Up 20, about 3-4 minutes into the half, I could see the team relax. They thought it was in the bag. Started jacking up lazy shots, playing half-assed D, and most of all their body language seemed to say they were already thinking about what night spot to hit after the game.
And sure enough, Vandy pulled back to within two. Vandy. Worst team in the league, by far, and with their best player sidelined.
Next time our players check out of a game like that, I don't think we will be as fortunate. Barnes needs to chew some ass.
Funny thing...after the game, in his post game comments Barnes pretty much said the same thing. I think he used the term "sloughed off" and mentioned the bad body language. Hey, great minds think alike!
No, seriously, anyone not blind could have seen it. It was that obvious. I hope this is an anomaly not repeated again this season, because that was a close call and would have been an awful loss for RPI, optics, the Dance, you name it.