An old fellow was sitting down the row from me yesterday. He was an annoying Eeyore, apparently by nature, and the team didn't do anything to help his mood. But midway through the second half, he did say something that I agreed with.
"They're not trying! I'd put the bench in."
On reflection, he was right. The first string was sleepwalking, and clearly didn't care if they were on the floor or not. So, [banned words] yeah, put the bench in.
They may not be as talented as the first team, but what could happen? Clang free throws to the tune of 45%? Turn the ball over in four straight possessions down the stretch? Have defensive lapses ad infinitum? Poor shot selection? Get curb-stomped on the boards? Act like loose balls are dipped in raw sewage?
All that happened with the starting rotation in. Could the scrubs do any worse?
With 18 hours to reflect on it, I really think this was the most disappointing performance in my personal memory. Not because of the loss, but because of the circumstances and context. Last third of the conferee season, (supposedly) fighting to get into the NCAA, at home, against a team who we can match talent-for-talent, and it was clear the players just didn't care.
I've read some criticism of the crowd for being dead. The crowd was in fact dead and leaden as a sack of rocks. Because it took almost five minutes to get the first two points -- ironically, two free throws (we missed 10 of the ensuing 12 to be 4 of 14 at one point) -- and almost 8 minutes to get the first field goal. Before, in between, and after, it was clear the team wasn't even phoning it in...they weren't on the line at all.
So, yeah, if the players don't care, and don't even try to hide their apathy, why should the crowd invest any energy?
It was an inexcusable performance.
I sincerely hope we are embarrassed enough to use it as a springboard. As with fourth marriages, however, I know that might be the triumph of hope over experience.