Coaches vs. Cancer: A final look

NEW YORK – A brief note on the four teams in the recently completed Coaches vs. Cancer classic. The scores:

Semifinals:

Mississippi State 69, Texas A&M 60

Arizona 81, St. John’s 72

Consolation:   Texas A&M 58, St. John’s 57

Championship:  Mississippi State 67, Arizona 57

1. Renardo Sidney is an enigma. If he ever gets it going, look out. Mississippi State Coach Rick Stansbury praises his effort but the truth is, too many times Sidney appears disinterested or going through the motions. He scored three points on 0-of-8 shooting in the semis. The first two minutes of the final he hit his first two shots and seemed to be on the way. After that opening, he basically disappeared, finishing with eight points. The Bulldogs have a solid backcourt led by Dee Bost. Tournament MVP Arnett Moultrie is a versatile and dangerous talent with relentless energy. Mississippi State simply is an excellent club. But if Sidney gets it together, watch out.

2. The pieces are falling into place at Arizona. Sean Miller’s club wound up as runner-up, but the Wildcat mentor likes their progress. Both nights they had a turnover rate of under 20%, a very good mark. The Wildcats will shoot the three, as evidenced by the St. John’s game where 48% of their points were from long range. They have a few inside players in Jesse Perry and Solomon Hill. There is a really nice freshman talent in Nick Johnson. Miller however, would like the aforementioned pair of Perry and Solomon to continue to make plays and show upperclass leadership. Arizona is a club that will continue to improve and Miller is excited about their prospects. With good reason.

3. Texas A&M has a few good wide bodies, notably Ray Turner, who can finish inside. One of their priorities will be in limiting turnovers. They had a 24% TO rate in the semis and 26% against St. John’s. There are times in the half court sets when they over-dribble and the offense stagnates. They can get the job done in transition but need better execution in the half court, especially against teams skilled in stopping the break. In 6-9 sophomore Kourtney Robinson, they have a solid rebounder who grabbed double figures in boards both night. They are another team with work to do, but one that took a lot more than just a two-game split out of their trip to New york.

4. St. John’s will compete and is resilient. Both nights  they came back from second-half deficits. They are small with little depth, so inside play on the defensive end is a concern for coach Steve Lavin. Opponents had a very high offensive rebounding percentage of over 40% both nights. Dribble penetration is outstanding with their quickness in the backcourt. Nurideen Lindsey got to the basket and caused match up problems against their opposition in the two contests. As noted, that penetration gets them to the charity stripe on a regular basis.  In that regard Lavin admits they must take advantage of the situation, as they were only 22 of 38 from the line in that one-point setback against Texas A&M.

The tournament honor roll with the Manley efficiency averages. The “Manley formula” devised by Martin Manley adds positives as points, FGM, FTM, rebounds, steals , assists and blocks while subtracting negatives: missed shots and turnovers.

MVP: Arnett Moultrie, Miss. State, 20

ALL-Tournament: Kourtney Roberson, Texas A&M, 10

Murideen Lindsey, St. John’s, 10.5

Jesse Perry, Arizona, 14.5

Dee Bost, Miss. State, 12.5