton and the champions from Wichita State

Relatively close call if you look at the per minute contributions. Yours truly voted for Stutz, but had no problem with Hatch's selection. Had both on my All-Tournament team. Stutz had the great breakout game, 24 points 11 boards against Washington State. In that one Wichita State never trailed. You can argue it was an easy rout. But one reason it was one sided was due to Stutz's asserting himself very early on.

The final saw 6 ties and 9 lead changes. Hatch earned the MOP not due to tying for the club scoring lead. Rather, there were crucial threes he hit in the stretch to put this one away. The senior swingman's clutch perimeter shooting proved to be the difference and enough to get the votes needed for MOP.

Given the type players on and off the floor, neither Stutz nor Hatch would have a problem regarding who took the MOP trophy.

Fans of the Shockers celebrating and savoring the moment

JaMychal Green was effective inside for the Tide. Green scored 12 points (5 of 7 from two and overall) while adding four rebounds. Once again foul trouble reared its ugly head. Green logged only 25 minutes, which hurt the Tide especially the latter part of the final half. Tony Mitchell, the Tide's 6-6 sophomore forward, led all with 13 points, 12 rebounds. Mitchell played 33 minutes but he too weathered foul trouble.

As noted, the Tide struggled from the perimeter. Anthony Grant's club was 19 of 42 (45%) from two point range, reflecting how tough the defense of Wichita State was.

Manley Game Leaders
The leaders in Manley for the final:

	Manley
	Efficiency
Tony Mitchell, Alabama	16
Graham Hatch, Wichita St.	16
JaMychal Green, Alabama	15
Aaron Ellis, Wichita St.	12
Chris Hines, Alabama	11

Notes
Wichita State finished 29-8. The 29 wins a school record. Alabama wrapped up at 25-12. The All-Tournament team:

Alec Burks, Colorado
JaMychal Green, Alabama
Trevor Releford, Alabama
Garrett Stutz, Wichita state
Graham Hatch, Wichita state (MOP)

Besides being an outstanding coach, Gregg Marshall of Wichita State showed a deep appreciation for the NIT history and tradition. Naturally, he was extremely proud as well as thrilled that his club could emerge champions.

First half saw the two teams shoot 100% from the line. Wichita 9-9 and Alabama perfect on all five. Teams combined to hit 17 straight before there was a miss. Wichita finished 13 of 17 (77%) while Alabama was much improved after the semis, connecting on 13 of 15 (87%).

About 45 minutes before the game music began to play on the Garden PA system. The very first song was 'Wichita Lineman' by Glenn Campbell. Asked the Wichita State cheerleaders, warming up, if they were familiar with the song. None heard of it and one thought the singer was Frank Sinatra. Explained the song's background and how it was a hit in December of 1968. Larry Rankin, the Wichita State Media relations Director, explained the song was for Wichita County in Kansas but adopted by the city of Wichita.

Next song was 'Alabama Getaway'. Alabama cheer squad was familiar with it. In fairness, Alabama Getaway came about 12 years after Wichita Lineman and was performed by the Grateful Dead.

Favorite of the Wichita band was 'We're not gonna' take it' of Twisted Sister fame.

Attendance, only 4,873 for the final. The Wichita contingent did travel well with a very active group.

Post game festivities on the floor seemed to go on a good forty minutes. Shocker fans reveled in this victory. Following the presser some close friends and family were invited to the Wichita state locker room. Again, they wanted the party to continue.

Heading home, got in my car after getting the train to Secaucus. Popped in a 60s CD with the first song that came up, none other than, 'Wichita Lineman'.

They may not know the "Wichita Lineman"
but the Wichita State cheer squad knew "New York, New York"
and danced to the lyrics in post game celebration

Guest Contributor: Ray Floriani The NIT Semi-Finals

by Ray Floriani

NEW YORK CITY - The NIT semifinals were a bit reminiscent of the recently completed Newark Regional semis. A blowout followed by a down to the wire game won by an SEC school.

They didn't stay long but Washington State fans had enthusiasm.

The scores...

Team	Score			Team
Wichita State	75		44	Washington State
Alabama	62		61	Colorado

A moderate pace with not a great deal of transition. Wichita State with a +45 efficiency margin simply excelled on both the offensive and defensive ends.

MSG during game action

The pace and efficiency:

		Off.
	Poss.	Eff.
Wichita State	66	114
Washington State	64	69

The Four Factors:

		FTA
	eFG%	FGA	OR%	TO%
Wichita State	50	15	49	18
Washington State	29	28	15	14

At least they had a good showing in the TO rate department. Taking the positive spin that was about all you could say on the upbeat side regarding Washington state. The man to man defense of Wichita State was outstanding. They did not allow the Pac 10 representatives to hit a single attempt beyond the arc (the Cougars were 0 for 10). They also held Klay Thompson, a 22 point per game scorer, to a 6 point night (1 of 10 from the floor). Thompson had foul trouble and never got into a rhythm playing only 25 minutes. One reason he was in foul trouble was the Wichita State staff noticed in films that the 6-6 junior guard liked to drive hard to the basket. The Shocker defenders stood their ground and drew a few early charges on Thompson. Again, credit the Wichita State defense.

Washington State was concerned about Wichita's rebounding. A look at the numbers shows coach Ken Bone's fears were justified and soon a reality. Gabe Blair had a nine rebound effort but the surprise on the boards and overall was Garrett Stutz. A 7-foot junior, Stutz entered New York averaging just over 6 points a game for the Shockers. Maybe it was the bright lights of MSG, whatever the case, Stutz enjoyed a great 24 point, 11 rebound outing in 25 minutes. Both his scoring and rebounding were game highs. Stutz shot 10 of 13 from the field and added two blocks. In raw numbers Washington State was beaten 52-25 on the glass.

Washington State cheerleaders Ashley (l) and Jennifer (r) with yours truly.
Juniors in Brooklyn was a popular stop for the WSU cheer contingent.

Cougars had only one player shot 50% or better. Faisal Aden (8 points) was 4 of 8 from the floor. Wichita State also enjoyed a 48-18 gain on points in the paint. For Washington State, it was one of those nights where things went dreadfully wrong on both ends of the floor.

The Second Game
Game two was contested at almost the same pace as the opener. There the similarity ended. The game itself and efficiencies, were quite a bit closer than what we saw in the first get together.

		Off.
	Poss.	Eff.
Alabama	60	103
Colorado	63	97

The Four Factors:

		FTA
	eFG%	FGA	OR%	TO%
Alabama	52	7	35	18
Colorado	48	26	32	25

Colorado coach Tad Boyle

Alabama only had an 11-10 lead in points off turnovers. Regardless, the damage was done as Colorado wasted a quarter of their possessions on those annoying miscues. And in a one possession game decided on the last shot, that is a killer.

Levi Knutson's three point shooting helped Colorado trim a ten point second half deficit. Knutson scored 14 points on the evening. The senior guard shot better from three (4 of 10 40%) than two point (1 of 3 33%) range.

Alabama was able to get to the charity stripe. The FT rate was computed by dividing field goal attempts by made three throws. So that category is extremely low as the Crimson Tide shot 4 of 11 from the line. That's 36% and considerably lower than their eFG mark. If Anthony Grant's club was packing to head home, the poor free throw shooting would have been a viable 'exhibit A'.

JaMychal Green of Alabama led all scorers with 22 points before fouling out late. The 6-8 junior was all inside taking very shot from two point range and connecting on 11 of 16.

The Manley Efficiencies:

	Manley
	Efficiency
Garrett Stutz, Wichita State	35
Alec Burks, Colorado	27
JaMychal Green, Alabama	21
Gabe Blair, Wichita State	20
Chris Hines, Alabama	15
Tourne Murray, Wichita State	15
Trevor Releford, Alabama	12

Notes:
The leader for Manley efficiency from Washington state was DeAngelo Castro with an 11. Thompson limped in with a -2. That 1 of ten shooting, one assist and three turnovers, had a lot to do with that. Stutz per minute efficiency was a beyond outstanding 1.40. Pro scouts assembled liked what they saw. A number plan on making a trip to Wichita next season as part of their agenda. And as one noted, "you know he (Stutz) will be back a fourth year."

Attendance was 6,082. Both coaches, Anthony Grant of Alabama and Colorado's Tad Boyle would agree, the game was decided came down to who made the play at the end. And who didn't. Trevor Releford, a freshman point guard, scored the deciding basket on a baseline drive. Colorado's Alec Burks' last second shot at the buzzer missed and Alabama advanced to their first Nit final since 2001. The Tide was defeated by Tulsa in that meeting a decade ago and has never won the tournament. As has Wichita State.

Releford's numbers epitomize his freshman 'experience' . He shot 3 of 7 from the line, had six assists and four steals but did commit four turnovers. All is fine in Grant's estimation because Releford came up big when necessary.

Alec Burks paced Colorado with 20 points. The sophomore guard was only 1 of 5 from three but a perfect 7 for 7 from the line.

Only 7 of Washington State's 15 field goals were assisted. Cougars had nine turnovers. Those numbers show Wichita State defended well enough to keep the ball from moving and the Shockers forced the opposition to beat them off the dribble. Which they had great difficulty doing.

Washington State finished at 22-13 while Colorado's season ended with a 24-14 record. Final is Thursday night at 7 pm.

Colorado dance team. Did a great job performing
to the tune 'American Woman'.